First exhibition game- Bradley 85 Upper Iowa 83

[bigjimmy]

I'm hoping some of the things that happened during the game aren't a continuing trend of past teams like missed FT's and layups, open 3's by them and poor outside shooting by us. I'm hoping it was just 1st game jitters that explains why most of the newcomers, other than Grier and Barnes, didn't contribute much. I'm hoping we can learn to play defense without fouling. I'm hoping we don't have to have Walt bail us out every night. I'm hoping we some hope of a good season, one that doesn't end in the Valley play in game again. I hope.

[capecod]

'One of the best 2 or 3 recruiting classes EVER'??????

OK - just one other fan's two cents...and I won't waste much time. I like to win, but....

-how could the pundits have been so terribly wrong? Of course we all knew Walt Lemon was great and he proved it but like Da Coach said - this team has been practicing since August - all we've heard from the "experts" is how improved we are, solid, deep, strong, Dave Reynolds called this one of the best 2 or 3 recruiting classes ever, difference makers, and pundits picked one of our freshmen as FOY, etc..

Wait a minute. Did Dave Reynolds REALLY call this year's BU recruiting class 'one of the best 2 or 3 recruiting classes EVER?

As in-all time Bradley Basketball recruiting classes?

[Da Coach]

Wait a minute. Did Dave Reynolds REALLY call this year's BU recruiting class 'one of the best 2 or 3 recruiting classes EVER?

As in-all time Bradley Basketball recruiting classes?

Well, it appears he did heap praise on this recruiting class, calling it "stellar", and saying this recruiting class was one of the top three in his 23 years of following the Bradley Braves-
"In my 23 years on the Bradley basketball beat, there have been only two classes that rivaled this one before they started to play at BU."

http://blogs.pjstar.com/pressrow/2013/05/15/will-history-repeat-itself-with-stellar-bu-recruiting-class/

http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x438180205/Morgan-Park-product-Xzavier-Taylor-s-letter-of-intent-arrives-at-BU

[lefty]

Well, it appears he did heap praise on this recruiting class, calling it "stellar", and saying this recruiting class was one of the top three in his 23 years of following the Bradley Braves-
"In my 23 years on the Bradley basketball beat, there have been only two classes that rivaled this one before they started to play at BU."

http://blogs.pjstar.com/pressrow/2013/05/15/will-history-repeat-itself-with-stellar-bu-recruiting-class/

http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x...-arrives-at-BU

Key words here...before they started to play. Nobody knows if it will be or not but I'm pretty sure it will take more than one exhibition game to find out.

[Da Coach]

I understand that, but nonetheless, this recruiting class is being compared with 2 earlier recruiting classes that included multiple players who went on to become All MVC, MVC champions, NCAA tournament participants, a Sweet 16 team, and even an NBA Lottery Pick.
You don't think that is just a little bit of a stretch? Or at least maybe just a little premature?

Recall, that Dave also said Anthony Fields was an impact player, yet in the first game he had a chance to make an impact, he played just 6 minutes and contributed almost nothing. I am not trying to be picky, but I have never seen media people throw around such accolades before anyone actually proves anything before.
It just seems like some of the people who used to love to rip other fans for overly optimistic projections regarding past recruits (even to the ridiculous point of blaming them for "putting too much pressure on them"), are now the most unrealistic about projecting greatness for these recruits.
I like our recruiting class, but we'll need a lot more if we want to replace stars like Walt Lemon after this year.

[BorntobeBrave04]

I understand that, but nonetheless, this recruiting class is being compared with 2 earlier recruiting classes that included multiple players who went on to become All MVC, MVC champions, NCAA tournament participants, a Sweet 16 team, and even an NBA Lottery Pick.
You don't think that is just a little bit of a stretch? Or at least maybe just a little premature?

You're comparing apples and oranges here. When you say went on to become, that is the key point: we have no idea what these players will go on to become. Dave, like myself, is optimistic that they will turn out very well for this program.

He is comparing classes of recruits prior to them suiting up and this one is apparently as well regarded as he has seen. I dont think theres a problem with saying that - recruits will always over/underperform expectations. He is merely being positive and drawing on past experience evaluating recruiting classes before they step foot on the court for Bradley.

Being half full isnt a bad thing sometimes.

[Chico]

Dave Reynolds also said "the Bradley men's basketball team's first exibition was a crowd pleaser." How could that game Monday night be a crowd pleaser when a Division 1 team with such a great recruiting class almost loses to a team picked 14th in their league. How can a game when 75 free throws are attempted be a crowd pleaser.

[lightsout]

Key words here...before they started to play. Nobody knows if it will be or not but I'm pretty sure it will take more than one exhibition game to find out.

Exactly! To me all the freshmen have plenty of upside. Swopshire and Xzavier really intrigue me, and we have heard a lot of positive talk about Zecevic. One exhibition game is not enough information to accurately judge these young men. Hopefully at the end of this year we will have a better understanding of what they will be. Throw Mike Shaw into the mix and I still believe this could be a special recruiting class.

Positive thinking guys, the season hasn??™t even officially started and it sounds like some guys already want to write this season off. Lemon Jr. is a STUD, MVC POY candidate. Pickett will be a man among boys in the paint. And between Barnes, Bell, Grier, Blake Swopshire, Taylor, and Zecevic we will find a nice balance and Lemon Jr. will not be required to score 40 points every night in order to get a win.

[Chico]

I'm not judging this season based on the first exibition game. I'm looking forward to this team improving with every early game. IMO, if everybody lives up to the hype we have heard from reporters this could be a better than expected season. All we need is for someone, or 2, step up to take the pressure off Walt and TP. GOOD LUCK BRAVES.

[lefty]

I understand that, but nonetheless, this recruiting class is being compared with 2 earlier recruiting classes that included multiple players who went on to become All MVC, MVC champions, NCAA tournament participants, a Sweet 16 team, and even an NBA Lottery Pick.
You don't think that is just a little bit of a stretch? Or at least maybe just a little premature?

Recall, that Dave also said Anthony Fields was an impact player, yet in the first game he had a chance to make an impact, he played just 6 minutes and contributed almost nothing. I am not trying to be picky, but I have never seen media people throw around such accolades before anyone actually proves anything before.
It just seems like some of the people who used to love to rip other fans for overly optimistic projections regarding past recruits (even to the ridiculous point of blaming them for "putting too much pressure on them"), are now the most unrealistic about projecting greatness for these recruits.
I like our recruiting class, but we'll need a lot more if we want to replace stars like Walt Lemon after this year.

Yes...I agree..it's interesting how people flip flop

[Buesch N Chips]

Dave Reynolds also said "the Bradley men's basketball team's first exibition was a crowd pleaser." How could that game Monday night be a crowd pleaser when a Division 1 team with such a great recruiting class almost loses to a team picked 14th in their league. How can a game when 75 free throws are attempted be a crowd pleaser.

I think he was referring to the last-second-shot type finish.

[Chico]

I think he was referring to the last-second-shot type finish.

Maybe, but it's a 40 minute game and if I was there I would have been bored and upset by then.

[wily coyote]

Maybe, but it's a 40 minute game and if I was there I would have been bored and upset by then.

Where were you? are you in AZ already?

[mexicobufan]

How many NCAA tourney teams have started out the year with a scare during exibition season from an unknown lower level team? I can think of plenty. Its one game with a bunch of new kids on the team. If after a couple of games things look the same I will join you and we can all jump off a bridge together. Im not there yet!

[Bradleyfan1]

Anyone heard how practice has been? DEFENSE focused I'm sure! Handcuffs? Foam bats? Move your feet! Not just to run back to the offensive end!