Wessler rips the Braves

[tornado]

That is why we need bigs...

I doubt there's a team in mid-major-dom that wouldn't like to have a couple more solid big men....but honestly - there's some who act like there's a whole bunch of them just hanging around outside the Civic Center waiting for an invitation...
Geno's landed five in the Class of 2011, then two more in 2012 plus two more already signed for 2013 and only one
of those NINE was a big man because of the simple fact, that there just aren't a bunch of them of significant quality available...

If you know of one that can step in and do better than the guys we have, and if you know for a fact that the guy is willing and anxious to come to Bradley - then e mail his name right here...
gford@bradley.edu
juken@bradley.edu

I know our guys are looking everywhere and trying to lock in on another big man but seeing as how seven of the MVC teams don't have anyone any better than we do - I think we can draw the conclusion it is not easy...

[Future Walk-On]

The point of my last post was to show that 7 other teams in this conference have very serviceable big men. Scoring wise and rebounding wise.

So if one could argue GF just hasn't had enough time to land any, or there are none.. where did the rest get theirs? or this could be a previous staff's fault right?

[Future Walk-On]

Could change the word Big to Shooters in my previous post as well

[Rusty 54]

We can contend next year with two juco big guys that can contribute. With one juco big, and without significant improvement from JP or SS, we could play on Thursday again. That's how big of a deal I think this recruiting class is.

Thanks for the info FWO. Good stuff there.

There is nothing so far that Geno has done that suggests that he needs my help with his job. He gets it. He is building a foundation for our program that will lead us back to success.

[BUBalum05]

Could change the word Big to Shooters in my previous post as well

News flash, we're not a BCS program. Mid-majors can't all get guys that are triple threats: Size, Scorers, Speed...in order to be successful, these mid major coaches have to find a blend of guys that are hopefully dual threats to pair with maybe 1-2 triple threats. Its even tough at our level to get 8-9 guys that all have 2 of those qualities. Give GF another 2 years where he's flushed the roster and see what happens.

[wily coyote]

I never said that. Where did you get that from. I read whatever I can read about Bradley and college basketball.
I no longer subscribe to the PJ Star. Maybe that is what you recall.

You are probably right . At my age you tend to get things confused.lol

[tornado]

of the handful of big men listed above - all but one was recruited & signed 3, 4, 5, and even 6 years ago --
Geno's been here two years - not one of those on the list save for maybe Mockevicius can be compared to Geno's situation - Mockevicius is the only one who has been recruited & signed in the same interval that Geno's had to land kids here at BU...

..and I am still not convinced we have weaker big guys than Mockevicius -- his overall stats are not better than our guys -

[AZ BU Fan]

News flash, we're not a BCS program. Mid-majors can't all get guys that are triple threats: Size, Scorers, Speed...in order to be successful, these mid major coaches have to find a blend of guys that are hopefully dual threats to pair with maybe 1-2 triple threats. Its even tough at our level to get 8-9 guys that all have 2 of those qualities. Give GF another 2 years where he's flushed the roster and see what happens.

Don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but, I suspect BU also has to contend with uncertainty of where they will play 2-4 years from now, Conference wise.

Serviceable bigs (or any other top recruits) may prefer the relative stability of CU, or other State Schools in the MVC with FB programs who have a better chance of landing on their feet.

Unknowns are harder to come by with the media available today. It comes down to prospect roulette/blackjack trying to find developable talent...and the odds favor the 'house', not BU...

BU has crapped out on a number of long shot bigs we hoped would pan out.

Even with superior facilities, a rabid fan base, good coaching, and history, they still have an uphill battle for talent.

Need to find diamonds in the rough or look to untapped markets (Europe/Africa/Brazil&Argentina/Australia and possibly China for skilled young players who aren't being pursued by other US schools)..although they are so involved with Club Teams eligibility is difficult.

[Future Walk-On]

News flash, we're not a BCS program. Mid-majors can't all get guys that are triple threats: Size, Scorers, Speed...in order to be successful, these mid major coaches have to find a blend of guys that are hopefully dual threats to pair with maybe 1-2 triple threats. Its even tough at our level to get 8-9 guys that all have 2 of those qualities. Give GF another 2 years where he's flushed the roster and see what happens.

News flash, no one here is comparing us to any other BCS program.

I agree GF hasn't had enough time to be judged harsly...

I am chalking it up to a series of unfortunate events and recruiting mishaps starting before Geno arrived and still may linger (we will find out as you said in a few years). That is as nice as I can be.

[Rusty 54]

There is no reason we should not be able to get big guys that are good enough to compete for titles in the MVC.

We have amazing fans, great history, brand new facilities, and a great staff. I'm not afraid to put Peoria up against Wichita, Omaha, Cedar Falls, Bloomington-Normal, Carbondale, or any other Valley city. We also have immediate playing time available.

I have confidence in Geno that he will get us the big guys we need. If he does, we win. If he doesn't, we lose.

[Future Walk-On]

..and I am still not convinced we have weaker big guys than Mockevicius -- his overall stats are not better than our guys -

His overall stats are better than our center's, not all our bigs.

[LittleBrave]

Imagine how good this team will be with better shooters and another year of experience!

I think all we can do is imagine, since we wish DSE and WE would have another year of experience.

Who are you thinking will be a lot better with a year of experience?

Possibly JC, KB, and TP - but everyone else in the league will probably advance even quicker than these guys, and really JC and KB haven't gotten a lot of experience this year.

I can't imagine our perimeter shooting will be a whole heck of a lot better next year, replacing DSE with OG, and a couple unproven freshmen stepping in.

My imagination only goes so far, Bravesfan.

[Bravesfan]

I think all we can do is imagine, since we wish DSE and WE would have another year of experience.

Who are you thinking will be a lot better with a year of experience?

Possibly JC, KB, and TP - but everyone else in the league will probably advance even quicker than these guys, and really JC and KB haven't gotten a lot of experience this year.

I can't imagine our perimeter shooting will be a whole heck of a lot better next year, replacing DSE with OG, and a couple unproven freshmen stepping in.

My imagination only goes so far, Bravesfan.

I'm talking about whomever is coming in next year who I hope are as good shooters as some are making them out to be. And this includes any unknown bigs or JUCO's that Geno may be going after right now. Then this team will need another season to gel, so that's why I'm not expecting huge gains next year. I'm hoping we don't take a step back, but that's very possible with our losing DSE and the other seniors.

[SFP]

True, Geno has done a good job.

I also believe GF has done a good job of coaching but part of his responsibility is to make sure the team is ready to play at tip off and apparently they were not for some reason. I'd rather not be giving him the credit for getting us back in the game in the 2nd half.

I like GF as a coach and have very little to criticize him as a floor general. What I'm concerned about right now is our recruiting. Recruiting at this level is a very big part of being a coach. You either can close guys, have the right HS connections or have a staff that excels.

Yes I wish we would have won yesterday but in the big scheme of things its not breaking my heart. I really just want to see this team improve and learn. I still say we have a chance to do something in St Louis if we can stay out of Thursday. JMHO

[Future Walk-On]

I'm hoping we don't take a step back

well if history repeats itself........

(sorry I had to)