Wessler's Column

[houstontxbrave]

Regardless of losing another double digit lead, the biggest thing today I take from losing the lead is that this team did not quit. And it would have been very very easy to just roll over and quit, especially when the exact same thing has happened to this team previously.

I really hope that they have learned something about themselves and can use all the adversity in what has happened so far this season and the times this team has had large leads and use it to continue to grow and grow up as a team.

Losing leads, especially at home is difficult, but recovering after losing the lead and playing strong and turning the game into a win likely is more difficult then losing the lead.

The question JL has to answer is how does he get this team to play consistant for 40 minutes? The talent is there, not sure it is mentally, but the mentality I think is starting to improve.

[BradleyJD]

and sometimes I find the PJS easier to see starting up the fireplace than getting read...

Don't like objective views of the program?

[Braves4Life]

and sometimes I find the PJS easier to see starting up the fireplace than getting read...

I think I've got an even better use for it (!)

[SaintLouBrave22]

SaintLouBrave22, why do insist on going out of your way to shred the team after every game?! At least the other "armchair critics" on this board "pick their spots" so to speak when they criticize the team. You just out and out trash the team with facts that everyone has heard a hundred times! WE GOT IT! We know they lost four big leads at home. We know they won a road game against a bad Drake team. We get it! I don't know how rehashing all of this stuff is going to make things better!

In case you didn't know, Bradley won last night! Enjoy it! Yes, we got be problems that still need to be addressed, I understand that. But sometimes these types of wins help a team learn what it takes to close out a game. They did it last night. And so our road win was against Drake. SO WHAT?! It's still a win, one of many wins we would need to have a good season.

Now I don't expect Bradley to win these upcoming two road games, but not many teams will win at these two places anyway. But if they can steal one, great! I hope they do win at MSU as they are the weaker of the two teams they are playing on this road trip. If they don't they still have plenty of winnable games before the end of the season. Whether you put the blame on the coaches, players or both, what's done is done and the least we can do is to support our team through one game at a time in hopes they improve throughout the rest of the season. Restating that we blew leads is not going to help this team. I mean tell me something I don't already know!

Really?!


All I was doing was respond to a statement that was made about the PJS...


The facts were accurate and I felt like someone needed them restated to them...


Its ok if you feel like jumping all over my back because I really could care less what you say as my points were once again ACCURATE and if you had read any of my posts, I said Will played great down the stretch, I think DSE looked good, and Taylor played well til he was yanked again because Coach threw a temper tantrum.


I am supporting the team, but I like many others am not blind...we have serious deficiencies that need to be addressed. We already cancelled out a win @ Drake by losing to SIU @ home, and SIU won't be the only one if they don't figure out that you have to coach and play for 40 minutes...

I certainly know that this team as its currently ran will not beat Wichita, ISU, or UNI here...

I expect them to get better, but like I said, and that was my point, we have to learn how to stop letting teams post big 2nd halves...

CLOSE GAMES!

I'm sorry, but I have played in and coached multiple sports, and while a win is a win, I'm not completely satisfied with the level of coaching or play that was exhibited...

Is that ok? I didn't realize I needed the Mr. Questionable police to ask before I posted such a thing...Am I breaking Rule 7-7B or something?


But hey, its cool...I'll make sure to jump all over you the next time you make an obvious statement

[SaintLouBrave22]

The question JL has to answer is how does he get this team to play consistant for 40 minutes? The talent is there, not sure it is mentally, but the mentality I think is starting to improve.

First I think he needs to look at himself for some of the questionable decisions he is making in 2nd halves of games...


The other thing...we really need a Tony Bennett or Will Franklin in the worst of ways...

Someone needs to step up and be that tough, physical leader....who is that guy?

[BradleyJD]

Really?!


I certainly know that this team as its currently ran will not beat Wichita, ISU, or UNI here...

I expect them to get better, but like I said, and that was my point, we have to learn how to stop letting teams post big 2nd halves...

Nothing wrong with these points.

I think all fans are concerned about how BU has been playing, especially in the second half of games.

I expect them to get better too.....well, at the very least, I hope they do

[SaintLouBrave22]

Nothing wrong with these points.

I think all fans are concerned about how BU has been playing, especially in the second half of games.

I expect them to get better too.....well, at the very least, I hope they do

Yes, thats all we can hope for...


I have yet to see this team play an entire 40 minutes, actually bordering closer to 30...


I really hope they put it together soon because we all know they have the talent to do so.

[Chucky T's]

First I think he needs to look at himself for some of the questionable decisions he is making in 2nd halves of games...


The other thing...we really need a Tony Bennett or Will Franklin in the worst of ways...

Someone needs to step up and be that tough, physical leader....who is that guy?

I think Dodie was that guy till he got hurt. I think DSE could be that guy if given the chance. He is only a freshman so I'm not sure it's possible for him to be the leader but I'm starting to see a little bit of Tony Bennett in DSE. It looks like he plays with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder and I like that kind of attitude on the floor. BU doesn't have enough of that at this point IMO. Play hard, finish games, get the "swagger" back in your step! CONFIDENCE is contagious...we need a big dose of it ASAP.

GO BRAVES!

[SaintLouBrave22]

I think Dodie was that guy till he got hurt. I think DSE could be that guy if given the chance. He is only a freshman so I'm not sure it's possible for him to be the leader but I'm starting to see a little bit of Tony Bennett in DSE. It looks like he plays with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder and I like that kind of attitude on the floor. BU doesn't have enough of that at this point IMO. Play hard, finish games, get the "swagger" back in your step! CONFIDENCE is contagious...we need a big dose of it ASAP.

GO BRAVES!

Great point...I see that in DSE too...Always love it when the players play like that....now hoping Will plays like that since he feels disrespected...

Like I said in the other thread...Play 40 and Close....thats what needs to be relayed for Saturday...


Like you said, get the confidence that it can be and will be done...

[Bravesfan]

Really?!


All I was doing was respond to a statement that was made about the PJS...


The facts were accurate and I felt like someone needed them restated to them...


Its ok if you feel like jumping all over my back because I really could care less what you say as my points were once again ACCURATE and if you had read any of my posts, I said Will played great down the stretch, I think DSE looked good, and Taylor played well til he was yanked again because Coach threw a temper tantrum.


I am supporting the team, but I like many others am not blind...we have serious deficiencies that need to be addressed. We already cancelled out a win @ Drake by losing to SIU @ home, and SIU won't be the only one if they don't figure out that you have to coach and play for 40 minutes...

I certainly know that this team as its currently ran will not beat Wichita, ISU, or UNI here...

I expect them to get better, but like I said, and that was my point, we have to learn how to stop letting teams post big 2nd halves...

CLOSE GAMES!

I'm sorry, but I have played in and coached multiple sports, and while a win is a win, I'm not completely satisfied with the level of coaching or play that was exhibited...

Is that ok? I didn't realize I needed the Mr. Questionable police to ask before I posted such a thing...Am I breaking Rule 7-7B or something?


But hey, its cool...I'll make sure to jump all over you the next time you make an obvious statement

Look, I'm not trying to start a flame war with you here. And of course those are all accurate points, by you and the PJStar. I'm just saying these are redundant because these facts have been posted 500 times on this board. I don't know how repeating them ad nauseum is going to change things for this team unless they have the ability to look within themselves and turn things around. I think last night was the first step in turning things around, and I think this is the wrong time to be trashing them, IMO.

Of course you are entitled to your opinions. But I'm just saying be happy with the win, at least for today.

[BradleyJD]

I think last night was the first step in turning things around, and I think this is the wrong time to be trashing them, IMO.

This is an honest question....

What about last night makes you think BU has turned the season around? We did win, I understand, but we still had the same letdown in the second half.

[SaintLouBrave22]

Of course you are entitled to your opinions. But I'm just saying be happy with the win, at least for today.

I am happy, but you must agree that its fairly understated at how happy 99.9% of us here have been at the end of 1st halves in comparison to the ends of games...

Read my 3 points under Thanks Crowd....actually quite interested in what you and others think on this...


And yes, maybe I was being a bit overzealous on my statement and response to yours...


Its ok though, we all want the same thing out of this board and this team.

[thefish7]

Being a generally glass half full guy I'm trying to position last night's win as getting over this home 2nd half fade habit. I think it had become a real mental thing and that maybe now Bradley will develop that home swagger we all want to see. So I'm personally quite about the win though admittedly a bit less so than a 20+ pt win would have made me.

[Bravesfan]

This is an honest question....

What about last night makes you think BU has turned the season around? We did win, I understand, but we still had the same letdown in the second half.

I said this is the first step in turning the season around. I also said I don't hold out much hope they will win either of these two upcoming road games, but for the reason that not many teams (WSU notwithstanding) are going to win at MSU and UNI. But I think once we get past this trip we can still win at least 6 of our last 7 home games, and maybe steal 2 or 3 on the road. That could still put us in the 11 or 12 Valley win category which would represent an improvement over last season in an improved Valley this year. Maybe not the 14 or 15 win season we need, but still better than the play-in round than some are prediciting.

I am also realistic in saying that we could easily finish 6-12 or 7-11 in the Valley too, but I don't think it hurts to be optimistic to say we will do much better. I'm just saying let the season play out one game at a time and then reevaluate things in the offseason, good or bad.

[Bravesfan]

I am happy, but you must agree that its fairly understated at how happy 99.9% of us here have been at the end of 1st halves in comparison to the ends of games...

Read my 3 points under Thanks Crowd....actually quite interested in what you and others think on this...


And yes, maybe I was being a bit overzealous on my statement and response to yours...


Its ok though, we all want the same thing out of this board and this team.

No problem SaintLou. We are all very passionate fans and we can say things out of anger from time to time. And there's nothing wrong with that. I'm just looking for a good spirited discussion about the events surrounding the team.

And yes, we can all agree about the ultimate goal of this team. Lots of Valley championships and NCAA Tournament appearances!