PJS, Dave Reynolds..Glimpses of greatness-glances of gloom

[Big Mike]

http://www.bradleyhoops.com/homepage/x645472960/Glimpses-of-greatness-glances-of-gloom

[BU_EMT128]

"Les admitted his team will be a seasoned one next year, but that won??™t necessarily translate into a better season."

Who else is excited when our coach is already preparing us for another dismal season?

[SFP]

Great article! It's everything we have been saying as a group for the most part. I also did not see that JL is going after a guard with two of the openings for next year. He said an athletic wing/forward and a guy with size that can help with the boards.

[amckillip]

"Les admitted his team will be a seasoned one next year, but that won??™t necessarily translate into a better season."

Who else is excited when our coach is already preparing us for another dismal season?

I don't think that's what he's doing at all. He's being realistic, saying that his team needs to work in the offseason, which is most definitely true. In context, what you're saying isn't the meaning of the quote at all. Your JL-hate is blinding you...

[amckillip]

Great article! It's everything we have been saying as a group for the most part. I also did not see that JL is going after a guard with two of the openings for next year. He said an athletic wing/forward and a guy with size that can help with the boards.

I liked the article but nothing really stood out as new information to me, more just of a wrap-up off-season piece, which is great to keep BU basketball in PJS readers minds, but not much of value for many of us IMO.

[SFP]

The only substantiated part was about what he is looking for in regards to recruits. Now we do not have to hear about how we are recruiting guards for the two open scholarships next year.

[amckillip]

The only substantiated part was about what he is looking for in regards to recruits. Now we do not have to hear about how we are recruiting guards for the two open scholarships next year.

Yeah, you're right about that SFP. I suppose I just took that for granted, despite some who believe (and post) otherwise. Doesn't it generally make sense to replace a graduating wing and graduating center with a wing and a center...

[AZ BU Fan]

I thought DR's story was spot on. Instead of telling his returning players about all the talent BU should have next year and they will take the Valley, he threw down the gauntlet with them letting them know they have to get better before next season and get with the program. Note this is a BU team that didn't react well to allocades they got this past season after big wins....letdowns followed. Same with big leads, BU gets careless, goes show time with their offense/defense losing momentum, composure, and leads they should have closed out.

I am glad JL changed his approach with his players letting them know despite the talented individuals they have, they have a ways to go to compete with the UNI's, WSU's, Creighton's and ISU's of the Valley. None of these teams are standing still and they will also improve over the off season.

I really hope AT gets it this off season. He showed so much promise and potential when he played in the Red White game as a Freshman. Thought he would go on and tear up the Valley. It's not too late, but his clock is ticking.

AT, from the immortal Ty Webb: "I'm going to give you a little advice. There's a force in the universe that makes things happen. And all you have to do is get in touch with it, stop thinking, let things happen, and be the ball"

Be the ball next year AT, be the ball!

[Bravesfan]

"Les admitted his team will be a seasoned one next year, but that won’t necessarily translate into a better season."

Who else is excited when our coach is already preparing us for another dismal season?

Actually that was the conclusion Dave Reynolds came to. Les said that becoming a year older does not automatically translate into becoming better. It comes down to changing one's beliefs and attitudes. And this is the case for all teams. Just putting talent and experience on the floor won't get you a great season, and I think Les was 100% right in mentioning this.

I have every reason to believe this team will be better and finish stronger next year. But the players have to come together and play as a cohesive team. AND with the way UNI has played this postseason, they won't be an automatic out even with losing several great players. They have a great system in place, and they may very well be in the hunt.

Next year with Wichita St. the favorites, and CU, Ind St., SIU, UNI and Bradley as possible title contenders, it will take a great effort for us just to finish in the top 3. But perhaps the Valley will garner more respect next year with several veteran teams returning with multiple bids to the NCAA Tournament, meaning a top 3 finish could at least get us into the at-large discussion. Let's just hope the players do whatever it takes over the summer to reach this goal.

[Bravesfan]

I thought DR's story was spot on. Instead of telling his returning players about all the talent BU should have next year and they will take the Valley, he threw down the gauntlet with them letting them know they have to get better before next season and get with the program. Note this is a BU team that didn't react well to allocades they got this past season after big wins....letdowns followed. Same with big leads, BU gets careless, goes show time with their offense/defense losing momentum, composure, and leads they should have closed out.

I am glad JL changed his approach with his players letting them know despite the talented individuals they have, they have a ways to go to compete with the UNI's, WSU's, Creighton's and ISU's of the Valley. None of these teams are standing still and they will also improve over the off season.

I really hope AT gets it this off season. He showed so much promise and potential when he played in the Red White game as a Freshman. Thought he would go on and tear up the Valley. It's not too late, but his clock is ticking.

AT, from the immortal Ty Webb: "I'm going to give you a little advice. There's a force in the universe that makes things happen. And all you have to do is get in touch with it, stop thinking, let things happen, and be the ball"

Be the ball next year AT, be the ball!

I like that Les gave AT an ultimatum. Either get with the program, or end up staying on the bench.

I also believe that Bradley turning down the CBI/CIT was a way to send a message that this is not the postseason we should be shooting for, even though we would have most likely been invited to either of these tourneys. Hopefully this message sinks into the player's heads this off season.

And let's hope AT watches Caddyshack over the summer. Being the ball will help him!

[real fan]

A.T. needs to look at tape of Oaklands center Benson as they are the same size, Benson scored 28 points last night against Pittsburgh in a losing effort, Benson is skinny but he plays hard and physical and if A.T. would give us that kind of effort we would be a very good team.

[tornado]

this is the kind of nice "offseason" coverage we would love more of...

[BradleyBrave]

Great article. Lot of good quotes from Coach Les. I'm with T, I wouldn't mind seeing a few 'checking in' articles over the offseason. Maybe an article in May after recruiting is done and new assistants have been brought in? Another after the summer AAU circuit is done (and hopefully we have some commits)? Just some ideas. Nice piece as always by DR.

[thefish7]

Yeah, I also enjoyed that article and would love to see more like it throughout the offseason. Loved the tone the coach took.

[Buesch N Chips]

I thought it was a great article, and it seemed like Coach Les' comments were a little more real. I've always felt that he, as well as Little Buescher, never really say anything when they talk to the media. It's all coachspeak:

"youknowwearegoingtogiveitallwegotandthegoodlordwi llingthingswillworkout"

But this article seemed refreshingly honest, and more humble. If so, I think that is a great step and I would also like to see one of these every few months in the offseason.