What is going on??

[wizard1]

This is pure speculation but based on what I am seeing with this team I really wonder if something very negative is going on behind the scenes either between the players or between the players(or some of the players) and the coach? Our practices are closed, the PJS doesn't seem to cover much inside stuff, the attitudes and actions of some players are totally inexplicable, and Geno & company seem very unable to turn things around. What in He-- is going on???
Wiz

[lefty]

This is pure speculation but based on what I am seeing with this team I really wonder if something very negative is going on behind the scenes either between the players or between the players(or some of the players) and the coach? Our practices are closed, the PJS doesn't seem to cover much inside stuff, the attitudes and actions of some players are totally inexplicable, and Geno & company seem very unable to turn things around. What in He-- is going on???
Wiz

I can understand why you might think that but in talking to some who have been to practices it doesn't seem to be the case

[tornado]

there obviously are issues that have been kept quiet - numerous players have been disciplined, suspended, or benched unexpectedly -
When the coach starts playing the walk ons in the middle of a game - It means something....

[bradleyfan124]

When you have a dysfunctional Administration then you more than likely will have a dysfunctional team

[Chico]

I've been a Bradley fan for longer than most on this board. I think I have been more negative about this team than I have ever been about any team or coach. That doesn't feel right. After next week's game against USF a whole new season starts with the beginning of MVC play. No more negativity publicly on this board by me. IMO, the guys are doing the best they can and I hope Geno will eventually turn things around. GO BRAVES

[wizard1]

What is Going On?

Chico.....I've been a Bradley fan for over 60 years and a season ticket holder for 44 years so while you may have been a fan longer than I, my observations and opinions are well-grounded from observing, cheering for, and loving Bradley for a very long time.
I am a true Bradley fan and will always be but.....What I see now is clearly an all-time low and is heart breaking and embarrassing.
Most maddeningly of all, the BU situation is the result of agendas, decisions, actions, inactions, and mis-direction by a small group of people, none of whom have ever attended Bradley or have been involved with Bradley more than a few years and yet who totally control the University and the Athletic Department.
I have to disagree with you that our guys are doing their best. IMO they are unfocused, without leadership, have little enthusiasm, and play as individuals rather that as a team.
I truly hope that you are right about Geno eventually turning things around but I'm beginning to feel that the situation may be getting beyond his control.
In any event, thanks for your loyalty to Bradley and let's remember that NOTHING IS FOREVER.
Wiz.

[tornado]

I hear ya wiz - several of the longest, long time fans who sit near me did NOT renew their seats...and I'll bet a few more won't next year, either...

[Big Mike]

Chico.....I've been a Bradley fan for over 60 years and a season ticket holder for 44 years so while you may have been a fan longer than I, my observations and opinions are well-grounded from observing, cheering for, and loving Bradley for a very long time.
I am a true Bradley fan and will always be but.....What I see now is clearly an all-time low and is heart breaking and embarrassing.
Most maddeningly of all, the BU situation is the result of agendas, decisions, actions, inactions, and mis-direction by a small group of people, none of whom have ever attended Bradley or have been involved with Bradley more than a few years and yet who totally control the University and the Athletic Department.
I have to disagree with you that our guys are doing their best. IMO they are unfocused, without leadership, have little enthusiasm, and play as individuals rather that as a team.
I truly hope that you are right about Geno eventually turning things around but I'm beginning to feel that the situation may be getting beyond his control.
In any event, thanks for your loyalty to Bradley and let's remember that NOTHING IS FOREVER.
Wiz.

Nice post....a lot of truth too!

[Chico]

What I'm saying Wiz is I hate being negative about something I've loved since I can remember, Bradley basketball. Not disagreeing with your observations and don't know how you thought I was. I agree with you on the decision makers on the hilltop.

[Old Coach]

I've been on the opposite side of a lot debates with you guys (Chico & Wizard), but I really appreciate the passion and honesty of your posts in this thread. We all want the same thing, but obviously differ some on how we think we can get there.

Go Braves!

[bravetime33]

I've been a Bradley fan for longer than most on this board. I think I have been more negative about this team than I have ever been about any team or coach. That doesn't feel right. After next week's game against USF a whole new season starts with the beginning of MVC play. No more negativity publicly on this board by me. IMO, the guys are doing the best they can and I hope Geno will eventually turn things around. GO BRAVES

I do not like the current slide as well This part of turning a program around
When senior leadership is questioned it impacts first year players Walt is one dimensional and teams have picked up on that and Prosser is non existant for his big man prowess
I am going to stay positive as Geno has a proven track record of coaching experience and success at the college level as this was not his first college job
I looked back at years 2 and 3 ( because I don 't think its fair to look at first year coaches) and Les's record was 28-31 13-23 in conference play for those early years of his program Now Geno is 1 game below .500 overall and 4 games below conference play in almost 1 1/2 years in comparison of the same time frame
I don remember people being so down on the program and Les after his third year as this board is now on Geno
The main difference is les had a strong AD (Ken) and attendance still was not that impacted After uall we were ONLY 7 years removed from our last championship in1996
I am not going to make judgement until Geno has all of his guys here and after a 5 year time frame After all that is when les found his first sniff of success in year 5
If Geno's performance is average after 5 years ie no championships or .500 win loss percentage I would put him on notice

[bu fan 9]

Les didn't play a lot of cup cakes.

[Da Coach]

First, I disagree that this is just all part of "turning a program around". This program was a winning program for 5 straight years until one single losing season, 2010-11 when they unexpectedly lost 2 All-MVC starters for the season. And I doubt anyone is happy with or expected us to be worse in year 3 than we were in year 2.

And I find it amazing that the only 2 players you name and pin the problems on are Walt and Prosser (more of the "blame Jim Les forever" mentality). So you are saying that even though the great majority of this team is Geno's, and that despite the leading scorers for 2 1/2 years being Jim Les players, somehow they are all to blame?
Plus now you are setting the stage to keep the JL-blame-game going by creatively accusing Walt and Prosser of poisoning the freshman and causing them to fail!?

I am not going to criticize Geno's track record. It's good, though most of his success was with players he inherited, and he never did play in an NCAA game.
But at least in Jim Les' 3rd season, the pieces were all in place for that great Sweet 16 run in year 4, and some of us could see that. Are you trying to suggest the players who will be here next year are Sweet 16 material? I guess we'll see.

And you have a short memory- there were numerous people calling for Jim Les to be fired in year 3. And even in year 4 as late as February, 2006 there were threads calling for his firing and asking for fans to list their choice of replacement coaches. Heck, Phil Theobald wanted him fired from day 1. There was never the love-fest from the PJ Star that we see now.

I am sure Geno will get 5 years, since we can't afford to pay his huge salary off early. But the way things are deteriorating with the program, attendance, and revenues, it's looking like basketball is headed the same direction baseball did.

[Biff]

I'd like to hear from those who think things are good and we are headed in the right direction:
what are the program's signature wins these last 3 years?
what teams have we beaten that we shouldn't have beaten?
what games can you point to that show we can make adjustments and turn a loss into a win?
how many come-from-behind success stories or upsets have we had?
how many times have we been successful at neutralizing other teams' best players?
who are the top recruits these last 3 years?
give specific examples you can point out showing how coaching moves have made a difference in games.
why should any of us fans keep paying to watch this?
and try to answer without blaming the previous coach.

[tornado]

well get ready Biff - because you are probably the next one those who are wearing the rose colored glasses will launch blame at...
..they blame the players, they blame the long time fans, they blame people who have been gone now 3, 4, and even 5 years!
Heck - I'm surprised nobody's blaming Mo - ..but they are blaming the "basketball gods" - LOL

The next game is a rare, desirable Saturday night HOME game against a POWER CONFERENCE opponent...
The last time that happened we drew 11,019
In 2007-08 we hosted TWO power conference opponents but neither was a Saturday night - yet we drew 10,253 for Iowa State & an all time record 11,597 for Michigan State.

if the crowd isn't at least 8,000 then someone should step forward and give an explanation...