67 Bradley - 75 WCU postgame

[shaunguth]

Time for an ultimatum if you're the AD. NCAA or out the door. Ten up at home and you can't coach your team to the finish line. Happens every year. Enough. I love JL and have always thought he's got "winner" written all over him. But enough is enough. We're gonna miss the tourney again and this game will be a big reason why. It will NOT be enough just to "learn something from this" and become "better people" for "overcoming adversity." I've come very near to having had enough of this, and those who know me know that I have been with JL all the way.

That's a little harsh, especially when it's hard to coach free throw shooting at this point. Basically, you're saying bad free throw shooting = "out the door" if you believe this game cost us a chance at the NCAA tournament (other than winning the MVC tournament).

[shaunguth]

6th place MVC...see "others" get it.

We haven't even played a game in the MVC yet! I'm not sure how anyone can possibley predict this season in the Valley. I suppose the "others" got it by picking Creighton 2nd and Missouri State 9th? That's not looking too accurate at this point, but I guess the "experts" at least have Bradley figured out.

[tornado]

It's a bad home loss - no denying...
they played well and we played very well in stretches, running out to 10-11 pt leads...
but we gave up too many easy baskets on back-cuts, missed too many FTs, and when we had a good chance, the long bounces simply went their way not ours..
Taylor Brown was hot and was 6-6 in the first half...then got only 4 shots in the 2nd half...
we need to get the ball to the guys who are hot...

[Out of Balance]

I disagree. We lost the lead and were getting beat the last 10 minutes because they went with 4 guards and started making 3-point shots. That's what forced JL to put another guard (DSE) back into the game and replaced a big. The couple extra offensive rebounds they got late were partly due to odd bounces. We held a rebounding lead until the last minute or so when we started firing long shots.

What I watched was poor D from our 3 guards when they started to make those WIDE OPEN 3's. Losing your man is just poor D So what did we do, the same old BS, insert another guard. Well it turned out to be the wrong move again and going to another guard hurt us more . We had a chance to still win at the 2 min. mark and could not get a rebound at both ends. Sorry thats the way I saw it from my seat. And I for one believe that we cannot win with 4 guards or three guards for that matter throwing bombs up all the time (ya their great when they are falling, but) and NO POST PLAY

[rsmit84]

Has anyone noticed something funny about AT shooting free throws? He dribbles with his right hand like a normal right handed shooter would but he shoots with his left. I just noticed it tonight and realized I dont think I have ever seen anybody do that. I'm sure it has nothing to do with his poor FT shooting but it just looked very odd and awkward. I guess I just wondered if I was the only nut job to notice this?

[BuAlum03]

Well, my FT fears came true, unfortunately. You can't miss that many free throws and expect to win any close games. I hate to say it, but unless that improves, this won't be the only loss we pin (at least partially) on poor free throw shooting.

I thought JL used timeouts poorly. At home, I just don't understand why he'd use one right after a big made 3 pointer. I'm sure he has a reason, but it's beyond my expertise.

And why do we sub guys out right after going up 8 or 9 points? That's when we need to step on their throats and try to push the game out of reach.

Okay, enough venting.

I have seen a very positive development due to coaching this year, and that is movement without the ball. In years past, bigs would set picks and then roll out along the 3 point line. I saw lots of good screens set, then bigs rolling towards the hoop. They're not getting the ball enough, but it's a positive development. I've also noticed a lot less passing around the perimeter lately, and more movement towards the basket (with and without the ball).

DSE ... wow. That guy does it all! He had a great game, coming up with big boards. TB is the real deal. EM had a much better game... he missed his fg attempts, but i was glad to see him looking to score. Those shots will start falling for him if he keeps it up.

This loss sucks, plain and simple. Almost any realistic hopes of an at-large bid evaporated last night. But hopefully it was a learning experience, and will benefit our team come valley time.

[versace4pres]

Crap! What else can be said? It's still December. No need to throw the life rafts overboard yet.

[ManMythLegend]

That free throw shooting was absolutely disgusting. That being said, WC looked like a good team last night. Here's to hoping they have a great season and keep that RPI up (for our sake). I sure hope Jim has these guys shooting free throws until their arms are numb.

[BradleyBrave]

The most disturbing thing out of all of this is that we have yet to play well at home. It's going to be a real long season if we can't play well in our own gym.

[Beninator]

How did that team lose to Texas by 30? I know we should have won the game, but when you don't make free throws and can't get a rebound when you need it, you don't deserve to win.

IMO..it is their style of play... High risk high reward run and gun style..

[Beninator]

The most disturbing thing out of all of this is that we have yet to play well at home. It's going to be a real long season if we can't play well in our own gym.

Yet, imo the things we did wrong last night are very correctable. As SFP stated earlier, this team needs cajones!!!!!

[Beninator]

[quote=tornado;150780]It's a bad home loss - no denying...
they played well and we played very well in stretches, running out to 10-11 pt leads...
but we gave up too many easy baskets on back-cuts, missed too many FTs, and when we had a good chance, the long bounces simply went their way not ours..
Taylor Brown was hot and was 6-6 in the first half...then got only 4 shots in the 2nd half...
we need to get the ball to the guys who are hot...[/quote]

Agree... We also need to stick to our style of play. Western Carolina had a run and gun style of play and we emulated their sytle during periods of the game.

[SFP]

In order to be really good we need to play 40 minutes of intense, energetic basketball. We did not do that and there were a few players that took the night off. Defense is all about desire and playing with focus.

[dogsrus]

We haven't even played a game in the MVC yet! I'm not sure how anyone can possibley predict this season in the Valley. I suppose the "others" got it by picking Creighton 2nd and Missouri State 9th? That's not looking too accurate at this point, but I guess the "experts" at least have Bradley figured out.

OK 5th then.....

What I'm saying is I am seeing the SAME things from this team that I have seen the last 8 years in which 4th was the highest finish for our most talented team.

WC is a good team but IF we can't beat the good teams at home middle of the pack is where we will end up.

And UNTIL/UNLESS we prove otherwise.....thats where people will predict us to be.

[dogsrus]

Yet, imo the things we did wrong last night are very correctable. As SFP stated earlier, this team needs cajones!!!!!

Ben....I hope you are correct but have you seen any other time in the last 8 years OTHER then 2006 where we were able to make those changes?

Sorry...but I see the same ole same ole and I'm hearing the same ole same ole.