Post Game- BU 68 UMKC 58

[wily coyote]

He doesn't shoot freethrows well and has twice as many turnovers as assists. I'm not sure I'm all that comfortable with him on the floor at the end of the game.

shaunguth, I agree not sure why all the concern about when to put WL back in the game. Unless I was missing something, I don't think he had very good game and it was no big deal he fouled out. Tell me what I missed?

[amckillip]

shaunguth, I agree not sure why all the concern about when to put WL back in the game. Unless I was missing something, I don't think he had very good game and it was no big deal he fouled out. Tell me what I missed?

In the exhibitions he played better than anyone on our bench by far. He's is our best on-ball defender. No one came off the bench and gave us anything more than him other than JE.

[wily coyote]

In the exhibitions he played better than anyone on our bench by far. He's is our best on-ball defender. No one came off the bench and gave us anything more than him other than JE.

AMC your point is well taken but you missed mine. I said nothing about his exhibition games. I was refering to last nights game and he didn't play well at all. I'm sure he would tell you the same thing.

[shaunguth]

No one came off the bench and gave us anything more than him other than JE.

I believe DS did in one of those games.

AT even looked good in one of those games, but that wasn't last night.

[Beninator]

shaunguth, I agree not sure why all the concern about when to put WL back in the game. Unless I was missing something, I don't think he had very good game and it was no big deal he fouled out. Tell me what I missed?

Walt is being played out of position which affects the team as he can not have as much production at the point compared to the two guard. He played against better competition at the point last night which resulted in more fouls. Geno got away with this last night and even failed to adjust to put Walt in a position where he would not be as likely to foul. Once we play better competition, the mistakes will cost us a lot more!

[Braves4Life]

Walt is being played out of position .... Geno got away with this last night and even failed to adjust ...Once we play better competition, the mistakes will cost us a lot more!

Geno's no dummy. I think he sees the maturation of Walt as a ballhandler as very important to this team. I'm thinking he is willing to sacrifice sloppiness and failure early on for the betterment of the team during MVC play..... The only part of this season that will matter, most likely.

[GenoFan01]

Geno's no dummy. I think he sees the maturation of Walt as a ballhandler as very important to this team. I'm thinking he is willing to sacrifice sloppiness and failure early on for the betterment of the team during MVC play..... The only part of this season that will matter, most likely.

Agreed. Let's not forget, it took DSE more than a game to learn the PG position. Plus with Willie Scott on the sidelines, I think Walt will be able to learn the spot over time.

[SFP]

Huh? When did this become about the individual? I thought we were talking about a team sport and the coach putting his team in the best possible position to win. I don't believe WLJ at the point is the answer. I'm all for having the ball in DS or DSE's hands more than WLJ's. Hopefully he bounces back Wednesday night, because it seems to me Geno wants him to be that guy.

Geno's no dummy. I think he sees the maturation of Walt as a ballhandler as very important to this team. I'm thinking he is willing to sacrifice sloppiness and failure early on for the betterment of the team during MVC play..... The only part of this season that will matter, most likely.

OK read B4L's post and forget about mine!

In reality a great coach does think about where a kid has the best chance to succeed at the next level and tries to develop those skills because it should translate to being a better player for the team in the long run. I poorly worded my thought.

[LittleBrave]

This may have been a W but Bradley did not win this, Missouri lost it.

I don't think you and I were watching the same game.
Bradley deserved to win with their grittiness, good shot selection, composure, and solid D. I didn't see that on the part of Missouri - KC.
I don't think we could have closed out the last 4-5 minutes any better to be truthful.
Nice job guys! and nice coaching at the end Geno!

[LittleBrave]

I admire how this board is staying positive after two expo games (Div II & III) and a reg. season game (very low Div I team). I will be interested to read this board after a couple of Big 10 games and two top MVC teams. Positive will fade away very fast. Please realize this "3-0" start is NOTHING. Don't get all excited just for a huge letdown (I.e. Illinis Football). And the earlier comparison to a BU 3-0 start vs. the U Cal Davis 0-3 start is a true "Apples to Oranges" example.

Thanks, but I'll remain excited after every Braves win this year.
I think most of us know that even going 3-0 to start the season will be tough, and if that happens, we are not suddenly going to think we're destined for a top half Valley finish.

I've seen way too many games in the past few years work the opposite for us - ball bounces the wrong way, we have mental lapses, lack of execution, missed FT's. Didn't happen tonight - that to me is a great thing for the psychee of the team, so I'm excited about that.

Sure, there will be moments that we'll be let down, but I think the majority of positive comments came with points of criticism.

One thing after watching the replay of the game - this is an exciting team to watch.
TB the playmaker
DSE - the hungry heart
Walt - superquick, (it will be exciting to watch him progress)
JE - does a little bit of everything and gives the team energy
JP - Windex man
A group of freshmen that have ability, but will take time to develop.

[LittleBrave]

Walt demonstrated that he was foul prone during the game. Geno should have milked the clock to the 10 minute mark and then inserted Walt into the lineup thus giving Walt a chance to be on the floor at the end of the game when we needed him the most. IMHO a huge strategy mistake by the staff. They got away with it this time... Geno won't be that lucky against a better team.

This is where the coach needs to have confidence in his floor leader...well, the point guard, who is Walt. I don't see this as a mistake - maybe a mistake by Walt, but he needs to learn from this, and no better way than to be on the floor. I think it's also showing confidence in DS that in the case Walt fouls out, he can lean on DS to do what he needs to do.

Guys - why are we all of a sudden worrying about playing Big 10 teams and the best of the Valley? (not directed at you, Beni) If you don't enjoy the good moments, it WILL be an extremely long season for you.
Let's worry about SEMO coming into town - that will be a big enough test for the time being.

[LittleBrave]

Walt is being played out of position which affects the team as he can not have as much production at the point compared to the two guard. He played against better competition at the point last night which resulted in more fouls. Geno got away with this last night and even failed to adjust to put Walt in a position where he would not be as likely to foul. Once we play better competition, the mistakes will cost us a lot more!

Can't argue with you about the effectiveness of Walt at the 2 vs. the 1. Hopefully he will learn quickly at the 1 because I think Geno is willing to be patient with him there. And I think Walt will learn to score more at the 1, while opening things up for others.

[buschsquirrel2011]

Geno got away with this last night and even failed to adjust to put Walt in a position where he would not be as likely to foul. Once we play better competition, the mistakes will cost us a lot more!

Walt will always be in a position to foul more--why? Because he is BU's best defender and, as a result will guard the other teams best player more often than not. That team will try to get their best player the ball, run plays for that person, etc. Walt's job is to defend that.

I realize Walt had a bad offensive game last night. However Coach Ford said on the radio the team was a much better +/- when he was on the court. Just focusing on his PG abilities or lackthereof doesn't give Walt the credit he deserves.

Why does Geno play him so much? Because he sees him every single day. That's good enough for me.

[amckillip]

I believe DS did in one of those games.

AT even looked good in one of those games, but that wasn't last night.

DS didn't even really outplay him in the first exhibition game, he played about as well. My point was that Sunday WL looked better than either JC or DS.

[amckillip]

Walt will always be in a position to foul more--why? Because he is BU's best defender and, as a result will guard the other teams best player more often than not. That team will try to get their best player the ball, run plays for that person, etc. Walt's job is to defend that.

I realize Walt had a bad offensive game last night. However Coach Ford said on the radio the team was a much better +/- when he was on the court. Just focusing on his PG abilities or lackthereof doesn't give Walt the credit he deserves.

Why does Geno play him so much? Because he sees him every single day. That's good enough for me.

I agree with what your saying here 100%.