My take aways from this season.

[leebiddlecome]

I strongly believe that Will Egolf was our best offensive big man. Will's presence on the floor opened up what we had for an offense.

Get well Will!

Im not trying to be a smartaleck but he played over 20 minutes in two games. He showed that much in two games? One being a game versus FGCU and another versus E. Tennessee State?

[Braves4Life]

You seem to be a very smart guy ifarania. ALL very good points!

[leebiddlecome]

Well, you've got 120 minutes at the three guard positions. If only those four guys got minutes they'd each play 30. Add Dodie into that mix and you have about 25 minutes each... Which as far as I'm concerned is about how much guys should be playing on average.

And Darian Norris. And a potential recruit.

A healthy Warren and Sam M will be over 30. I dont see any scenario in which they aren't. And McCain played 25 as a freshman PG. Won't that naturally go up?

It will be a delicate mix for sure.

[thefish7]

I don't think so actually.. I think starters averaging over 30 mpg is more a reflection of necessity and a lack of depth rather than a "best situation." As I reflect on things, I keep wondering where Norris fits into things. I really like his game, but I can't figure where he fits in, when you have two other 6' guards on the roster. I believe EM is the most capable point guard on the roster, and other posters have already done a better job detailing what makes Maniscalco so valuable to us, and I expect these two guys to see lots of playing time (hopefully not too much overlap).

Regarding potential recruits, I can't see those guys getting a lot of minutes, because without injury we'll be very deep.

[Beninator]

Im not trying to be a smartaleck but he played over 20 minutes in two games. He showed that much in two games? One being a game versus FGCU and another versus E. Tennessee State?

I don't think that your post has any hints of being someone who is a smartaleck. imo This year in Egolf's limited time, I saw more post moves, mobility, and a court awareness to match those moves than I have seen from our other bigs all year. all this with apologies to SS as in a perfect world this year, SS would have been a reserve player.

[ifarania]

You seem to be a very smart guy ifarania. ALL very good points!

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[Out of Bounce]

Bradley is a decent basketball team. Not bad. Not great. Decent. I don't see anyway how this team won't be picked for 4th next year. This past season BU beat most of the teams they were better than and lost to the ones they weren't as good as (ODU included).

There are some things the team does well---pressure on the perimeter, get to the foul line, control tempo. And some things it doesnt do well---shoot, handle the ball, rebound.

Add those things up and you have an above average team. Personally, I would like to be better than 4th/5th in our league and "above average". I hope I'm not considered a "basher" or a "hater" for feeling that way.

Having Warren will help but it will be a different world for him. A) he is coming off an injury and B) he will be seeing the other teams #1 defender as opposed to #3 in years past. Don't underestimate how big a deal this is.

Andrew is a nice player, but not a major impact MVC player. I hope I'm wrong. I've made my feelings known about Will Egolf. I like the kid. I hope he produces. I'm just not gonna declare he was our "best offensive big man" and this major contributor we were without. Some feel that way. I don't. No biggie.

The team has a lot of good/decent players. Nothing wrong with that. The players with the most "upside" Eddren McCain and Taylor Brown--really need to improve. I am of the belief that the older players are what they are at this point.

Let's hope this team takes a step forward next year. Staying average or going backwards kinda stinks.

leebiddlecome, I am going to agree with most you have to say here and know exactly where you are coming from. AW is a shooter but as you pointed out lets see how he responds to being a much bigger target of teams D than the first two years here. Others will have to up their games to make him a all MVC first teamer. As for WG, 3 starts and no big games, gives us hope but seeing is believing! I wise the best for both of these guys, in their return from their injuries and we will need them. As for AT,well your guess is as good as anyone's. I can't believe the LB's are the only problem here.
As for all the rest of the players, let me just say this there is a lot of room for improvement in their over all game. If there is no great improvement than you are right, there will be another 4-6 finish next year.
As for the older guys I disagree, as I think if you look at CR,SS and DD (had he not got injured) their games have improved a lot towards the end of the season. So I think it is fair to say that we should see their improvements continue for next year.
Also I am going to warn most of the posters here not to put to much on the the two young men coming in. There is a huge jump from HS to Div 1 ball. Guards make this change more easily than the bigs, just because of the physical game that is played down under and for most being underdeveloped for their size.
Also JL and the coach's need to change BU's game. After the Oakland and ODU games it should be clear that our game needs to change with 2 bigs in the game or we can not win the big ones or move up in the the conf. Just facts. We can not have one big rebounding against 2 or 3 bigs. SS and DC were not to blame for what took place last night but were the victims of just to small of help
I just want to say, thanks to this years team who never folded and never looked for excuses but choose to give all they had for another good BU season. Thanks Guys I enjoyed it

[Out of Bounce]

Where are you 2bradleyfans Are you OK Drink lots of H2O You will weather it and there will be another time, trust me as I am someone who knows
As for who ever axed my posts there must be no fun at your house

[SFP]

ifarania, I'm not sure if anyone told you but your mug (if that is you in your avatar?) and cheering was on the the tube a few times last night!

We will have plenty of depth in the 1-3 position next year, PERIOD! I wish we could say the same thing with our 4 and 5 position.

At the 4 we have TB, JP and MK. We know the upside of TB and he will have to be much more consistent next year, JP and MK are Freshmen so let's not get carried away we will be lucky if they can contribute with consistency right away. If they do, we will be that much better.

The 5 position is our most questionable position because WE is questionable on how he will respond and to be honest we only saw a glimmer of his potential. I believe in WE but the proof will be exposed early on. SS should be playing only 10-15 minutes a game! I love his hustle and I believe he gives us everything he has. He will go down, just like JJ as one of our all time favorites. That does not mean one of our greats. AT, who knows????? I'm leaving him out of the equation because what I think will happen is that JP will end up playing the 5 for portion of the game next year.

We will need our guards to play a very punishing unrelenting pressure D with our bigs backing them up. I'd love to be able to play like Missouri does but we do not yet have the depth with the bigs to go out and play all out for 40 minutes. The following year should be much different with JP and JH coming in and the a year under JP and MK's belt.

I believe AW will all MVC and potential POY. AW can create on his own and what was missing from his game last year was the ability to play 40 minutes a game. If he shows up to play and determine to dominate the game, he will. There were times last year in every game where he would disappear. The guy is as silky smooth as we have ever had played since AP. I expect him to lead this team and we'll be as good as he plays.

[ifarania]

ifarania, I'm not sure if anyone told you but your mug (if that is you in your avatar?) and cheering was on the the tube a few times last night!

We will have plenty of depth in the 1-3 position next year, PERIOD! I wish we could say the same thing with our 4 and 5 position.

At the 4 we have TB, JP and MK. We know the upside of TB and he will have to be much more consistent next year, JP and MK are Freshmen so let's not get carried away we will be lucky if they can contribute with consistency right away. If they do, we will be that much better.

The 5 position is our most questionable position because WE is questionable on how he will respond and to be honest we only saw a glimmer of his potential. I believe in WE but the proof will be exposed early on. SS should be playing only 10-15 minutes a game! I love his hustle and I believe he gives us everything he has. He will go down, just like JJ as one of our all time favorites. That does not mean one of our greats. AT, who knows????? I'm leaving him out of the equation because what I think will happen is that JP will end up playing the 5 for portion of the game next year.

We will need our guards to play a very punishing unrelenting pressure D with our bigs backing them up. I'd love to be able to play like Missouri does but we do not yet have the depth with the bigs to go out and play all out for 40 minutes. The following year should be much different with JP and JH coming in and the a year under JP and MK's belt.

I believe AW will all MVC and potential POY. AW can create on his own and what was missing from his game last year was the ability to play 40 minutes a game. If he shows up to play and determine to dominate the game, he will. There were times last year in every game where he would disappear. The guy is as silky smooth as we have ever had played since AP. I expect him to lead this team and we'll be as good as he plays.

Hah, y'ah.. My parents and a few others texted me occasionally and told me. I agree with you that it would be nice to use our personnel to give opponents a Missouri-like look.. I don't know if our bigs will hold up under the demands of that system for extended periods, however... And I agree with you most of all about SS. He goes all out, love to see his hustle.. But the STAFF needs to recognize those shortcomings and get him back on the bench when we begin to get diminishing returns.. It happens to any player, but it seems to kick in with him fairly quickly and I don't like to see him struggle after too long of a stay on the court.

[mrcoachdude]

Which part of section 2? I was there too, but didn't hear anything...

I was in section 2 row DD...just a few guys calling out players...very derog comments...and certainly not needed......give the refs a hard time and even the coach...but to yell out things to the players during a game is no CLASS.....

I was frustrated at every turnover and missed opprotunities and I hate to lose...but will not stoop to asking a player not to come back next year...etc

[JMM28]

I was in section 2 row DD...just a few guys calling out players...very derog comments...and certainly not needed......give the refs a hard time and even the coach...but to yell out things to the players during a game is no CLASS.....

I was frustrated at every turnover and missed opprotunities and I hate to lose...but will not stoop to asking a player not to come back next year...etc

Was sitting on the opposite side, closer to the student section, of section 2 in row a, heard the one guy say that about SamS I thought? Kinda mean. Although the guy with the ref schtick directly behind me made me want to claw my eardrums out.

[thefish7]

Was sitting on the opposite side, closer to the student section, of section 2 in row a, heard the one guy say that about SamS I thought? Kinda mean. Although the guy with the ref schtick directly behind me made me want to claw my eardrums out.

That was probably me with the ref schtick. Sorry about that.

[ph]

2. We need a big. WE will be nice to get back, but not enough. Can somebody place 40 pounds on AT during the off season?

Is there a Charles Barkley Big *** Man camp that can teach the fine art of getting big down low??

[VeveJones007]

Woah, glad the moderators are around.. Some of us saw the chaos that results when they go to bed... Anyone familiar with the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes???

I do actually have something to say:

This team has a great deal of potential next year, but it's all pretty contingent. I don't think it's fair to make a blanket statement like "they will win the valley" or "they will be in the NCAAs" ... I do know that if they fail to make the NITs, I don't see how JL can stick around any longer.

I have taken a few things... some positive, some critical.

1. I am a huge SM fan. He has the killer instinct, he's a bull dog on both ends of the court, and he's a natural leader. He is the best thing about Bradley basketball going forward.

2. Andrew Warren's shooting and Will Egolf's versatility give this team a lot of potential and a lot of upside. With CR's sheer athleticism, this group has a TON of talent and SHOULD be the 2nd best team in the league next year, at minimum.

3. I think this depends on the coaching strategy and the development of an additional big man. If AT gets big, gets mad, and earns playing time or JP is an impact guy, AND Les and co decide to give a couple bigs simultaneous playing time (maybe 50-65% of the minutes), this team could beat Creighton for the league title. Give me WE and TB, WE and SS, TB and JP, etc. etc. etc.

4. Edge has great floor vision and great penetration skills, but someone needs to teach him how to contest open shots on the defensive end if he wants to be a starting point guard in the Valley. If someone could put SM's heart and tenacity into Edge's raw speed, we'd have an NBA point guard.

5. EM and SM shouldn't play together for extended stretches.. It works well in spurts and to change the tempo, but it shouldn't be the status quo.

6. The weave/Phoenix Suns offense can be a part of the offensive scheme, but I would like to see some more traditional sets integrated into our system. There were FAR too many instances of the team standing around, weaving around for 32 seconds and then horking a nonsensical, low percentage shot.

7. SS's leadership with the young bigs will be critical, and I love his hustle and his heart. His summer workouts should include the following in addition to normal practice: An hour of shooting shots from 5 feet or less, 20 minutes of rebounding practice.. An alternate to rebounding practice: take him outside and have him shag fly balls down at the baseball stadium (e.g., work on his hands).

8. Despite my criticism, I think Les has shown improvement as a coach, but I think he has hit a plateau. He needs to really reflect on what has worked and what hasn't.. And he needs to adjust. The Phoenix Suns offense was a stroke of genius as a reaction to shortcomings on the roster, so I know he can do it... Has he dealt with a statistical wiz? Go over to the econ department (I know a professor or two hold season tickets) and start going through the raw data... Find what works, what doesn't, and build from the numbers! It has reshaped baseball, and it has started finding its way into basketball. Get it done.

I do think he's a very solid recruiter, to be fair.

9. Thank you to Theron and Lavin... And good luck to them in all their future endeavors.

I agree on everything, except I think the 2010-2011 season is the big make-or-break year for JL. I think there are enough questions about the bigs for next season to give him a little slack. WE's coming off an ACL reconstruction, and the common heuristic is that it takes 2 years to fully get over that. Will AT be strong enough? How much can we really expect out of JP and MK as freshman? We already know that Singh is a glue guy and nothing more.

We only lose Roberts, Dunson, and Singh next year. So I think JL really has two years to work on the question-marks above.