Moving forward with what we've got

[LittleBrave]

Hopefully the season will have some good moments, starting with this Saturday! (staying optimistic...somehow) I get the feeling that we will have some streaks this season. I don't, however, see a long win streak up ahead...wonder why.

I have only watched 1 game this season (vs. NIU). Others of you probably have a better feel for individual players than me, having watched more games.
Would like to know who you think has done well this season so far and who you think will show improvement over the next few games before the Valley season starts.

My thoughts:
Good job - AW, WL, JP
Coming around - DSE, DD

[BradleyJD]

As I stated in a thread last week, I think this is a wonderful opportunity for both the players and coaches.

Player-wise, you have a ton of minutes available now for some of the younger, less-experienced guys. They will have a chance to prove what they can and cannot do. They are going to be challenged in many ways. They are going to have to play harder than ever before. They may be playing out of position, playing different D's, and playing with different lineups every game.

Coach-wise, this season is going to be all about that. How well do the coaches game plan now that we are 2 men down? What adjustments do the coaches make on O and on D? Who to play? How much to play younger guys? I think they have to experiment, and be willing to think outside-the-box. You need to be able to create situations that are positive and give BU a chance to win.

This team can win games. It will certainly be harder, but it's not impossible.

[Beninator]

I also think that this can be an opportunity for our young players to learn from their mistakes and play smarter! For example, I would like to see mistakes such as taking shots early in the shot clock with a 3 possession lead corrected.

[BradleyBrave]

Gonna need the bigs to step up to have any chance against Utah. Some real big boys on that team...

[LittleBrave]

Gonna need the bigs to step up to have any chance against Utah. Some real big boys on that team...

Yeah, but our 4 little guards on the floor are quicker!

[tornado]

I don't feel much different than I did on Feb. 8, 2006...
sure I am disappointed we have lost games we should have won, duh...the players are too.......
but we have some of the best players and can pull things together, and I am hopeful of a good outcome...

[LittleBrave]

I don't feel much different than I did on Feb. 8, 2006...
sure I am disappointed we have lost games we should have won, duh...the players are too.......
but we have some of the best players and can pull things together, and I am hopeful of a good outcome...

This is refreshing to see your thinking, T, and I don't think it's unreasonable. (though I don't feel as confident as Feb. 8th, 2006). I'm sure they will come out playing hard on Sat. night. It sounded like the breakdown the other night was not due to lack of hustle or intensity. I can accept that. I DO really want to see more mental toughness out on the court.
The players should adopt this thinking (hopefully they have) if they expect to have a chance to win this Saturday night. Let's support the team we've got and keep expectations high. This season is not lost - maybe the chance of making a good tournament in March is slim, but there's a lot still to be gained.

[dogsrus]

Gonna need the bigs to step up to have any chance against Utah. Some real big boys on that team...

You got that right.....I would say we gotta run...run and run some more.

[Bravesfan]

I also think that this can be an opportunity for our young players to learn from their mistakes and play smarter! For example, I would like to see mistakes such as taking shots early in the shot clock with a 3 possession lead corrected.

Excellent post! Just do that and we probably win a lot of games even without SM and TB. I hope you are right and we can at least make a bit of a run in Valley play. Just start by beating Utah this weekend. It's doable! Let's get back to protecting the home court and then take things from there.

[real fan]

As I stated in a thread last week, I think this is a wonderful opportunity for both the players and coaches.

Player-wise, you have a ton of minutes available now for some of the younger, less-experienced guys. They will have a chance to prove what they can and cannot do. They are going to be challenged in many ways. They are going to have to play harder than ever before. They may be playing out of position, playing different D's, and playing with different lineups every game.

Coach-wise, this season is going to be all about that. How well do the coaches game plan now that we are 2 men down? What adjustments do the coaches make on O and on D? Who to play? How much to play younger guys? I think they have to experiment, and be willing to think outside-the-box. You need to be able to create situations that are positive and give BU a chance to win.

This team can win games. It will certainly be harder, but it's not impossible.

Good take on BU"s challenges that lie ahead, not only is this a great chance for more playing time but a bigger chance to prove to yourself and the fans that you are a good d-1 player and you are going to show the coaches why you belong on the floor getting more minutes, now it is up to the coaches to put these players in a position to succeed.

[ph]

What am I looking for, JP

Right or wrong,I think our success in the next few years will directly correlate to JP's productivity.

If we can develop JP into a top tier MVC center and change our game to maximize his strengths, we'll have the foundation to be spectacular.

[Braves4Life]

.....we have some of the best players and can pull things together, and I am hopeful of a good outcome...

I agree tornado. Les needs to take an inventory of what he has left and find a way to win in the MVC. THE MVC IS ALL THAT IS IMPORTANT AT THIS POINT!!

Worse teams than ours have found ways to overachieve and win. Use these next few games to find a winning combination and style of play (even if it amounts to a 30+ point loss at Duke) and get ready for the only season that counts -- The MVC and the MVCT.

[ph]

Wish we could figure out spacing like Drake had. They'd overload one side of the floor, then Josh Young would drive in. Lemon would look crazy good in a set like that....

[shaunguth]

I also think that this can be an opportunity for our young players to learn from their mistakes and play smarter! For example, I would like to see mistakes such as taking shots early in the shot clock with a 3 possession lead corrected.

I would like our coaching staff to start coaching the players to make layups and freethrows!

[PTownHawkeye]

Wish we could figure out spacing like Drake had. They'd overload one side of the floor, then Josh Young would drive in. Lemon would look crazy good in a set like that....

Watch Duke very closely on Wednesday...they space the floor better than about any team I've ever seen. With WL, DD, and DSE's driving ability, if we could begin to use off-ball screens to free people up, it would allow for a terrific penetration style of play.