BU at a Crossroads

[SaintLouBrave22]

AZ-

You think Cross might want to read Broski's statement there about BU's tradition and history?

From what I have heard and been told, Cross wants to turn this into a soccer and lacrosse school!

[squirrelgotdead]

I'm not sure it was as good as the 2007 Class of Jeremy Fears, De'Aaron Williams, Sam Maniscalco, Will Egolf, Rashad Austin, Cole-Scott, David Collins, and Anthony Thompson. That was supposed to be the class that carried BU to National prominence. There were even a few other better players like Byucks (sp) and one other (I believe) that never got here due to bad grades/testing.

And all the more reason to either, A) not measure success by a guy's ability to recruit or B) look at the overall development of talent as a key component to the overall quality/body of work. And of all those top recruits you mention, Maniscalco is the standout.

[Beninator]

AZ-

You think Cross might want to read Broski's statement there about BU's tradition and history?

From what I have heard and been told, Cross wants to turn this into a soccer and lacrosse school!

If that is the case, then the entire administration would be run out of town by BU alumni. jmho

[SaintLouBrave22]

If that is the case, then the entire administration would be run out of town by BU alumni. jmho

Well, I can't exactly say I have a glorious outlook on the President...

She already rubbed me the wrong way when BU was gettin waxed at home, I believe it was a 12 pt margin and she's in the student section laughing it up on the big board and excited as though BU was up by 12...

That didn't sit very well with me or many I talked to after that.

[squirrelgotdead]

I honestly have no problem if BU wants to pursue Lacrosse.

It's the fastest growing NCAA sport in both genders. The nearest DI men's programs are Detroit Mercy and Ohio State.

It's probably safe to assume Big Ten schools won't be adding the sport near-term.

The sports participants boast the best graduation rates among NCAA-sponsored sports (1st for men's and 2nd for women's).

There is an opportunity for someone to start a program west of Lake Michigan and make a go of it.

I imagine Lacrosse in the suburbs is becoming much more popular and mainstream. Why not give them a great opportunity closer to home?

[SaintLouBrave22]

I honestly have no problem if BU wants to pursue Lacrosse.

It's the fastest growing NCAA sport in both genders. The nearest DI men's programs are Detroit Mercy and Ohio State.

It's probably safe to assume Big Ten schools won't be adding the sport near-term.

The sports participants boast the best graduation rates among NCAA-sponsored sports (1st for men's and 2nd for women's).

There is an opportunity for someone to start a program west of Lake Michigan and make a go of it.

I imagine Lacrosse in the suburbs is becoming much more popular and mainstream. Why not give them a great opportunity closer to home?

My point here was saying that they don't get that Bradley Basketball is their cash cow and they want to divert to other sports...

That's what I was getting at.

[squirrelgotdead]

Well, I can't exactly say I have a glorious outlook on the President...

She already rubbed me the wrong way when BU was gettin waxed at home, I believe it was a 12 pt margin and she's in the student section laughing it up on the big board and excited as though BU was up by 12...

That didn't sit very well with me or many I talked to after that.

Isn't a bit presumptuous to state "laughing it up...excited" was directed at the losing effort?

She has a camaraderie with the students and was having a good time during a timeout or band tune...not the losing.

I have no problem if the President wants to show enthusiasm for the program. She shows more enthusiasm for the program than 85% of the paying members, and as an administrator she gets criticized for it?

That's just really funny to me.

[BradleyBrave]

I honestly have no problem if BU wants to pursue Lacrosse.

It's the fastest growing NCAA sport in both genders. The nearest DI men's programs are Detroit Mercy and Ohio State.

It's probably safe to assume Big Ten schools won't be adding the sport near-term.

The sports participants boast the best graduation rates among NCAA-sponsored sports (1st for men's and 2nd for women's).

There is an opportunity for someone to start a program west of Lake Michigan and make a go of it.

I imagine Lacrosse in the suburbs is becoming much more popular and mainstream. Why not give them a great opportunity closer to home?

Lacrosse would be a HUGE pickup for the university IMO.

So would a real hockey program.

If we can't have football, let's add some of these sports.

I know, I know...much easier said than done. I don't know the numbers but I am guessing BU athletics is more likely to drop sports than add them.

[SaintLouBrave22]

I am a huge JL supporter. I agree next year needs to be big, if we stay healthy, for JL to stay. I would love for that to happen and JL to be here in a successful program for a while. I think he does deserve one healthy year next year with SM and TB going out as seniors to decide his fate. Also I do not want to lose next year's class more than I have not wanted to lose any class in a while. I think this is the best recruiting class I can remember. This year I just want to stay in games and get better now.

Also someone said earlier TB will not get the extra year?? When was that decided?

But the question is, do you want to get the recruits in and get a year out of them and start all over again after next year?

I think this is perfect timing as there are now less important players that can leave rather than if you do it the following year...

JMO

[squirrelgotdead]

My point here was saying that they don't get that Bradley Basketball is their cash cow and they want to divert to other sports...

That's what I was getting at.

I think they understand full well what the situation is. However, their hands have been tied by the previous administration in what they can do.

It could be argued Cross made a miscalculation with the PSO thing. But it was also largely mis-interpreted by too many "old guard."

The administration also full well realizes that Bradley benefits more overall when all of its programs are successful. Basketball WILL NOT be a sacrificial lamb. Anyone who speculates or honestly believes that need not worry.

They are looking at opportunities for positioning and long-term growth in a number of areas.

[Beninator]

Lacrosse would be a HUGE pickup for the university IMO.

So would a real hockey program.

If we can't have football, let's add some of these sports.

I know, I know...much easier said than done. I don't know the numbers but I am guessing BU athletics is more likely to drop sports than add them.

I would not mind adding Lacrosse either. But not at the expense or dilution of Men's Basketball. jmho

[LittleBrave]

Do others fully believe this team will win 20+ and go 13-5 in conference next season? I am just not seeing that...not one bit...even in our best complete season under Les we finished 5th in conference...and have never finished higher than 4th...

So what is it in the track record that makes anyone believe that he will do remarkably better next season, especially given that Sammy will be coming off two surgeries and Taylor may or may not even be back and we lose Andrew...

How is it possible to even remotely assume better days?

Each of the past 3 seasons, my predictions have come well short of the final record. Give the injury excuse if you want, but a team should have AT LEAST 7 other guys to do their part in picking up the slack and getting wins with 1 key guy injured. The development of project guys has been awful, and our post-game is inefficient since POB. Without AW 2 seasons ago - without DD a year ago, we should have won close to 20 games before post-season play. I was not too upset with last season's 16-15 record like many of you were. Looking back, though, with DD, would we have contended? With AW 2 seasons ago, would we have contended?

This year, knowing that 2 of our best guys are out, that changes things - I know. But I expect BU to finish close to .500 in league play in a weak Valley. That ain't gonna' happen the way we're going.

I agree with StL-Brave - the track record speaks volumes to me. And think about the seasons that followed these guys' injuries - not their best (unless Dodie starts playing a LOT better)
Why will be that much better next season if our "supporting cast" can't even beat the lower half Valley teams in a sputtering Valley? AW will be gone, our incoming freshman are being counted on to make big contributions - that's not a good sign. NEXT year though, AT will be a beast, and MK will have a JC-like junior season, making half of his treys!

[squirrelgotdead]

On hockey, there may also be a unique opportunity because there is the possibility the Big Ten begins its sponsorship of the sport in the coming years.

[SFP]

My point here was saying that they don't get that Bradley Basketball is their cash cow and they want to divert to other sports...

That's what I was getting at.

Have you ever sat down with JG? She knows as well as anyone what the basketball program brings and I would be completely shocked if she has drummed a plan to ruin our basketball tradition and ambition.

[real fan]

Lacrosse would be a HUGE pickup for the university IMO.

So would a real hockey program.

If we can't have football, let's add some of these sports.

I know, I know...much easier said than done. I don't know the numbers but I am guessing BU athletics is more likely to drop sports than add them.

With basketball revenue taking a hit how or why in the world would anyone want to add sports that lose money, who in the heck is going to pay money to watch hockey or Lacrosse, hockey people go see the Rivermen and Lacrosse might draw 50 people, how about the University straighten out the main NO.1 revenue maker, Mens Basketball.