BU at a Crossroads

[mrcoachdude]

You're telling me that we would best our usual "Jim Les 4/5 Invitational Game"?

DSE looks fine...so why is Dodie still running point then?

I think we would be much better off...why on earth would anyone think that we wouldn't be better...oh wait I know...

DSE is looking much better and seems healthy....

[Future Walk-On]

When the older fans move on (no offense)....something has to keep the kids and youngers adults hooked.....or there is no way we can keep 10,000 people coming to these games.

[squirrelgotdead]

When the older fans move on (no offense)....something has to keep the kids and youngers adults hooked.....or there is no way we can keep 10,000 people coming to these games.

The sad truth is that has already started. In 5-10 years, honestly, where will most of the lower bowl ticket holders be? Gone. And unless there are changes to the policies for the prime seats, people aren't going to pay those prices for the product that's generally been made available.

[Braves4Life]

It looks like "evil agents" may soon strike. I wonder how long before this site gets activated?

http://firejimles.net/

[dogsrus]

I really debated on posting about BU and the state of the program. In fact, I have stayed away completely from posting for quite a while because I did not want to dwell on the negatives.

I found it interesting reading Dave's article in the paper today, which basically showed his own struggle with reporting and discussing the negative state of things at Bradley.

My thoughts, for what they are worth:

I have a really difficult time watching the product that Bradley is putting on the floor.

I do not know how I could be any more of a "Bradley" guy. I grew with a parent who worked at Bradley. I am one of 7 children who attended Bradley. I worked at Bradley before I was in college, while I was in college, and even after I graduated from college. I've gone to 95% of the home games since I was old enough to remember them. I have gone to the Valley tournament almost every year it's been in St. Louis. I even went several times before it was in St. Louis.

That said, I am absolutely, 100%, concerned about where this program is headed. To me, we are beyond the crossroad and headed downhill, without breaks.

I realize we have had injuries. I know we didn't have the best facilities for many years. I realize that being a smaller, private school with "limited" resources plays some part in limiting our capabilities.

However, I also believe in accountability. I believe that, at some point, you have to WIN games. I believe there has to be considerable, noticeable, concrete signs of improvement and development.

I have struggled to find any signs of growth. Any signs of hope.

Where is the development of players? Why do we seemingly have no offense? Why do Bradley players not know how to set screens? Seriously, watch BU's screens for an entire game...they never set a quality screen to open a teammate.

To me, we are way past the crossroads. This is closer to an end-game, IMO.

I wish and hope that I am wrong, but it's not looking good.

co-sign

[Braves4Life]

co-sign

I think kids today call it +1.

[BUFAN]

The drama-meter is pretty high in this post, but I'm sure a lot of fans agree with you, especially the loquacious ones around here today. Your statement-as-fact that at full strength we would still be mediocre is a bit of a stretch, considering it is pure speculation on your part. I have no problem addressing concerns and issues, but let's stay with fact. I agree that tough decisions need to be made, but I am going to give them the season to see where they go from here. If they continue to crumble, then let the chips fall.

What I don't understand is why people continue to be surprised when we struggle. Didn't we all see this coming?

Another thing I don't understand, SM has bad ankles, everyone knows that, and we apparently had no plan B at point guard. Why?

I agree Buesch, it would take more than TB and SM to bring this program back to the mediocrity of the past 6 or 7 years.

[BradleyBrave]

I really debated on posting about BU and the state of the program. In fact, I have stayed away completely from posting for quite a while because I did not want to dwell on the negatives.

I found it interesting reading Dave's article in the paper today, which basically showed his own struggle with reporting and discussing the negative state of things at Bradley.

My thoughts, for what they are worth:

I have a really difficult time watching the product that Bradley is putting on the floor.

I do not know how I could be any more of a "Bradley" guy. I grew with a parent who worked at Bradley. I am one of 7 children who attended Bradley. I worked at Bradley before I was in college, while I was in college, and even after I graduated from college. I've gone to 95% of the home games since I was old enough to remember them. I have gone to the Valley tournament almost every year it's been in St. Louis. I even went several times before it was in St. Louis.

That said, I am absolutely, 100%, concerned about where this program is headed. To me, we are beyond the crossroad and headed downhill, without breaks.

I realize we have had injuries. I know we didn't have the best facilities for many years. I realize that being a smaller, private school with "limited" resources plays some part in limiting our capabilities.

However, I also believe in accountability. I believe that, at some point, you have to WIN games. I believe there has to be considerable, noticeable, concrete signs of improvement and development.

I have struggled to find any signs of growth. Any signs of hope.

Where is the development of players? Why do we seemingly have no offense? Why do Bradley players not know how to set screens? Seriously, watch BU's screens for an entire game...they never set a quality screen to open a teammate.

To me, we are way past the crossroads. This is closer to an end-game, IMO.

I wish and hope that I am wrong, but it's not looking good.

Agree 100%. Great post JD. It's funny because anyone who expressed similar concerns when signs started pointing to this were branded 'haters' with 'an agenda'. The 'agenda' is Bradley winning, plain and simple. It's all any of us want.

[Da Coach]

I agree Buesch, it would take more than TB and SM to bring this program back to the mediocrity of the past 6 or 7 years.

I don't agree. A healthy Sammy would make a huge difference in running the offense and creating better shots for everyone. By playing DD out of position at point guard we negate his strongest attributes, and he becomes a non-scorer.
And if we had TB, that makes a big difference in rebounding (he was our best rebounder), as well as inside scoring (what we lack the most).
We are talking about 2 preseason All-MVC players. I think if we added their close to 30 ppg and 10 rpg this team is a contender for the MVC.

[BUFAN]

I don't agree. A healthy Sammy would make a huge difference in running the offense and creating better shots for everyone. By playing DD out of position at point guard we negate his strongest attributes, and he becomes a non-scorer.
And if we had TB, that makes a big difference in rebounding (he was our best rebounder), as well as inside scoring (what we lack the most).
We are talking about 2 preseason All-MVC players. I think if we added their close to 30 ppg and 10 rpg this team is a contender for the MVC.

If you are right and I hope you are we will be a contender next year.

[BradleyBrave]

I don't agree. A healthy Sammy would make a huge difference in running the offense and creating better shots for everyone. By playing DD out of position at point guard we negate his strongest attributes, and he becomes a non-scorer.
And if we had TB, that makes a big difference in rebounding (he was our best rebounder), as well as inside scoring (what we lack the most).
We are talking about 2 preseason All-MVC players. I think if we added their close to 30 ppg and 10 rpg this team is a contender for the MVC.

Perhaps a contender for the 2:30 game in St. Louis.

[LittleBrave]

I don't agree. A healthy Sammy would make a huge difference in running the offense and creating better shots for everyone. By playing DD out of position at point guard we negate his strongest attributes, and he becomes a non-scorer.
And if we had TB, that makes a big difference in rebounding (he was our best rebounder), as well as inside scoring (what we lack the most).
We are talking about 2 preseason All-MVC players. I think if we added their close to 30 ppg and 10 rpg this team is a contender for the MVC.

I just don't see us being better than WSU or MSU with those guys. ("contender" status) Maybe certain individuals have improved since last year (AW and....and...), but the team chemistry hasn't. True that Sammy is the catalyst to that chemistry, but only to a certain degree. Let's wait and see if we go from a #9 or 10 team in the Valley to a contender next season.

[mrcoachdude]

I just don't see us being better than WSU or MSU with those guys. ("contender" status) Maybe certain individuals have improved since last year (AW and....and...), but the team chemistry hasn't. True that Sammy is the catalyst to that chemistry, but only to a certain degree. Let's wait and see if we go from a #9 or 10 team in the Valley to a contender next season.

LB...we gave WSU a run with what we have...within 1 at half? Add TB and Sammy to that and I think we would compete with them, although they are the more talented, older, experienced team

I am not sure MSU is on their level...

[LittleBrave]

LB...we gave WSU a run with what we have...within 1 at half? Add TB and Sammy to that and I think we would compete with them, although they are the more talented, older, experienced team

I am not sure MSU is on their level...

Yeah, but you can't just focus on 1 half. We may be 2-1 in the Valley if we only played halves and counted our best one.
The point is that we would have likely lost anyways...at HOME...to a contending Valley team. That doesn't put us as contenders.
But last night's game showed a complete lack of chemistry, gameplan, whatever - that no matter who we put out there, we're going to struggle.
We struggled to beat LMU and NIU with SM (I know he wasn't 100%).
Just frustrated with the job we've done with who we've got available.

[SaintLouBrave22]

Agree 100%. Great post JD. It's funny because anyone who expressed similar concerns when signs started pointing to this were branded 'haters' with 'an agenda'. The 'agenda' is Bradley winning, plain and simple. It's all any of us want.

+1 * 1000


But really label me a "hater" because I do in fact HATE losing!!