Jim Les or Tim Jankovic

[braves12]

I don't think the discussion should be Les vs. any other coach, it should be is the BU program where it should be. Is the BU program going to get where it should be? So far the program in my opinion has been mediocre. This year could be good or yet another year of mediocre, we will see. I don't buy the Jank has better players arguement. Les has had many years to recruit and the success is not on some other coaches players. Les is improving, but the results are not satisfactory yet, in my opinion. I want him to succeed. Time is running out along with the reasons of mediocrity being players leaving or getting hurt. Yes AW is missed as a shooter this year, but why is he the only shooter on the team? Yes, the team is struggling in the 5 spot, but how many years after POB left early does it take to solve this issue? Why does this team have so little experience which is used as a reason for some of the problems? How does a Drake last year and a UNI this year which BU should be able to out recruit (facilities not withstanding) put solid, well coached, fundamentally sound teams on the floor? We can say this team or that team is struggling and they have CLO or Dana, but why is BU always mediocre? Is this acceptable? I agree improvements have been made(even Kirk Wessler says this ), but results need to follow soon. I may be wrong but I don't think most BU fans will accept mediocrity forever. I noticed last night that a game in Carver against the 1st place team with BU in 2nd, did not come close to selling out. Speaks volumes, because money talks. I notice that the Braves club is struggling to sell out the raffle, and the luncheons have far less people attending....coincidence or the economy....I don't think so. Let's hope the team fixes the issues, the coaching staff fixes the issues and BU gets on a ten year run.

[Big Mike]

sorry B12...but if you think the economy isn't effecting things you live in a bubble!

[braves12]

Big Mike,

I did not say the economy did not affect things, I said the economy not withstanding. Were you surprised at the attendance last night? Do you think it was only due to the economy? When Mo was let go, it was my opinion that the number 1 reason was money. I also think that will be the reason Les will be let go, if he ever is. Watch the money, it speaks volumes.

Some of us fans will spend our money even in bad years (heck I am spending money to go to Drake saturday to support the Braves) but some won't. Can you imagine the attendance at games, luncheons, pre-season gala (also had empty tables this year) if BU finished in the top 3 most years and won the conference or tourney?

BU is a special place to play and coach. Finishing in the middle of the pack too many years in a row is not acceptable. Again, I want Les to succeed, and there is still time this year, let's hope. Also, I don't accept the hype for next year or any year in the future. It is year 7, time to figure it out soon. If not, it won't be me who affects the change because I will still spend my money, but many won't.

[afan]

I don't think the discussion should be Les vs. any other coach, it should be is the BU program where it should be. Is the BU program going to get where it should be? So far the program in my opinion has been mediocre. This year could be good or yet another year of mediocre, we will see. I don't buy the Jank has better players arguement. Les has had many years to recruit and the success is not on some other coaches players. Les is improving, but the results are not satisfactory yet, in my opinion. I want him to succeed. Time is running out along with the reasons of mediocrity being players leaving or getting hurt. Yes AW is missed as a shooter this year, but why is he the only shooter on the team? Yes, the team is struggling in the 5 spot, but how many years after POB left early does it take to solve this issue? Why does this team have so little experience which is used as a reason for some of the problems? How does a Drake last year and a UNI this year which BU should be able to out recruit (facilities not withstanding) put solid, well coached, fundamentally sound teams on the floor? We can say this team or that team is struggling and they have CLO or Dana, but why is BU always mediocre? Is this acceptable? I agree improvements have been made(even Kirk Wessler says this ), but results need to follow soon. I may be wrong but I don't think most BU fans will accept mediocrity forever. I noticed last night that a game in Carver against the 1st place team with BU in 2nd, did not come close to selling out. Speaks volumes, because money talks. I notice that the Braves club is struggling to sell out the raffle, and the luncheons have far less people attending....coincidence or the economy....I don't think so. Let's hope the team fixes the issues, the coaching staff fixes the issues and BU gets on a ten year run.

Braves12

You have expressed the current BU status extremely accurately. I agree with you 100%.

[Big Mike]

B12....I bet if you could check it out...Tuesday night would be the lowest attendance day of the week...too-close to the weekend and a school night....but I have had a very bad year business wise and usually buy 2 -$100 tickets...this year I will buy none...it is not on top of my priority list when money is tight...if you are not a season ticket holder you do not come out in tough times in the middle of the week..as far as the team....we were in 2nd place playing the top team...what more could the school and staff do ..besides the Braves are still doing the "Family pack" for the rest of the season ....$40 for 4 seats, 4 dogs and 4 sodas.......if that game last night was on a Sat-nite there sould have been 1000 more fans!

[afan]

sorry B12...but if you think the economy isn't effecting things you live in a bubble!

The number one reason that I read for the dismissal of the Alabama coach losing his job was due to a drop in attendanceand a drop in fan support. Money talks!!

[braves12]

Big Mike,

I am sorry your business year has been bad, I hope it gets better very soon. I am sure tuesday nights are not the best nights. I hope that I am wrong and that enthusiasm in the program is not slipping, but the many long time fans I talk with tells me different. Maybe I just hang out with the wrong fans

[Big Mike]

The number one reason that I read for the dismissal of the Alabama coach losing his job was due to a drop in attendanceand a drop in fan support. Money talks!!

We are close to avg-10,000 per game in a down economy in Valley games....how would that cost JL his job?

[braves12]

We are close to avg-10,000 per game in a down economy in Valley games....how would that cost JL his job?

I must go back to a post I made a few weeks ago. I said then that the program had another 2-3 years to get it turned around. I still think that. All I am saying is another year of a mediocre finish in the league and no Tourney championship will build on the problem of losing the enthusiasm and thus the money.

[Big Mike]

I'm just saying 9660 in tough times on a Tues night is not a bad draw! most people in Peoria could not even tell you what town UNI is in! Other than people on this board....most of the real world is not hinging on the outcome of BU basketball games and if attendance is the only reason to keep a coach...by that logic shouldn't UNI fire Jacobson...because they only get 4,093 fans per game and BU should give JL a raise(10,483)!


PS....BU is 2nd in the Valley on attendance with 10,483 behind CU who is avg 16,277!

[braves12]

OK.....I knew I must be looking at things wrong. I will tell the many fans I talk with to relax, everything is good

[Big Mike]

B12....I'm just talking about attendance.....your talking big donations and winning the league...I want that too--but there was nothing wrong with the crowd size IMO last night!

[scout4126]

I think Jank will ultimately be the better of the two coaches. Not enough there to judge right now. JL is a good coach, don't get me wrong, but I really like TJ.

Jank took one of the worst teams (record wise) in the Valley and made them a (what should have been) NCAA tourny-bound team that fell short and went to the NIT. This season, he knew what he had to do and that was give his players confidence to continue on their strong path. He did that by scheduling weaker teams and when they got to Creighton they blasted them by 20. They've faced a little adversity but they've been solid, nonetheless and TJ could possibly be on the road to his first NCAA tournament appearance as a head coach.

In the process of all this, he has padded his win total as well and set himself up for a big time job in the near future (assuming he gets to the tournament). I know DePaul fans would love to have him and that job WILL be open...

[Beninator]

I know DePaul fans would love to have him and that job WILL be open...

I know where you are coming from on this scout, but doesn't Wainright still have quite a few years left on his current contract?

[Da Coach]

I know where you are coming from on this scout, but doesn't Wainright still have quite a few years left on his current contract?

Wainwright has 3 years left on his contract, and the DePaul AD says his job is safe this year.
DePaul plans to retain Wainwright as coach-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/depaul/chi-28-depaul-basketballjan28,0,7381802.story