Final WSU 69 Bradley 49

[tornado]

sure seems like we had a few more turnovers than that??¦...

I agree - I don't have to watch a replay to know there were some turnovers that got missed on both sides......
dribbling the ball on the end line, getting tied up and losing the ball on the possession arrow, and offensive fouls are turnovers but apparently don't always get counted....
Van Vleet also stepped on the endline once but he also had the ball and airballed a shot when the shot clock expired - but in the box score has just one turnover.

[Buesch N Chips]

A 20pt win is exactly what I expected. Even if though they are the #2 team in the country, I??™m not happy with that performance at HOME! I hope we can play as a team, shoot the ball better, get tougher and play better defense next year. Go BU!

I have to admit it was nice to see such a great crowd and student turnout. Except for the loss, it sort of reminded me of the old days.

I agree. Last night, and to a lesser degree the Loyola game, there was an electricity not there the other games. There were new people at the game. Don't focus on those who stopped coming, in my opinion. Focus on bringing new people in. Hopefully the mascot and better play in the future will do just that.

[tornado]

BTW - it was not mentioned but a lot of our old time players were there last night and interacted with the fans...
too bad nothing was done to introduce them or point thm out or honor them...

Mitchell Anderson, Donald Reese, Marcus Pollard, Gus Mason, and of course Joe B. McDade and a few others were there - as was David Booth.

[Buesch N Chips]

BTW - it was not mentioned but a lot of our old time players were there last night and interacted with the fans...
too bad nothing was done to introduce them or point thm out or honor them...

Mitchell Anderson, Donald Reese, Marcus Pollard, Gus Mason, and of course Joe B. McDade and a few others were there - as was David Booth.

It Surprised me that they were not introduced.

[mvcfan]

I get confused reading about Bradley's offense on this board. One minute Walt is what makes the team go, the next you talk about how selfish some guys are without stating the obvious. From the outside watching Bradley I truly believe Walt will be addition by subtraction. Not trying to take a shot at Walt but his style of play does not influence fluid offense from a team standpoint. If Sutherland can come in and be a true point I think not only will you see better offense but also BETTER QUALITY of shots. Taylor will get better. I think people forget he was a late signee for a reason. He is a project that needs to improve his IQ but was forced into action due to recruiting misses and Prosser being Prosser. You lost to the number 2 team in the nation that is 30-0. Effort was there I thought but many of the mistakes people speak of are caused by teams that are good. ISU lost at home the same way to them. Missed a lot of shots and WSU hit about every opportunity they were given. That by definition is a really good team.

[BUSongwriter]

This from an ESPN blogger today. Ouch. It's an otherwise favorable piece on the Shockers.

"And some leagues just straight up aren't having good seasons. The Missouri Valley Conference is one of them. This is part of the debate the skeptics have right: The MVC is awful this season.

Tuesday night at Bradley, there were dozens of possessions that made Wichita State look like it was playing an overseas August exhibition against 16-year-old European club trainees. An unbeaten team's 30th win has never felt more perfunctory."

When I first read it I assumed they were talking about our offensive possessions. Maybe it was both offense and defense. But geez there was a world of difference in the offensive schemes (or lack of same) out there last night.

Here's the whole piece: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebaske...t-stands-apart

[tornado]

I get confused reading about Bradley's offense on this board. One minute Walt is what makes the team go, the next you talk about how selfish some guys are without stating the obvious. ....

So why does it "confused" you to see that there are opposing opinions on a message board?
That's what makes this board the best there is....
some boards do not allow opposing opinions - or spend all their time mocking or ripping anyone who has one.

[mvcfan]

So why does it "confused" you to see that there are opposing opinions on a message board?
That's what makes this board the best there is....
some boards do not allow opposing opinions - or spend all their time mocking or ripping anyone who has one.

Not what I meant. I meant that the same people that praise Walt talk about selfishness on offense.

[basketball nut]

BTW - it was not mentioned but a lot of our old time players were there last night and interacted with the fans...
too bad nothing was done to introduce them or point thm out or honor them...

Mitchell Anderson, Donald Reese, Marcus Pollard, Gus Mason, and of course Joe B. McDade and a few others were there - as was David Booth.

Said the same thing to fans sitting around us. They always mentioned them in the past but it seems like now they are just forgotten except on the radio-seen a lot of them talking to DS @ half time

[BUSongwriter]

There is no doubt Walt Lemon is among the most talented, hard-working basketball players ever to wear the red and white. I would love to know what Dr. Glasser said to him during their long exchange on the court in the Senior Night pregame. If it was "thank you," I echo it.

But like MVCFan, there's a part of me that wonders if the fluidity of our offense will improve next year. A point guard who can score (VanVleet, Odum, Walt) is great, but I think No. 1 in the point guard job description is to bring out the best in the other players. What makes VanVleet and Odum great is they do that really well. As good as Walt is, as desperately as he wants to win and as hard as he works at it, I'm not sure that's his gift.

I admire Walt for staying with the team through the transition, and learning the point because that's what the coaching staff thought we needed. We all know he often drives the lane and throws up wild shots. But I remember many times he drove the lane, dished to an outside shooter....and??¦..Clank! Methinks Walt would be considered a lot better point guard if he had a few Ron Baker types to dish to.

[basketball nut]

I see comments about about good & bad on this team and the fact we won't have anything next year. That almost sounds like 06-07 season when everyone thought we were going to be awful but ended up winning 20+ games.
I, personaly watched way too much 1on1 last night to say we looked good-when 2 guys shoot 20 shots each and only make 25% of them then we know in a hurry why we lost. Were they the only ones the coach wanted shooting or was it because they wanted to be the stars on national tv? I don't know but then someone has to take the responsibility of letting that happen. That isn't my call but I do have my own opinion and won't state it here.
As for next year, none of us know how hard these young men will work to get better. I see potential but that never wins ballgames. For myself I'll wait to see how good we are when the 14-15 season starts but we might surprise some people-only time will tell.
Jst remember 06-07 and many on here said that a young man would be better transferring but were happy when he didn't because of his junior & senior years.

[Bradleybraves23]

Donte Thomas was at the game. He was sitting right behind the basket of the Bradley bench. Looks like a kid who could make a difference at Bradley. Very very very lengthy.

[bigjimmy]

If anyone else has a picture of any of the old Bradley mascots, please post them...

I show one every time I post.

[KMart]

Wichita State moved the ball well, shot well, and played excellent defense. Bradley was outmatched and outgunned. We all knew this could happen and it did. No shooters has killed us all year and this game was no different. The only positive I got from this game is that Barnes can score when he wants to. His shot is starting to look real nice, and hopefully with a true point guard coming in next year, he can use his shot to put up some consistent number next year. Props to Wichita and good luck in March.

I'm just wondering why we don't start playing freshmen more minutes to get them some game experience and confidence and see if they produce like Missouri State and Southern Illinois have done and are doing? I know an answer could be that the coaches have watched them practice and they haven't played well there, but a little confidence can go a long way for a young player.

With no actual size coming in as of now for next year, I'm a bit nervous about our post play next year unless they are planning on moving Barnes to the 4. And if players are leaving after this year, I'm not sure there are any quality big men who are still available who can produce at a DI level. Really hope just the whole team spends their entire summers on shooting and offensive movement. I haven't jumped off the Geno train yet. I'm hoping he can show me something next year. There was my mini random rant.

[Da Coach]

....
With no actual size coming in as of now for next year, I'm a bit nervous about our post play next year unless they are planning on moving Barnes to the 4.

You may have forgotten about Mike Shaw. He will be the primary 4 next year, and Barnes will stay at the 3. The coaches have higher priorities than another big man (shooters and PG backup), even though I agree with everything you said, and I do think another juco big man is needed.