Guarded Optimism

[Gwright]

I haven't chimed in around these parts in a while, so I figure that I will share my current thoughts on this season and the future.

I have pretty deep sense of optimism that I can't seem to keep down about this team. I want so badly for these young men to get back to the success that we all shared had 7 to 8 years ago. One of my greatest college memories is the first 35 minutes of the Michigan State game in '07. I remember students running up and down the ailes keeping everyone on their feet almost the entire game. I remember a shell-shocked Izzo giving a press conference after the game noting how lucky they were to get out of Carver with a win. I know/hope Bradley can get back to that level, and I think we have a great chance to show how serious we can be about returning to that level coming up with another team from Michigan visiting this weekend.

I think this team had potential, and I KNOW the fanbase has the ability to be that 6th man out there on the court. If you are a student, go to the game, be obnoxiously loud, and show the team that you stupport them. Get your friends to go to the game, get their friends to go to the game. Get the Sororities to go to the game, fill the student section!

I think we have a chance with this game to really make a push back towards what I want BU hoops to be (I am not banking on a win, BUT I am banking on the fan support of the team). I have the feeling that we might be on to something this year, I don't how we will do it, but I can't stop myself from thinking that we WILL do it.

I will have my BU flag flying proudly down here in Louisiana, and my neighbors will wonder what the all the commotion will be about when LSU and the Saints aren't playing.

It might not be this year, it might not be next year, But for some reason I KNOW that BU will be back, stronger then ever, and I cannot wait for that to happen!

[<3bradley]

I absolutely loved your post! I have the same optimism as you except I want them to reach success within these two years as I'm a junior at Bradley. I have tried talking to many students and friends about attending the basketball games but the fact remains that the team just hasn't been that good in the past few years. That's the main reason for the disinterest. Now, if we can manage to beat really good teams like Michigan, it would definitely spark some interest. I would have loved to be at that 2007 Michigan game btw!

[Gwright]

I absolutely loved your post! I have the same optimism as you except I want them to reach success within these two years as I'm a junior at Bradley. I have tried talking to many students and friends about attending the basketball games but the fact remains that the team just hasn't been that good in the past few years. That's the main reason for the disinterest. Now, if we can manage to beat really good teams like Michigan, it would definitely spark some interest. I would have loved to be at that 2007 Michigan game btw!

The atmosphere for that game was AMAZING! There was a buzz on campus for a week leading up to it, carver was packed, and I can only recall 1 or 2 MSU fans.



I have been in Cameron Indoor for Duke games, I have been in the Superdome for saints games, and I have been in Death Valley for LSU games. I have never been at a sporting event louder than that night at carver, My ears were literally ringing for a day and a half.

I know that winning will solve everything, but do what you can to pack the place on saturday, because winning will be easier with a wild crowd.

[real fan]

That was a special night and no reason why sat. cannot be the same, hoping everyone wears Bradley red and the students put up a good showing as they are the ones that generate the extra enthusiasm which gets the rest of the arena up on their feet to support the team, we do not get that many of these type of games so it is important to show the rest of the country how important BU is to us .

[Chico]

A game we had won until we started jacking up uncalled for shots with a lead in the final minutes.

[Gwright]

A game we had won until we started jacking up uncalled for shots with a lead in the final minutes.

Still hurts. "Heard footsteps" and got scared.

[Braves4Life]

Thanks for this uplifting post GWright. . We need more of this around here. Love it!

[Gwright]

Thanks for this uplifting post GWright. . We need more of this around here. Love it!

I just feel like now it the time for some reason! I have been as down about the program as I think anyone who is still around here, but I feel a change in the winds.

[Living Bravely]

A 5-1 record is a good reason to be optimistic, but our terrible strength of schedule so far is equal reason for that opitmism to be guarded.

I also feel this same guarded optimism and that is at least in my mind a positive trend.

Saturday's game is a massive opportunity for this program to elevate itself; even a close loss ala the 2007 MSU game would give reasonable cause to believe this team could contend in the Valley.

Also touching on Gwright's comment regarding the atmosphere at Carver Arena (at that 2007 MSU game, which I attended) vs. Cameron, Death Valley, etc: first, let's all strive to recreate that feeling and noise, it was great fun! Also, I must mention that the atmosphere at the late, GREAT,
Robertson Memorial Field House was absolutly second to none.

[Gwright]

Also touching on Gwright's comment regarding the atmosphere at Carver Arena (at that 2007 MSU game, which I attended) vs. Cameron, Death Valley, etc: first, let's all strive to recreate that feeling and noise, it was great fun! Also, I must mention that the atmosphere at the late, GREAT,
Robertson Memorial Field House was absolutly second to none.

I never got to see a men's game there . something that I am still sad about, I have heard such great things.

[ancona flash]

The atmosphere for that game was AMAZING! There was a buzz on campus for a week leading up to it, carver was packed, and I can only recall 1 or 2 MSU fans.



I have been in Cameron Indoor for Duke games, I have been in the Superdome for saints games, and I have been in Death Valley for LSU games. I have never been at a sporting event louder than that night at carver, My ears were literally ringing for a day and a half.

I know that winning will solve everything, but do what you can to pack the place on saturday, because winning will be easier with a wild crowd.

We dealt with a row of ex-MSU frat boys who drove down from Chicago that night. We were up in the 20th row of sec 4, they were hammered and mocked our NIT banners. They let us have it when we lost. Still chapped we didn't win for a variety of reasons, but mainly wishing I could have seen those cocky SOB's walk out of Carver with their heads hung in shame.

I've dreamt of what if scenarios of how we could possibly beat Michigan. So fun to dream..........

[BUFanatic]

Didn't get trounced last year AT Michigan! Anyone know if this series will extend out past this year? Also remember that we have a guaranteed Home and Home with a top 25 team in the Jays and possibly another with WSU if they pick it up! I'd hate it if ISU cracked the top 25 but the conference could become a power conference in Basketball in the next few years! It's the job of the (now) bottom half to make it competitive so good teams don't bolt for other conferences like Butler did!

[tornado]

Nice pic..........
I have the "Red Out" version of that picture - taken from the exact same point on the mezzanine
- from the DePaul game 11/11/06 framed and hanging on my wall

[RedSeaElite1]

I just feel like now it the time for some reason! I have been as down about the program as I think anyone who is still around here, but I feel a change in the winds.

so George are you coming up for the game or what? There will be plenty of brothers going

[Gwright]

so George are you coming up for the game or what? There will be plenty of brothers going

Not quite successful enough from the private jet that this trip would require at this point in time, but one day...