How will Bradley do in 2015-16?

[Da Coach]

I think some were able to see the previous coaches were not building a successful program and not recruiting MVC caliber players way before others finally admitted that was the case. Anyone who believed the Peoria Journal Star would have been fooled into thinking we were seeing "light year or two" improvement, "stellar recruits", "defining moments" in the history of the Bradley program, and that the program was improving vastly each year, when some here could see it was clearly not happening. Now it even seems that some who were wrong, harbor resentment toward those who were right.
So be it. We are now back on the right track. Let's hope the past animosities that some had can be forgotten.

[Chico]

I think some were able to see the previous coaches were not building a successful program and not recruiting MVC caliber players way before others finally admitted that was the case. Anyone who believed the Peoria Journal Star would have been fooled into thinking we were seeing "light year or two" improvement, "stellar recruits", "defining moments" in the history of the Bradley program, and that the program was improving vastly each year, when some here could see it was clearly not happening. Now it even seems that some who were wrong, harbor resentment toward those who were right.
So be it. We are now back on the right track. Let's hope the past animosities that some had can be forgotten.

Agree. All the Urnal wanted was for the previous coach to be gone.

[AZ BU Fan]

BU's Chances Of Succeeding in 2015-16

Re BU's chances of succeeding in 2015-16:

Remember, no one gave 'Ol Hickory a chance to win either!

Just remember to pass 4 times before taking a shot, and, run the 'picket fence'
play when you need to score!

Go Braves!

PS If BU can hire an assistant coach with the name of 'Shooter', so much the better!


...

[tornado]

Agree. All the Urnal wanted was for the previous coach to be gone.

speaking of...

Dave Reynolds has had a few short columns about the new players but haven't seen any columns or blog entires from the sports editor in months.
He hasn't written a single piece on Bradley basketball since the new staff was hired.

[AZ BU Fan]

Re Reynolds lack of BU MBB stories

Given his story track record, this may actually be a good thing (fans can now exclusively look to bf.com content for current BU MBB info).

'For it is better to write nothing and have readers/fans think you are biased against current BU MBB staff, than put pen to paper and remove all doubt'.


..

[Da Coach]

Considering Kirk Wessler wrote numerous glowing, praise-filled columns predicting success after the last hiring, one can only assume he either has learned a lesson about how foolish that now looks in retrospect, or maybe he just isn't as impressed with this hiring like he was with the last one.

[tornado]

there were even glowing pieces on each of the assistant hires last go-round...
this time the assistant coaches have barely gotten a mention - doubt half the PJS staff even knows their names
..but I'm ok with the lack of coverage - it's back to the way it used to be

[tornado]

bumped this to top...anyone wanna revise their pick?

[pfcmsh]

Upcoming Season Thoughts

I think Bradley will win more MVC games than last year and have more than 9 wins on the season.

Why?
??? Coach Wardle and his assistants are better coaches.
??? Coach Wardle and his assistants are better recruiters of players with athletic ability and not just size.
??? Installing discipline will improve play and team work.
??? Coach Wardle and his assistants would have achieved more wins last season with the same team as Coach Ford.
??? Lack of experience at the MVC level will play a major role early, but this will be mitigated somewhat, as several of the kids already have had some great experience playing beyond high school competition.
??? The non-conference schedule is a tough one, but what better way to mature rapidly than against some great teams like Virginia and Arizona.
??? We won??™t be defeated by teams like Augustana.
??? This team won??™t play defeated when they fall behind.
??? The team will gel as the season goes on. They will not be bottom dwellers in the MVC.

I know I am optimistic, but to me it is not about wins and losses that measure success in total. It will about the way they play and begin to bring pride back to Bradley Basketball.

Remember, nothing could be worse than the results from the last 4 years. We are headed upward and I am looking forward to it. GO BRAVES!!!

I hope to see some of you at ITOO Hall.