Bradley wins! BU-83 UE-63

[Da Coach]

Hyperbole abounds when it comes to bashing Bradley's players.

Recall that even when Bradley specifically targeted juco big men in past years, and spent considerable time and effort recruiting them, we were able to get guys like Zach Andrews, who was not ready to play much as a junior, but turned into a solid player as a senior. But we would probably never have had a chance at Zach had it not been for Coach Les' personal connection with Coach Cornelius at Yuba. The other juco big men I am able to recall were Matt Salley (not really a "big man", but he was a marginally effective inside player for Bradley despite being severely undersized), and Rashad Austin, who was simply not a D1 player.

I think AT has a better upside than any of the past juco post players we have had, and this year's crop is a very thin group of available players.

I'll make it easier for anyone to try to make the case that "there are a hundred uncommitted JUCO big guys out there right now that would be far more physically able to serve as a back up center at BU next year than Sticks would."

Here is the preseason list of the Top 150 juco sophomores.
Tell me who on this list (or anyone not on the list) would be a better big man that Bradley could get? I have checked the stats on all the big men here, and most of them are either not starting or playing very little for their teams, or putting up ridiculously poor numbers at juco and would be laughed at by the same critics if Bradley signed them to play D1.-

http://jucojunction.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=2526

Also, before you select the few on this list that do appear to have decent output, check who the schools are that are recruiting them and make your case that Bradley could out-recruit them.

[bigdaddystuck]

Just my opinion...but when we run that screen and roll with WE or SS in the game, the defenders tend to do a very good job of switching and cover up the pass to the post. When AT was in the game the defenders stayed with the guard, leaving AT open cutting to the hole...whether it was because we ran the play better or they did not see him as a threat, I don't know. Thought AT played well in the minutes he got. Still felt that SS overall played better.

[ER3]

This is an absurd statement IMO.
If you believe it to be true, please list even 10 or 20 of these big men who would be quality D1 centers. I have looked at lists of available juco big men, and there are very few. And if you consider the number of them that Bradley actually has a chance of signing, it's far less.

It is absurd statement when you re-interpret it in your own manner. Nowhere did I say that these JUCO big men would all be "quality D-I centers". I just said that there were probably a hundred JUCO big men that were far better physically equipped to serve as a backup center next year than Sticks would. He is not a center...he has nowhere near the body or strength to defend decent D-I centers in the post...
A comment was made that he is going to be our backup center next year...and I merely made my statement to illustrate how much trouble we would be in if that were truly going to be the case.

[ER3]

I'll make it easier for anyone to try to make the case that "there are a hundred uncommitted JUCO big guys out there right now that would be far more physically able to serve as a back up center at BU next year than Sticks would."

Here is the preseason list of the Top 150 juco sophomores.
Tell me who on this list (or anyone not on the list) would be a better big man that Bradley could get? I have checked the stats on all the big men here, and most of them are either not starting or playing very little for their teams, or putting up ridiculously poor numbers at juco and would be laughed at by the same critics if Bradley signed them to play D1.-

http://jucojunction.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=2526

Also, before you select the few on this list that do appear to have decent output, check who the schools are that are recruiting them and make your case that Bradley could out-recruit them.

Once again...my comments had nothing to do with stats...or saying that there are a hundred JUCO centers that would be quality D-I centers. I said nothing of the sort.

My statement was merely making the point that if we go into next year with AT as our primary backup center, that is a disaster waiting to happen....unless he adds 40 more pounds to his frame over the summer.

There are probably 100 JUCO guys out there that would be "more physically able" to serve as a backup center next year than Sticks would...from a strength and body mass perspective...that was my point. And I don't think there is one bit of hyperbole in that assertion.

This isn't me "bashing" AT...there are things he can do well for us. He can block shots, he can run the floor, he can screen and roll, etc., those are things he can do for us...but being our backup center and trying to defend true post players next year...? that is something he is extremely ill-equipped to do.

[DeltaBrave03]

I'm on the AT band wagon. I was worried when he came in, and I'm not one to jump all over a player for a one game performance BUT, he was all over the place on D that zone looked was great tonight because of how active he was in the middle. Maybe he didn't pull down any boards but he had some tip outs to other players. Had a few blocked shots, and numerous altered shots. He looked as quick as WE on the pick n roll, and he played almost 12 straight minutes in the first half. For someone who hasn't played much all season to play for that long man you're just playing with heart by the end of that shift. I REALLY liked what I saw from him today. Once he gets some more game experience under his belt I'm confident we can have a nice rotation next year with him WE, TB, and JP at the 4,5.

[Big Mike]

You have to remember...AT came into the 1st half @ a crucial time post-wise...WE-SS-TB all had two fouls each with over 8 minutes left to reach halftime! AT gets 3 blocks in about 4 minutes and the Braves went to a zone which took some pressure off him IMO! AT was very active and showed great hustle.and showed good hands...I think he should get at least 5 to 7 minutes every game to big confidence.....he will be needed in the Valley tourney for sure to play back-to -back games and he will improve with real game minutes! Good for AT....was very happy for him last night!

[tornado]

Congratulations Andrew Warren on a very nice game versus Evansville.

.

good that you noticed and gave him props...heaven knows had he shot poorly, there'd have been 100 posts ripping him...

and can someone name the best juco kid who is presently playing center in the MVC??
having asked that quesiton, I think we can rest our case...because the answer is quite possibly Josh Crawford on Indiana State...who is averaging about 4ppg/2rpg, and the answer last year would have been David Collins, who you guys ripped endlessly!

[lefty]

He was the #5 leading scorer in the conference coming into today. I guess the "right direction" would be a top 3 finish at the end of the season.

I'm not bashing AW really. Ive seen him play every home game and some of the games on the road on TV......you check his box scores of the last several games....the shooting percentage isn't very good IMO and too many turnovers. And for the guy who is suppose to be "the go to player"...hasn't done all that well in crunch time....he has shot ft's well and been ok on the boards .....but some decision making and production in crunch time has been suspect IMO.....

[Dallas Brave]

You have to remember...AT came into the 1st half @ a crucial time post-wise...WE-SS-TB all had two fouls each with over 8 minutes left to reach halftime! AT gets 3 blocks in about 4 minutes and the Braves went to a zone which took some pressure off him IMO! AT was very active and showed great hustle.and showed good hands...I think he should get at least 5 to 7 minutes every game to big confidence.....he will be needed in the Valley tourney for sure to play back-to -back games and he will improve with real game minutes! Good for AT....was very happy for him last night!

Great points Big Mike. I watched the game on TV. Was that you sitting close to the Bradley bench?

At some point, whether it is this year or next, we will see AT and WE on the floor at the same time and I look forward to that with great anticipation. When just one of them is on the floor, other teams seem able to handle them physically and limit their positioning for rebounds. If both were on the floor, then other teams would struggle to box out both of them since they are so active. Put a little more meat on both of them, and Bradley could have the most athletic front court in the MVC for the next two years.

[tornado]

btw-- still waiting for a couple names of juco centers, who would be MVC targets that would have much of an impact...
Remember- Indiana has Tijan Jobe..built like a prize fighter but still cannot find even a minute of playing time in two years!

[Out of Balance]

Game story and links to highlight clips-

http://www.bradleybraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3400&ATCLID=204882680

Box score-

http://www.bradleybraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&SPSID=19332&SPID=1498&DB_OEM_ID=3400&ATCLID=204882547

Great game by Bradley, and very enjoyable to watch.
My only other comment is that Coach Simmons appeared to keep Colt Ryan in the game until the final minute just to try to get him as many points as he could get. He played 35 minutes in this blowout win by Bradley, when no other Evansville player played more than 27. Bradley coach Jim Les had freshmen and walkons on the floor the last couple minutes, and still Simmons left Ryan out there. He is obviously trying to make sure the kid gets the Freshman of the Year award, because that's all that's left of this season for him. I thought it was a dumb move. Just my opinion.

Come on Man Where the hell is this coming from You talk about something dumb! Kick them when their down Kick a coach for trying to bring something for his young player and team. Only thing they may have to hang on to for this season and YOU THINK IT WAS DUMB Get Real! Your opinion on this one DC, well I am not going to lower myself! If it was JL and BU, I bet I know what your opinion would be I hope the Kid wins it Gee's

[Big Mike]

[QOUTE=Dallas Brave;163321]Great points Big Mike. I watched the game on TV. Was that you sitting close to the Bradley bench?[/QOUTE]

YES.....went to the game with DC and had a good time.....the last two years we ate at a very good family run pizza joint....so I find the trade-off 8 1/2 hour ride for good homemade style pizza and a Braves basketball game a "DOUBLE WHAMMY"!

[Bradleyguy10]

AT should no longer do any upper body work outs. His arms looked pretty big actually. He just needs to do squats from here on out. That is the best work out for gaining mass and it's his legs that will determine if he can match up well strength wise with other centers. And I think you will be very disappointed if you are looking forward to when WE and AT will be on the court at the same time. No way will that ever happen. What has JL ever done to make you think that would even be a remote possibility?

[DeltaBrave03]

We could really use AT against isu on Saturday. They dominated us inside at their place. We've got to try to find something to slow them down. I know it sounds crazy, but the way O has been shooting lately the zone just might work well against them.

[bu fan 9]

I still want someone to explain to me how McCain started over Sam M at the point?