PJS Hoops: Braves @ crossroads....

[Beninator]

It was solid, but not great IMO. I think it would have been, but I think I just follow BU too closely. I look for news or insight I haven't heard, that wasn't it. Good summary of message board opinions, but not much more than that to me. I honestly like DR's other article better.

I very much agree! The DR columns were average, and not even the best article in the section!

[Beninator]

I would like to see Coach get an extension....3-5 years. Lets REALLY see what he can do now that things (resource wise) seem to be in place.

Question though...IF for some reason we falter this year and fall below general expectations would that happen ?

Could he survive another 16-15, 5th place EIEIO?

Lets hope we don't have to find out.

Interesting point. Especially given this part of the DR article.

"Will Les??™ contract status at BU ??” extended long term after the Sweet 16 run of 2006 and believed to still contain four years at an annual salary of better than $400,000 ??” be a factor in his coaching future?"

Would Bradley buyout that much of a contract if things fell apart this year? I am not certain that they would???

Again I also hope that this does not happen!

[Out of Balance]

Well someone please show dog the Check Spelling like they do me

[PTownHawkeye]

This is a really good article by DR...kudos! He kept emotion out of the story, did an obviously extensive amount of research, and looked at the hard facts. I think he gave a terrific assessment on the state of the program. I wish he was given more opportunities to write more of the thousand foot view "state of the program" types of the articles about Bradley.

[Maplewood and Main]

I haven't read it, have no idea who wrote it, and I'm already a little worried...

I read it and am more than a little worried! There seems to be a disconnect between recruiting and expectations. Much like Illinois, we continue to recruit players who have never been asked to guard anyone in high school and come from programs with ZERO emphasis on defense then complain when they don't become the next Bruce Bowen.

I fear it is not going to get any better soon. Did you see JP play in high school. If he tried to guard anyone his coach would have had a heart attack, offense was always his forte. Same Even more so with Donovine.

Players are who they are, not that they can't get better and learn new skill sets but this doesn't happen overnight.

I am so sick of hearing Bruce Weber complain about his team not rebounding or scoring inside when all he recruits are perimeter, finesse players.

This iteration of BU basketball has revolved around a perimeter based four guard offense. That is the type of player we have gone after. If we are changing, fine, but we have to change our recruiting priorities as well.

Let's start by looking at teams that teach and emphasize defense and see if they have any kids.

What is the quote, "if you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always got."

[mrcoachdude]

I read it and am more than a little worried! There seems to be a disconnect between recruiting and expectations. Much like Illinois, we continue to recruit players who have never been asked to guard anyone in high school and come from programs with ZERO emphasis on defense then complain when they don't become the next Bruce Bowen.

I fear it is not going to get any better soon. Did you see JP play in high school. If he tried to guard anyone his coach would have had a heart attack, offense was always his forte. Same Even more so with Donovine.

Players are who they are, not that they can't get better and learn new skill sets but this doesn't happen overnight.

I am so sick of hearing Bruce Weber complain about his team not rebounding or scoring inside when all he recruits are perimeter, finesse players.

This iteration of BU basketball has revolved around a perimeter based four guard offense. That is the type of player we have gone after. If we are changing, fine, but we have to change our recruiting priorities as well.

Let's start by looking at teams that teach and emphasize defense and see if they have any kids.

What is the quote, "if you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always got."

JP can play D...trying to stay out of foul trouble was huge for his H.S. team....

Have you watched a Coach Brown Washington team? DSE was taught great D fundamentals in H.S.

We will see what our new guys will do

[Air Petey]

Would Bradley buyout that much of a contract if things fell apart this year? I am not certain that they would???

I think the BU admin will look to BSS group for help. If major donors will give considerable less $$ to the program if JL is gone.... Then he stays - period!

But if top donors will continue their pledges if he is gone, they may look at other options but.... President does not want:
a. Buy out a contract.
b. Pay another coach the same or higher money.
c. Lose support from BSS supporters.

That combo will lose the University millions of dolllars.

I want JL to stay and give him time to recruit in the new facilities that he helped build. His heart is in this job and that does mean something.

GO BRAVES!!!

[BradleyJD]

Winning would solve all the problems and worries.

[real fan]

I hope the new assistants here can make a similar impact that new assistants on the Illinois football program did. I have much higher expectations for BU basketball than I do Illini football, but a similar improvement with new coaches would be nice.

I think they can if they allow them to coach during the games.

[tornado]

I think the BU admin will look to BSS group for help. If major donors will give considerable less $$ to the program if JL is gone.... Then he stays - period!

so you are saying the entire fate of the basketball program is in the hands of a few BSS people?? Interesting..I didn't know that...

[theBUer]

so you are saying the entire fate of the basketball program is in the hands of a few BSS people?? Interesting..I didn't know that...

Don't large donors at schools call the shots when it comes to those matters? They vote with their wallets.

[Maplewood and Main]

JP can play D...trying to stay out of foul trouble was huge for his H.S. team....

Have you watched a Coach Brown Washington team? DSE was taught great D fundamentals in H.S.

We will see what our new guys will do

JP can play D...trying to stay out of foul trouble was huge for his H.S. team....

Have you watched a Coach Brown Washington team? DSE waaught great D fundamentals in H.S.

We will see what our new guys will do

Not to be confrontational but how do we know about JP's D against players his size with DI skills? I hope you are right but he won't be guarding any 6'1 power forwards from Delavan this year.

As for Coach Brown's defense, yes, have seen it. Was at 2 Limestone games when Donovine torched DsE and the rest of the Panthers for 45 and, I think, 38 his soph year. I'm sure his defense was stifling against Dunlap though.

[mrcoachdude]

Not to be confrontational but how do we know about JP's D against players his size with DI skills? I hope you are right but he won't be guarding any 6'1 power forwards from Delavan this year.

As for Coach Brown's defense, yes, have seen it. Was at 2 Limestone games when Donovine torched DsE and the rest of the Panthers for 45 and, I think, 38 his soph year. I'm sure his defense was stifling against Dunlap though.

DStew is an awesome offensive weapon and you let him score his and shut down the rest of the Rockets, to win....

JP played against the best AAU competition available and I know for a fact the center for Delavan was taller that 6'1"....

[Bradleyguy10]

I think the BU admin will look to BSS group for help. If major donors will give considerable less $$ to the program if JL is gone.... Then he stays - period!

But if top donors will continue their pledges if he is gone, they may look at other options but.... President does not want:
a. Buy out a contract.
b. Pay another coach the same or higher money.
c. Lose support from BSS supporters.

That combo will lose the University millions of dolllars.

I want JL to stay and give him time to recruit in the new facilities that he helped build. His heart is in this job and that does mean something.

GO BRAVES!!!

concur with that last statement...that is almost invaluable

+1

[Bravesfan]

All the articles were good, and DR brought up some good points in his columns. KW had a great column for a change as well. Very telling how close we were in so many games last year, but that bodes well for this year. That shows we just need to tighten up the defense a bit, and that could make all the difference in the world this year recordwise.