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In my opinion, anyone who thinks that we're going to go from 10th place this year, to competing for a championship or an at-large bid next year is COMPLETELY off their rocker! We finished in last place with the best player in the valley this year. Next year we lose AW and DD, and even if SM and TB come back healthy and ready to play, there's no way we leapfrog 9 teams. Best case scenario is the 4-5 game, worst case is another last place finish. Simple as that.
To be fair, IMO, we lost a player who is better for our team than the best player in the valley this year.
Drake went from 6-12 to the league title in one year, so it's possible for any team to do it.
I don't get the talk of players not coming back. The only ones I could see not coming would be Sammy and the new recruits. It doesn't seem to make sense for others to leave at this point.
I don't get the talk of it not "making sense" or choosing the school for the "wrong reasons" if a player that has been in school four years decides to move on with his life.
???People say, ???Forget last year', but I want our guys to remember that one, because that will not happen again. We will be much better.??? Geno Ford, 9/22/12
I predict that Donivine Stewart will state in a newspaper article that he will want to play at BU next year regardless of the coaching situation. Oh wait... That already happened.
I wasn't aware of that statement, but I was thinking about the recruits last night. IF a head coaching change were to be made, this is simply my opinion of what I expect to happen.....
DS - Expect "Peoria" to play for Bradley.
RA - Shocked if he plays for Bradley.
NW - Surprised if he plays for Bradley.
SH - Unsure, but I believe Yuba was a JL connection as much as a Bradley connection.
???People say, ???Forget last year', but I want our guys to remember that one, because that will not happen again. We will be much better.??? Geno Ford, 9/22/12
Keep sipping Kool Aid. We can bring this post back up at this time next year and I will be more than happy to eat as much crow as you give me. 4-5 game, best case scenario.
Next year, Missouri State (4 starters graduate) and Wichita State (Blair, Durley, Ellis, Hatch are all seniors) lose a ton, and that does not even include their coaches, who could realistically be gone, too.
The next tier of teams, Indiana State, UNI, Creighton and Evansville all lose some key talent, though Creighton should be better next season. I am not convinced the other 3 will improve significantly. And among the bottom 4, Drake and ILSU should be a little better, but coaching remains an issue, SIU is destined for 10th place, and Bradley gets an infusion of 3 All-MVC caliber players, plus the best recruiting class in years, including a couple players who will have immediate impact.
I do see Bradley contending for the MVC title next year, and another NCAA run.
Keep sipping Kool Aid. We can bring this post back up at this time next year and I will be more than happy to eat as much crow as you give me. 4-5 game, best case scenario.
Not sure why anyone needs to be insulted by calling them a kool-aide drinker.
I don't remember anyone saying they KNOW their opinion is right.
I don't remember anyone's opinion having to be backed up with proof/examples/reasoning/etc.
In my opinion, anyone who thinks that we're going to go from 10th place this year, to competing for a championship or an at-large bid next year is COMPLETELY off their rocker! We finished in last place with the best player in the valley this year. Next year we lose AW and DD, and even if SM and TB come back healthy and ready to play, there's no way we leapfrog 9 teams. Best case scenario is the 4-5 game, worst case is another last place finish. Simple as that.
You are off your rocker if you think we could actually finish LAST place next season if SM & TB come back healthy. If the new recruits don't make much impact, I could see 7th at worst. But if they make some degree of difference, we are deep enough (barring injuries).
A line-up with 3 potential 1st team guys (DSE, SM, TB) should not finish any lower than 4th.
I'm thinking we finish #2-#4, since MSU & WSU will need to fill the gaps of graduating players.
The big uncertainty is how our newcomers will add to the mix.
I can see UNI, WSU, ISU (blue), CU as possible contenders next season, but none of them seem to be unanimous favorites or great teams. The Valley will be improved as a whole, but the top 2 teams will not be as good as this year's (scary thought!)...at least I don't see it happening.
I'm not confident in an At-Large bid, but that's because BU has not reached expectations (call it due to injuries if you'd like) over the last 4 seasons.
SH - Unsure, but I believe Yuba was a JL connection as much as a Bradley connection.
Disagree slightly. I think RA and SH would be gone. I think NW would still be here.
Bradley 72 - Illini 68 Final
???It??™s awful hard,??™??™ said Illini freshman guard D.J. Richardson, the former Central High School guard who played prep school ball a few miles from here and fought back tears outside the locker room. ???It??™s a hometown thing. It??™s bragging rights.??™
I predict that Donivine Stewart will state in a newspaper article that he will want to play at BU next year regardless of the coaching situation. Oh wait... That already happened.
I trust that the people responsible for making decisions about the program will think about more than just potential for next year and keep the big picture in mind.
I trust that the people responsible for making decisions about the program will think about more than just potential for next year and keep the big picture in mind.
Well, however this coaching decision turns out, I hope you are right. I know that a new coach will not necessarily lead to wholesale defections, but the potential is still very high for that to happen. If most players stick around, then I think a new coach could do very well next year. It's just that I really think the much better odds are sticking with Les, which would keep everyone around next year including the new recruits. And I think we would still have a great potential for several solid seasons after next year, thereby satisfying the "big picture" requirement.
Well, however this coaching decision turns out, I hope you are right. I know that a new coach will not necessarily lead to wholesale defections, but the potential is still very high for that to happen. If most players stick around, then I think a new coach could do very well next year. It's just that I really think the much better odds are sticking with Les, which would keep everyone around next year including the new recruits. And I think we would still have a great potential for several solid seasons after next year, thereby satisfying the "big picture" requirement.
Agreed. I don't think the "big picture" is effected much by allowing one more year. It would be put up or pack up time.
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