Can a Loss be Beneficial?

[tornado]

I recall the loss in Feb of 2006 at Indiana State resulting in a few changes that led to a run through the rest of the Valley season, an at-large bid, then a Sweet 16.
Can we learn from this loss........too many easy back-cuts for layups, a couple sloppy inbounds passes, FTs, and get the ball tot he guys who are hitting..
CR was 1-8, AW 3-12....but TB was 8-10 and we don't take advantage of getting the ball down low...
(WE + AT were a combined 4-7)

BUT-- while a lot of teams are getting easy wins over 340 RPI opponents, maybe this game against a very good opponent will end up benefitting us more than an easy win.
That said - I think this was a trap-game in that we may have thought it was going to be easier on our home floor.

[lefty]

Yes for the other team

[Disturbed]

From time to time on this board we harken back to that year and how things magically changed in the second part of the season, which was great. I really doubt that this year's team can be compared to that team just because of the talent the 2006 team had. First of all, you had POB, and to a lesser extent Zach Andrews, and this team has nothing remotely resembling either of those cats. While you could compare Warren to Marcellus, I think most would agree that Marcellus was the better player. And I would take Daniel Ruffin, Will Franklin, and Tony Bennett, not to mention the roles that Danny Adams and JJ Tuaui played, over most guard rotations that have played here in the last 30 years. I'm not saying that this year's team won't get better, but trying to compare this team to the 2006 team is a little risky.

[BradleyBrave]

From time to time on this board we harken back to that year and how things magically changed in the second part of the season, which was great. I really doubt that this year's team can be compared to that team just because of the talent the 2006 team had. First of all, you had POB, and to a lesser extent Zach Andrews, and this team has nothing remotely resembling either of those cats. While you could compare Warren to Marcellus, I think most would agree that Marcellus was the better player. And I would take Daniel Ruffin, Will Franklin, and Tony Bennett, not to mention the roles that Danny Adams and JJ Tuaui played, over most guard rotations that have played here in the last 30 years. I'm not saying that this year's team won't get better, but trying to compare this team to the 2006 team is a little risky.

We also had Chuck Buescher as our top assistant coach.

[TheAsianSensation]

So NIU was so obvious of a trap game, it didn't become a trap game, and the true actual trap game because the WCU game?



Well, it's good in that the team is going to wake up now, and yes, we got propelled at the end of the '06 season with a bad loss. But, you know, it would've been a lot easier for us in 2006 without it.

[Beninator]

As I stated on another thread, the things we did wrong last night are very correctable! The next step is to see if the team responds! Currently, I think that we have one and maybe 2 players with any type of swagger to them. That needs to change as well...

[doug shank's crossover]

[QUOTE=Beninator;150811]As I stated on another thread, the things we did wrong last night are very correctable! The next step is to see if the team responds! QUOTE]

I completely agree! Defensive execution was poor in the second half, especially near the basket. This is correctable. I'm sure the coaches will use this game as an object lesson in defensive intensity.

[ph]

If a team's talent or coaching is underperforming, then yes, a loss can be a good thing if it serves as a wake-up call to realize the real potential.

[brocks]

No. Not at this stage of the game.

[ph]

...or if you are Duke and lose to Wisconsin, then the loss skyrockets your RPI up to #1?

[AZ BU Fan]

Most of the BU players, except for DSE, and MK, who didn't play much last night, have been here for awhile and have had many other opportunities for their "losses" to be beneficial.

I would hope upset wins, or, tough wins when not playing well, to be more beneficial in teaching/reminding players what needs to be done to win at this level.

How many times can a coaching staff go over the same errors & mistakes with a team before this knowledge is transferred and players understand what the coaching staff wants them to do?

Re a trap game?? A trap game against a team with a better RPI who is 9-1??
A trap game when BU led twice by double figures at home? To quote JL, "that's too easy of a bailout" ...

[real fan]

Yes a loss can be beneficial at this time of the year but only if you are willing to make changes in order to correct any problems or weaknesses you have, this includes mistakes being made in coaching.

[Bradleyguy10]

The only way I can see this as beneficial is if Les watches the game and realizes we started letting them back in the game when we started taking more shots that were farther out. The team wanted a few 3 pt baskets to insert the dagger but all they needed to do was get ice in their veins and continue to pound it closer inside for some 10 footers or less.

Also while watching the game I thought W.C.'s defense was much more aggressive and much much better. It reminded me of SIUC when they were good except the difference was the type of fouls. SIUC fouled a lot by hacking and slapping (rarely called against them) whereas W.C.'s calls were blocking fouls (and were called often) but they limited those in the 2nd half and still played very aggressive. If we play defense like they did (again it comes down to effort) and start utilizing TB and WE/AT/SS and CR's ability to drive into the lane (comes down to coaching putting players in positions to succeed) we should have a team that can contend in the valley.

Things need to change and hopefully Les can see that from the game, because those observations were very clear to me.

He's the coach...I think he should know what the best thing to do is but if that's always the case no one would ever get fired. (do not put words into my mouth..I am not saying he Les should be fired)

the definition of insanity is.....

[Bravesfan]

No. Not at this stage of the game.

Must you always be critical of the team without backing it up with some substance brocks? Tell us why there's no possible way this team can't use this loss as a learning experience, especially so early in the season!

[Bravesfan]

Most of the BU players, except for DSE, and MK, who didn't play much last night, have been here for awhile and have had many other opportunities for their "losses" to be beneficial.

I would hope upset wins, or, tough wins when not playing well, to be more beneficial in teaching/reminding players what needs to be done to win at this level.

How many times can a coaching staff go over the same errors & mistakes with a team before this knowledge is transferred and players understand what the coaching staff wants them to do?

Re a trap game?? A trap game against a team with a better RPI who is 9-1??
A trap game when BU led twice by double figures at home? To quote JL, "that's too easy of a bailout" ...

I agree. I hope this is the last wake-up call this team needs because like you said AZ, several of the players have been here long enough to realize that you can't relax against anyone. I think this loss will be beneficial for the team, but we can't keep losing home games to teams we should beat, although perhaps a loss to a strong WC team was not a fluke as they are a dangerous team. We'll see by the end of the year how good WC is.