BU Coaches versus Players

[UnbiasPerspective1]

I have noticed that a lot of the posts have been critical of the players for our recent losses. I personally think the coaches have to take a lot of the blame.

First of all we have not started the game with the necessary defense since our last win, and have only shown spurts of defense throughout the last couple of games.

I totally disagree that we don't have enough talent/shooters on this team. SM is the only perimeter player that doesn't appear to be concerned when he takes a shot. So I doubt if Coach Les can now try to have anyone else take the big shot.

A good example of this is DD. He had a subpar game against ISU, and was tenative on offense the entire NIU game, with the exception of the one drive. If the coaches don't let the players know they have confidence in them, and the players are unsure of themselves, then their is no way they will provide consistent offense.

During the summer/preseason workouts CR and DN appeared to be the two players that had the ability to consitently create a good shot for themselves. In my opinion they are underachieving. Is this the player or the coach?

EM also looks very uncomfortable on the offensive end. Even though he is the PG, teams must respect him.

I know we have had injuries, but I believe we have enough talent to have a good year. We are at a point in the season where we can't keep saying we have a lot of new players, this is why you have coaches.

[scout4126]

I completely agree. If a player loses confidence, they lose everything.

I think DN has the ability to be one of our best players but he has severely underachieved due to lack of confidence. He's uncomfortable with the ball, a trait that has been uncommon in him over his career. I know the transition to college is difficult but when you're a scorer, you score the ball, that is unless you do not have the confidence.

CR is the same type of player. He's been ridiculed a lot in his career, especially for his inability to shoot the ball. However, he had been shooting the ball well early in the year and his confidence was sky high. Since moved to the bench, he has not been the same. This makes you wonder if something has been said to him by the staff.

I think EM is playing really well. I'm guessing the coaches have put some restrictions on him offensively and it has definitely improved his game. He's a lot more under control and efficient but does pass up some "gimmie" shots.

A player I think that has done real well is DD. It seems to me that he has not lost confidence. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he brings it night in, night out for the most part. He was very persistent against ISU in the fact that he shot it poorly in the first half and came back strong in the second.

SM has more confidence than any player on the team. It seems the staff has given him the ultimate confidence. I think it would be beneficial if they gave some of the confidence to a couple other players, especially DN. I think he can be really special.

This is not a rip on the staff, just my opinion. I do, however, letting players know that you are confident in their abilities is one of the most positive things you can do as a coach.

[thefish7]

Didn't CR's two best games come off the bench? Then he got back into the starting lineup and it seemed like his confidence kind of fell apart and now he's back in that reserve role...?

[UnbiasPerspective1]

I agree with you regarding DD. He has been able to maintain a level of confidence throughout the season, but to me he appeared tentative the last game on offense, and lacked some aggressiveness. Not sure if it cost us the game, but I know it was not good for us.

IMO, coaches are responsible for taking advantage of the strengths of every player on the team, instilling confidence, and putting the player in a position to succeed. From all the preseason talk, and watching the players in the off-season, I expected to see a different product offensively. If we have the athletes we supposedly have, we should have a more dynamic offense (open and half court).

I am not suggesting that coaching these young men is easy, if it was anyone would be able to do it. However, from watching the last two games, if we don't go in a little different direction, this team will definitely not reach its potential. Every player is different, and good coaches are able to push the right buttons.

Players also have a responsibility to produce, but anyone who has ever played the game knows it is a lot easier when you know the coach trusts you. From the outside looking in, it doesn't appear that way with some of the players (not all). You never know who will need to make a play.

[NateMueller7]

At this point of the season I feel that we need to let some of the younger player start pulling the trigger.

I feel that for DN or EM are too hesitant to shoot the 3 ball, they are only shooting if they are wide open with nobody close. At this point let them shoot and maybe it will open up the lane a little more and we can get some more open looks down low

[Toyota12]

I agree with your assesment of the 2 guards DN,EM!! Why do we continue to keep giving DC
chances to try and be productive? IMO he is still lost at times and has no fire to win!! It is time to try someone different IMO...AT would not any more lost on the court,and probably
has better foot work defensively,now offensively who knows but there is not much production there from DC any way....

[Braves4Life]

Why do we continue to keep giving DC
chances to try and be productive? IMO he is still lost at times and has no fire to win!! ....

I'm not a DC fan but you must have missed the last game against UNI. DC showed fire, emotion and aggressiveness in the second half. Let's hope it continues.......

[thefish7]

DC's level of fire is up and down, but for the most part he's pretty good offensively once he has the ball. He mishandles passes and creates some bad turnovers... But his hook-shot is pretty reliable. He'd be even better in there if he keeps dunking like he did in the 2nd half of the UNI game.

[Toyota12]

I am sorry, my question is why does he getting chances? He is in is last year of school and maybe his last shot to ever play bball ..It is time to play like it all the time with fire!!! IMO

[real fan]

I think our emphasis is on defense way too much and because of it our offense has suffered.
I also believe that if they were given the ok to shoot more then we would be a lot better offensively, I just think that we were told to make the extra passes which is ok but we seem to be passing up better shots then what we end up taking.
No reason why C.Roberts, D.Norris,E.McCain and T.Brown are not factors when it comes to scoring as each has the ability to make shots.
The thing I would like to see them do is beat their man off the dribble and get into the lane for a pull-up jumper around 12-15 ft., no reason why they could not be doing this as they are quick enough.

[bu fan 9]

Why take the 12 to 14 foot jump shot when they can't make it?

[UnbiasPerspective1]

Why take the 12 to 14 foot jump shot when they can't make it?

I would like to know what is the basis for this statement, because you certainly can't say they have been given the trust and the opportunity to prove it.

Ok, let's just continue what we are doing and see how it works out.

[Big Mike]

I will say this....EM and DN are hurting the O' by not looking to take a shot once in a while....when playing the Braves watch out for TW-SM or DD because no one else seems comfortable shooting! The O' will open up more if DN and EM look for a shot thus making the D' honor them...DN passed up at least 3 open looks at a 3 against UNI....now from the stands I do not know if the staff said "pass only and do not shoot" or its all player decision but it needs to change IMO!
Now on the other hand TB hasn't met a shot he didn't like!