I dont blame the coaching

[squirrelgotdead]

My question to those that think JL is not a good coach, seemingly based on his 8-year record and lack of quality recruits, is why do I get the sense that almost everyone is willing to give him another year? If he's indeed that bad of a coach and we aren't getting the recruits that we should be getting, then why isn't he gone as soon as the season ends?

I don't think this is the case.

I believe it's probably closer to 50/50 right now honestly.

I believe that most have been under the assumption BU may not be in a position financially to make a move this year.

I'm not necessarily saying it's right or wrong. In an ideal world, I believe he should be granted next year. But this offseason could present the only opportunity the administration may have to make a move.

[BradleyJD]

I don't think this is the case.

I believe it's probably closer to 50/50 right now honestly.

I believe that most have been under the assumption BU may not be in a position financially to make a move this year.

I'm not necessarily saying it's right or wrong. In an ideal world, I believe he should be granted next year. But this offseason could present the only opportunity the administration may have to make a move.

Money is never really a stopping point for BU. IF its the right move they should do it.

[shaunguth]

Money is never really a stopping point for BU. IF its the right move they should do it.

I agree and that's why I was wondering why I was getting the impression that "half" think he should be gone, but not this year.

[squirrelgotdead]

I agree and that's why I was wondering why I was getting the impression that "half" think he should be gone, but not this year.

I've stated there are 2 very basic schools of thought, and here they are:

1) Make the move now. You do this right, you might alienate a SMALL # of fans who are blinded by loyalty to the coach anyway, but you can bring in someone who can take advantage of some reasonable talent, contend for or win the league next year, and with a 96-team NCAA tournament threaten to win a couple games. You avoid any potential lame-duck messes in terms of losing valuable recruiting resources that go unspent, because there's no motivation. The right, winning hire brings that small # of fans back after a few years, too, BTW.

2) All eggs in one basket theory. You hold off because you believe the guy is the guy to get the job done and get the program rectified next year by winning the league and win an NCAA tourney game or two. If by midseason, these things don't seem likely, recruiting effectively stops.

I think it's clear if we hold off another year, and that if Wilkins goes elsewhere, we could be staring down the barrel of two terribly crippling recruiting years.

[Da Coach]

I don't think this is the case.

I believe it's probably closer to 50/50 right now honestly.

I believe that most have been under the assumption BU may not be in a position financially to make a move this year.

I'm not necessarily saying it's right or wrong. In an ideal world, I believe he should be granted next year. But this offseason could present the only opportunity the administration may have to make a move.

I think this is way off. In Jim Molinari's final year the sentiment to change coaches was about 50/50. When it gets there, a change will be made by Bradley.
Based on my experience and contacts with fans (and I'd bet I hear from far more than most people here), it is nowhere close to 50/50. More like 90/10 in favor of Jim Les, though the 10% make a lot more noise than the 90% who favor JL.

[BradleyJD]

I think this is way off. In Jim Molinari's final year the sentiment to change coaches was about 50/50. When it gets there, a change will be made by Bradley.
Based on my experience and contacts with fans (and I'd bet I hear from far more than most people here), it is nowhere close to 50/50. More like 90/10 in favor of Jim Les, though the 10% make a lot more noise than the 90% who favor JL.

I would say the great number of fans I talk to is closer to 60/40 to keep him.

[Bradleyguy10]

Let's look at the facts:

A. This is a young team.
B. This team capable of being a really good team.

In our past 3-4 games we should have won - Nobody (other than SM) wants the ball! You can tell the kids everyday we need leaders who want the ball - BUT that can't be coached. I truely believe next year, we will have 3 or 4 guys that not only want the ball, they will make it in crunch time. Young teams need years like this to learn and get better. JL is not the problem.

PS - I'm not a BSS member. I have not spent tons of money. My problem is the people that spend "0" money but complain like they are somebody in the program.

A: This is NOT a young team.
"seniors": 6th year, and one true senior CR
"juniors": AW of senior age, SM true junior
"sophomores": WE of junior age, AT of junior age, TB of junior age, and 2 true sophomores
freshmen: all are true freshmen

Notice our starting lineup ages are 3 juniors and 2 seniors. Hardly inexperienced or young. One of the first guys off the bench is a 6th year senior and the other yes is a freshmen but playing very well and cannot be made into an "excuse".

B: I wholeheartedly agree so why should we settle?

Just because people haven't spent extra money doesn't mean they can't be fans and have an opinion. I'm not going to go to a game and say oh well I haven't donated anything to the program so I won't be upset. This board was created and it has to deal with all types of fans. Fans that are broke and care and fans that think they are something special because they have been blessed and are the only ones entitled to their opinions, or fans that have been blessed and accept others opinions as well. Who cares someone hasn't donated. They all pay for games I'm sure. Most went to bradley at some point I'm sure. If you didn't attend Bradley and are donating then I'm sure my tuition has exceeded any of your donations. But does that mean I shouldn't have an opinion because I haven't done anything extra?

And if you aren't a BSS member why call out others for not being apart of it and having opinions? Why call out B4L about how he knew people that ARE complaining? It doesn't make sense. Now you are back tracking trying to make yourself look like less of a hot-head.

[Samd2]

I agree with the Da Coach, I think most of the fans are in support of JL and that the ones that are not, are just louder and more vocal. Its no secret that I have and will support him.

We are a mid major program, it is what it is !!!

Does anyone really expect a new coach to step in and have BU take off into the upper levels of Div I basketball. Any coach will have the same problems at BU.

Peoria is not attractive to anyone not from Peoria !!!
The weather !!!!
The facilities !!
Great Fans !!! and a several whiners
no wonder we have it tough recruiting !!!!

[BradleyBrave]

I agree with the Da Coach, I think most of the fans are in support of JL and that the ones that are not, are just louder and more vocal. Its no secret that I have and will support him.

We are a mid major program, it is what it is !!!

Does anyone really expect a new coach to step in and have BU take off into the upper levels of Div I basketball. Any coach will have the same problems at BU.

Peoria is not attractive to anyone not from Peoria !!!
The weather !!!!
The facilities !!
Great Fans !!! and a several whiners
no wonder we have it tough recruiting !!!!

And Cedar Falls, Iowa is the mecca of the midwest?

If it's so miserable and we have no chance, why even bother?

Excuses, excuses, excuses...if it's so hopeless then we're all morons for wasting our time. Some of you talk like BU and Peoria are such charity cases...I know you don't truly believe that...

[Samd2]

Maybe i missed something, is there a national power team in cedar falls ?
or is it just somebody having a good run, like we do from time to time,
or like most goo mid majors do from time to time

[SFP]

A good team next year..only if they have a wide body at center.

If not even with JW they will not be much better off IMO. I have watched this team closely and have gone back to look at our games again and the lack of a true 5 is killing us. WE can hold his own but because of his lack of size he has to get in positions where for better or worse fouls are called. TB is a pretty good rebounder when he wants to be but he is also undersized as a 4! Look at any decent program and they all have at least one true 5 if not 2. We have ZERO folks!

If a recruit bases his choice of school on the message boards, then I don't want that player.

Me neither! BU has a ton to offer a recruit. If they can't wrap their arms around the possibilities as a Brave from the coaching staff they are probably not going to work out in Peoria anyway. Also most message boards are on melt down from day one! What makes anyone here think ours is worse then anyone else's. Ours if anything is prettu civil.

[BradleyBrave]

Maybe i missed something, is there a national power team in cedar falls ?
or is it just somebody having a good run, like we do from time to time,
or like most goo mid majors do from time to time

When is the last time we won back-to-back MVC titles, or went to 4 NCAA Tournaments in 6 years?

When's the last time we won the MVC Tournament? On a neutral floor?

I guess it's just dumb luck that their coach has been there for what, 4-5 years, and has 2 MVC titles already?

Also, when was the last time we were ranked as high as #18 nationally?

You can find all the reasons in the world why we can't...location is one of the weaker ones I have heard...and by doing so you're selling yourself, the university, and the community very short by doing so...

[Samd2]

I dont recall saying miserable, or no chance. I only said that we are a mid major and asked how we could expect a new coach to preform miracles. Jim Les in my opinion is a good coach.

His only major mistake that i have seen at this point has been not having a big inside player. If we had one that gave us 28 minutes, 14 pts and 8 rebounds by himself, I think we would be on top of the MVC and in the top 20

We need a BIG MAN !!!

[BradleyBrave]

I dont recall saying miserable, or no chance. I only said that we are a mid major and asked how we could expect a new coach to preform miracles. Jim Les in my opinion is a good coach.

His only major mistake that i have seen at this point has been not having a big inside player. If we had one that gave us 28 minutes, 14 pts and 8 rebounds by himself, I think we would be on top of the MVC and in the top 20

We need a BIG MAN !!!

So now it would take a miracle to win at BU? Were Versace, Molinari, and Albeck miracle workers?

Tornado says we have as good of players as we have ever had. If so, why would it take a miracle worker to win?

[SFP]

So now it would take a miracle to win at BU? Were Versace, Molinari, and Albeck miracle workers?

Please let's not put Albeck in there! I liked the guy personally, he was a nice guy to sit around and have a drink with at The Lucky Lady but a miracle worker!