Postgame thread: ODU 66, Bradley 62

[SFP]

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!

Yes, No! We lost to Memphis precisely because they had guards that were 6 inches taller and 30 lbs bigger! One guard around 6' who is stout and or quick and with a 2 at least 6'3" or taller, lights out shooter who can create his own shot would be ideal.

[leebiddlecome]

Yes, No! We lost to Memphis precisely because they had guards that were 6 inches taller and 30 lbs bigger! One guard around 6' who is stout and or quick and with a 2 at least 6'3" or taller, lights out shooter who can create his own shot would be ideal.

We lost to Memphis because they had a lot better players.

[SFP]

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.

After watching the NCAA your statement rings loud and true IMO. We are close to something special but I'd also like to see us play a bit bigger.

BTW..Was there something wrong with DD? Did he attempt a 3 all night long?

[amckillip]

I rarely blame things on JL, but there was no reason DC should not have been in during the 2nd half. SS was getting worked down low. I was much happier with the way DC was on the boards and defensively. And why was SamM sitting for so long? The kid had almost a week off and has played 50 minutes a game before??? IMO, we got outcoached, we had the talent to win that game, and were in position to - we had the wrong players in, and were running the wrong plays. With the game on the line, I NEVER want edge running the offense, he freaks out and makes dumb mistakes... Stupid passes and stupid shots...
Like I said, I rarely blame JL, I think that's a cop out to avoid saying we just didn't get it done most of the time, but in this case I really think that JL screwed up. That being said I really am looking forward to what he has set up for next year. Though watching online just won't be the same...

[Dubl R 1]

Congrats to ODU as they deserved to win, especially grinding one out in what I consider a tough place for visitors to win in.

Our 3 point shooting really dissappeared tonight, and that killed us, along with giving up 25 second chance points. I thought their zone had a huge soft spot in the middle, but we just didn't get the ball in there enough, especially since we couldn't buy one from outside. I was also a little surprised we didn't see Taylor in the second half. He had some nice minutes in the 1st half. Anyway, on to next year!

Also wanted to say thanks and good luck to Theron, David, and Brian. I as a Bradley fan appreciate all the hard work and sacrifice you guys have put into the program during your BU careers. We'll miss you.

[Da Coach]

The game also was well officiated. After talking to dozens of BU fans, though we are all disppointed, I haven't heard a single comment about the officiating.

[Dubl R 1]

I thought they missed a few travels, but as far as fouls, they were pretty good. They also were fair to both teams, didn't think either team got the majority of the calls. ODU WON the game fair and square.

[egib52]

So you had these same issues before today's game? That's all I'm trying to get at.

Maybe this isn't true for a lot of you, but this season was over for me when the team lost to UNI down in St. Louis. This whole tournament (for me) was just like a summer trip overseas to play in a handful of games. The team gets more practice and games to prepare and get ready to improve for next season.

I agree that JL didn't do his best today. But I think that he has improved in every year that he's been here, so I'm not overly concerned about it. I also think that the team will be better in the front-court in the future, so I'm more confident that the team will have bigger lineups down the road.

I understand the desire for development. However, part of the development of the players has to be developing the killer instinct. As well as the belief that no matter who the opponent we should not lose on our floor. The mentality the season died in St. Louis is a loser's mentality. I don't care if we played the Harlem Globetrotters you should play and coach to win. As for the assertion that we are looking at only this game as having poor coaching, I think we have seen the same issue since he's been here. SS was not contributing anything, and we weren't running offense in the second half. ODU was a good team, but with that game at home we should not be satisfied with 2nd place.

[shaunguth]

To-do list.......

• Outscore ODU by at least 5 at the FT line.
• No more than 12 TO's.
• Cause more than 12 TO's, at least 8 being steals.
• Make at least 7 three's.
• Keep the rebounding battle close, staying within 3.

• FT's: 9-ODU, 8-BU
• BU TO's: 11
• ODU TO's: 11, 6 from steals
• BU 3 PTM: 3
• Rebounding margin: -7

We only accomplished one out of the five.

[thefish7]

The game also was well officiated. After talking to dozens of BU fans, though we are all disppointed, I haven't heard a single comment about the officiating.

I gave the refs the business last night... But if I'm honest with myself they essentially called the game I'd like to see refs call more often. There was one stretch in the 2nd 10 minutes of the game where about 3 really obvious fouls were ignored by a ref (the guy who got the business)... But I agree. About as well a called game as you'll get.

[Braves4Life]

I gave the refs the business last night... But if I'm honest with myself they essentially called the game I'd like to see refs call more often.. ... About as well a called game as you'll get.

The refs called a SPECTACULAR first half last night; you never noticed them.

Second half was not as good but much better than most every game called this year. Kudos to the refs

[thefish7]

The refs called a SPECTACULAR first half last night; you never noticed them.

Second half was not as good but much better than most every game called this year. Kudos to the refs

Despite my generally unreasonable and cruel treatment of refs, I have to agree.

[BU RICK]

I'm not here to start no trouble. I've read the posts about the coaching last night and I have to agree somewhat but can't lay it all squarely on JL. We need to play bigger next season like ODU and Oakland and others - I would think that's a given. We have 4 guys with good size coming back and 2 guys with good size coming in. I haven't read or heard much about our assistant coaching staff this year, do we really have anyone on the assistant coaching staff that knows how to coach bigs?? Maybe it's time for a change or addition in that department. How to pass the ball into the blocks, how to create driving lanes, footwork, how to block out, how to use your body. Do we have any assistant coaches that can teach that effectively??

[pfunk880]

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.

I appreciate the effort and guts from Theron, but knowing this makes me wonder even more why TB didn't get any minutes in the second half.

The game also was well officiated. After talking to dozens of BU fans, though we are all disppointed, I haven't heard a single comment about the officiating.

I definitely agree with this. The refs let the players play, and that's just how I like it. They didn't feel the need to be part of the show. I'd say the tournament as a whole was very well officiated.

[real fan]

The officials did a good job last night as they were consistent, our sweet 16 team had a 7 ft. center that stayed in the paint on defense and kept opposing teams fron getting any layups or easy putbacks, he was also a bigger threat to score , that is the only reason why we were able to have a 6-7 power forward which also gave us a player 2 inches taller then Theron, T was a real warrior these last 2 seasons battling against players that were much bigger them him, he will be greatly missed.