Well.....Creighton 73 BU 64

[Bradleyguy10]

Back down to earth. I was worried about a mental lapse and I can't say for sure if that's exactly what it was but here are some of the stats that suggest we lapsed back into the "other" team.

Creighton 3pt% was 47.7% -- what happened to 1st place perimeter d in the MVC

BU shot 6/18 from 3 which is 33.6% most notably 1/9 (11.1%) from 3 in the 2nd half -- what happened to only taking around 10/game

Overall CU shot 48.6% and BU shot 37.4% -- again 1st place defense, where'd you go?

Free throws were 18/26 which is 69.3% -- didn't look like 1st in free throws

Bench points for CU was a whooping 33 and BU with 19 -- CU just has a deeper team



Three road games in a row coming up here that will say a lot about this team...and will say a lot about the standings. Creighton is the more talented team and I had a feeling they'd put it together tonight. Move on to the next game.

[SFP]

Our bigs did not show up and our guards need to learn how to hit mid-range jumpers instead of driving into the trees. We also need to figure out how to guard the perimeter a bit better.

I watched the Mich. State game today and what their guards are doing is hitting that mid-range after they beat their man and then when the big steps out to defent them their bigs are wide open underneath. If EM learns to shoot the 10' jump shot there will be know one that can stop him.

[bluedevils1]

Honestly, we didn't look that much worse on the offensive end than the last couple games, but we just couldn't stop them and when we needed possessions the most, we turned the ball over and missed open shots.

[Da Coach]

No lack of effort.

Too many missed free throws and layups, and good shooting by Creighton.

The game turned when Bradley took a 3 point lead in the second half, then Cavel Witter clanked in the three pointer off the glass, and Antoine Young, who was 0-11 from three for the year, swished 2 of them. Creighton made their free throws, and Bradley couldn't keep up.

Well, we knew we wouldn't win them all, but it's tough to lose one at home. Bradley is still in 1st place and a game ahead of Creighton and ISU.
Need to go back to work and concentrate on the next game.

[Bradleyguy10]

Anyone think we can make up for it by beating them at Creighton?

We are, after all, better on the road.

[Bravesfan]

Back down to earth. I was worried about a mental lapse and I can't say for sure if that's exactly what it was but here are some of the stats that suggest we lapsed back into the "other" team.

Creighton 3pt% was 47.7% -- what happened to 1st place perimeter d in the MVC

BU shot 6/18 from 3 which is 33.6% most notably 1/9 (11.1%) from 3 in the 2nd half -- what happened to only taking around 10/game

Overall CU shot 48.6% and BU shot 37.4% -- again 1st place defense, where'd you go?

Free throws were 18/26 which is 69.3% -- didn't look like 1st in free throws

Bench points for CU was a whooping 33 and BU with 19 -- CU just has a deeper team

Three road games in a row coming up here that will say a lot about this team...and will say a lot about the standings. Creighton is the more talented team and I had a feeling they'd put it together tonight. Move on to the next game.

I didn't think we were going to run the table in the Valley this year. It would have been nice to run the table at home this year, but that's tough to do to.

The next three games will say a lot about our team, but it still will be a very difficult stretch. One out of three would be good. Indiana St continues their tradition of playing mediocre basketball, but occasionally knocking off some great teams in their place (as they did during the Royce Waltman era). I still think though we are talented enough to beat these guys at their place, but it will be tough. But that's our best chance for a win.

Now SIU has come back from the dead a bit, and as always are a pain to beat in their place. But they still are trying to find themselves, and despite their two game winning streak, this is a winnable game for us. I think the key to being a great team is to beat teams that are struggling on the road. It won't be easy, and a loss would not be surprising, but this is winnable.

Then there is lst place UNI. I don't know if they are as good as their record indicates, and as shaky as we are on the road, Bradley usually upsets one or two great teams on the road in a season, this as evidenced by our wins at Drake and Virginia last year, VCU the year before last and UNI in 2006. So since I don't know if UNI will keep up this pace all season, maybe we have a shot there too. I don't know how realistic a shot, but it is a possibility.

So basically we do have a shot to win any or all of these three games, unlike at Creighton or ISU red where I think it will be extremely difficult to get a win at those two places. The most important thing is that we get one at minimum, though two or more would be preferrable. Getting swept would really put us at risk for the play-in round, so one is the minimum goal, especially with a couple of easier home games to follow against Indy St and WSU.

[lefty]

As far as our offense goes give CU credit. They played fantastic defense IMO which made it hard for us to get good shots. They just bring pressure all the time which I think made us a little tired shooting in the second half.

We played good defense as well most of the time but CU does a better job on the pull up jumpers.

Another thing I noticed.JL didn't say much to the refs all game. A few times late in the second half he talked about a couple of calls but he didn't chirp much at all until before then.

McCain needs to stay on his feet...he's up in the air too much and doesn't know what he's going to do.
A couple of games ago he had 8 turnovers and people didn't think he had that many but tonite he only had 2 and it seemd like 5

[bluedevils1]

As far as our offense goes give CU credit. They played fantastic defense IMO which made it hard for us to get good shots. They just bring pressure all the time which I think made us a little tired shooting in the second half.

We played good defense as well most of the time but CU does a better job on the pull up jumpers.

Another thing I noticed.JL didn't say much to the refs all game. A few times late in the second half he talked about a couple of calls but he didn't chirp much at all until before then.

McCain needs to stay on his feet...he's up in the air too much and doesn't know what he's going to do.
A couple of games ago he had 8 turnovers and people didn't think he had that many but tonite he only had 2 and it seemd like 5

? There is no possible way McCain only had 2 turnovers, you are right.

[Bradleyguy10]

BravesFan, I definitely think all 3 are possible, legitimately possible. It's just going to be tough, and everyone knows that. It's time to get back to business on DEFENSE. Those percentages were very high for CU and we need to be the #1 overall defense in the league if we want a chance for the valley title. The offense wasn't too bad but 18 3's total and in the 2nd half going 1/9?? Ouch.

But CU did put some shots in that ruined momentum because they just...were creighton shots lets put it that way.

[jasonpeoria911]

More shooting, less thinking/hesitation. Oh, and play more D on the perimeter against Creighton next time.

Jason

[IlliBraves]

Time to take a day off, then get right back to work focusing on the next opponent. BU is still very much in the hunt for the MVC, it's a long conference schedule.

[SFP]

Oh, and play more D on the perimeter against Creighton next time.

OH, Do you think? and also try to hit our FTs and especially the front ends of the 1 and 1s.

Also, I wish just once DC would take the ball and go hard to the rim, not back away, and dunk it on someone, regardless if he fouls the guy guarding him! Right now you play him to put the ball down once with his right hand, turn around and fade away from the basket and shoot.

[Bravesfan]

Anyone think we can make up for it by beating them at Creighton?

We are, after all, better on the road.

Yes we are. We are still perfect on the road, at least for a few more days!

That would definately make up for tonight. If anyone can beat Creighton at home as UNI did, it is a big win!

[lefty]

OH, Do you think? and also try to hit our FTs and especially the front ends of the 1 and 1s.

Also, I wish just once DC would take the ball and go hard to the rim, not back away, and dunk it on someone, regardless if he fouls the guy guarding him! Right now you play him to put the ball down once with his right hand, turn around and fade away from the basket and shoot.

yeah..once in the first half the defender was on his right hip and instead of going right and having a layup he turns opposite and does a fadeawy

[Beninator]

Just adding a couple of things to what has already been said...

We played like an inexperienced team tonight... We rushed things on offense and tried to create situations that weren't there... ie driving to the baseline and jumping out of bounds to try to pass to someone/anyone and getting caught with noone to pass the ball to..... We need to concentrate on the mid-range game and freethrows!

Creighton is a team that we do not match up well against...

Let's be sure to concentrate on winning the next game....

all for now... Tonight's game was like watching root canal operation.