Upper Iowa at Bradley Monday 10/29

[Braves4Life]

There are always multiple ways to view a topic and this is obviously the Bradley way to look at it, but I am guessing there would have been an equally negative reaction by those upset about an increase in their season-ticket price to accommodate a game against an opponent they are not familiar with. Sometimes, you just can't win for trying.

... If we could start focusing on the positives in the world around us instead of the negatives, we might all be a little happier.

+1. Keep up the good work BP and BU. The vocal minority always have a way of making it appear that the whole world thinks their way; they do not! Most fans appreciate all that you guys do up there on The Hilltop!

[LG281]

The students don't come because they don't have an emotional tie to the program OR the history.

My wife described it to me this way one time.

We (all of us bradleyfan fans) are like the Twilight fan girls that go crazy any time there is a mention of a vampire.

Heck our fanbase (at least for a while - some maybe still) had our own drama where we picked sides...Team Jimmy vs. Team Geno.

And if this is the case, then Carver is our theater, and we will go see the show (BU Hoops) no matter how awful it truly is and convince ourselves that it was worth seeing.

Truth is that it was awful for the last two years...I wouldn't expect anyone to go see an awful Twilight movie (or any awful movie) more than once. Why do we expect the students to come see the same awful show more than once? Why do we think that more will come without some improvement in the show - especially given all the bad reviews?

WIN. Gimmicks are just that...gimmicks. WIN.

[LittleBrave]

I agree with the winning aspect, but a few years ago there was a very disapointing student turnout for a nationally ranked Northern Iowa team.

But remember that we were coming off the heels of a disappointing home to loss to the Redbirds that could have put us in a good position in the MVC standings. Most students are not going to look way ahead on the schedule to see who is coming to play, unless maybe it's ISU.

After losing to ISU-red, I don't think many fans had much hope we were going to even make it a game vs. UNI. And what was really at stake when we were sitting at 6-6 (or something like that)? And the fact that it was a ranked UNI team probably doesn't stand vs. a ranked SIU or Creighton opponent when considering interest level. Recall also that fan interest level was starting to dip well before that after the previous season of disappointment (call it underachieving if you will), and the then-current season was discouraging. True that injuries did play a major part, but the average fan tends to look past that and focus on results.

Do you think it would have been different if we were 9-3 heading into that game vs. UNI? I believe it would - there is just no buzz in the community or on campus when you have a mediocre or poor team playing, especially later in the season. Unfortunately, the fan world is similar to the corporate world in asking, "What have you done for me lately?"

[tornado]

FWIW, no games were taken out of the ticket packages. ..

Sadly Bobby - this is the most misunderstood aspect of BU playing a few games up at Renaissance Coliseum...
I just don't get it - it's been explained a million times --
every season ticket holder gets a FULL 16 games in their package down at Carver Arena....
then - had we added an extra road game or neutral site game - everyone would have been happy and said "Good Job"!!

But instead you add a game within walking distance at the RC and people still grumble about it wondering why the extra game?? Again - I just don't get it - those fans need to shut up their grumbling and get out to see the games provided for them.......I plan to and I am bringing my posse with along!

[SFP]

While I am glad WE hit some 3s, I am skeptical about his ability to play the 3 spot. I don't think he has the quickness to guard at that position.

I would doubt if anyone would play WE at the 3. Where did that come from? A big (4-5) has the same rights as any player to play beyond the 3 pt. line and shoot. If WE can stroke it from out there, what a offensive weapon! I'd like to hear Coach Ford's thoughts on this subject. On D he'll be guarding the other teams big just like they will be guarding him.

[Da Coach]

The problem is that a lot of fans think and are used to the term "season ticket package" meaning every home game, not just most home games.

[Bradleyfan1]

Plus and Minus

Im gonna start Positive WE for his first game in awhile played great and was a force, I think we had get used to him shooting from the outside and hope for the best because that along w/ him and TP staying out of foul trouble is very important! I'm not at all worried about DSE hes a gamer and a leader, the best all around player we have!

Rebounding yes is a minus for this game but will be a strength of this team, SS,TP foul trouble and JP not involved other than NW these are the best rebounders we have and I think they are gonna be real good as a collective unit!


The first half was a disapointment but Im gonna chalk that up to first game jitters and we had some real bright spots first half d wise they just made tough shots!, This was a good test they were big, shot well in the first half, I say we passed, lets keep passing tests and get the Carver season off right Saturday, Go Braves! last but certainly least WE WILL WIN MORE GAMES THIS YR THAN THE LAST 2 COMBINED!

[Da Coach]

... Go Braves! last but certainly least WE WILL WIN MORE GAMES THIS YR THAN THE LAST 2 COMBINED!

This is the most optimistic prediction I have seen anywhere. I hope you are right, but do you realize we were 7-25 last year, and 12-20 in 2010-2011. That's 19 wins in the last 2 seasons.
So are you are predicting 20 or more wins this season?!

[shaunguth]

But remember that we were coming off the heels of a disappointing home to loss to the Redbirds that could have put us in a good position in the MVC standings. Most students are not going to look way ahead on the schedule to see who is coming to play, unless maybe it's ISU.

After losing to ISU-red, I don't think many fans had much hope we were going to even make it a game vs. UNI. And what was really at stake when we were sitting at 6-6 (or something like that)? And the fact that it was a ranked UNI team probably doesn't stand vs. a ranked SIU or Creighton opponent when considering interest level. Recall also that fan interest level was starting to dip well before that after the previous season of disappointment (call it underachieving if you will), and the then-current season was discouraging. True that injuries did play a major part, but the average fan tends to look past that and focus on results.

Do you think it would have been different if we were 9-3 heading into that game vs. UNI? I believe it would - there is just no buzz in the community or on campus when you have a mediocre or poor team playing, especially later in the season. Unfortunately, the fan world is similar to the corporate world in asking, "What have you done for me lately?"

I don't know.....maybe I'm just a college basketball fan and appreciate ANY chance Bradley has to play a nationally-ranked opponent at home.....be it UNI or Creighton. Maybe there just are very many basketball fans attending Bradley University, therefore ANY students at the games should be considered a bonus.

I fully understand the winning mentality and most people being more willing to show up for a winner. Since that's the case, someone needs to explain why I can't purchase isu or Michigan tickets when all other single-game tickets go on sale. In fact, the only way to buy Michigan tickets in advance is to be a season-ticket holder or purchase tickets for 3 other games too. If we're having that much of a problem getting people to show up for games, why make it even more difficult?

[shaunguth]

This is the most optimistic prediction I have seen anywhere. I hope you are right, but do you realize we were 7-25 last year, and 12-20 in 2010-2011. That's 19 wins in the last 2 seasons.
So are you are predicting 20 or more wins this season?!

Yeah....that could possibly warrant Coach of The Year honors for Geno!

[Bradleyfan1]

This is the most optimistic prediction I have seen anywhere. I hope you are right, but do you realize we were 7-25 last year, and 12-20 in 2010-2011. That's 19 wins in the last 2 seasons.
So are you are predicting 20 or more wins this season?!

This is my prediction! I will stand by it untill math says differnt lol

[RedSeaElite1]

I would predict that this year we win more conference games than the past two years combined. That means 7 conference wins and i think that is do able for this team

[amckillip]

I would predict that this year we win more conference games than the past two years combined. That means 7 conference wins and i think that is do able for this team

7 conference wins would likely mean about a 15 win season give or take. I would call that a pretty successful season, all things being equal.

[BUBraves2006]

While I'm on a rant, do some market research with the students...

What do students actually do during games if they're not at the games?

What would make BU MBB events more compelling for their students to attend, either on campus or downtown?

Time for BU to rethink the experience...

Transportation? Continuous student shuttle before/during/after games downtown?
Food/bevridge choices/prices? Game Tie in's with downtown/campus area restaurants/bars?
Seat locations for students improved?
Each student gets one free lower bowl sideline ticket to one game during the year... non transferrable...
Student promotions/give aways?
Music?
Other in game entertainment?
Game dates/times optimized for student participation?

I like this concept, because in lean times, you sometimes have to try out some more radical changes and see what sticks.

Unless you're talking about the incredibly dedicated 1% (or maybe even less than that) of fans like Da Coach and tornado, some of the rest of us still have trouble keeping up the same fandom of the past when you consistently are looking at a losing product.

Consider the fact that even though I don't live in Peoria, I have always eyed the schedule to find at least 2-3 games a season to make the drive down to see the Braves play. I'd say that puts me in a very small group of people who really care about the Braves outside of the Peoria area. Yet, even for me, I struggle to carve out as much time to listen/watch every game these days, much less spend the money to travel to see the team play. That's just a frustrating reality for me and I don't like it. I still care a lot and want the team to win every game, but if you're having trouble keeping up the same crazy fandom of someone like me, how are you going to keep (or bring in, for that matter) the wishy-washy fans?

I guess I know that I'm never going to go away as a fan, nor are probably any of the great people who post on here. The key is to drum up that excitement again for new people. But, as much as all kinds of ideas can be tried out, the greatest idea is putting together a winner. Then we can get back to whining to each other about more trivial things.

[Rusty 54]

I would doubt if anyone would play WE at the 3. Where did that come from? A big (4-5) has the same rights as any player to play beyond the 3 pt. line and shoot. If WE can stroke it from out there, what a offensive weapon! I'd like to hear Coach Ford's thoughts on this subject. On D he'll be guarding the other teams big just like they will be guarding him.

I thought I saw it here, but it must have been somewhere else. Whoops!