What will it take to be .500?

[SFP]

This is a thread that I want to start so we can discuss what it will take for this year's team to finish .500. I do not have high expectations but every once in awhile a team can come together and one or two players really exceed expectations and a season is made.

1) They need to buy into Geno's system 100%
2) WL needs to excel in his assists to turnover ratio (if this doesn't happen the team plays on Thursday)
3) We need at least one consistent 3 pt shooter
4) A big year from either JP, WE or NW on the defensive end and a combined average of 10 rebounds and 15 points between the 3.

[LittleBrave]

I could list 15-20 key factors, but here are the 6 that stick out to me:

1) Establish some early wins - finishing above .500 before conf. season is vital for confidence and establish a "winning" mentality.

2) Better PG play (maybe KB can be of some "assist"ance?)

3) Big years from DSE & WE - as seniors, they must lead and rally the troops

4) Newcomers Pickett & Wells must make an impact inside (on both ends) and some added toughness!

5) Protect the home court!!! (Finishing 5-4 in league play at home...or better)

6) 3-point shooting to come close to other Valley teams (JE, DSE, JC MUST shoot for higher %)

[Da Coach]

Will and Dyricus both need to have All-MVC type seasons.

[Rusty 54]

1. Find a way to replace Brown's production
2. TP needs to be ready to contribute from day one
3. Shoot better as a team from 3
4. DSE needs to play consistently at a high level
5. JP and Egolf need to improve significantly from last year and the year before, respectively
6. Find a way to keep the best player on the other team from having their best game of the season against us

[real fan]

1) Stay healthy
2) play as a team
3)

[SFP]

Will and Dyricus both need to have All-MVC type seasons.

What are you hearing about Will that has you put this down? I can see DSE having an All-MVC type year but a player going down twice due to knee injury within his career, to have a super impact, would be miraculous.

[Braves4Life]

Will and Dyricus both need to have All-MVC type seasons.

Walt is key as well. He must show that he can lead this team. If he does then DSE and others can have good years. This team must defend better and somebody must step up as a legitimate outside Threat. We've seen other teams have huge turnaround years in the MVC so anything is possible I guess. I would be pleasantly surprised (shocked?) if this team manages .500. But, yajusneverno!

[tornado]

What are you hearing about Will ..

Will is doing well and exceeding expectations...some who have seen him say he has a shot if he stays healthy of really helping

[Old Coach]

As many wins as losses.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[tornado]

As many wins as losses.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I know - I have followed Bradley basketball since the mid-60's, I have great memories of NIT Championships, Sweet Sixteen, multiple pro players, National Player of the Year, 33 wins in a season,
almost NEVER losing a game at home, and plenty more...
It is indeed a sad day when the BU fan base expresses that their dream is to reach .500 -- -- but - this was predicted

[Old Coach]

I know - I have followed Bradley basketball since the mid-60's, I have great memories of NIT Championships, Sweet Sixteen, multiple pro players, National Player of the Year, 33 wins in a season,
almost NEVER losing a game at home, and plenty more...
It is indeed a sad day when the BU fan base expresses that their dream is to reach .500 -- -- but - this was predicted

I'm fine with what happens this year as long as its a move in the right direction.

[Braves4Life]

I know - I have followed Bradley basketball since the mid-60's, I have great memories of NIT Championships, Sweet Sixteen, multiple pro players, National Player of the Year, 33 wins in a season,
almost NEVER losing a game at home, and plenty more...
It is indeed a sad day when the BU fan base expresses that their dream is to reach .500 -- -- but - this was predicted

It took Jim Les until that magical 4th year to surpass the .500 mark. Have patience Grasshopper.

[tornado]

I know - but the pieces were beginning to fall in place in by fall of 2003 - only a little more than one year in -- and it still could happen - starting with Taphorn verballing to BU or something else......
..by fall of 2003, we had already landed Daniel Ruffin & Marcellus Sommerville, and had commitments from Crouch, Wright, and O'Bryant

[Braves4Life]

I know - but the pieces were beginning to fall in place in by fall of 2003 - only a little more than one year in -- and it still could happen - starting with Taphorn verballing to BU or something else......
..by fall of 2003, we had already landed Daniel Ruffin & Marcellus Sommerville, and had commitments from Crouch, Wright, and O'Bryant

I'm hoping that we can look back and say that Fields, Grier, Bell, and Pickett were the same to Ford as those guys were to Les.