BU picked 5th? yet has 3 players in the all conf world

[BradleyJD]

One of the mysteries that baffles me- the same people who usually like to tell us how meaningless these preseason polls, and statistics are when fans cite them as a positive factor, seem to be the first ones to try to spin, twist, and distort this preseason and statistical stuff into some profound negative evidence of the shortcomings of our coaching staff?!

Okay, if the preseason voting did not have to do with coaching, why the 5th place prediction?

According to the voters, we have the players. So why the low prediction?

[MacabreMob]

Hmm..the Wichita writer also says...
"Bradley departed St. Louis with individual honors, but a fifth-place prediction. Something doesn??™t make sense."
http://blogs.kansas.com/shockwaves/#ixzz13aE7EunG

Reminds me of handicapping a horse race. If you watch the money board, odds, and gimmick payoffs.... sometimes you see a 5th choice horse based on odds paying the least amount in exacta/daily-double payoffs... hmmm... something doesn't make sense.

[real fan]

Bradley has had great guards since Les took over but since O"bryant left early BU has struggled with an inside game, these other schools and media people know that and voted us 5th because of it, I hope our inside players realize that most of these voters do not believe our inside players are very good, I think we will be a much better team then last season because of experience, personnel and tougher asst. coaches, we just need to prove it on the court.

[TheAsianSensation]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: look at the points. We're 5th, but only a handful of points behind 3rd, and about a 100 point lead ahead of 6th. They expect Bradley to be part of the lead pack in the conference. To me, being 5th doesn't mean as much as being predicted to be part of the lead pack. Just as with all statistics and numbers, poll positions can be misleading if you don't look at the makeup of the poll.

[Da Coach]

Okay, if the preseason voting did not have to do with coaching, why the 5th place prediction?

According to the voters, we have the players. So why the low prediction?

The obvious answer is prior history, including key injuries and the perception of underperformance.

[BradleyJD]

Bradley has had great guards since Les took over but since O"bryant left early BU has struggled with an inside game, these other schools and media people know that and voted us 5th because of it, I hope our inside players realize that most of these voters do not believe our inside players are very good, I think we will be a much better team then last season because of experience, personnel and tougher asst. coaches, we just need to prove it on the court.

No disagreements here.

I know you can win and win a lot without a BIG like POB. There are ways to get around the 5 spot. Obviously, one is by having great guards...which we have. Another way is by having lock down defenders....which we need to develop more of, IMO.

[LittleBrave]

We had 3 of the top 9 scorers last year and tied for 5th.

I'm with ya' here BNC. On paper and knowing our potential with each individual player, we should contend with WSU, being no worse than 2nd. It's all about execution, and guys playing their rolls. I remember heading into last season, there was an emphasis on each guy finding his own roll. I think each player's roll is more defined this season, except for the freshmen.
We haven't executed over the past few seasons like expected, resulting in a 4th-5th finish. Why should anyone other than BU fans expect us to start executing and playing up to our potential suddenly?

[Buesch N Chips]

I also wonder how much of it is contending teams low balling those other contending teams who might challenge their ranking. There's a conspiracy for ya.

[srw]

I also wonder how much of it is contending teams low balling those other contending teams who might challenge their ranking. There's a conspiracy for ya.

thats probably it.

Jl and our staff, are a lot more respectful of the valley than some of the people who havent been in it long, like Marshall and Cuonzo. I can see that being a solid reason!

[Braves4Life]

Hmm..the Wichita writer also says...
"Bradley departed St. Louis with individual honors, but a fifth-place prediction. Something doesn??™t make sense."
http://blogs.kansas.com/shockwaves/#ixzz13aE7EunG

I don't think it is any secret that Jim Les is not well liked by many coaches, AD's, and press people in The Valley. He came across as cocky and arrogant from day one and first impressions tend to last in a small community like The MVC. That's a big reason why BU was picked where they were, IMO.

[shaunguth]

Okay, if the preseason voting did not have to do with coaching, why the 5th place prediction?

According to the voters, we have the players. So why the low prediction?

Because that's where we finish every year? Logical....isn't it?

[BradleyBrave]

I don't think it is any secret that Jim Les is not well liked by many coaches, AD's, and press people in The Valley. He came across as cocky and arrogant from day one and first impressions tend to last in a small community like The MVC. That's a big reason why BU was picked where they were, IMO.

Had we won anything, it wouldn't matter if Les was well-liked or not. I personally don't care if they all hate him, but I do care if they respect him and our program. I don't think they do, and our prediction of 5th despite several player accolades says as much. Let's make them respect us for once...

[BradleyJD]

Had we won anything, it wouldn't matter if Les was well-liked or not. I personally don't care if they all hate him, but I do care if they respect him and our program. I don't think they do, and our prediction of 5th despite several player accolades says as much. Let's make them respect us for once...

Well said.

[dogsrus]

Well said.

Agree...thats the best way to get respect. Go earn it guys......

[Bradleyguy10]

I am not much of a conspiracy guy, but i am starting to think maybe there is a conspiracy against Bradley.

How else could you have 3 guys on these teams, and be picked 5th.

Its non-sensical to me.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

This isn't anything new....