Standards for success poll

[BUBraves2006]

Hi all,

I thought it would just be interesting to see how people rank their priorities on how you would consider the Bradley program to be successful. It seems as if there has been more bickering than usual lately and my hope is that this would not go into that territory. Honestly, this shouldn't really involve names of players, coaches or administrators.

Simply put, how do you rank the different aspects about Bradley on your importance list?

A ranked list would really shed some light on what I have wondered for awhile about how different people think - no right / wrong answers here. And, you only have a to choose a few, if you want.

Here is the list of choices I thought of (and I realize there are tons), though if you think of another, then that can be an option (oh and please don't combine some because that really defeats the point of taking a stance).

- Adheres to NCAA rules
- Minimal transgressions with the law
- Graduation rate
- Conference regular season championships
- Conference tournament championships
- NCAA appearances
- NIT/CIT/CBI tournament appearances
- Consistent winning seasons, without titles
- A loyal coach that you believe would want to stay at BU for a long time (10+ years)
- A coach that may bring you some success but might use BU as a stepping stone (5 year tenure or less)
- An upbeat, fast style of play that is fun for fans to watch
- A tenacious, early-2000s SIU style of play that plays more defensively
- Players who are well-spoken young men who those who follow the program can speak of highly (who may not have as much talent but exceed expectations)
- Players who are here to play basketball, might not stay all four years, skate by with average grades - but can help teams win more games with their talent

I will wait to post my list until I hear from some of the rest of you. Like I said, I'm just curious - I don't see a reason why this should turn into a fight. Like I said, just take a stance and list a few - nobody has it all.

What do you want Bradley to be?

[TheAsianSensation]

Here's my personal rankings (I'll try to use your categories as much as possible):

1) - Adheres to NCAA rules
Minimal transgressions with the law

Of course, stuff happens sometimes, but as long as there's only minimal problems in both respects, I'm OK with it. This is the one non-negotiable rank - anyone who runs a dirty program and cultivates a culture that allows players to get into trouble is not welcome, regardless of record. I also do think this ties in to getting high-character players, and things like that that you also listed.

2) Conference regular season championships

The simplest and purest goal for this team. Because if you win conference championships, national recognition and NCAA bids are going to follow. Accomplishing this step is an easy gateway to a lot of other steps.

3) Conference tournament championships

The 2nd easiest way to accomplish several goals by accomplishing a single goal

4) Consistent winning seasons, without titles

Beyond going for the championships, consistently winning is the next goal. This is an inferior goal to #2 and #3.

5) Scheduling/other forms of national recognition

New category. This is where things like good non-conference scheduling, getting multiple national TV games, getting enough love in the preseason to get some national pub, things like that. Let's be the media darlings that UNI was last year, like SIU was a few years ago, etc.

6) Coach that wants to stay 10+ years

It's possible for the program to stay on top with rotating coaches, although I'd much prefer to see one stay a long time. Given the option, that's my choice, but you can survive the other way if you have to.


Once these 5 goals are accomplished, every other possible goal will fall into place.

[AZ BU Fan]

1. Adhere to NCAA rules
2. Athletes stay on schedule to graduate
3. Regularly compete for Conference Championship - stay in top 3
4. Play in Conference Tournament Finals

[dogsrus]

I look at it purely from an on-the-court performance angle....I EXPECT all the good grad rates...good kids...good grades....good scheduling.....no major NCAA infractions.

1. Conference Championships. At least 1 every 3-4 years and top 4, 7 of 10 years.

2. Valley Tourney Championship. At least 1 every 4 years and to the finals 2 times every 4-5 years.

3. Over .500 in conference for tenure.

I agree with Beanie......1 and 2 are paramount. Everything will fall into place IF those are achieved.

[Bravesfan]

Glad to see everyone so far is putting adhereing to NCAA rules and graduation rates ahead of actual performance on the court. I think abiding by the rules and graduation are the key components of "student athlete" that have been too often ignored over the last couple of decades, and isn't that what the college experience is all about?

Anyway, beyond that, yes, conference championships would be the most important goal to fulfill since that more often than not means a bid to the NCAA Tournament. I will put consistent winning tradition higher than most since while not guaranteeing conference championships, it at least keeps a team from having to rebuild all the time. But I also agree that finishing 4th or lower all the time is not the ultimate objective either.

[squirrelgotdead]

I look at it purely from an on-the-court performance angle....I EXPECT all the good grad rates...good kids...good grades....good scheduling.....no major NCAA infractions.

Ditto. It's not a crutch. I expect these things.