Prediction on next season

[ancona flash]

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.

Excellent comment. If JL is let go there will be initial negative repercussions. But remember, if we lose a recruit or two over a coaching change we won't be the first program to do so. I want the next generation (my kids) to be able to get excited about BU hoops for years and decades to come.

[wily coyote]

Disagree slightly. I think RA and SH would be gone. I think NW would still be here.

Ben I agree with you 100% Color RA & SH gone other 2 here for a reason I won't get into???

[BradleyJD]

Excellent comment. If JL is let go there will be initial negative repercussions. But remember, if we lose a recruit or two over a coaching change we won't be the first program to do so. I want the next generation (my kids) to be able to get excited about BU hoops for years and decades to come.

Agreed....we need a new, younger generation of BU fans!

[shaunguth]

Agreed....we need a new, younger generation of BU fans!

I agree, but it seems when we have Family Pack and Ceiling Fan ticket promotions (which coincided with the Spring Home Show at the PCC), that somehow gets twisted into some sort of desperation act of discounting tickets just to fill seats. I was very pleased with the crowd last Saturday night, especially considering the performance on the court in front of what I imagine were quite a few people attending one of their first Bradley games.

[FortyTwo]

No matter what side of the fence your on, I think everyone would agree that our record next year will be worse with a new regime than if Jim stays. However, are we willing to sacrifice that if it means that long term we have a chance to enjoy more success than we've had during Jim's tenure?

With that said, I can't imagine finding ourselves in a much more ideal position (new facilities, bottomed out record, decent core returning, fan base looking for a spark, etc.) to bring in a new regime if that's the decision made.

[Da Coach]

I guess I see it the opposite, and I know a lot of others here do, too.
You seem to assume it is a given that a new coach would automatically mean we "have a chance to enjoy more success than we've had during Jim's tenure". But that is not a given, and as I have pointed out by example, is just as likely that we would not have more success than we have seen over the past 5 years. Recall, other than this injury-plagued season, Bradley has had 5 winning seasons in a row, averaging 20+ wins per season. So it is not like our program was totally in the dumps. And is it right to hold the coach totally accountable for a team that underperforms when injuries played such a major part?
Plus, there are many other positive factors that have been pointed out that our coach has done (fund raising, academic performance and APR, etc.) that we could be at risk if he is forced out. It is easy to overlook those, but they are important factors.

We do not need this thread to turn into the same back-and-forth arguments that so many others have, but lets just accept that both sides have their points and nobody has the exclusive rights to say they are right.

[LittleBrave]

That would be my guess. I also think SM may be gone.
Maybe AD(Redshirt) or AT if they think they don't fit in the plans with a new coach.

You mean SH, right?
I wouldn't think Sammy would leave BU - he bleeds Bradley red, and playing for someone else for his senior season just wouldn't be right.

[Buesch N Chips]

My only prediction, although pessimistic and without any evidence, is that Taylor will not be cleared to play. I hope I am wrong.

[Da Coach]

Sammy and his family are very close to JL. If JL isn't here, I would see SM choosing to play for a team with a good shot at making the NCAA, not a new coach who would be rebuilding.

[srw]

I guess I see it the opposite, and I know a lot of others here do, too.
You seem to assume it is a given that a new coach would automatically mean we "have a chance to enjoy more success than we've had during Jim's tenure". But that is not a given, and as I have pointed out by example, is just as likely that we would not have more success than we have seen over the past 5 years. Recall, other than this injury-plagued season, Bradley has had 5 winning seasons in a row, averaging 20+ wins per season. So it is not like our program was totally in the dumps. And is it right to hold the coach totally accountable for a team that underperforms when injuries played such a major part?
Plus, there are many other positive factors that have been pointed out that our coach has done (fund raising, academic performance and APR, etc.) that we could be at risk if he is forced out. It is easy to overlook those, but they are important factors.

We do not need this thread to turn into the same back-and-forth arguments that so many others have, but lets just accept that both sides have their points and nobody has the exclusive rights to say they are right.

I concur with letting things sit for a while..I would suspect we will have some idea of the future within the next 10 days or so.

[FortyTwo]

I guess I see it the opposite, and I know a lot of others here do, too.
You seem to assume it is a given that a new coach would automatically mean we "have a chance to enjoy more success than we've had during Jim's tenure". But that is not a given, and as I have pointed out by example, is just as likely that we would not have more success than we have seen over the past 5 years. Recall, other than this injury-plagued season, Bradley has had 5 winning seasons in a row, averaging 20+ wins per season. So it is not like our program was totally in the dumps. And is it right to hold the coach totally accountable for a team that underperforms when injuries played such a major part?
Plus, there are many other positive factors that have been pointed out that our coach has done (fund raising, academic performance and APR, etc.) that we could be at risk if he is forced out. It is easy to overlook those, but they are important factors.

We do not need this thread to turn into the same back-and-forth arguments that so many others have, but lets just accept that both sides have their points and nobody has the exclusive rights to say they are right.

Agreed, there is no assurance we would be better with a new coach. Like has been said many times, Jim with a full squad will consistently keep us in the 4-5 range in the Valley, occasionally flexing higher and lower. But 9 years is a big enough sample to comfortably say that this is what we can count on if he stays. Some would prefer to take the chances of a new regime.

[AZ BU Fan]

Agreed, there is no assurance we would be better with a new coach. Like has been said many times, Jim with a full squad will consistently keep us in the 4-5 range in the Valley, occasionally flexing higher and lower. But 9 years is a big enough sample to comfortably say that this is what we can count on if he stays. Some would prefer to take the chances of a new regime.

Ahhh, exactly when has BU flexed higher than 4-5 in the Valley? Full squad issues only this year. Depth issues more related to recruiting disappointments since 05-06....

Chance of improvement with Les = chance of improvement without Les.
As some have said, BU program is not exactly in the dumps...

Risk of fundraising, graduation rates and APR with Les = risk of fundraising, graduation rates and APR without Les. Hard to believe JL is the only person in NCAA college basketball that can raise money and graduate students.

No doomsday predictions please. Otherwise, Mo would have never been let go, and JL would still be trading stocks.

[Buesch N Chips]

Chance of improvement with Les = chance of improvement without Les.

If think this is true in the long term. Next year, we are worse without him.

[AE Braves Fan]

Andrew Warren has been one of the top few (best?) players in the MVC this year. And I think Sammy and Taylor are both better than Warren. I think this team would have finished 1st with SM and TB this year.

With JL/SM/TB next year I predict a top 2 finish. Without JL I predict a 10th place finish from a team half full of players that have no business playing D1 basketball. Will the JL haters continue to blame him as long as the loony left has blamed GWB? I hope we don't get to find out.

[Bravesfan]

Andrew Warren has been one of the top few (best?) players in the MVC this year. And I think Sammy and Taylor are both better than Warren. I think this team would have finished 1st with SM and TB this year.

With JL/SM/TB next year I predict a top 2 finish. Without JL I predict a 10th place finish from a team half full of players that have no business playing D1 basketball. Will the JL haters continue to blame him as long as the loony left has blamed GWB? I hope we don't get to find out.

Very good!