Postgame thread: ODU 66, Bradley 62

[Da Coach]

Dave Reynolds' column-
http://www.bradleyhoops.com/homepage...hs-rule-in-CIT

Kirk Wessler-
http://www.bradleyhoops.com/homepage...for-the-Braves
Kirk points out to us that the CIT is not the same as the NCAA.

[OrangeandBlack74]

I was surprised that TB didn't see the floor in the 2nd half, and that DC didn't play the last 12 minutes of the game. That being said, though, the following facts are quite clear:

1. BU didn't hit a 3 pt shot the entire 2nd half until the outcome of the game was decided.
2. ODU continually went inside to whoever Theron was guarding, as he simply didn't have the size/bulk to match up with Lee, Hassell, etc.
3. BU got back into the game when it switched to a zone defense and forced ODU to shoot more from outside.

When did we ever see DC and SS in the game at the same time this year? I can't recall a single game when that occurred.

I don't think coaching cost us the game, but we didn't shoot the ball well enough and didn't make the necessary defensive adjustments soon enough to give us a reasonable chance to win the game.

[thefish7]

This game was the study of small vs. big I kind of thought it would be. It was an interesting game, but it boiled down to getting absolutely murdered on the glass. Les needed to change something up and never really did... In the second half the lack of Collins became really obvious, but all I can figure is that DC did something to land on the bench as SS finished out the game I think (defensively we were a lot better with DC on the floor, I thought). SS played hard, but against 3 players who were his size or bigger all the time, he didn't have much of a chance. Anyway, I had a great time.

I'd've loved a win, but that's how it goes sometimes. Thought Les had probably his best year as our coach and probably maximized what could be gotten out of our roster after the injuries. I'm looking forward to next year, and I think we'll see two bigs on the floor all the time based on the personnel (or I'll be joining the questions for Coach Les crew).

[real fan]

Last nights game and the Oakland game just shows how hard it is to try and rebound against bigger opponents that are as athletic as us, we lost because of the easy putback layups O.Dominion made , we cannot play a 6-5 power forward and expect to compete against the top teams as you just get killed on the boards. Hopefully we will play a mor conventional lineup with 2 forwards, a center and 2 guards next season .

[thefish7]

I don't think we'll ever go away from a 3-guard set, and it seems like a lot of college programs play that way... I'm just ready to go away from the (size-wise) 4-guard.

[Da Coach]

.......
Theron was not healthy tonight.or at least appeared that way...its a shame he could not get it going like I am sure he wanted to....THANK YOU THERON for your hard work......

You are right. I have heard that Theron has battled through a couple of significant injuries the last couple weeks. He was hurting, but was not going to sit out these last games of his college career. He is a warrior, and though he didn't have his best offensive game last night, he played great defense against guys who were 3 or more inches taller, and 25 lbs or more heavier than he is.
Theron had 11 points, 9 rebounds to lead BU, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and only 1 turnover. Not a bad line.

Theron finished his career at Bradley as one of the best, if not the best, junior college transfer Bradley has ever had. He played a major part in helping Bradley to back-to-back 21 win seasons, all while playing the power forward spot at 6'5", against much bigger opponents, and holding is own defensively.

Thanks Theron for your dedication and efforts! And good luck in the future.

[ODUsmitty]

Thank you for the hospitality

BU fans-

Thank you for a terrific atmosphere and a highly entertaining game. I met a seemingly endless number of folks that share my passion for college BB, and had a great time at your facility.

Your fans make this a difficult place to play, yet do not do it in a disparaging or hostile manner. I sincerely think many of the other CAA schools (including our own) could learn a little about classy team support from you guys.

Best of luck next year. I wish we had one of your guards! And thanks again for making this a memorable trip. Let's not allow our AD's to forget what nice matchups CAA/MVC make - I wish there were more of them.

[ser_solace]

Well, too bad we lost last night and couldn't end the season on a high note.

I hope our seniors enjoyed the Bradley experience and wish them bright futures after they graduate.

[thefish7]

BU fans-

Thank you for a terrific atmosphere and a highly entertaining game. I met a seemingly endless number of folks that share my passion for college BB, and had a great time at your facility.

Your fans make this a difficult place to play, yet do not do it in a disparaging or hostile manner. I sincerely think many of the other CAA schools (including our own) could learn a little about classy team support from you guys.

Best of luck next year. I wish we had one of your guards! And thanks again for making this a memorable trip. Let's not allow our AD's to forget what nice matchups CAA/MVC make - I wish there were more of them.

Ran into a couple of ODU fans after the game. Seemed like nice folks. ODU was a good tough team, and I'm with you, would love some CAA/MVC games in the future (actually been thinking so since the great bracket buster game we had with VCU a couple of years ago).

[bigdaddystuck]

Disappointing end to the season. Really feel that we just got man-handled down low. That was the difference in the game. Congrats to the seniors on their careers and hope for the best in the future!

[leebiddlecome]

Old Dominion was a better team than Bradley. And, per usual, the better team usually wins. Bradley battled but I could tell from the beginning ODU had better players. Also, coach Taylor made a couple great offensive calls when BU cut the lead to two in the second half.

Would have been nice for the seniors to end with a victory but thanks Theron and David. We will miss Theron's game more than we want to admit. We weren't a good rebounding team to begin with and now you are losing your best/toughest rebounder by far.

[BU RICK]

It would have been a different story if we had not missed 16 3-point shots in a row - Ouch And the rims were almost unscrewed, they were very soft but we just kept hitting off the front or back of the rim. Not even rimming shots but clank shots. Oh well, it was still fun to watch the games this year

[TheAsianSensation]

It becomes abundantly clear - in order to make waves on the national scale, we must have size. Serviceable size that gets us rebounds. The smaller lineup these past couple of years has yielded us success, but there's a reason we haven't made "the leap" into the elite mid-major category yet, and this is it.

We're really close to something special here.

[houstontxbrave]

Last nights game and the Oakland game just shows how hard it is to try and rebound against bigger opponents that are as athletic as us, we lost because of the easy putback layups O.Dominion made , we cannot play a 6-5 power forward and expect to compete against the top teams as you just get killed on the boards. Hopefully we will play a mor conventional lineup with 2 forwards, a center and 2 guards next season .

This has been going on for much to long with Bradley. JL is trying to win a gun fight with rocks. ODU was playing Vball on the boards all game long, we are trying to compete with usually 2 guards under 6ft tall, one who cant jump, one 64 and one 66 forward both who can jump but generally are not physical and a 69 center who jumps worse then the 6ft guard. ODU exposed us bigtime we have no length or size and honestly we get no athletic ability from our 5 position.

On top of that we have 3 guards all under or at 6ft who one is a good shooter when he is set but insists on taking running shots off of screens, one who is either not confident or maybe just isnt much of a shooter and another who seems a little hesitent to shoot the ball.

The other side of our shooting is the 66 forward who can jump out of the gym but is wildly inconsistant at shooting the 3. But he does not have a post game so he roams the 3 but is all over the place when it comes to making that shot.

I hope with the more size and what should be more athletic players coming in next season either recruited or healthy Les will not be afraid to go from this height/physically challenged team to a more lengthy and athletic team.

Last night was like the years when we had 4 guards and Andrews and teams just killed us on the boards. But on top of the rebounding our shooters MUST get better.

[ph]

Last nights game and the Oakland game just shows how hard it is to try and rebound against bigger opponents that are as athletic as us, we lost because of the easy putback layups O.Dominion made , we cannot play a 6-5 power forward and expect to compete against the top teams as you just get killed on the boards. Hopefully we will play a mor conventional lineup with 2 forwards, a center and 2 guards next season .

I was with you until the last phrase. I think the S16 year proved we could compete with most BCS teams in the nation with 3 guards (Even (2) 6' and under guards as long as the 3rd is an athletic freak like Boogie/ and now CR) and you have 1 Forward with a power inside game and a true center. I'm OK with 3 guards. I'm OK with 2 < 6' Guards, but you got to back them guards up!