BU Alumni Game, Sunday June 3

[shaunguth]

I also had a good time at the game today. It was great seeing the interaction between all the players from different eras! The only thing I could find wrong with the event was the size of the crowd. I expected a much bigger crowd to see this event, especially considering the ticket price! Speaking of price, it was also nice that they kept the price down to $10 for the Alumni Game t-shirts! All in all a very affordable and entertaining afternoon.

And yes....it was nice seeing A.Thompson shooting around before the game and making himself at home with the alumni players.

[BradleyBrave]

I am also all for burying any past grudges. It's great that Danny Granger was here. I hope he was invited by BU, but either way, it shows a great deal of class from the coaches and AD that he was welcomed here. Too bad this kind of event couldn't have been scheduled closer to the end of the basketball season, or in the preseason. Maybe a lot more people could have been able to attend.

I don't believe in holding grudges, but I also don't believe in acting like nothing happened. Had DG just transferred, it might not be a big deal to me. But for him to go public with his statements accusing Jim Les of racism, of being treated 'like a slave', of needing to play for a black coach (even though the coach he committed to, Jim Molinari, was white), and saying that he wanted to be closer to home (even though Albequerque was much farther from Metairie, LA than Peoria was) is not something I have forgotten. Quite frankly, I am suprised that JL/KK and Co. have been so forgiving. DG leaving wasn't the problem, the way he left was, and I personally have a hard time acting like it's no big deal. Him returning almost seems to me as if he's rubbing it in our face a bit that he can go out of his way to screw BU over, yet still walk in the building like nothing happened. It just doesn't sit well with me.

I would have been MUCH happier to hear that Jim Molinari was a part of today's events. That's a fence that I think should be mended. I don't think DG is worth anyone's time, and am disappointed that he attended today's event.

[Braves4Life]

I am also all for burying any past grudges. It's great that Danny Granger was here. I hope he was invited by BU, but either way, it shows a great deal of class from the coaches and AD that he was welcomed here. Too bad this kind of event couldn't have been scheduled closer to the end of the basketball season, or in the preseason. Maybe a lot more people could have been able to attend.

I don't believe in holding grudges, but I also don't believe in acting like nothing happened. Had DG just transferred, it might not be a big deal to me. But for him to go public with his statements accusing Jim Les of racism, of being treated 'like a slave', of needing to play for a black coach (even though the coach he committed to, Jim Molinari, was white), and saying that he wanted to be closer to home (even though Albequerque was much farther from Metairie, LA than Peoria was) is not something I have forgotten. Quite frankly, I am suprised that JL/KK and Co. have been so forgiving. DG leaving wasn't the problem, the way he left was, and I personally have a hard time acting like it's no big deal. Him returning almost seems to me as if he's rubbing it in our face a bit that he can go out of his way to screw BU over, yet still walk in the building like nothing happened. It just doesn't sit well with me.

I would have been MUCH happier to hear that Jim Molinari was a part of today's events. That's a fence that I think should be mended. I don't think DG is worth anyone's time, and am disappointed that he attended today's event.

Ditto! Well said BB

[Chico]

Thanks BradleyBrave. I think some of the posters defending Granger weren't here when he deserted the program and made his phony statements. If Jim took the time to talk with him it showed which one of the two had class.

[BUBraves06]

I don't believe in holding grudges, but I also don't believe in acting like nothing happened. Had DG just transferred, it might not be a big deal to me. But for him to go public with his statements accusing Jim Les of racism, of being treated 'like a slave', of needing to play for a black coach (even though the coach he committed to, Jim Molinari, was white), and saying that he wanted to be closer to home (even though Albequerque was much farther from Metairie, LA than Peoria was) is not something I have forgotten. Quite frankly, I am suprised that JL/KK and Co. have been so forgiving. DG leaving wasn't the problem, the way he left was, and I personally have a hard time acting like it's no big deal. Him returning almost seems to me as if he's rubbing it in our face a bit that he can go out of his way to screw BU over, yet still walk in the building like nothing happened. It just doesn't sit well with me.

I would have been MUCH happier to hear that Jim Molinari was a part of today's events. That's a fence that I think should be mended. I don't think DG is worth anyone's time, and am disappointed that he attended today's event.

I pretty much agree with your points. I too was very shocked that he had "the balls" to show up today after all that was said. I'm not sure if he was invited or not, but either way today's events were great and I'm not gonna let someone like him ruin today, but that's just me.

[Chico]

Guess I shouldn't have said he ruined the day. Seeing all the loyal ex-Braves was great.

[thefish7]

I didn't see Granger... I was around when he left, and was bothered by it. I am one to hold grudges about some things, though I guess not this kind of thing. Something happened and if Les, BU, players, etc can forgive the guy, then I'm willing to also.

I had a lot of fun, went with a couple of friends and my brother and his kids. It was a fun game to watch and fun to see a lot of players that I knew from before. Also nice to get a last shot at watching our graduated seniors from last season.

[IheartBU]

I sat very near DG. KK and JL both talked to him briefly and were gracious (as we'd expect). I was also at BU when he left, and if I were JL, I may not have been as classy.

He didn't really seem to seek out anyone until after the game, but many people wandered over to say hi or whatever. He was very blinged out, and his fiancee says they're getting married in August.

[Braves4Life]

Sometimes the best way to handle a "party-crasher" who's all "blinged-out" and is obviously trying to say "$crew you, I'm successful in spite of you guys" is to welcome them with a smile and open arms to show them that YOU are the bigger man here.

My opening line to Granger would have been "Wow, it's so great to see you. I would have NEVER expected to see you here. I'm really glad to see that you've turned things around and are doing well. If there's ANYTHING I can ever do for you please don't hesitate to call".

(Then I'd walk away thinking $screw you, punk. )

[tornado]

I didn't see Granger... I was around when he left, and was bothered by it. I am one to hold grudges about some things, though I guess not this kind of thing. Something happened and if Les, BU, players, etc can forgive the guy, then I'm willing to also.

I had a lot of fun, went with a couple of friends and my brother and his kids. It was a fun game to watch and fun to see a lot of players that I knew from before. Also nice to get a last shot at watching our graduated seniors from last season.

Precisely, as I can only interpret this as Danny wanting to be among the BU alums, and wanting to be known as an ex-Brave.

Could this even mean that with the firing of his New Mexico coach, that DG has aligned himself now with BU rather than Steve Alford?...interesting.

either way, we BU fans have a never-dying love and admiration for our ex-Braves, so I welcome Danny Granger, and hope he comes back more!!

[MacabreMob]

Thanks BradleyBrave. I think some of the posters defending Granger weren't here when he deserted the program and made his phony statements. If Jim took the time to talk with him it showed which one of the two had class.

Who are you referring to? Who was defending Granger? Just because someone didn't attack Granger, they were defending him?

Here's a recap of the comments:

Braveman
Danny Granger was there to cheer on some old buddies as well

lightsout
I was SHOCKED when Granger walked in, had no idea he would show up to something like this.

Chico
In my opinion, having Granger there ruined a great day. He deserted the team and the University. Should have brought McKay and Broussard with him.

Braveman
Did he get intorudced? How did his being there ruin anything? Only for some sour fans who can't get over it...

Chico
Just seeing him there, trying to act like he was one of the guys, was enough. you're right,to sour my stomach.

lightsout
Granger was not announced, I personally was shocked to see him there. I didnt have a problem with him being there though, I spoke with him briefly and he said he wanted to catch up with some old friends and was very nice to me.

Braveman
I am just saying- he has friends that played here- regardless of how poorly his exit was done...

I had a great time and his being there didn't bother me because I said- Oh there's DG and then I went back to watching the others...

amckillip
The only ex-braves there was DG.

MacabreMob
I am surprised he was there... but he didn't participate.

Really, it is good for BU to show themselves bigger than the situation and allow (or not care or want) DG to be there and interact with those who knew him well. Obviously wasn't a showcase of DG, so what the heck. If anything, it shows DG might even realize he made a mistake. He WAS comfortable with people at Bradley - enough to come back to an event like this. Good luck to you DG. We DO follow your path in life and we DO wish you only the best.

Mike Radigan
Although I didn't see it, I was told JL briefly talked with Granger. Classy move on Jim's part. The past is the past. I'm looking forward to the future.

MacabreMob
Exactly. Let's all move on.

BUBraves06
As others have said, I was surprised with Granger's appearence but that's in the past so I don't see a point in bringing up old grudges.

Da Coach
I am also all for burying any past grudges. It's great that Danny Granger was here. I hope he was invited by BU, but either way, it shows a great deal of class from the coaches and AD that he was welcomed here.

BradleyBrave
I don't believe in holding grudges, but I also don't believe in acting like nothing happened. Etc...

Braves4Life
Ditto! Well said BB

[dogsrus]

Everyone is entitled to have whatever opinion they want to about DG.

I like that the BU representatives like JL, KK at least showed class on the outside no matter what their personal feelings are or might be.

If they can rise above and move on so can I.

[BUBraves06]

Everyone is entitled to have whatever opinion they want to about DG.

I like that the BU representatives like JL, KK at least showed class on the outside no matter what their personal feelings are or might be.

If they can rise above and move on so can I.

Good point. There are a lot of people who have a connection to Bradley basketball whether it be fans, administration here at BU or others that have a lot of bad blood with regards to Granger, but I really respect the fact that KK and Coach Les could put that aside yesterday to welcome him back. Props to them.

With all that said, I think DG being there has led us off what we should really be talking about. Yesterday was a great day for the BU program it was awesome being around the guys and bottom line is it was Coach Stowell's birthday party. I hope that hasn't gotten lost in all this Granger talk. Coach Stowell has meant so much to this program for decades and I for one am glad there was such a great number of guys who came back. Coach enjoyed himself and to me that makes yesterday a huge success.

[catpkt]

so off the DG topic,

For those of you who were there, tell us about the game.....

[Chico]

Sorry Tornado, but like the post from amckiiiip said, the only ex-Brave there was Granger. I missed the beginning, and was wondering if they played the National Athem. If they did, does DG still hide while it's being played? Now I'm done talking about an ex-Brave. It was great seeing the recent grads and some "old timers", who I still consider Braves.