How do we turn this around?

[Out of Balance]

What do we need to do to start to turn this year around and win?
I don't think the answer is firing JL or booing or bitching! No one wants to win more than I, although some think they may! I'm not happy with some of JL's coaching this year nor am I happy he let his best asst. coach go! I am not happy with the soft play and going though the motions by some of the season players! I'm not happy with the captains and player leadership of this team! I sure am not happy with TB's problems, suspensions, and non team attitude. His actions may have cost this team a couple wins and for sure has been a distraction to the team, coach's and the fans

A starting lineup change to start! TB would sit! He does not deserve to start, Based on attitude not play A message and reminder needs to be there until prov-in other wise We need someone to step up/in like JJ did Not sure who it maybe but someone off that bench. We have a 6th year player who has done nothing, I mean NOTHING to this point! He started the 1st game of the season (BYU), played pretty good and NOTHING after that I hope he reads this! So who else can fill in the gap and bring something to this team that has been missing? And what ever JL is doing/not doing in the locker room at half time please do something different to get your team ready to play the second half because IT'S NOT WORKING WSU 10-0 and SIU 7-0 to start the second half Lets start tomorrow night
My thoughts, Anyone else

[tornado]

we can all form opinions, but obviously we do not have access to all of what the staff knows about the guys' work in practice and with the weights, and we don't know about setbacks, injuries, attitude behind the scenes, academics...

so it's nice to postulate our favorite lineup, but I personally wouldn't criticize the lineup the coaches choose, since they surely know a whole lot more than I do.
I guess it's like listening in Denny's to some customer ripping into her sister-in-law's doctor for not knowing how to treat all their illnesses....

[Monmouth_Bradley_Fan]

I agree with almost all of this except for benching brown. He needs to start, and play at his capabilities, yea sometimes the kid thinks of himself but I mean, his production is insane, not just on offense, but hes rebounding also. Everyone talks about that "go to guy" on the team. Let brown be that guy, hes going to make some bad decisions, but he will also make a tone of good ones. The success on this team relys on the chemistry and balance between brown and the team, especially between brown and warren. *(however, I think the little apparent competition between the two might not be the worst thing!) Fact of the matter is, if people are going to blame losses on brown not playing in games, I dont understand how benching him makes us win... (I know those werent your words, but I am just saying what ive read...) I really feel like we have put this kid in a loose loose situation.

[bigdaddystuck]

I think you hit the nail on the head. We have no player leadership right now. There has to be someone on that court in a jersey who is going to lead the team. Someone who will be the "coach" on the floor.

I also agree with shaking things up, line-upwise. If guys are not buying into things or working hard, don't play them. Or limit their time, or make it known that when they are in there the things you expect to see out of them. However, stick to your guns, doesn't matter who the guy is. If expectations are not being met, sit their butts on the bench.

[Buesch N Chips]

I think a good start to turning things around would be to use less of the yellow punctuation. After that, I'll let the coaches do their jobs. They know more than me.

[AZ BU Fan]

Coaches install the system they think will win games vs the competition
Coaches recruit players they think will perform and execute their system better than the competition
Coaches teach their players new skills and improve their existing skills
Coaches motivate their players to acheive and develop leadership
Coaches draw up game plans to beat the competition
Coaches manage their team during games

How can BU turn things around this year? Not a lot in the short term, particularly once a season starts. If they can, players will have to perform better, period.

No change in line ups is going to happen, the best players have been playing. Changes in the BU system/approach will not happen, no time to implement. Not much chance to improve player skills since it is all about game prep during a season. JL's apparent inability to communicate/motivate/lead
some of his players is not going to change, he is who he is.

In the longer term, it should be obvious, the responsibility for a successful program starts with the coaches, period.

JL sympathizers are running out of time and excuses. Barring a total collapse this year, and this can't be ruled out based on what we have seen the past couple of weeks, JL & BU will have to turn things around next year, or, someone else will get a chance to turn it around at BU starting in 2011-12.

[longtimelistener]

I think a good start to turning things around would be to use less of the yellow punctuation. After that, I'll let the coaches do their jobs. They know more than me.

Does that mean we shouldn't provide our opinions on this message board about how to right the ship?

I just want to know what is and isn't allowed.

[bu fan 9]

It all starts with a point guard.

[Dallas Brave]

Turn around is possible if each player is given a set of clappers and at least two of WE/AT/SS are on the floor at all times.

Seriously, for the sake of experiment, I would love to see 20 minutes of:
5 - AT
4 - WE
3 - TB
2 - AW/CR
1 - SM/EM

Our guard shortage goes away if we go to a bigger lineup.

[real fan]

The first thing that would help turn this around is the players being a lot more dedicated to winning and by that I mean the ones that are partying late at night during the season, you cannot be putting alcohol in your system during the season and think it will not affect your overall performance, it slows you down and kills your endurance so late in the game you become a lot more fatigued then your opponent. I played a lot of sports and saw what it did to the teamates that chose to go down this path, if you want to win and play at the highest level you have to be willing to make sacrifices.

[bu fan 9]

I agree real fan.

[flipper]

we can all form opinions, but obviously we do not have access to all of what the staff knows about the guys' work in practice and with the weights, and we don't know about setbacks, injuries, attitude behind the scenes, academics...

so it's nice to postulate our favorite lineup, but I personally wouldn't criticize the lineup the coaches choose, since they surely know a whole lot more than I do.
I guess it's like listening in Denny's to some customer ripping into her sister-in-law's doctor for not knowing how to treat all their illnesses....

t- under your premise no fan is qualified ever to be critical of any coach or team. lovie smith doesn't play a wr until an injury and clearly he deserved more playing time. coaches do make mistakes. this isn't brain surgery. i understand where you are coming from and agree for the most part. but we as fans can second guess or be arm chair quarterbacks about are team. that is kinda the fun part of the message board,isnt it? i like being able to post more than hip,hip, horay...

[SFP]

I hate to say it but I agree with Realfan on this one. When you are receiving a full paid ride and given preferential treatment you are no longer an average college student. That is just the facts of big time sports. If you want to win you need every advantage you can have and drinking, partying hard and staying up late just gives the other teams an advantage. I'm sure JL preaches this and the young men need to be mature enough to listen and react responsible. Basketball is a very physically demanding sport especially at the D-I level.

[tornado]

t- under your premise no fan is qualified ever to be critical of any coach or team......

didn't say that....
No fan is ever MORE appraised and well educated to the situation regarding the players...thus the coach has at his disposal far, far more info and more to go on when deciding everything from playing, rotation, starters, substitutions, etc..
...and I suspect you'd even agree with all I just said...

but anyone is qualified to give an opinion no matter how ridiculous it may be!!

[Buesch N Chips]

Does that mean we shouldn't provide our opinions on this message board about how to right the ship?

Not at all. Say whatever you want.