Coach Jim Les' Future

[Da Coach]

You need to re-read my post, and maybe quote it correctly, instead of editing it before you respond to it.

Here is what I really said-
From what I saw and learned from the fans in St. Louis is that it is obvious this team plays hard and overachieved under Coach Les. The disappointing finish to the season had everything to do with the serious injury issues to 2 star players, and little to do with the recruiting or the coaching. And that the great majority of fans (just like in this poll) favor bringing Jim Les back and believe he is the best person to return Bradley to winning.

I said that the great majority of fans that I met and talked with in St. Louis favor bringing Jim Les back.
I referred to this poll only in the sense that it is running about 80-20, which is similar to the majority favoring bringing Les back.

[BradleyBrave]

You're probably right BB. I did sell Crouch short, but hopefully Jake or Milos can be a 3-point threat like Crouch.

As far as seasoned bench I'm hoping that AT comes back bigger and better, and that Walt will improve. Milos or Eastman will probably start on the bench so I'm hoping these 3 can give us a good 8-man rotation. Throw in AD (if he returns) and hope that one or two newcomers provide a pleasant surprise (Harris or Abel?) and I think we have the makings of a pretty good team. Sorry you see it different.

Ah no problem. It would be nice if one of those two could develop into JC, but I just don't think either is talented enough.

I am hopeful that we can land an immediate impact JUCO or two in the spring, hopefully a combo along the lines of a Bennett/Franklin, and a big along the lines of a Zach/Salley.

[BradleyBrave]

From what I saw and learned from the fans in St. Louis is that it is obvious this team plays hard and overachieved under Coach Les.

They played hard. No question. But how is finishing last 'overachieving'?

[Braves4Life]

They played hard. No question. But how is finishing last 'overachieving'?

That is true BB. However, a case could be made that they overachieved the last month of the season. I prefer to think that they simply played up to their potential the final month of the season. I guess the big question is where do we finish next season if we have everybody back and play up to our potential. IMO, we have a legitimate chance to finish top 2 or 3 next year if we do...... and yes, I also agree that a juco banger would be a great pickup this Spring.

[Buesch N Chips]

I have not posted anything about a coaching change being needed.

Do you think a coaching change is needed?

[Tulsa Brave]

That is true BB. However, a case could be made that they overachieved the last month of the season. I prefer to think that they simply played up to their potential the final month of the season. I guess the big question is where do we finish next season if we have everybody back and play up to our potential. IMO, we have a legitimate chance to finish top 2 or 3 next year if we do...... and yes, I also agree that a juco banger would be a great pickup this Spring.

2:30 Friday matinee in STL is most likely in this scenario...

[BradleyBrave]

That is true BB. However, a case could be made that they overachieved the last month of the season. I prefer to think that they simply played up to their potential the final month of the season.

I agree with everything you say except the word 'overachieve'. If they played to their potential, they're doing just that. 'Overachieved' implies they went above and beyond what they were capable of. They beat Drake twice, SIU, and UT-Martin for 4 of their 6 wins in February/March. Even with the injuries, I think we all expected BU to win those games - and to their credit they did just that. What was bittersweet about the final month, and more specifically this past weekend for me what that I think it was painfully obvious that we weren't a last place team.

Oh well, onward and upward. Let's go get those JUCO's.

[BSSFan#1]

Do you think a coaching change is needed?

No. I think it is reasonable to see what happens next season.

Wonder who I am defending now.

[BSSFan#1]

I agree with everything you say except the word 'overachieve'. If they played to their potential, they're doing just that. 'Overachieved' implies they went above and beyond what they were capable of. They beat Drake twice, SIU, and UT-Martin for 4 of their 6 wins in February/March. Even with the injuries, I think we all expected BU to win those games - and to their credit they did just that. What was bittersweet about the final month, and more specifically this past weekend for me what that I think it was painfully obvious that we weren't a last place team.

Oh well, onward and upward. Let's go get those JUCO's.

Excellently stated.

[wily coyote]

I agree with everything you say except the word 'overachieve'. If they played to their potential, they're doing just that. 'Overachieved' implies they went above and beyond what they were capable of. They beat Drake twice, SIU, and UT-Martin for 4 of their 6 wins in February/March. Even with the injuries, I think we all expected BU to win those games - and to their credit they did just that. What was bittersweet about the final month, and more specifically this past weekend for me what that I think it was painfully obvious that we weren't a last place team.

Oh well, onward and upward. Let's go get those JUCO's.

BB I'm hearing a JC or two maybe in our future if a certain thing happens and we should know this week I'd think.

[Buesch N Chips]

That is true BB. However, a case could be made that they overachieved the last month of the season. I prefer to think that they simply played up to their potential the final month of the season. I guess the big question is where do we finish next season if we have everybody back and play up to our potential. IMO, we have a legitimate chance to finish top 2 or 3 next year if we do...... and yes, I also agree that a juco banger would be a great pickup this Spring.

I think you could look at a lot of things during the losing streak that can help justify it, if you choose to. The two big injuries. Will was fouling too much and was unsure how to carry the load offensively. Problem was fixed. Prosser thrown into the fire a bit too early out of necessity and his struggles on both ends. He worked his way out of it. Various games during the streak where other players were unavailable or limited. DSE went through a lull where he lacked confidence, that evaporated. All of those pretty much happened at once. You could look at them as reasons or as excuses, depending on your opinion of Jim Les.

I'm not saying we should sign him for another 5 years, but I do believe that the way he led the team out of it should allow him to have another year at full strength to be able to give him a chance to prove people right or wrong on his terms, with a full team he created.

[lake Camelot]

Just to state it publicly, I ended up voting we will have a new coach next year. I really have no idea what will happen so I wasn't going to vote. Seeing four insane people vote "Here for life" was enough to drive me to vote new coach next year. My vote can't be any worse than theirs.

[BUfan14]

First, no offense to Sammy but he isn't even in the same league as Drew numbers wise...he will never rebound like Drew and while his shot may be a bit better with consistency, he's never gonna have a 30 point game like Drew or would do anything if he were double and triple teamed like Drew...

He is impossible to replace and that's why I just am not seeing what everyone else is...

And if we lose Taylor for good - game over! Taylor would be reason number 1 why we would jump up in the standings so much.

Finally, 18-12 and middle of the pack - goodbye Les, not even close to good enough at this point!

I completely disagree with your synopsis of Sammy's scoring. He put up 31 against Creighton in the tourney last year and up til this season without him, I always wanted the ball in his hands in the guts of a game.

Ya he already HAD a 30 point game in the MVC tourny! I cannot believe how little credit people are giving to TB and SM. They were huge losses. Kind of the same way people were selling short what AW could do before his senior year. They will both step up huge as seniors next year also in my opinion.

I am not voting because I have no clue what will happen, but I hope JL is back next year. I think we will be a real good team.

SM/DS/DSE
DSE/WL/RA
TB/JE/RA/SH
WE/TB/SH/MK
JP/AD?/AT/WE

I don't really see a weak spot in there. Between JP/WE/TB/SH/MK and maybe AD with a little of AT our post will be solid. I really expect big things from JP. SM/DS/DSE/JE/TB are all decent 3 shooters, no one spectacular, but maybe we will pick one up this offseason if some guys leave. I really liked DSE and JE's 3 shots towards the end of the year, they looked much better. We won't be great 3 shooters, but very solid.

[Bravesfan]

And there you go again. The poll reads "what do you THINK will happen. It doesnt mean it is what they are in FAVOR of happening. HUGE difference. They think it will happen because of the financial obligations, but it doesnt mean they want Les to stay for another year. Twisting words is a fun thing isnt it

And I'm going to continue to defend DC and others here who are in FAVOR of Les coming back, a number which as I stated yesterday is probably not that much less than those who think Les will be back.

Jrish, if you feel there is a big difference between the two numbers, why don't you or someone else start a new thread with a new poll asking how many people are in favor of seeing Les back. I'm willing to bet that number will be somewhere over 50% at the very least.

[Bravesfan]

Again, I have never suggested a coaching change is needed.

But to think conference titles aren't important is bizarre. I've not said anything about fans (or posters) not being smart.

You have to wonder, though, how important a conference title will become once Bradley wins one.
Not being dissatisfied with lack of conference titles seems to imply not winning is ok.

I don't think he was singling you out. I think he was citing others who were missinterpreting his views, but I'll let him clarify if he wants to.