What do you need next season out of JL?

[BradleyBrave]

Sorry, I don't agree. A top assistant would be perfectly positioned to be a leading candidate for Les' job should he be fired.

Jim Les is not a dumb guy, and wasn't born yesterday. There's absolutely zero chance he would bring someone on who might possibly replace him. And I wouldn't want him to. That's not productive. If we add a guy in the offseason, I want a qualified (key word) guy that JL can trust. It's the only way this thing has a chance to work.

[SaintLouBrave22]

Jim Les is not a dumb guy, and wasn't born yesterday. There's absolutely zero chance he would bring someone on who might possibly replace him. And I wouldn't want him to. That's not productive. If we add a guy in the offseason, I want a qualified (key word) guy that JL can trust. It's the only way this thing has a chance to work.

The real question is, will Jim Les be picking the assistants, or will this be a Ron Zook type deal where the AD is picking and choosing for what he believes is the benefit of the program?

I agree that it may work better if Les can coexist with said assistants, BUT I question his ability to recruit talented coaches to the staff...just look at them now...

[SFP]

Expectations with the current guys coming back would be a bit better only because I expect to see UNI go down a peg and ISU also. Otherwise we still have that huge hole in the paint. There is not one guy right now on this team that can truly address this need. I could pray that AT gains 30-40 lbs of muscle and WE grows a few inches and also gains 20 lbs. If you do not mind perhaps a top 3 finish in the Valley but with no real chance to do much after, then all should be OK. My expectations right now for next year unless one of our 2-3 guys steps up over the summer to improve their game dramatically will be a 3-4 finish. Will that cut it? For me probably, but will I renew my BU.tv. No! If JL finds a real 5 then my expectations will be huge. JL to me is a great coach for BU and with the right assistant he could great overall. The problem has been not being able to recruit or find the necessary bigs. Something will have to change. In short JL needs to find or develop a big or hopefully have one of the current players step it up big time. 4-5 just will not cut it and a 3rd place finish will be probably just be enough if the recruiting steps up. The new facility will forever change any excuse of why we cannot recruit.

I have a business partner and he is not against hiring family but he is the first guy to say if they are not cutting it their gone. You need to be able to separate business from family.

[SaintLouBrave22]

Expectations with the current guys coming back would be a bit better only because I expect to see UNI go down a peg and ISU also. Otherwise we still have that huge hole in the paint. There is not one guy right now on this team that can truly address this need. I could pray that AT gains 30-40 lbs of muscle and WE grows a few inches and also gains 20 lbs. If you do not mind perhaps a top 3 finish in the Valley but with no real chance to do much after, then all should be OK. My expectations right now for next year unless one of our 2-3 guys steps up over the summer to improve their game dramatically will be a 3-4 finish. Will that cut it? For me probably, but will I renew my BU.tv. No! If JL finds a real 5 then my expectations will be huge. JL to me is a great coach for BU and with the right assistant he could great overall. The problem has been not being able to recruit or find the necessary bigs. Something will have to change. In short JL needs to find or develop a big or hopefully have one of the current players step it up big time. 4-5 just will not cut it and a 3rd place finish will be probably just be enough if the recruiting steps up. The new facility will forever change any excuse of why we cannot recruit.

I can tell you flat out Will won't get better in this current offensive system, nor will AT.

Heck, Kenny Lawson and Dinma Odiakosa wouldn't be good in this system. It doesn't allow for much production from our bigs OR allow them to get enough touches to make a difference.


First and foremost going into next year, whoever Les brings on needs to work on implementing a new system that spreads the ball around and finds the strengths of the roster, most notably, Taylor, Will, and Andrew. Whatever they build can then be relayed to Sammy and Dyricus, and say here, this is what we want you to run. I have confidence that both of those guys can run whatever system is put in place...its the others that need to be built around as both the PG's are very good at improvising.

[Chucky T's]

I want JL to be the coach next year. I would like to see...

1. A change in strategy...get away from this 3-4 guard line-up and go back to a more conventional line-up of a center and two forwards. Use the 2006 team as your blueprint. Recruit with this style in mind.

2. A qualified assistant that JL will actually listen to and consider their ideas or opinions. An assistant that can teach and develop our big men to become an inside threat. (Something that we haven't had much of this year.)

3. Recruit a strong rebounder this off season. 6'-7" or better and beefy. Someone not afraid to mix it up inside. Someone who likes contact.

3. Nine or fewer losses. NIT bid or better. Top 3 in the MVC. ESPN game in the bracketbuster. A Sunday appearance in St. Louis. RPI at 50 or under.

4. An attitude, swagger, confidence, toughness or whatever you want to call it that says "Carver Arena is our home and we do not lose here" This goes for the coaches, the team, AND THE FANS. It's a mindset that has to be shared by EVERYONE involved with BU basketball.

5. A non conference schedule that rivals this years. a couple good BCS teams mixed with top mid major programs. Would love to get teams such as Butler, Dayton or Xavier tied into a three game or more contract.


I realize that some of the things I have listed are not in JL's control but I believe they are all obtainable. This is the direction I think we need to be going in. Good luck to JL and the Braves!!

[Garland 22]

I want JL to be the coach next year. I would like to see...

1. A change in strategy...get away from this 3-4 guard line-up and go back to a more conventional line-up of a center and two forwards. Use the 2006 team as your blueprint. Recruit with this style in mind.

2. A qualified assistant that JL will actually listen to and consider their ideas or opinions. An assistant that can teach and develop our big men to become an inside threat. (Something that we haven't had much of this year.)

3. Recruit a strong rebounder this off season. 6'-7" or better and beefy. Someone not afraid to mix it up inside. Someone who likes contact.

3. Nine or fewer losses. NIT bid or better. Top 3 in the MVC. ESPN game in the bracketbuster. A Sunday appearance in St. Louis. RPI at 50 or under.

4. An attitude, swagger, confidence, toughness or whatever you want to call it that says "Carver Arena is our home and we do not lose here" This goes for the coaches, the team, AND THE FANS. It's a mindset that has to be shared by EVERYONE involved with BU basketball.

5. A non conference schedule that rivals this years. a couple good BCS teams mixed with top mid major programs. Would love to get teams such as Butler, Dayton or Xavier tied into a three game or more contract.


I realize that some of the things I have listed are not in JL's control but I believe they are all obtainable. This is the direction I think we need to be going in. Good luck to JL and the Braves!!

Conference Championship

[shaunguth]

(1) Hire experienced assistant coaches
(2) Finish 1 or 2 in the league (3rd acceptable if we get an NCAA bid)
(3) NIT bid at minimum

I would LOVE to see an MVC championship (conference or tourney, preferably both), but lets take it one step at a time here.

I'd also like to add that I don't think these expectations are too far fetched.

So, a 3rd place finish and an NIT bid means he's gone?

Possibly add in an early-exit NIT appearance, but I wouldn't fire him for finishing 3rd and possibly going deep into the NIT or who knows.....winning it.

[shaunguth]

The real question is, will Jim Les be picking the assistants, or will this be a Ron Zook type deal where the AD is picking and choosing for what he believes is the benefit of the program?

I agree that it may work better if Les can coexist with said assistants, BUT I question his ability to recruit talented coaches to the staff...just look at them now...

I was thinking about this very thing earlier today. A lot would depend on someone other than JL having say in the rest of the staff.

[shaunguth]

I want JL to be the coach next year. I would like to see...

1. A change in strategy...get away from this 3-4 guard line-up and go back to a more conventional line-up of a center and two forwards. Use the 2006 team as your blueprint. Recruit with this style in mind.

2. A qualified assistant that JL will actually listen to and consider their ideas or opinions. An assistant that can teach and develop our big men to become an inside threat. (Something that we haven't had much of this year.)

3. Recruit a strong rebounder this off season. 6'-7" or better and beefy. Someone not afraid to mix it up inside. Someone who likes contact.

3. Nine or fewer losses. NIT bid or better. Top 3 in the MVC. ESPN game in the bracketbuster. A Sunday appearance in St. Louis. RPI at 50 or under.

4. An attitude, swagger, confidence, toughness or whatever you want to call it that says "Carver Arena is our home and we do not lose here" This goes for the coaches, the team, AND THE FANS. It's a mindset that has to be shared by EVERYONE involved with BU basketball.

5. A non conference schedule that rivals this years. a couple good BCS teams mixed with top mid major programs. Would love to get teams such as Butler, Dayton or Xavier tied into a three game or more contract.


I realize that some of the things I have listed are not in JL's control but I believe they are all obtainable. This is the direction I think we need to be going in. Good luck to JL and the Braves!!

I think this is a great post!

[real fan]

I want JL to be the coach next year. I would like to see...

1. A change in strategy...get away from this 3-4 guard line-up and go back to a more conventional line-up of a center and two forwards. Use the 2006 team as your blueprint. Recruit with this style in mind.

2. A qualified assistant that JL will actually listen to and consider their ideas or opinions. An assistant that can teach and develop our big men to become an inside threat. (Something that we haven't had much of this year.)

3. Recruit a strong rebounder this off season. 6'-7" or better and beefy. Someone not afraid to mix it up inside. Someone who likes contact.

3. Nine or fewer losses. NIT bid or better. Top 3 in the MVC. ESPN game in the bracketbuster. A Sunday appearance in St. Louis. RPI at 50 or under.

4. An attitude, swagger, confidence, toughness or whatever you want to call it that says "Carver Arena is our home and we do not lose here" This goes for the coaches, the team, AND THE FANS. It's a mindset that has to be shared by EVERYONE involved with BU basketball.

5. A non conference schedule that rivals this years. a couple good BCS teams mixed with top mid major programs. Would love to get teams such as Butler, Dayton or Xavier tied into a three game or more contract.


I realize that some of the things I have listed are not in JL's control but I believe they are all obtainable. This is the direction I think we need to be going in. Good luck to JL and the Braves!!

Great post other then no.5 as that is out of our control.

[BradleyJD]

So, a 3rd place finish and an NIT bid means he's gone?

Possibly add in an early-exit NIT appearance, but I wouldn't fire him for finishing 3rd and possibly going deep into the NIT or who knows.....winning it.

NIT is not acceptable to me. IF he is getting one more year he better produce BIG

[Braves4Life]

NIT is not acceptable to me. IF he is getting one more year he better produce BIG

I'm sorry, but that is just CRAZY BradleyJD!!!

[Chico]

Yes, and the only way you get said assistant in is by telling him that if Les falls on his face, he is out and you are in...


Problem I have with this is Les would see the writing on the wall (if he hasn't already) AND the word "sabotage" comes to mind...

That's an unfair opinion of Coach Les. He is a class act and bleeds Bradley red more than any of us. To say he would sabotage the Bradley program is ridiculous.

[SFP]

NIT is not acceptable to me. IF he is getting one more year he better produce BIG

OK Whatever you say! BradleyJD please this is a board with a bunch of knowledgeable guys who love this program. Get over your complete negative slant of JL because like the far right or left you make a bunch of noice but in the minority.

That's an unfair opinion of Coach Les. He is a class act and bleeds Bradley red more than any of us. To say he would sabotage the Bradley program is ridiculous.

Chico your posts lately have been right on!

[peoriaspitfire]

I'm sorry, but that is just CRAZY BradleyJD!!!

What if the tournament is 96 teams? Then it does become unacceptable.

Overall, I would like BU to be a top 100 program year in year out even in the down years and top 50 in the good years.

As for next year, I have to see a huge improvement over the usual mid-pack MVC finish and an NCAA birth. By JL's year 10, we should have to have a league title.

Wish list for next year: Solid #5, MVC 6th man of the year (who?), top flight assistant, new BU internet feed and a game out within a couple of hours from me in Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio State, Kentucky, Louisville, Xavier, Dayton, Ohio, Butler).