Coach Jim Les' Future

[Bravesfan]

Sweet 16 is indeed a big thing. But it's getting 2 wins at the right time which can be helped greatly by match ups, etc.

A conference championship (regular season) is achieved over a long, tough grind.

Would love to have both. Never being 1st (or 2nd or 3rd) is getting old.

I would too. Hopefully I did not mislead you into thinking otherwise. I agree completely, but I know most Bradley fans are very proud of what we accomplished in 2006 despite falling short of a conference and/or Valley tourney championship.

[Bravesfan]

Agreed, S16 is better. For some reason, I don't think Gonzaga or Butler fan's pride and joy is the conference championships...

Very good point!

[Bravesfan]

I think the Sweet 16 pays about 3 million more...although it is split among the 10 MVC teams!

Great point as well! The money certainly helps!

[bustudent]

The better question is how soon do we get the answer we all want to know. Does it go in his favor if it takes longer to decide, or should he be worried that they don't immediately say he is coming back. And seriously, if they are making any decisions off of what anyone of this board has to say then this school has bigger problems so for all that bash and support I think we know the good and bad at this point. And after seeing all of the can't wait for next year, is this really what it is like to be a cubs fan????

[CABUFan]

I voted new coach, as that is what I think is going to happen, but I would like to see him get one more year.

[Braves4Life]

T And after seeing all of the can't wait for next year, is this really what it is like to be a cubs fan????

Yes. I am a Cubs fan.

[BSSFan#1]

Agreed, S16 is better. For some reason, I don't think Gonzaga or Butler fan's pride and joy is the conference championships...

So you think Gonzaga fans don't care about the fact they have won 15 conference titles since 1994 including outright or sharing 11 in a row now?

Gonzaga has also won 10 WCC tournament titles in that time.
They have 5 Sweet 16s and 1 Elite 8.

I'm pretty sure they are extremely proud of the 25 conference titles since 1994.

Butler has 10 conference titles since 1997 and 6 conference tournament titles. They also have 3 Sweet 16s since 2003 and 1 Final Four.

Bradley can claim 1 conference trophy in the same time frame that Gonzaga and Butler have 41 between them. And they can add to this number yet this week.

Let's not discount anyone else's pride over conference titles until Bradley can win one.

[Buesch N Chips]

Seems like some BU fans will defend everyone except BU.

[BSSFan#1]

Not a matter of defending BU or someone else.

Everything in my post is fact except whether or not Gonzaga or Butler fans are proud of their conference titles. Need to ask Gonzaga and Butler fans about that.

But the facts were presented to show that it's difficult to use Gonzaga or Butler as a reference for Bradley.

This year was largely a result of bad events. One conference trophy (regular or conference) beginning in 1989 is not due to injuries.

Why accept mediocrity? Let's start winning conference titles!

[Da Coach]

....
Why accept mediocrity? Let's start winning conference titles!

To quote Ronald Reagan, "there you go again"...
Sorry I need to repeat myself again here-

Nobody here is satisfied with "mediocrity". First, it is a common and false charge by those who want a coaching change to suggest that Bradley has been mediocre (5 winning seasons in a row, averaging over 20 wins). But it is a ruse to suggest that those who don't want a coaching change are satisfied with losing. That's not true and never has been.

It is also just as absurd to suggest that all we need is to change coaches and we'll start winning titles and winning NCAA tournament games (btw, something Jim Les has done that his predecessor never accomplished in 11 seasons).

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.

And hopefully for the final time....it is not because any fans "accept mediocrity".

[BSSFan#1]

No need to deliver a "don't change the coach" diatribe.

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

Again, using Gonzaga and Butler is humorous. I imagine that conference titles are more important to fans who are used to winning them.

By the way, I consider not finishing 1st (or 2nd or 3rd) for a prolonged period to be mediocre.

[Tulsa Brave]

Tulsa fans want their coach fired. All he did this season with an inexperienced team is lead them to within a closing seconds 3 by UAB the other night at Southern Miss from a conference title...they have to settle for the number 2 seed again...just like 2 years ago. Apparently not good enough, but way better than anything BU has sniffed the past 9 years.

MSU fans wanted Barry Hinson fired despite several top 3 conference finishes. Seems that move hasn't sent the program to the pits. I refuse to believe that BU basketball will become the laughing stock of the MVC if Jim Les doesn't return. I also don't feel we finish top 3 next season regardless who the coach is or whether or not all the players are healthy. Having these opinions doesn't make me less of a BU fan than anyone else here, although I think that some here somehow think it does.

[Da Coach]

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. There are intelligent ways to frame each side of the coaching argument.

But I will continue to point out when I feel there are exaggerations, or references to being satisfied with losing, or the kool-aid/rose colored glasses insults that suggest that fans aren't smart enough to see the truth.

[BSSFan#1]

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. There are intelligent ways to frame each side of the coaching argument.

But I will continue to point out when I feel there are exaggerations, or references to being satisfied with losing, or the kool-aid/rose colored glasses insults that suggest that fans aren't smart enough to see the truth.

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.

[jrish12]

To quote Ronald Reagan, "there you go again"...
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.

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