Final score: Eastern Illinois 73 Bradley 66

[ihatetea]

I thought Boya looked like he needed a few games against lesser competition to get used to the speed of college, both the opponent and his teammates. He chased blocks out of zone in a way that hurt us but wouldn’t ’have hurt his team in high school. He doesn’’t have much lift at the moment, but with his height it’’s okay. He’’s laterally outstanding and showed good touch on free throws. Didn’’t show off outstanding hands or finishing ability, but outside of Bar none of our traditional bigs have finished well this year. He drew attention rolling after setting picks in a way that warped the EIU defense and made an impact immediately. For a freshman in his first game, he had a promising showing without being dominant at all. It’’s a great sign for the future in Peoria.

On a side note, I am impressed with Luuk’’s improved confidence and competence. And extremely disappointed in the passivity of Jayden. I personally believe he is hurting our team as much as anyone. The best you can say about him is he doesn’’t make mistakes in rotation on defense or coughing up turnovers. But he doesn’’t help us score, he doesn’’t make enough of an impact on defense, and he doesn’’t help us rebound. He could be a very solid back up point guard; if he were willing to shoot threes. He dribbled into an 18 foot pull up after passing up a wide open, in rhythm three. He’’s a good shooter, he needs to make the confidence leap that Luuk and Koch made this offseason. Until then I’’d rather see his minutes go to Pittman who, makes an impact on defense at least or Kennel, who likes shooting. Coach seems to yank those two for turnovers and put in Jayden and it’’s just a personal pet peeve of mine right now.

[bradleyfan124]

This was a horrible loss!! It will take along time for Bradley to make this up.

[bradleyfan124]

I thought Boya looked like he needed a few games against lesser competition to get used to the speed of college, both the opponent and his teammates. He chased blocks out of zone in a way that hurt us but wouldn’t ’have hurt his team in high school. He doesn’’t have much lift at the moment, but with his height it’’s okay. He’’s laterally outstanding and showed good touch on free throws. Didn’’t show off outstanding hands or finishing ability, but outside of Bar none of our traditional bigs have finished well this year. He drew attention rolling after setting picks in a way that warped the EIU defense and made an impact immediately. For a freshman in his first game, he had a promising showing without being dominant at all. It’’s a great sign for the future in Peoria.

On a side note, I am impressed with Luuk’’s improved confidence and competence. And extremely disappointed in the passivity of Jayden. I personally believe he is hurting our team as much as anyone. The best you can say about him is he doesn’’t make mistakes in rotation on defense or coughing up turnovers. But he doesn’’t help us score, he doesn’’t make enough of an impact on defense, and he doesn’’t help us rebound. He could be a very solid back up point guard; if he were willing to shoot threes. He dribbled into an 18 foot pull up after passing up a wide open, in rhythm three. He’’s a good shooter, he needs to make the confidence leap that Luuk and Koch made this offseason. Until then I’’d rather see his minutes go to Pittman who, makes an impact on defense at least or Kennel, who likes shooting. Coach seems to yank those two for turnovers and put in Jayden and it’’s just a personal pet peeve of mine right now.

I disagree with you about Jayden. He actually had 4 or 5 rebounds. For a point guard to get that many is a plus He is not in there to be the big scorer. You said it when you mentioned he does not hurt you and that is a plus.

[ihatetea]

I disagree with you about Jayden. He actually had 4 or 5 rebounds. For a point guard to get that many is a plus He is not in there to be the big scorer. You said it when you mentioned he does not hurt you and that is a plus.

He had 5 rebounds last night. And 9 rebounds in the other 10 games combined. I agree that not hurting is a good thing. My argument is he doesn’t help often enough. I don’t expect every player to rebound well. He is listed as the same height as DLo who rebounds very well through high effort. I wish Jayden would do more, and until he does, I’d rather see his minutes go elsewhere.

We only have 5 perimeter players that coach trusts and have shown they are deserving of trust in games. On my personal rankings of them, I have him fifth right now. Coach seems to not trust DLo or Pittman to run the point and also wants to have stretches where Brown plays off ball instead of being the point. Meaning Jayden is the only choice. I don’t like that but I don’t make any decisions for the team. To me, that is the easiest place to improve the team in the short term.

[bradleyfan124]

He had 5 rebounds last night. And 9 rebounds in the other 10 games combined. I agree that not hurting is a good thing. My argument is he doesn’t help often enough. I don’t expect every player to rebound well. He is listed as the same height as DLo who rebounds very well through high effort. I wish Jayden would do more, and until he does, I’d rather see his minutes go elsewhere.

We only have 5 perimeter players that coach trusts and have shown they are deserving of trust in games. On my personal rankings of them, I have him fifth right now. Coach seems to not trust DLo or Pittman to run the point and also wants to have stretches where Brown plays off ball instead of being the point. Meaning Jayden is the only choice. I don’t like that but I don’t make any decisions for the team. To me, that is the easiest place to improve the team in the short term.

I know what you are saying. Theoretically, a point guard is to run the offense like a quarterback not be a scorer although you see that sometimes. However, they can conflict. If he is to be the scorer he cant run the team properly. Brown is a better shooter. I think that is why the Coach moves him to the 4 spot so he can concentrate on shooting and let Jayden to run the offense

[tornado]

nobody mentioned the 6-9 recruit that was there last night...a 17-year old who played with the Senior National team last month
against 25 & 30-years olds in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. I have to think if he came all the way for a visit with his parents, he got an offer....
Hopefully we hear good news soon...

[PurpleAceFan]

I thought Boya looked like he needed a few games against lesser competition to get used to the speed of college, both the opponent and his teammates.

Your do realize they were playing Eastern Illinois right? How much lesser competition is there? I do think that Boya will be a player at some point, but yeah he is going to need some games under his belt. Hoping he is serviceable this year and ready to play next year. He's been through a lot already this year.

[Braves2006]

Your do realize they were playing Eastern Illinois right? How much lesser competition is there?

Couldn’t have said it any better Ace. This team is in trouble right now. Lots of rose colored glasses...this was supposed to “be The Arrival”.... year 4...

[Da Coach]

Your do realize they were playing Eastern Illinois right? How much lesser competition is there?

I think that every Bradley fan knows that Eastern Illinois is not Duke or Kansas. But suggesting there isn't any lower competition might be a slight exaggeration. They are nowhere near the lowest level of competition in Division I. Their RPI is 219, so there are more than 130 teams ranked lower than EIU, including a couple MVC teams. And just about every MVC team has 1 or more bad losses this season.
But yes, Bradley should have beaten them. But when a team shoots 54.2% from three, it's tough to win.

[Braves2006]

But when a team shoots 54.2% from three, it's tough to win.

There were a few garbage/desperation 3s that went in...but please...lets not use that excuse when 85% of the 3s were wide open and uncontested. That’s a cop out excuse. Any team from Duke to Georgia Southern would make those.

[ihatetea]

I was saying Boya looked like he was playing against his first college opponent. That he is behind where he should be because he missed those early games against weak opponents. But it doesn’t look like he was off because of the injury, but more because he hadn’t made the mental adjustment. In simplest terms, he was rusty. The ability is there, he just needs to “knock the rust off”

[Braves2006]

I was saying Boya looked like he was playing against his first college opponent. That he is behind where he should be because he missed those early games against weak opponents. But it doesn’t look like he was off because of the injury, but more because he hadn’t made the mental adjustment. In simplest terms, he was rusty. The ability is there, he just needs to “knock the rust off”

Absolutely. I do think think Boya will be a difference maker somewhere down the line. Certainly next year.

[bigjimmy]

First the bad news. It's just maddening how consistently inconsistent this team continues to be. Sometimes we look all world on defense and other times we look like we have no idea what we're doing. I really question the strategy late on offense in having Jayden be the shooter. The kid might be a great guy but he's your 5th option on offense. Nate and DLO both continue to really struggle and when they struggle we don't win as they are our glue guys.
Now the good news and we do have some good news. Ari Boya got a little bit of action a few games earlier than originally thought. You could certainly see he wasn't game ready but he showed enough flashes that I'm looking forward to how he progresses. Hopefully he'll use these next few games to get more up to speed and be the difference maker he's projected to be. I like the confidence that Luke has shown in his offense. We need to look for him more.
Let's face it this is who we are and have been for the last 3 years. Just got to grin and bear it I guess. But by the looks of it the rest of the MVC seems to be going through the same consistently inconsistent play that we're doing so we still have time to put it together for a run at the title. Am I a little nuts in thinking that? Probably but why not us.

[PurpleAceFan]

I was saying Boya looked like he was playing against his first college opponent. That he is behind where he should be because he missed those early games against weak opponents. But it doesn’t look like he was off because of the injury, but more because he hadn’t made the mental adjustment. In simplest terms, he was rusty. The ability is there, he just needs to “knock the rust off”

That I can agree with. I do believe he will be a player for you guys, but others who are trying to make the case that EIU is not a lesser D1 team are kidding themselves. This is not a team i would expect Bradley to be losing to in year 4 at home. I know as my Aces rebuild, if they were to lose a game like this at home in year 4, I would be pretty upset. Even losing a close game at home to Jacksonville State on Saturday by the Aces in year 1 or their rebuild was pretty disappointing, although I continue to see growth by them. Can't say I'm seeing that from Bradley.