Final score: Mississippi 82 Bradley 59

[64NIT]

When BU blows out teams like Little Rock and Chicago State, it's easy to fall into the mindset that BU has a good team. Reality sets in when BU loses to teams like SDSU and Ole Miss. I agree with what has been posted on this thread that Coach Wardle needs to find some athletic juco players for next season. Finding athletic freshmen that can hit the ground running shouldn't be out of the question, either.

I think BU can avoid being a Thursday team, but it will come down to one or two games in Valley play. They are not out of the woods with regard to playing on Thursday.

[wizard1]

We need better players

This last game and the San Diego State game clearly show that we simply do not have the kind of talented players needed to compete at a higher level and in the MVC. Somehow, our recruiting must change or we are going to be mired in mediocrity for years to come! Also, our non conference schedule has to be upgraded. If other MVC programs can schedule better opponents, we should also be able to do this if our coach and AD want to. We must also play in good, hi level non-conference tournaments early in the year. Preseason attendance is also adversely affected by cupcake opponents.
Brian must change his strategy regarding JC players. While we did recruit a very few, these were really less talented players who have not really helped us. We need BIG, ATHLETIC, TALENTED players.
Our present roster consists of nice kids who play at a low MVC level and are boys among men when they go up against stronger teams. I'm afraid that this MVC season is going to be another disappointment for us.
Wizard

[Bradleyfan1]

This is not going to be a disappointing Valley season.

I still think we finish 3rd or 4th.

Whoever finds a way to win on the road will win the conference.

Other Than Tyshon Picket . I??™d take ANY Wardle recruit over anyone Geno brought in.

Who thought we??™d be one basket away from 11 and 2 headed into Valley play?

Far as the schedule goes? He scheduled winnable games. We won those . He scheduled a couple tests on the road. We failed. I bet he??™s working there tales off for the Drake game. #InWardlewerrust #Themovement

[YATittle]

???Winnable games???? Is that going to help the team be competitive? There is a huge difference between San Diego State and Missouri Science and Technology. A strong schedule should make for a stronger overall team. Again, I remember when Coach Jankovich started a season at 14-0 playing patsies, only to lose at Bradley and going 10-10 the rest of the season. Nothing is gained by a weak schedule other than false hope.

[bigjimmy]

Do we want to go back to the way it was the past few years? I don't. It's been really nice to see us win for a change. It's been nice to see us be the drillers a few times this season. How many times this decade have Bradley teams have just been unwatchable? Too many to count. Don't get me wrong. I was really disappointed with how we played against Ole Miss. We are lacking in athletic play makers but it's getting there. Each recruiting class has been more athletic than the last. We have a small margin for error but it's getting better. I'm looking forward to what the Valley season brings us.

[pfcmsh]

Do we want to go back to the way it was the past few years? I don't. It's been really nice to see us win for a change. It's been nice to see us be the drillers a few times this season. How many times this decade have Bradley teams have just been unwatchable? Too many to count. Don't get me wrong. I was really disappointed with how we played against Ole Miss. We are lacking in athletic play makers but it's getting there. Each recruiting class has been more athletic than the last. We have a small margin for error but it's getting better. I'm looking forward to what the Valley season brings us.

Well said!!

[Bradleyfan1]

As #themovement continues the winnable games should become against better teams. At this point he knew he had to get some w??™s. We have a chance of being able to be a real good defensive team. It??™s going to be a crazy year. The Valley season is here. Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dub]

As recently as 1-2 seasons ago Bradley was the cupcake patsy team that decent teams put on the schedule to guarantee a W. We would even lose to other patsys. Now we are crushing patsys and beating some decent teams. It is obvious to this Bradley fan that the scheduling is a very well calculated plan, and is on a steep upward trajectory.

If every year as Bradley continues to improve, we continue to have one of the softest schedules in the league as the Redbirds were accused of in years past, then fire away.

What these past two games have shown us is ???That you are never as good or as bad as you think you are.???

I think this loss helps Bradley. Merry Christmas.