What do you need next season out of JL?

[electricmayhem]

I know that some of you just want JL gone, but for those of us willing to give him one more year, what are your expectations?

http://www.examiner.com/x-7020-Bradley-Braves-Examiner~y2010m2d11-What-are-Bradley-fans-looking-for-next-year

Like I say in the article, we are returning a very good core group of players, and with a little development over the summer by DSE, JP, MK, and JE, this could be a fantastic team on paper. They still have to play the games...

For me, I'd like to see the team finish top-3 in the league and be in the NIT at a minimum, with serious bubble-speak for the dance. That would be a successful season.

Thoughts?

[Da Coach]

No offense, and I enjoy your articles, but hasn't this been discussed already ad nauseum in a myriad of other threads?

[Braves4Life]

For me, I'd like to see the team finish top-3 in the league and be in the NIT at a minimum, with serious bubble-speak for the dance. That would be a successful season.

Thoughts?

Those are my expectations as well mayhem.

[Bradleyguy10]

We have the talent to go to the NCAA tournament I think. But I'll be nice and say I'd be satisfied with just improvement rather than playing up to our level. NIT bid minimum and win one game, and to cancel out this season we need to not lose a single home game.

[thefish7]

1. Conventional assistant coach hire.

Other than that, same criteria you gave.

[SaintLouBrave22]

A whole new crew of assistants and a 1st or 2nd place finish...

IF we were to finish 3rd and get a NCAA bid I would let it slide one more year...


A middling finish coupled with an early exit in STL and some cr*ptastic postseason tournament bid and hey, there's the door....

[ManMythLegend]

(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.

[daPAWW1]

Not much!

I don't think we need too much more out of JL but I do think we need a group of student athletes who are motivated enough to execute the basic game plan! When repeatedly reminded we seem to execute well but then somebody revs up the microwave and we p#ss our pants and forget who the h#ll we are for about 10 minutes!

So I'd say JL needs some help getting a better product on the court, and that's not a shot at any current students - cause generally JL kids are good kids! Maybe we need a hypnotist or motivation expert on staff! I also think the MVC is getting better top to bottom which requires successful teams to work for 40 mins to get a win - I don't think we're getting that kind of consistant focus!

[TheAsianSensation]

Either a regular season championship or NCAA bid. 2nd place probably good enough for the latter. 3rd may even be stretching it. If it's no NCAA and 4th or below, he's gone, and it's not even close.

[ER3]

I know a lot of people say the solution here is to keep Les for one more year as long as we make sure to do a major overhaul of his coaching staff...
I don't see any way that this could possibly happen for next year...unless someone like Chuck B. or Dick V. decides to come out of retirement and help Les out...
Young, up-and-coming, talented assistant coaches from other schools simply would have zero interest in uprooting their families to come here and serve as an assistant under a guy that may basically have an ultimatum hanging over his head to produce significantly better results next year or hit the bricks. That is a horribly unattractive job offer, and no coach who is truly qualified and talented would consider leaving their current job for one as uncertain as this one would be.
So, if you decide to keep Les around for another year...I think you have to resign yourself to the fact that you will not see any real upgrades to this underqualified staff of assistants that we currently have...again, unless some local retiree comes to Jim's aid.
If you want a truly qualified, talented coaching staff from top-to-bottom next year, I don't see how it can happen unless you bring in a new coach and give him a fresh start and a few years to establish his program.

[Stryker]

Les gets one more year. If he doesn't win at least one NIT game minimum then I want him gone.

[BradleyJD]

IF Jim Les is brought back......

I would want either a Conference Title or MVC Tourney title, 25 wins, and at least second round of the NCAA's.

It is a lot to ask, but IF he is getting another year, he would have to produce IMO.

[Braves4Life]

I know a lot of people say the solution here is to keep Les for one more year as long as we make sure to do a major overhaul of his coaching staff......Young, up-and-coming, talented assistant coaches from other schools simply would have zero interest in uprooting their families to come here and serve as an assistant under a guy that may basically have an ultimatum hanging over his head to produce significantly better results next year or hit the bricks. That is a horribly unattractive job offer, and no coach who is truly qualified and talented would consider leaving their current job for one as uncertain as this one would be.

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

IF Jim Les is brought back......

I would want either a Conference Title or MVC Tourney title, 25 wins, and at least second round of the NCAA's.

It is a lot to ask, but IF he is getting another year, he would have to produce IMO.

You're funny. Unreasonable, but funny.

[squirrelgotdead]

IF JL returns for one more year, my expectations would be the following:

1) Hire a competent assistants staff

2) Compile the nation's #1 recruiting class

3) Win the MVC regular season and tournament titles

4) #1 NCAA Tournament seed

5) Final Four and NCAA Championship

[SaintLouBrave22]

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

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...