Comings, goings on Hilltop - DR

[LittleBrave]

That was a good thought that came true...everything that has happened since the season ended has caused me to be very optimistic for this coming season and we've even got a good preseason schedule working. Looking forward to watching the players respond to a new improved game plan and how the new players fit in. And from what I've recently read there is going to be a new openness with the press, the more information the better for us fans.

Yes, I was doubtful about that actually happening, but it did happen!
Like the openness that Coach Ford seem to have with the press, AND with the student-athletes.

Go Braves

and CUBS!

[shaunguth]

This is what I said six weeks ago.....

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.

Let's just say I'm pleasantly surprised and very happy to have been wrong if NW is still coming and RA is still in play!

Oh.....and great article by Dave Reynolds!

[peoriaspitfire]

Hands down, this is the most info I've ever gotten out of one of these reports! Lets' hope this continues.

[jenny71]

Things maybe looking up right now for Bradley. Could really be a good season next year.

[ancona flash]

Strictly basketball-wise, I think that Nate Wells for AD is better for BU in the long run. Yes, NW is a bit of a project, but in the coming years, I think we'll see good things from Nate! And deep inside, if it came down to either Harris or Wells, I was hoping Wells would honor his commitment. So I'm happy!

If RA comes to BU, WoW!! - we are in for a treat, and I don't see why we wouldn't be a top-half Valley team THIS season! Without him, I was thinking 5 or 6 (we have 2 of the league's top 10 players after all if TB is healthy & cleared) Remy & DS are freshman that can make an immediate impact - not necessarily starters, but would give us good production & depth.

I will have to check out this new kid on the radar that Geno is after from Detroit.

Overall, great news all around. Harris not coming doesn't disappoint me. We will be alright without him. (don't mean to sound bitter toward the kid - hope he succeeds wherever he goes in life & on the court!)

You touched on it, but I really believe one of the things that killed us last year, and in years past was our lack of depth. Yes, I know the injuries were there, but we had numbers, just not the quality we needed. The deeper we are with quality players, the better this season will go.

Like you said, RA and DS (especially DS) may not necessarily be starters, but provide good production and depth to prepare them to emerge as sophs and beyond.

[ancona flash]

And count me as one that is optimistic about our chances at getting Abell. I think Geno can sell, and his track record and style of play have to be appealing to a slasher/athletic type like RA.

I REALLY like the thought of DSE, WL, RA, and DS running the back court, especially by the 12-13 season if they develop.................really good times may be had!

Remy- You've got a great cast around you and fan base that wants you in Peoria. We need you in Peoria!

[Bravesfan]

That was a good thought that came true...everything that has happened since the season ended has caused me to be very optimistic for this coming season and we've even got a good preseason schedule working. Looking forward to watching the players respond to a new improved game plan and how the new players fit in. And from what I've recently read there is going to be a new openness with the press, the more information the better for us fans. Go Braves

It's too bad we didn't see this openness of the press when Les was here. Maybe some of it was anti-Les bias, maybe a lot of it stems from sinking newspaper sales, but whatever the reason, good to see a newspaper doing what they are supposed to do for a change! Better late than ever.

[Bravesfan]

This is what I said six weeks ago.....



Let's just say I'm pleasantly surprised and very happy to have been wrong if NW is still coming and RA is still in play!

Oh.....and great article by Dave Reynolds!

Agreed on all counts! But let's make sure RA coming here is official. Looks like there is still some work to be done there, but let's just say it looks as if things are trending in the right direction.

Nice to have NW coming, and even if he's a bit of a project, at least he provides us with some desperately needed inside presence. This is great to hear as well.

[Bravesfan]

You touched on it, but I really believe one of the things that killed us last year, and in years past was our lack of depth. Yes, I know the injuries were there, but we had numbers, just not the quality we needed. The deeper we are with quality players, the better this season will go.

Like you said, RA and DS (especially DS) may not necessarily be starters, but provide good production and depth to prepare them to emerge as sophs and beyond.

That's a great point ancona. A little more depth would have given us at minimum 3 to 5 more wins this past year. Not that would have been a huge deal, but going into the next season finishing 5th or 6th with maybe a CBI appearance would have looked a lot better than finishing tied for 9th. That said, we still finished strong and I enjoyed watching this team gel the last month. I was very proud to be a fan of this team despite the adverse circumstances, and in spite of that horrid 11 game losing streak were I almost gave up for the year.

So while I still think a 4th or 5th place finish this coming season would be good if we get the players here that I hope we do, I agree that a little more depth most likely prevents us from finishing anywhere near the bottom of the league again.

And I have to admit that's a lot better assessment than what I gave this team a few weeks ago!

[Da Coach]

Highlights include...

Remy Abell is still thinking about Bradley and Coach Ford will be meeting with him and his family next week and make one last pitch for BU!

More unfortunate fallout...
A report this morning from a source in Kentucky says that Remy Abell-
"signed with Bradley in November, but after the Braves fired Coach Jim Les last month, Abell is getting his release from Bradley and will reopen his recruitment."

[wily coyote]

It's too bad we didn't see this openness of the press when Les was here. Maybe some of it was anti-Les bias, maybe a lot of it stems from sinking newspaper sales, but whatever the reason, good to see a newspaper doing what they are supposed to do for a change! Better late than ever.

Have you ever thought you have it backwards. Just maybe it was BU and JL that did not want the PJS to get information???Maybe JL made it very difficult for DR and KW to do their jobs.. for whatever reasons I can't answer only JL and Bobby P can and I don't think they will. I think we will see an entirely different working relationship with the PJS and Geno unless other people at BU make it impossible. I don't look for that to happen. Hope not it's been nice reading the articles DR has written. Keep up the good work DR and BU we all win when we can trust.

[BradleyJD]

Have you ever thought you have it backwards. Just maybe it was BU and JL that did not want the PJS to get information???Maybe JL made it very difficult for DR and KW to do their jobs.. for whatever reasons I can't answer only JL and Bobby P can and I don't think they will. I think we will see an entirely different working relationship with the PJS and Geno unless other people at BU make it impossible. I don't look for that to happen. Hope not it's been nice reading the articles DR has written. Keep up the good work DR and BU we all win when we can trust.

Good point Wily. I do know a couple of people who felt Jim would not talk to people if they were not "on board". I am not sure what that means exactly, but I think I get the point.

I also believe Coach Ford will be a little more accessible, but only time will tell.

[Buesch N Chips]

Have you ever thought you have it backwards. Just maybe it was BU and JL that did not want the PJS to get information???Maybe JL made it very difficult for DR and KW to do their jobs.. for whatever reasons I can't answer only JL and Bobby P can and I don't think they will. I think we will see an entirely different working relationship with the PJS and Geno unless other people at BU make it impossible. I don't look for that to happen. Hope not it's been nice reading the articles DR has written. Keep up the good work DR and BU we all win when we can trust.

I've always been led to believe that the JL/KW feud began when JL was a little less than open in the early days. He spoke to the media on his terms, not theirs, which might have been different than what Mo did, and they took offense. Then the Ruffin injury soap opera, then the renegade program article, and after that there wasn't much good between them, as far as I know.

Here's to hoping we don't have those same problems again.....

[wily coyote]

I've always been led to believe that the JL/KW feud began when JL was a little less than open in the early days. He spoke to the media on his terms, not theirs, which might have been different than what Mo did, and they took offense. Then the Ruffin injury soap opera, then the renegade program article, and after that there wasn't much good between them, as far as I know.

Here's to hoping we don't have those same problems again.....

B N C I think you are right on the money with what went wrong between the PJS and JL. Heres hoping the Geno era will go as good as it seems to presently. If that happens I'm sure the relationship between his staff and the PJS will be fine and we will be more informed on things we all enjoy to read. We must remember though there are things we may want to know but it is not in the programs best interest to be made public. I'm thinking more about recruiting then everyday things. I think its great to hear about recruits when they visit and I think we will hear more about that kind of info with this staff then the PJS got from the previous staff. Just my opinion.

[Chico]

IMO, it all started when Jim was hired. kw didn't approve of the hiring, he wanted someone else, and was anti BU until Jim was fired.