Final score: Bradley 66 Evansville 53

[bradleyfan124]

I think Coach has figured out what hurts us on the road. He continually addresses the 6-12 minute “lull” and how it is too long. It happened again tonight. We jumped out 14-2 and then by the under 12 timeout they were within 5. I agree that he has to own it. I think, knowing that he has figured it out, he will. I think, once this lull hits, and we are missing shots in the offense, like we do, maybe running some sets instead of just trying to shoot ourselves out of the lull would be effective. We were able to maintain at home, but the ISU game is a prime example. We couldn’t shoot ourselves out of a paper bag in that game.

This "road problem" has been around for years and not just by Bradley. I remember reading a story years ago about a coach ( who I don't remember the name) had a team that had road problems. He spent the better half of a practice telling his players that the size of the court, the size of the basketball, height of the basket, space between freethrow lines are all the same no matter where you go.. Lol!!!

[lefty]

I thought I read somewhere that home teams in the MVC have won 81% of their conference games this year......I think this was before last night..

So we are not the only team who struggles on the road

[Da Coach]

Here is one team that is winning big on the road-

http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=198921

The Bradley women lead at Evansville 108-50 with 4 minutes left in their game today.
Bradley is playing their deepest subs, and still pulling away. Nice to see the BU women play well, but I am going to go out on a limb and guess that Evansville isn't very good.
The BU women will go to 10-8, and 4-3 in the MVC. They have not had a winning season since Paula Buscher's final season (2011-12), and they haven't had a wining MVC record since 2009-10. Go Braves!

[Da Coach]

Final score-
Bradley women 117 - Evansville women 59

http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=198921

15 BU players played, and 13 different Braves players scored. Bradley outrebounded Evansville 48-23, and the Braves had 34 assists, and shot 64.4% overall, and 65.4% from three

[tornado]

Evansville isn't good, but this really has to be a confidence-booster

[AZ BU Fan]

Perspective!

BU sure has been Up Up Up and Down Down Down so far this year in the MVC.

This has most all of us pulling our hair out and putting heat on the program and its coaching staff (including me)

BUT, perhaps perspective is in order.....

BU is 4-4 in the MVC T-3
BU is 14-7 overall
BU wins at home

Given where the program has been, this is a big step forward.

The tale of the tape for BU/Wardle will be his 2018 recruiting class.
Got to keep improving talent. He has to get more top MVC talent players here.

If we don't currently have room on the roster, time to let go scholarship players on the current roster who aren't top MVC talent.

[Vent]

BU sure has been Up Up Up and Down Down Down so far this year in the MVC.

This has most all of us pulling our hair out and putting heat on the program and its coaching staff (including me)

BUT, perhaps perspective is in order.....

BU is 4-4 in the MVC T-3
BU is 14-7 overall
BU wins at home

Given where the program has been, this is a big step forward.

The tale of the tape for BU/Wardle will be his 2018 recruiting class.
Got to keep improving talent. He has to get more top MVC talent players here.

If we don't currently have room on the roster, time to let go scholarship players on the current roster who aren't top MVC talent.

I agree. We need two impact players for next year. The needs we had when Wardle took over are needs that still need filled. Maybe we need an assistant with strong recruiting ties to the Chicagoland area.

[tornado]

Interesting comparison- things still going to change but UNI is the biggest shock

MVC Standings:
Preseason ......... Current
MSU................. Loyola 6-2
UNI ................. Drake 6-2
Loyola............... MSU 5-3
ISU................... InSU 5-3
SIU................... Bradley 4-4
Valpo................. SIU 4-4
Bradley.............. ISU 4-4
InSU ................. Evansville 2-6
Evansville .......... Valpo 2-6
Drake................. UNI 2-6

[bigjimmy]

10 games left in Valley play. 5 Home games and 5 road games. 3 of the next 4 are at home so we need to keep protecting our home court. If we win out at home I think winning just 1 on the road will get us a top 6 finish. No guarantee we can do either but if we can keep up with the same effort we've been getting at home and if we can figure out how to bring that mentality on the road it can happen.

[Dub]

This team has a fighters chance for a 20 win season in a tough Valley year... which would mark a good progression step in this rebuild.

I agree with those of you who feel that landing recruits of ever-higher caliber is so key for this program.

[Da Coach]

This team has a fighters chance for a 20 win season in a tough Valley year... which would mark a good progression step in this rebuild.

I agree with those of you who feel that landing recruits of ever-higher caliber is so key for this program.

I agree.
Even if they fall just short of the 20-win goal, they'll get a chance to win another one or more in the MVC Tournament.
Plus, I'd like to see them play in a post-season tournament, even if they don't make the NCAA or NIT.
I know there are a lot of people who are not fans of the CBI, CIT, & Vegas Tournament, and I am not a real big fan either. But in certain circumstances like this rebuilding and relatively young team, and a loyal fan base that is starved for success and has seen only a single post-season appearance in the last 9 years (the CIT tournament in 2013), I think it would be a good thing for both players and fans.

[BUfan39]

I agree.
Even if they fall just short of the 20-win goal, they'll get a chance to win another one or more in the MVC Tournament.
Plus, I'd like to see them play in a post-season tournament, even if they don't make the NCAA or NIT.
I know there are a lot of people who are not fans of the CBI, CIT, & Vegas Tournament, and I am not a real big fan either. But in certain circumstances like this rebuilding and relatively young team, and a loyal fan base that is starved for success and has seen only a single post-season appearance in the last 9 years (the CIT tournament in 2013), I think it would be a good thing for both players and fans.

I agree 100%. This is the kind of team that needs to play in a postseason tournament. In my opinion this is what those tournaments (CBI and CIT) are for. It would be fun for the fan base after many years of disappointment but even more important for the current group to get more experience in high pressure situations. I would expect us to accept a bid as we are well on our way with 14 total wins.

[pfcmsh]

I agree 100%. This is the kind of team that needs to play in a postseason tournament. In my opinion this is what those tournaments (CBI and CIT) are for. It would be fun for the fan base after many years of disappointment but even more important for the current group to get more experience in high pressure situations. I would expect us to accept a bid as we are well on our way with 14 total wins.

Yes. I agree too. I am going to be looking for the solution to the road game lows. I know Coach is going to implement something. Maybe it will be the set plays. I did educate myself a little on the set play thing that someone had mentioned for the solution to the road game lulls we have.

[Da Coach]

Watch for set plays out of time-outs, or when Missouri State tries to go to a zone defense against Bradley. That is when Bradley usually tries some kind of set play. MSU Head Coach Paul Lusk likes to play a bit more zone than many of the MVC coaches, even though he came out of the Gene Keady/Matt Painter coaching tree at Purdue where they played almost exclusively man-to-man defense.

Against man-to-man, Bradley almost always stays in a pattern motion offense using high ball screens.