Some Thoughts/Questions

[sportsnut2]

1. While this was an ugly win, I think we just beat a team that will win their fair share of games this season.

2. Why does our offense revolve around the bigs setting ball screens 25 and 30 feet from the basket? That confuses me. Does Coach Les think we won't get offensive rebounds, or our lack of inside game have something to do with it?

3. What was WE thinking even trying to take a charge with 5 secs left? Just stand there and let them drive. Worst case scenario, down two with the ball and two FT ices it (if we make them ) But by attempting the charge.....don't get me wrong I applaud the effort but now it makes it a one possession game even if we make both FT.

4. In the 2nd half LMU went to a gimic defense on Warren. They played almost like a box and 1, face-guarding him the entire time. We have to find a way to run him off screens to free him for shots. I agree with what I have read in other threads though....his effort was poor tonight compared to what it could have been.

5. I have been going to games for quite some time now.....not as long as some of the die hards on this board, but I have NEVER heard it as quiet at times as it was tonight. And it was not just one time either. Several times, I am positive I could hear an individual voice from clear across the arena. What is wrong? I just want it to be loud and have people enjoy going again. I realize success brings people out of the woodwork, but something is seriously wrong with our fan base right now.

6. I will admit, I struggle with being pessimistic about the team more than I probably should. But I do not understand why overweight men sitting in the upper bowl need to yell at players. Do these "fans" really think they could do better than the players or they could have done better back in the "glory days"? Sure most of them probably played some high school basketball, maybe even some college basketball, but I would bet 95% of them were no DI or pro athletes. If you are one of those yellers, do you honestly think the players can hear you yelling at them when they make a mistake, and if they can, do you think they care what you think? Do you honestly think they are not trying to do their best? Like I said, I do my fair share of bashing the team as a whole (and even individuals in certain situations....see number 3 about Egolf), but I will support them. They are giving an amount of effort like most people cannot even fathom, and they do deserve some credit. If you don't like it....quit coming!

I would like to hear some of your comments about what I have said and if you agree/disagree with any of my points. 3-0!!!! Bring on the Trojans and Blue Devils

[Buesch N Chips]

2. Why does our offense revolve around the bigs setting ball screens 25 and 30 feet from the basket?

It pulls the defense's post player out of the lane for a potential drive by one of our four guards, and also allows for a possible pic and roll to our post man.

[sportsnut2]

Makes sense as small as we are and playing often times with 3 guards on the floor. I had never thought about it that way. Thanks for the clarification.

[Braves4Life]

6. I will admit, I struggle with being pessimistic about the team more than I probably should. But I do not understand why overweight men sitting in the upper bowl need to yell at players. Do these "fans" really think they could do better than the players or they could have done better back in the "glory days"? Sure most of them probably played some high school basketball, maybe even some college basketball, but I would bet 95% of them were no DI or pro athletes. If you are one of those yellers, do you honestly think the players can hear you yelling at them when they make a mistake, and if they can, do you think they care what you think? Do you honestly think they are not trying to do their best? Like I said, I do my fair share of bashing the team as a whole (and even individuals in certain situations....see number 3 about Egolf), but I will support them. They are giving an amount of effort like most people cannot even fathom, and they do deserve some credit. If you don't like it....quit coming!

God, I think I love you!

[Buesch N Chips]

God, I think I love you!

There's a guy in the upper bowl across from the bench who I can hear clearly from the other side of the arena. What a clown. If you are on here, shut up.

[MacabreMob]

2. Why does our offense revolve around the bigs setting ball screens 25 and 30 feet from the basket? That confuses me. Does Coach Les think we won't get offensive rebounds, or our lack of inside game have something to do with it?

I understand the need/use for ball screens. But I would prefer to see screens set 2-3 passes before the shot. Those screens get overlooked and can often get away with being illegal moving screens. Set them on the wing, then the 'shooter' runs the baseline picking up another screen in the paint (and maybe it's another illegal moving screen), then the 'shooter' maybe gets another screen THAT DOES NOT MOVE. The 'chaser/defender' has now fought thru 2 moving screens and is a couple steps behind... 'shooter' catches a pass, turns to the hoop, all in the flow, and WIDE OPEN.

Oh, and I think fans/crowds underestimate how much of a positive impact they can have. Even if they cheer wildly and the other team scores - keep screaming... it DOES pump the players and will pay off for the Braves.

[sportsnut2]

I think most people on here probably have good tickets in lower bowl. But my tix are in upper bowl, and trust me.....these "yellers" are all over the place up there.

[theBUer]

5. I have been going to games for quite some time now.....not as long as some of the die hards on this board, but I have NEVER heard it as quiet at times as it was tonight. And it was not just one time either. Several times, I am positive I could hear an individual voice from clear across the arena. What is wrong? I just want it to be loud and have people enjoy going again. I realize success brings people out of the woodwork, but something is seriously wrong with our fan base right now.

6. I will admit, I struggle with being pessimistic about the team more than I probably should. But I do not understand why overweight men sitting in the upper bowl need to yell at players. Do these "fans" really think they could do better than the players or they could have done better back in the "glory days"? Sure most of them probably played some high school basketball, maybe even some college basketball, but I would bet 95% of them were no DI or pro athletes. If you are one of those yellers, do you honestly think the players can hear you yelling at them when they make a mistake, and if they can, do you think they care what you think? Do you honestly think they are not trying to do their best? Like I said, I do my fair share of bashing the team as a whole (and even individuals in certain situations....see number 3 about Egolf), but I will support them. They are giving an amount of effort like most people cannot even fathom, and they do deserve some credit. If you don't like it....quit coming!

I would like to hear some of your comments about what I have said and if you agree/disagree with any of my points. 3-0!!!! Bring on the Trojans and Blue Devils

Carver was like a morgue for most of the game (isn't it almost always nowadays), but it really rocked at the end with our mini-comeback.

You're contradicting yourself, claiming that the atmosphere was quiet but then taking umbarge to folks in the rafters yelling at the players. Can't have it both ways, if you want a loud environment folks will yell stuff, even if it makes them armchair coaches.

I never could quite understand why for all of the first half and most of the second half, we could not get inside EVEN with Egolf, Sticks and Prosser in there. We missed way too many easy lay-ups, and when trying to double team one LMU player we'd leave another guy open on the other end and he'd make a mid-range jumper or a three.

I'll take the win though, and while I have heard folks say LMU could be a force to be reckoned with in the WCC, it's up to BU to be toe-to-toe with its opposition.

The officiating certainly let them play towards the end, very entertaining to say the least.

[ph]

It pulls the defense's post player out of the lane for a potential drive by one of our four guards, and also allows for a possible pic and roll to our post man.

JL played with the best pick and roll combo ever, but I think he forgets Malone was a 4, you cannot pull out all hope of getting a rebound by pulling out all post presence.

[Chico]

I'll give my opinion concerning number 5. If you go to the games how can you miss what happens during the timeouts. I think it's time for the promotions and the announcements to stop. By the time they are done, it's time for the game to resume. We don't expect the mostly non student crowd to be on their feet cheering all the time, but let the band do what they are there for. If you noticed, the band played the fight song time after time near the end of the game when the crowd was really into the game. Thanks band. In that situation it's not over doing it. Another great job by the Red Sea. They at least helped fill one student section.

[Future Walk-On]

snuck my 57 year old dad into the SS......it was way more full than I expected......our SS rocks.


Can we please copy the Utah State "I believe that were gonna win chant"

[AZ BU Fan]

IF BU ever plays big, one of our bigs sets the high screen (hopefully one who can shoot a J or execute a p&r, the other big should crash the boards.

If BU wants to use high screens to open up driving lanes to the hoop, our guards need to finish better at the rim....

[Buesch N Chips]

you cannot pull out all hope of getting a rebound by pulling out all post presence.


If BU wants to use high screens to open up driving lanes to the hoop, our guards need to finish better at the rim....

I think the expectation is they either get fouled or score. No need for rebounding unless the guards miss layups, which shouldn't happen all that often.

[houstontxbrave]

JL played with the best pick and roll combo ever, but I think he forgets Malone was a 4, you cannot pull out all hope of getting a rebound by pulling out all post presence.

I think we set the screen way to high out on the perimeter. I am fine with a pick and roll type of 2 man game but you can not play that when your screener is setting screens beyond the 3 pt line near the old hash mark.

That type of screen and roll has to be done off the key inside of the 3pt line.

But I think that type of play is only effective if the screener is not only able to roll, handle the ball and finish but is also capable of steping back with the ball and making mid range jump shots.

Egolf is capable of taking that shot but he has not shown he is capable of making that shot consistantly.

Regardless, I would really prefer if we are going to run that type of high screen make it a workable high screen. And if you are going to use it that high then we better find a point who is capable of using the screen to get to the lane and score... unless there is a second coming of Allen Iverson on this team that isnt happening.

[bigdaddystuck]

I understand the high pick to get a guard open for a drive to the basket, but why wouldn't the screener than role and follow the play, just in case of a miss? If the role is done correctly than he already has position. Also another cut from a wing on the opposite side to the basket could bring another player open for a pass and layup opportunity.