Outcoached.

[thefish7]

My reasons for being optimistic tie in with the play of the team for the last 5 games, including last night's loss. We're 3-2 over that stretch, I'd really like to be 4-1, for whatever that's worth. There's a crew that's clearly decided Jim Les is the problem, but I'm not so sure, as all kinds of things a basketball season make. Let's go back to, say, Jan 7, after a three game losing streak. At that time everyone was freaking out because Merf had left and the team went on an awful 2-5 swoon, complete with just terrible games that left you questioning anything related to the team. SM was struggling, couldn't close games, everything was coming apart.

So, let me ask you, what's one possible reason for Bradley suddenly becoming a tough defensive team, and possibly elite rebounding team? Well our performance has been enhanced by a suddenly and dramatically improved Sam Mansicalco, but for all the things he does contribute, I don't think rebounding is it... Could it be that Merf was undermining the head coach and his concept in the post? I don't really know, but here's some numbers:

Period Avg Opp. Pts. Reb Margin
Swoon 79 -32 (-4.6/g)
Last 5 61 +34 (+6.8/g)

For years people have been questioning Les' commitment to boards and commitment to defense... Very rarely has anyone complained about offense. Well, for five games we've gotten what we asked for, good defense, and frankly awesome rebounding. Last night we shot poorly, and people complain it's the same old stuff. I don't know the cause for the change, particularly in rebounding, but maybe it was Merf. I don't really care if it was or not, and I want Bradley to win as much as anyone here does... But, it can't be denied that this team has completely changed complexion in the last few games, and that for at least one thing, says Les is capable of changing what it is his team is doing. I will admit, I'm waiting for that next game when Bradley destroys someone because they combine sweet offense with good defense and excellent rebounding...

But, I can say I'll stick by what I've said other times this season, if they play tough, do the things you can do every night (rebound and defend) I'll be happy to support the team win or lose. I believe if they keep up the streak of outrebounding opponents by an average of 7/game and keeping their opponents to 61 ppg, they'll win a lot.

It's because last night's loss was NOT about poor effort, soft rebounding, shoddy defense, that makes me believe we have a decent chance of winning in Omaha (or in Blono this weekend), because I think we'll probably score around 70 ppg, and outscoring your opponents by an average of 10 points is a good way to win.

[shaunguth]

I can give you my answer...because we will have all the same players back with the loss of Chris Roberts and Sam Singh and the addition of Jordan Prosser and Dodie Dunson. Its basically the same cast of characters.

Didn't someone bring up something Versace said during the broadcast about this team needing another shooter? Don't look now, but our best returning 3-point shooter got injured and is not playing this season. I'd say that's a pretty good start, along with DSE and JE having gained some valuable playing time. Look at the improvement TB has shown from last year!

[shaunguth]

Agreed- complaining here, no matter how many times the same things are said, accomplishes nothing.

Agreed. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly our seasons 6-8 years ago have to do with this year, next year, or any other year in the future.

[MacabreMob]

I think it would be fun/sad (if anybody had some major time on there hands) to see a list of coaches in upper mid-major to major schools that havent finished top 3 in their conference and have kept their job for 8 years. I know there would be others but I'm sure it would be a short list.

That being said, I feel this board has no middle ground. Its either everything is fine or the sky is falling. The only thing I know for sure is that this year has been very disappointing so far.

I don't have the time... but I got one:

Miami-Ohio
Head Coach Charlie Coles (14th season)

After Wally "World" Szczerbiak and Miami-Oh's Sweet 16 in 1999 going 24-8....

99-00 15-15
00-01 17-16

(then the last 8 years)
01-02 13-18
02-03 13-15
03-04 18-11
04-05 19-11 *lost 1stR NIT
05-06 18-11 *lost 1stR NIT
06-07 18-15 *lost 1stR NCAA;won MAC Trny
07-08 17-16 *lost 1stR CBI
08-09 17-13

(and now currently)

09-10 6-13

Mediocre.

Fire Charlie Coles.

[chitown fanatic]

..... and Les WAS NOT outcoached tonight! Maybe if he had dressed and come into the game to hit a few open 3's we would have won. We lost because we could not hit enough shots and CU had a hot hand. We won the hustle stats...... but I guess Les gets no credit there either.

Please let me know when the committee starts looking at "hustle stats". Until then, I'll focus on who wins the game.

[Carver Arena Guy]

Agreed. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly our seasons 6-8 years ago have to do with this year, next year, or any other year in the future.

Do you feel the same way about a season four years ago or does that season count but the others do not?

[shaunguth]

Do you feel the same way about a season four years ago or does that season count but the others do not?

I'm simply saying 6-8 years ago seems like a long time to me. Please explain to me what those years have to do with this year, next year, or any other future year. We are all well aware that the most successful season in many of our lives was simply a fluke and does not count for anything, yet the seasons 6-8 years ago most certainly do.

[Carver Arena Guy]

I'm simply saying 6-8 years ago seems like a long time to me. Please explain to me what those years have to do with this year, next year, or any other future year. We are all well aware that the most successful season in many of our lives was simply a fluke and does not count for anything, yet the seasons 6-8 years ago most certainly do.

As does four years ago to me. I don't feel 2006 was the most successful season. It was the most successful post-season. But that is semantics.

Let's take Bradley out of this--if it is possible. How long does a coach get to ride the cottails of one great season? A lifetime? 10 years? What kind of progress does their need to be?

Instead of making some smart aleck comment about what you perceive "others" think and say what do you believe? I get frustrated when the only response guys have is to cynically attack what others say. Can't you bring something original of your own?

Im honestly interested on your take of how you feel/judge coaches. And, again, take the Bradley situation out of it. Use an objective/neutral example.

[real fan]

Every time a team loses a game that they are suppose to win you cannot just say they were outcoached, look at the stats first before just making a quick judgement as teams do lose because the other team just happens to hot on a certain night, does anyone think Les out coached Self the night BU beat Kansas? Bradley just played one of their best games of the year, it had nothing to do with bad coaching.

[shaunguth]

As does four years ago to me. I don't feel 2006 was the most successful season. It was the most successful post-season. But that is semantics.

For some reason, I was under the impression that the NCAA tournament is the ultimate measuring stick when it comes to success or not. I just think it's odd how those seasons that were 6-8 years ago are relevant, but the most successful season (in my opinion, since this is a message board full of opinions) is chalked up as a fluke by many.

[shaunguth]

Every time a team loses a game that they are suppose to win you cannot just say they were outcoached, look at the stats first before just making a quick judgement as teams do lose because the other team just happens to hot on a certain night, does anyone think Les out coached Self the night BU beat Kansas? Bradley just played one of their best games of the year, it had nothing to do with bad coaching.

You saw the exact same thing after MSU handled us at their place this season and JL wasn't even in the same league as far as coaching goes. Yet, when they came here and we handled them in the same manner, JL was not considered to be a far better coach than his counterpart. And that was a home game, where the coaching staff just stands around and watches the video board and the timeout contests!

[Carver Arena Guy]

For some reason, I was under the impression that the NCAA tournament is the ultimate measuring stick when it comes to success or not. I just think it's odd how those seasons that were 6-8 years ago are relevant, but the most successful season (in my opinion, since this is a message board full of opinions) is chalked up as a fluke by many.

There you go again. You have to comment on supposed opinions by "many" and "others". Why go there? Don't you have an opinion or thought or do you just always default to complaining about what "others" say?

No doubt 2006 was the most successful season of the Jim Les era. I don't think anyone is disputing that. My question was to you--in your opinion--how long does the luster of that last? When do you need to see some improvement? I like good basketball discussion--not where people just sigh, and complain about what other people supposedly say. Especially when "they" aren't a part of the discussion.

Any chance you can reply without referencing "others" or "they", etc?

[shaunguth]

There you go again. You have to comment on supposed opinions by "many" and "others". Why go there? Don't you have an opinion or thought or do you just always default to complaining about what "others" say?

No doubt 2006 was the most successful season of the Jim Les era. I don't think anyone is disputing that. My question was to you--in your opinion--how long does the luster of that last? When do you need to see some improvement? I like good basketball discussion--not where people just sigh, and complain about what other people supposedly say. Especially when "they" aren't a part of the discussion.

Any chance you can reply without referencing "others" or "they", etc?

That is MY OPINION.......JL was the head coach of the most successful Bradley team in my lifetime! What do you mean, how long does the luster last? IN MY OPINION it should last longer than JL's first three seasons here, which account for the majority of his conference record that always gets referenced when his future job status comes up in conversation.

[Carver Arena Guy]

That is MY OPINION.......JL was the head coach of the most successful Bradley team in my lifetime! What do you mean, how long does the luster last? IN MY OPINION it should last longer than JL's first three seasons here, which account for the majority of his conference record that always gets referenced when his future job status comes up in conversation.

Now was that so hard?

[shaunguth]

Now was that so hard?

I didn't think it would be so hard to gather my opinion from my previous posts.