Rivals MVC preview

[BradleyBrave]

As predicted when last year ended. No reason for the pundits to pick us higher.

[AZ BU Fan]

We lost only Chris Roberts and Sam Singh- how could this team be worse than last year? We get Dodie back for a full season, and don't underestimate the fact that all our best scorers and leaders are seniors this year.

Agree DC....BU SHOULD BE better than last year. Of course, the better question is whether other MVC teams will be better, or much better, than last year relative to BU's improvement. The rest of the MVC is not standing still each year waiting for BU to get better.

This is the year many of us JL "doubters" (no one hates him - he is a very likeable guy) have been waiting for to see IF 1. JL can recruit players who can put BU at the top of the Valley and 2. JL can teach/coach players well enough to put BU at the top of the Valley...

He has an experienced senior led team with good guards and adequate post players (in deference to T) with new players posters are excited about...

While another 5-6 place MVC season and no NIT/NCAA would probably be JL's "Waterloo" at BU (how much more needs to be seen as to how far JL could take the program?), most should be willing to give JL one more year if they can finish in the top 3, reach Sunday in the Tourney, and/or, get a spot in the NIT in 2010-11....

Time to prove to all the doubters, both posters and writers/sportscasters, that JL and BU are for real and can compete at the top of the MVC and be relevant on the National scene!

[houstontxbrave]

I think back to guys like Rick Mount who literally took 25+ shots almost every game, and sometimes 30-40. (I guess I'm showing my age there).

I think you want your best player shooting as much as possible especially if they are anywhere near the talent of a Rick Mount or for example Hersey Hawkins (averaged over 500 shots a season in his college career, and I dont think he is considered a gunner.)

Btw Mount shot it at 51.5% as a Junior and 48.9% as a Senior. Ill take that everday and not care how many times a player shoots it.

Young though was not a gunner, 10.4 shots a game is not a whole lot of shots.

[real fan]

Agree DC....BU SHOULD BE better than last year. Of course, the better question is whether other MVC teams will be better, or much better, than last year relative to BU's improvement. The rest of the MVC is not standing still each year waiting for BU to get better.

This is the year many of us JL "doubters" (no one hates him - he is a very likeable guy) have been waiting for to see IF 1. JL can recruit players who can put BU at the top of the Valley and 2. JL can teach/coach players well enough to put BU at the top of the Valley...

He has an experienced senior led team with good guards and adequate post players (in deference to T) with new players posters are excited about...

While another 5-6 place MVC season and no NIT/NCAA would probably be JL's "Waterloo" at BU (how much more needs to be seen as to how far JL could take the program?), most should be willing to give JL one more year if they can finish in the top 3, reach Sunday in the Tourney, and/or, get a spot in the NIT in 2010-11....

Time to prove to all the doubters, both posters and writers/sportscasters, that JL and BU are for real and can compete at the top of the MVC and be relevant on the National scene!

Not only is it time for the coaching staff to get BU to the top 3 of the Valley but our seniors and juniors also because they have been here for a long time to not at least challenge for a title.

[Big Mike]

I also think the Braves will be better with Coach Platt taking over as Defensive coach!

[dogsrus]

Agree DC....BU SHOULD BE better than last year. Of course, the better question is whether other MVC teams will be better, or much better, than last year relative to BU's improvement. The rest of the MVC is not standing still each year waiting for BU to get better.

This is the year many of us JL "doubters" (no one hates him - he is a very likeable guy) have been waiting for to see IF 1. JL can recruit players who can put BU at the top of the Valley and 2. JL can teach/coach players well enough to put BU at the top of the Valley...

He has an experienced senior led team with good guards and adequate post players (in deference to T) with new players posters are excited about...

While another 5-6 place MVC season and no NIT/NCAA would probably be JL's "Waterloo" at BU (how much more needs to be seen as to how far JL could take the program?), most should be willing to give JL one more year if they can finish in the top 3, reach Sunday in the Tourney, and/or, get a spot in the NIT in 2010-11....

Time to prove to all the doubters, both posters and writers/sportscasters, that JL and BU are for real and can compete at the top of the MVC and be relevant on the National scene!

AZ....well said. I would only argue the "adequate" post players comment or assertion. We have a decent 4 WE that plays the 5. What else do we have?

[Future Walk-On]

I think you want your best player shooting as much as possible especially if they are anywhere near the talent of a Rick Mount or for example Hersey Hawkins (averaged over 500 shots a season in his college career, and I dont think he is considered a gunner.)

Btw Mount shot it at 51.5% as a Junior and 48.9% as a Senior. Ill take that everday and not care how many times a player shoots it.

Young though was not a gunner, 10.4 shots a game is not a whole lot of shots.

OE took 13.09

[houstontxbrave]

OE took 13.09

Andrew Warren shot it 11.4 times a game last year and both were at 40% accuracy, neither number is good by any means.

I do not consider either number gunner range.

[SFP]

AZ....well said. I would only argue the "adequate" post players comment or assertion. We have a decent 4 WE that plays the 5. What else do we have?

The word adequate means average so I agree with Dogrus. I believe our post should be defensively adequate. WE and TB should be able to score I'm worried about our rebounding and especially what happens when WE sits.

[Future Walk-On]

The word adequate means average so I agree with Dogrus. I believe our post should be defensively adequate. WE and TB should be able to score I'm worried about our rebounding and especially what happens when WE sits.

AT

[LittleBrave]

AT

Can I ask why you're so high up on AT to produce?
I also think he'll get more P.T., but have no basis really for that feeling.
That would be awesome for JP and AT to have some positive impact for next season. I would cringe every time SS stepped on the floor last season, though he held his own a few games.

[Da Coach]

I think we will all be a bit surprised with AT's improvement, and I think he'll be a significant contributor. He has always been very athletic, and needed to gain weight and muscle, which he has done. In just a few weeks we'll know.

[dogsrus]

The word adequate means average so I agree with Dogrus. I believe our post should be defensively adequate. WE and TB should be able to score I'm worried about our rebounding and especially what happens when WE sits.

OK...gotcha....I was not thinking of TB as a post player. I always considered the 3 spot the wing for whatever that means.

WE is our only "known" commodity in the true post and he's, as you know, a 4 playing the 5. He's average to below average IMO at the 5. I would think he could be average to above average at the 4.

[houstontxbrave]

I think we will all be a bit surprised with AT's improvement, and I think he'll be a significant contributor. He has always been very athletic, and needed to gain weight and muscle, which he has done. In just a few weeks we'll know.

Its great his body has improved. But until his mental side improves, I expect nor believe we will get anything from Anthony Thompson. He has shown no abilities to be a contributer for an entire season.

Hope he proves me and any other doubter wrong.

[dogsrus]

Its great his body has improved. But until his mental side improves, I expect nor believe we will get anything from Anthony Thompson. He has shown no abilities to be a contributer for an entire season.

Hope he proves me and any other doubter wrong.

Gotta agree with ya...I have learned over the years to only go with the proven and anything above that is a bonus.

JP,AD and AT are unproven at this level....WE is the only known commodity.

I'm with you hope all three UNprovens show us something.