A crazy month....

[mexicobufan]

On some of the other boards there is talk about how a promising season for Bradley next year has fallen apart over the last month. Jeremy Fear, D. Williams not getting the grades needed, Byucks (sp?) not getting the grades needed, JC's injury and one more possible bomb shell on the player side to possible come. Now you throw in the loss of two critical Ast. Coaches and you have to agree its been one heck of a ride.

The question is have we done the job needed to keep next years title run alive with the response to all these issue. Austin, Wilson and Collins have been picked up to fill the player openings and we just highered a solid JC Coach. We now have another opening with CB retiring.

I remain very positive about our chances to make a run at the tittle next year but then again I am a Bradley fan. The question I had is how does everyone else truly feel about what has happened the last month or so and do we have what it takes to keep the promise of a great year this next year alive?

[Da Coach]

I see the Braves overcoming all this, and having a great year.
22 wins again, and an NCAA season.

[mrcoachdude]

Fears could be the biggest lose, but wind up being the best thing that happened, if that makes sense. No other bombshell thing as far as I am concerned, its another we never had in the 1st place. This team has a TON of talent and the key is coming together as a team....and DRuff and JC will make sure that happens.....it will be a great season!

Stay healthy!

[houstontxbrave]

I truely believe from what some have reported the lose of Fear though he was talented, will end up having a positive effect because, it appears, his lack of buying into a team concept.

Williams, Bycks you cant miss really what you did not ever truely have. Both talented, one never knows how much a freshman would contribute and in Williams case again questionable how much he would have bought into a team concept.

The loss of the two coach will have a more negative effect on our program, LF coached the bigs and it seems CB simply gave a level of confidence to JL that he did not have prior to CB's arrival.

But this team with all the new players it is very important that this team become one and jell. It might take some time but if the players buy into what the system and the recent success of the team idea then we should be looking forward to a great ride.

[wingrider81]

CB

Mex,
I think that at times our farflung alums such as us get the
idea that things are done in a vacuum. I would think the truth
is far from that. Jim said CB made a two year committment to
the Braves and I truly believe that Chuck would only step
down when he felt the Braves were in good shape. If
Chuck thought the cupboard was bare, I really believe that
he would not have left. I believe in my heart that
CB was shopping for a replacement (for himself) the minute
he took the job. Now he is looking forward to being one of
the grand old men of Bradley. Calling up Joe or Pete or Dick
and just taking the long view now.

Houstontxbrave,
Jim does not make moves without a reason. I welcome Alvin
Brooks from ISU orange to the staff. In my years of reading
the Post Register every day, I gathered that Brooks was a
gritty player. He seemed to always score 10-16, dish out 5
or 6, make a steal or two. I felt that ISU was probably just
one Div 1 player from really contending. He had to make his
teammates better to have a chance of winning. I can't
recall complaining, whining, or finger pointing. Alvin worked
with what there was to work with.
Moving forward, Idaho (You can't help but be an all-
stater in a state that has 112 high schools and 5 classes)
produces 3 Div 1 players per year. JAL chose AJ Brooks to
recruit Texas. Is there that kind of talent down there? Is
UH so down that we can compete with them.

Thanks for any answers from anyone. Wing81

[amckillip]

First to preface, I admittedly am not always good at objectively looking at the Braves....

I really think we will finish top 2 in the Valley, honestly, 2nd to SIU. I think the loss of CB really scares me, though it sounds like the coaches we are bringing in are very good. I also think the recruits we're bringing are superb, I would have liked to nab CC but I still really like the class as a whole. I think we brought in winners, especially SamM, a lot of people are suggesting a RS for him, but I think he sounds like the kind of player who would use that as fuel, I'm excited to see him play. I think our squad of JUCO players are great additions and our returning players have got to be hungry after being a few missed baskets and free throws away from dancing. I don't know what this player bombshell is, but I think we'll be better than next year - 24 wins, 10-11 seed in the dance.

[BradleyBrave]

First to preface, I admittedly am not always good at objectively looking at the Braves....

I really think we will finish top 2 in the Valley, honestly, 2nd to SIU. I think the loss of CB really scares me, though it sounds like the coaches we are bringing in are very good. I also think the recruits we're bringing are superb, I would have liked to nab CC but I still really like the class as a whole. I think we brought in winners, especially SamM, a lot of people are suggesting a RS for him, but I think he sounds like the kind of player who would use that as fuel, I'm excited to see him play. I think are squad of JUCO players are great additions and our returning players have got to be hungry after being a few missed baskets and free throws away from dancing. I think we'll be better than next year 24 wins, 10-11 seed in the dance.

I don't think there's any chance Sam redshirts now that our guard depth is shrinking. Sam may find some spot minutes next year, especially if he continues to shoot the ball well.