Final: Bradley 70 West Virginia Wesleyan 60

[lefty]

Article from BradleyBraves.com-
Braves Cruise in Exhibition Finale

http://www.bradleybraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPID=1498&DB_OEM_ID=3400&ATCLID=209296985

Final official box score

http://www.bradleybraves.com/pdf9/2560101.pdf?ATCLID=209296985&SPSID=25965&SPID=1498&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=3400

attendance listed at 6,591

good crowd for an exhibition game at 1 in the afternoon

[Da Coach]

There were not quite that many there.

[Buesch N Chips]

There were not quite that many there.

There weren't 6000 there, but I thought it was respectable.

[Big Mike]

Reynolds: BU makes strides on defense...

http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x1783713149/BU-basketball-makes-strides-on-defense-against-West-Virginia-Wesleyan

Nice......didn't realize KB had 4 steals and received praise from Geno for the better D' played today!

[LongTimeFan]

I wasn't at the game and am still looking for the archive of it. However, I wouldn't think that 6000+ was a bad turnout considering the opponent and the time of day. Were there many students there?

We have a lot of newcomers and will need time to get experience. It would appear from comments that outside scoring and bench scoring are two elements to be improved on as we head into the season. Lemon needs some help. As we get into the MVC games, Lemon will be absorbing more physical fouls and they will take their toll on him.

[Rhino65]

I wasn't at the game and am still looking for the archive of it. However, I wouldn't think that 6000+ was a bad turnout considering the opponent and the time of day. Were there many students there?

We have a lot of newcomers and will need time to get experience. It would appear from comments that outside scoring and bench scoring are two elements to be improved on as we head into the season. Lemon needs some help. As we get into the MVC games, Lemon will be absorbing more physical fouls and they will take their toll on him.

Not a ton in the student section itself but there were plenty of students there. It's family weekend at Bradley so many of the students sat with their families throughout the stands.

[bigjimmy]

At least Geno played some of the newbies and few more minutes today. I know you're still trying to win the game but it is an exhibition game so a little disappointed that Swopshire and Wells didn't play more. Looks like the core 4 are Walt, Pickett, Grier and Barnes. Prosser will be the 5th starter with Taylor splitting time with him. Bell is your 6th man while Fields, Blake and Zecevic look to be in the mix. I hope Walt is in elite shape as it looks like he'll be expected to carry a heavy burden. When he's making double digits in FT's we'll have a chance to win as it'll mean Walt will have open lanes to the hoop. The games we'll struggle in will be the games we have to depend on our outside shooting. I'm a little extra excited about the first game on Friday against Jacksonville State as it'll be the first BU game I get to see in person since having cancer surgery in mid January. As much as I enjoy the banter on the in game thread and listening to Dave Snell I'm just glad I'll be able to be there so if you happen to see a middle aged, eye glass wearing, balding, 5' 10" 280 pound guy with a tear in his eye in the upper deck of Section 17B you'll know why.

[lightsout]

I'm a little extra excited about the first game on Friday against Jacksonville State as it'll be the first BU game I get to see in person since having cancer surgery in mid January. As much as I enjoy the banter on the in game thread and listening to Dave Snell I'm just glad I'll be able to be there so if you happen to see a middle aged, eye glass wearing, balding, 5' 10" 280 pound guy with a tear in his eye in the upper deck of Section 17B you'll know why.

Enjoy the game Friday bigjimmy! Glad you get a chance to watch the Braves in person, hope you health is improving daily.

[BUfan14]

I still think KB needs to start over OG so we can have more defense in the starting lineup and more offense hopefully in OG off the bench. Also it helps Walt run the point.

Can anyone give a summary of how each of the individual players are looking?

Is Fields not where we thought he would be? Everyone penciled him in as the starting point guard.

What about JS? He seems to not be playing a lot. But SZ seems to be having more of an impact that some thought.

[Bradleyfan1]

For me Im scratching my head with the Swopshire situation? He has the tools to be a great player at both ends of the floor. ????????? Redshirt maybe? Im trying not to panic because its way early.


Fields I think is going to be fine just taking it slow w/ him and his ankle but will play behind KDB who like Ive said all along SHOULD BE THE STARTING PG bring Grier off the bench but Grier needs to be on the court I like him crafty tough great from the line and hes gonna bang in some 3's for us this season!

Im not worried about Pickett, In fact I predict a big night outta him Friday.

I liked the high/ low we ran a few times.

Its definitely a work in progress but its gonna be fun!

[Da Coach]

For me Im scratching my head with the Swopshire situation? He has the tools to be a great player at both ends of the floor. ????????? Redshirt maybe?

I have heard there will be no redshirt for Swopshire.

[RaiderOfBradley]

Some Thoughts About Yesterday's Game

With a day to reflect, here's some of my observations from yesterday's game:

1) Walt was penetrating at will against WVW, but was seriously lacking when it came to shooting the ball from the perimeter. It isn't going to take long for teams to realize this and pack the lane, forcing him and other team members to take those jumpers and basically say, "If you make them, you can win." I personally would suggest that Walt not take any shot that he isn't driving to the hoop for, but those chances will get fewer and fewer until someone (anyone) steps up to take the perimeter shooting pressure off.

2) Love Jordan but, by the start of the MVC season, could see him coming off the bench rather than in a starting role. He has speed deficiencies (after two knee surgeries, to be expected) and isn't as athletic as some of the younger players on the squad. He would be a great banger off the bench but I believe his starting days may be falling behind him.

3) Tyshon needs to stay in the lane and quit trying to be a three point shooter. While an occasional jumper from 15 is good for him to take, the three pointer isn't in his arsenal. He's an excellent rebounder and inside presence (needs to convert those layups) and that's where he should be.

4) With Fields in the lineup, we have an excellent "true" point guard who is always going to look to create for his teammates. The problem with that is Walt is the PG at this point; if he is able to find his shooting touch, a backcourt of Walt and Anthony (albeit small) would be excellent.

5) Was really excited by the play of Grier, Taylor and Barnes yesterday. There were other bright spots from the young guys, but let's see what they do once the games count for real.

The crowd wasn't near 6000 yesterday (would say more like 4000) and there is some reason to have tempered optimism with this team. We will definitely learn more with that "four games in eight days" span that starts on Friday.

[Big Mike]

I agree that XT is showing some early promise and could end up getting good minutes @ the 5.....runs good and seems to stay active.....also would like to see some more of JS!

[tornado]

good call Raider..
I also like XT - he has the tools but needs to develop his skills.....
even now as a very raw freshman he gives us as much scoring and rebounding punch under the basket as even our 5th year guys

[Canton BU fan]

It's too bad Walt doesn't have any help.

Although not a point guard, in the 1980's Bradley had a player who scored about half the team's points in a season with a bunch of wins. It's probably nothing to worry about. A worse problem would be not having a "go to" guy.