Official Red-White Scrimmage Updates/Thoughts/Analysis Thread

[BeBrave]

Sorry, that excuse just doesn't explain the extremely weak turnout. The scrimmage was over before 8:30 pm. I live 15 minutes outside Peoria, and I was home by 8:40pm. This scrimmage was heavily promoted to students by Bradley and by the Red Sea guys, and students were admitted free.
Maybe students just don't care enough any more.

Im not using it as an excuse. I am ashamed at the lack of the student interest in the basketball program. I just think that Tuesday nighters are tough for students who have other things going on as well as their studies. Especially when it is simply a scrimmage.

Its been said multiple times, WIN and the students show up. Thats what will get them to care and get involved and learn a little bit about Bradley basketball. WHich is exactly what we need by the way, for students to understand the passion and tradition of Bradley basketball, like they did in the "old days". But thats a whole other subject of discussion.

One suggestion may be to play more regular season Friday night games. Those seem to be fairly well attended by students even when the team is not as successful.

[Old Coach]

One suggestion may be to play more regular season Friday night games. Those seem to be fairly well attended by students even when the team is not as successful.

How often does the Valley schedule Friday night games? The only non-tournament game that Bradley will on a Friday this year is at Wichita State. Keep in mind that Bradley shares the scheduling with a 35 game hockey schedule too.

[tornado]

colleges have historically avoided Friday night scheduling since that is the perennial night for local high school basketball in every city across the nation...
If a college team wants the best PAID CROWD they need to avoid Fridays...

[TheGuy]

colleges have historically avoided Friday night scheduling since that is the perennial night for local high school basketball in every city across the nation...
If a college team wants the best PAID CROWD they need to avoid Fridays...

Or if you want to send your coaches to scout/recruit on those evenings you may want to avoid too. Also, in my experience, it is easier for me to travel to redbird arena on a Saturday from the chicagoland area than it is to try and leave work on a friday and rush there to be on time for a game.

[real fan]

Free beer and food woud be sweet.
But the fact is that last night was a scrimmage on a Tuesday. Plus all of Greek life has chapter meetings at 9 on Tuesday so a lot of them would have opted out.

Bottom line is that the students are not interested in basketball, too many other things going on, you either grow up liking sports and going to events or you have different interests, Bradley students have other interests so the administration needs to wake up and quit trying to bribe them into going, we have a great fan base in place that needs to be looked after more in that they are your supporters in both attendance and money.
The red-sea has tried very hard to get members over the last 2 years and I guess you would have to ask them why so few show up?

[Chico]

Bottom line is that the students are not interested in basketball, too many other things going on, you either grow up liking sports and going to events or you have different interests, Bradley students have other interests so the administration needs to wake up and quit trying to bribe them into going, we have a great fan base in place that needs to be looked after more in that they are your supporters in both attendance and money.
The red-sea has tried very hard to get members over the last 2 years and I guess you would have to ask them why so few show up?

+1.

[Future Walk-On]

I think this would work.

Classes cancelled day after games.

Free alcohol.

Close all campus buildings and evacuate dorms so no one can be anywhere but off campus.

Pay students 10 dollars an hour to attend.

[Future Walk-On]

Oh we were making Shayok-Luol Deng comparisons...

[BeBrave]

Bottom line is that the students are not interested in basketball, too many other things going on, you either grow up liking sports and going to events or you have different interests, Bradley students have other interests so the administration needs to wake up and quit trying to bribe them into going, we have a great fan base in place that needs to be looked after more in that they are your supporters in both attendance and money.
The red-sea has tried very hard to get members over the last 2 years and I guess you would have to ask them why so few show up?

Are you suggesting that Bradley students aren't interested in sports?

No doubt we have a great fan base. Bradley is Peoria's team. Always has been. But stop just disregarding the students. That is part of the probem.

[Chico]

Are you suggesting that Bradley students aren't interested in sports?

No doubt we have a great fan base. Bradley is Peoria's team. Always has been. But stop just disregarding the students. That is part of the probem.

Show up to support their school's team and they won't be disregarded.

[GenoFan01]

Bradleybraves.com put up a video from the scrimmage. Nice to see Prosser back dunking after the knee injury.

http://www.bradleybraves.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?catid=0&id=806832

[FutureBrave2013]

If Bradley wins the students will come. It's really that simple.

There's a lot of other things for students to do then go see a 10th place MVC team. That maybe harsh but it's reality.

"Wanna go to the basketball game tonight?"

"No we suck."

That's the mindset. It's up to the team to change that.

[FutureBrave2013]

A couple other thoughts.

I have heard great things about Taylor Brown's play in practice. If he isn't our best player, he is right on the heels of DSE.

Shayok is a unique talent. He can handle the ball, shoots well from the perimeter, and can rebound all with a 6'8 long frame. He slots in perfectly at the 3 and really gives us a solid front line with JP and TB. I didn't really pay attention to his defense last night but he could really frustrate opposing three guard lineups with his length.

The potential of this team is outstanding. Last night was sloppy, which tends to happen in an intrasquad scrimmage. A starting 5 of WL, DSE, SS, TB, and JP has me salivating. That lineup has the potential to score, rebound, and defend if it plays to its potential. JE, JC, and AT give us a nice bench. If JE knocks down the outside shot, he could get major minutes and if he doesn't he'll still earn minutes for his hustle and smarts.

After watching the scrimmage, the key to the season comes down to 2 things. Can we take care of the ball and make good decisions on the break? And can we hit the outside shot?

The athleticism of this team is outstanding. The pieces are there. Maybe its preseason optimism, but this team could compete in the Valley if they continue to improve.

[Old Coach]

The athleticism of this team is outstanding. The pieces are there. Maybe its preseason optimism, but this team could compete in the Valley if they continue to improve.

Wow! This is a lot of pre-season optimism.
I think they'll all work very hard for Coach Ford, but there just isn't enough basketball talent on this team to compete this year. 10-12 wins is what we're looking at, so I'll be there every game cheering for effort.

[wily coyote]

A couple other thoughts.

I have heard great things about Taylor Brown's play in practice. If he isn't our best player, he is right on the heels of DSE.

Shayok is a unique talent. He can handle the ball, shoots well from the perimeter, and can rebound all with a 6'8 long frame. He slots in perfectly at the 3 and really gives us a solid front line with JP and TB. I didn't really pay attention to his defense last night but he could really frustrate opposing three guard lineups with his length.

The potential of this team is outstanding. Last night was sloppy, which tends to happen in an intrasquad scrimmage. A starting 5 of WL, DSE, SS, TB, and JP has me salivating. That lineup has the potential to score, rebound, and defend if it plays to its potential. JE, JC, and AT give us a nice bench. If JE knocks down the outside shot, he could get major minutes and if he doesn't he'll still earn minutes for his hustle and smarts.

After watching the scrimmage, the key to the season comes down to 2 things. Can we take care of the ball and make good decisions on the break? And can we hit the outside shot?

The athleticism of this team is outstanding. The pieces are there. Maybe its preseason optimism, but this team could compete in the Valley if they continue to improve.

I hope your right but I'm not as optimistic as you. Yes I liked alot of what I saw Mon night but, we still have some glaring weaknesses. 1.) Love Will but not sure of his PG skills. 2.) 3 point shooting a problem . MK by far our best shooter but will need to play better 'D' to see the floor.3.) Depth at the '5' spot is a problem, although I thought AT played well. GF said we are only 7 deep and MK and AT were not in that 7. Did Mon. night change his depth chart? 4.) Overall depth also seems to be a problem, mainly at the guard positions. No real PG. I thought DS handled the ball well and distributed it better then anyone on the floor but couldn't score.
With what I saw, we must stay away from injuries and foul trouble to be successful early on. Or at least until the Frosh get their feet wet. Really liked NW can't see us redshirting him but if we get production out of AT maybe we could. That would be what's really best for him.IMO DH is the person that needs to be redshirted. Just my opinion and that means nothing.See real potential with this team. Probably the best Frosh class in quite some time but it will take some time. If GF can keep us out of the Thur game that will be quite an accomplishment. I really like our future but we need to be patient . GF is proving to be a good recruiter . Better days are ahead. Go Braves.