Rate Coach Les

[leebiddlecome]

The situation Bradley is in isn't unique to 2009. Or to Jim Les. Peoria has always been Peoria. BU has always been in the MVC. I dont think anyone expects BU to compete with BCS type schools on a yearly basis.

One beautiful thing about BU hoops is how consistent it has been in many ways. Fans always come. Excitement is always there. The city is still the same. I used to think expectations were higher but maybe that has changed.

[Braves4Life]

you really think it's due to national exposure from BU hoops?....

Without a doubt.

[amckillip]

I just saw a report that most private schools applications are down this year due to the economy. The public schools are generally twice as inexpensive even though schools like BU will probably give out more financial aid to make up the difference.

Oh, I agree completely, and I'd say the increase in number of application ahd far more to do with a booming economy than our Sweet Sicteen run... And I've done analysis projects for the admissions office. I can ASSURE you whoever said it had anything to do with the sweet sixteen run is makign an assumption, because they by NO MEANS have any sort of way to capture that data... Would have made my life a alot easier if they had...

[lefty]

Oh, I agree completely, and I'd say the increase in number of application ahd far more to do with a booming economy than our Sweet Sicteen run... And I've done analysis projects for the admissions office. I can ASSURE you whoever said it had anything to do with the sweet sixteen run is makign an assumption, because they by NO MEANS have any sort of way to capture that data... Would have made my life a alot easier if they had...

Let B4L in on that secret will you?

[BUBalum05]

Without a doubt.

This isn't the article I first saw info from George Mason, but its the first I found on Google. The stats don't lie that a big run in the tournament significantly change applicant numbers.

Excerpt from http://eagle.gmu.edu/newsroom/591/
"Admissions

* Freshmen applications have increased by 20 percent.
* The number and size of campus tours for prospective students and parents nearly tripled.

Alumni Relations

* Mason alumni who registered with the online alumni directory have grown by more than 52 percent.
* There is a 24 percent increase in alumni e-mail addresses now registered on record.
* There is a 25 percent increase in active alumni.

Development/Fundraising

* Mason received more than $23.2 million in new gifts and pledge payments compared to $19.6 million the previous year.
* Donations to athletic programs increased by 25 percent.
* General scholarship support nearly tripled.
* Unrestricted gifts to the university increased by nearly 45 percent."

[amckillip]

Yeah, but theres a world of difference between a Final Four run and a Sweet Sixteen run... Show me that data for BU... the trend isn't nearly as convincing.

[BUBalum05]

Without a doubt.

Yeah, but theres a world of difference between a Final Four run and a Sweet Sixteen run... Show me that data for BU... the trend isn't nearly as convincing.

After a bunch of google searches the best data for BU i could come up with was 2006 had 4300 applicants and 2007 had 4600. Not sure what the previous years were. Both years had 83% acceptance rates.

[Braves4Life]

Thanks for the help BUBalum05 . I'm simply reporting info I heard second hand from someone in-the-know at BU (at that time). Your facts help keep the egg off my face

[ph]

"With that being said, I would like to see us play a larger line up, but can anyone really make a case that this year we should have started 2 F/C's?"

We should have had at least two bigger players playing....but when WE went down we really could not....but I would have liked to see

SM
DD
TW
TB
DC

At least that is bigger.....
or

SM
DD
TW
SS
DC

hmmmm

I'm thinking, Always play 2 bigs. Why can't the staff teach each big man 2 or 3 offensive sets. Execute those sets to perfection. Let the guards add a few variations and substitute like mad.
(So you end up with a bunch of variation, just do not ask each big attempt to do too much) Also, A new big can learn one D (man or a specific zone type), experienced 2. Swap bigs when you want to swap strategy. (I think weask too much from a big so they usually not in the best position to succeed)

[jeffsu]

Just remember...

Applications can go up, but class size does not always increase because of that. Just because they apply doesn't mean they're signing the dotted lined to show up.

[onetuffshot]

Jim Les Bradley Braves

Offense 4

Defense 3

Substituting 2

Half-time adjustments 3

Team scouting 3

Recruiting 3 (Coming close to a 4)

Average 3

I think Les is one of the top 3 or 4 coaches in the conference, so I believe he can field a team and coach a team to a conference championship. However, he has a long ways to go before he becomes a "great" coach.

I believe that it all starts with recruiting. Hopefully Les can get some better players in here when the new facilities are done.

I think he is the correct person for the job,
Things I would change:
1) guard the person inbounding the ball
2) quit substituting yourself out of a run
3) better use of his timeouts
4) go back to a 2 guard,2 forward and 1 center lineup
5) need to keep our players healthy ( no it is not his fault our players keep getting injured)

The program is headed in the right direction and should be in contention for titles the next several seasons.

You both make very good points, but neither of you mention rebounding. I truly believe the main factor keeping our defense in the mediocre category is our lack of good defensive rebounding. We don't block out at all. Maybe that is JL's philosophy and he believes that athleticism is all that's neccessary to be a good rebounding team. He uses terms like "getting the first miss" when referring to defensive rebounding. My rating of all of Jim's teams for the rebounding department, except for Patrick's, would be a 1. We just don't block out!
Offensively we very rarely have a weak side rebounder, which is where most of the misses end up. To have that it has to be by design, not by accident. Offensive rebounds are like gold. They create fouls and free throws and lots of points.
Jim needs to get with Tom Izzo and bone up on rebounding skills.
As has been stated on this board hundreds of times, we need more of an inside presence, but that's another story.
Re the rest of the resume, I wouldn't change much.

[SFP]

I thought our rebounding improved night and day this year! The problem has more to do with size and the guys playing the 5 then anything else.

[Out of Balance]

I thought our rebounding improved night and day this year! The problem has more to do with size and the guys playing the 5 then anything else.

You make it sound like rebounding is only a 5's responsibility. I know you don't believe or really think that. But you know thats just how we play with JL's small game. I think he's about to change with the player's that he is getting. I agree with you I thought we did better this year over last year. I have to go along with onetuffshot. Blocking out is a fundamental issue and we just don't do it like we should. Blocking out is half of rebounding, the other half is heart and just wanting the ball more than the other team. TW got a lot of rebounds but most of his came because he could jump and more important. he was all heart. Someone just has to work with our bigs on blocking out there is just to much to gain with second and third chances and the same to lose at the other end. When we go with two bigs at the 4 and 5 this next year, (we better) I hope they finally have the fundamental of blocking out down

[SFP]

You make it sound like rebounding is only a 5's responsibility. I know you don't believe or really think that. But you know thats just how we play with JL's small game. I think he's about to change with the player's that he is getting. I agree with you I thought we did better this year over last year. I have to go along with onetuffshot. Blocking out is a fundamental issue and we just don't do it like we should. Blocking out is half of rebounding, the other half is heart and just wanting the ball more than the other team. TW got a lot of rebounds but most of his came because he could jump and more important. he was all heart. Someone just has to work with our bigs on blocking out there is just to much to gain with second and third chances and the same to lose at the other end. When we go with two bigs at the 4 and 5 this next year, (we better) I hope they finally have the fundamental of blocking out down

No I do not think it is just the 5 or the 4s responsibility to hit the glass. It is a team effort! What we did not have was a 5 that could clear the glass at will and keep the ball in their hands, no fault to TW he was always undersized. EM, DD, CR and TB were the difference in this years team. They really went after the ball! I believe if we had a 5 that understood the fundementals of rebounding, protected the ball and could go up for it and clear it then we could be a pretty good rebounding team. In most teams it is the 5 position that has the most rebounds not an undersized 4.

[Samd2]

All of the arm chair quarterbacks, 3rd row officials and general know it all sports nuts out there should look and think before they speak.

Jim Les has given us a sweet 16 appearance, a string of 21 win seasons, post season appearances, community interest, players with good character, exciting games, good recruits etc what else do you want?

We are a mid major and that wont change over night, but hes got us pointed in the right direction.

We will win the Valley next Year !!!!!