Final: SIU 66 Bradley 69

[LittleBrave]

I really didn't think we'd have an 8-2 record at home up to this point.
We are 8 for 8 in games we were probably favored to win, which is outstanding for a team of this caliber.

Last night, we looked more like the team we have for most of the season, so that was refreshing. A lot of that has to be credited to Will and the dimension he gives to the Braves.
You can tell that he is a very likeable guy with how he was interacting with the Salukis and refs. Glad for him and confident he will get things worked out!

I'm really concerned about JP as he really hasn't given us much of anything lately, except great hustle. Our bench has been a big disappointment this year, as I thought we'd be deeper than we have been in recent years.
Still have faith in KB and JC. NW seems to be far from ready to compete in the Valley.

The fact that KB doesn't log too many minutes goes to show that we actually do have some talent on this team, as I thought he had the talent to step in and play 20 mpg at the start of the year.

[LittleBrave]

I didn't get to see the BU @ SIU game, but I would venture to say that this is a better Saluki team that showed up last night than the one in the first encounter.

I was impressed by the talent and chemistry of SIU, and could see how they beat ISU-blue and fought nose to nose with the Shockers at their place.

Barry has done an outstanding job and the attitude seems to be a lot better as a whole. BU and SIU will likely be rising at the same rate in the next few seasons and find themselves in the top half of the Valley once again.

Gotta love Barry and Geno! Great for the Valley to have these 2 characters and fine head coaches!

[Gary the Gargoyle]

I really didn't think we'd have an 8-2 record at home up to this point.
We are 8 for 8 in games we were probably favored to win, which is outstanding for a team of this caliber.

This is a good point. I was just thinking, prior to yesterday's game, that Bradley has really only been "upset" once so far this year.

[Da Coach]

IMO, Portland was the only really "bad loss", though some consider the Virginia Tech a bad loss, too-

http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_294_Men.html

[LittleBrave]

IMO, Portland was the only really "bad loss", though some consider the Virginia Tech a bad loss, too-
http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_294_Men.html

UNI was a pretty "bad" loss too.
But I guess not a "bad loss".

[Gary the Gargoyle]

IMO, Portland was the only really "bad loss", though some consider the Virginia Tech a bad loss, too-
http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_294_Men.html

I agree with Portland. It's the one that I referred to as an upset.

As for VA Tech, this is totally semantics, but I didn't think it was a "bad loss", but it was bad the way that we lost the game.

[Beninator]

A lot of that has to be credited to Will and the dimension he gives to the Braves.
You can tell that he is a very likeable guy with how he was interacting with the Salukis and refs. Glad for him and confident he will get things worked out!

Don't forget the fans. A fellow poster and I had the opportunity to talk briefly to Will last night before the game. Will is a very likable and classy guy!

[LittleBrave]

I think this team has 3 (maybe 4) league wins left in them. Then, depending on who you get in the BB, maybe you finish the year with 15 wins.

I agree - think we can get to 7 wins (3 home + 1 road), which is a step in the right direction.
That would be good enough for about 7th in the Valley.

[Beninator]

I just noticed this last night, but has anyone noticed Geno's interaction with the referees? He has this "WTF was that glare" that I find hilarious!

[Gary the Gargoyle]

I just noticed this last night, but has anyone noticed Geno's interaction with the referees? He has this "WTF was that glare" that I find hilarious!

I think last night was as close as he has come to getting a technical, after the no-call when Walt was pushed to the floor and turned the ball over.

[Da Coach]

From what I can see, Both Geno and Barry seem to have similar coaching styles from the bench.
I missed the Game Day Luncheon, but I wondered how many "short" jokes there were?
They both have to be among the shortest D1 coaches.

[Bravesfan]

It is a good win. But, this was game I think we all expected Bradley to win. SIU is not a good team. Recall that we beat them in carbondale less than 2 weeks ago without Will.
I understand it's your duty to come on and proclaim how much better we are after each game, but I suspect most Bradley fans will reserve their joy about getting better until we beat better teams.
FTR, I am on record saying I believe Bradley is improved this year, mainly due to having a more experienced, veteran core group of players, playing a second year in Coach Ford's new system, and playing a weaker schedule.

Yes and no regarding the weaker schedule. So far our SOS this year is 238 versus 100 last year, according to the Warren Nolan RPI website. Expect our SOS to go up as we play the better Valley teams, though that's where our number of wins will probably go down. While we have played three more sub 300 RPI teams this year than last year, we do have a much better record against those teams. Last year we were 3-9 vs RPI 101 to 200 teams, and a real ugly 3-4 vs RPI 200+ teams. This year so far we are 6-1 vs. the RPI 200+ teams, and a much better 5-1 vs RPI 101 to 200 teams. So despite the easier schedule so far, we are still winning far more often against the teams we should be beating, which is definitely progress, though I can see a few sub 100 RPI losses on the road. The important thing is to finish well enough not to totally fall apart at the end. But the most challanging part of our schedule is coming up which could be a little shaky to say the least.

[Chico]

And some are eerily quite around here, oh well.....

Meaning what? Great Bradley fans can't be critical of their play and give their opinion? Everyone I know is happy they looked better last night and hope they continue to hold the home court and look better on the road.

[tornado]

I'm still quite around here...

[lefty]

From what I can see, Both Geno and Barry seem to have similar coaching styles from the bench.
I missed the Game Day Luncheon, but I wondered how many "short" jokes there were?
They both have to be among the shortest D1 coaches.

The luncheon was great.....Skip said they used a clear podium instead of the wooden one so we could see the coaches..

Other than Spoon nobody is better than Barry telling a story