Final score: Bradley 79 Illinois State 61

[BUfan14]

I also think Leons is back....

That would be nice. With the whole starting five back and Jonovic/Hannah/Davis (Ville?)/Burch/Back up PG potentially the next five, that looks pretty good. I would still like one more shooter (I suppose Ville could fill this role for one more year if he stays, but I would still a knock down pure shooter to develop on this roster long term - that could be Davis too), and of course we need a back up point guard. Burch seems to be that slasher scoring guard we need. If we can find a point guard that is also a knock down shooter to back up Deen that'd be ideal, but maybe not realistic. Backup PG is the only huge need I see right now though for next year.

I don't know that I see Deen, Hick, Zek getting tons of upper levels interest yet without a great finish to the year, but Zek eventually may get there. Mast and Leons are the big decisions this off season, and I'd love if at least one of them comes back for one more year. Both coming back would be amazing and I think make us instant favorites for the Valley next year.

[Nashville Cat]

That would be nice. With the whole starting five back and Jonovic/Hannah/Davis (Ville?)/Burch/Back up PG potentially the next five, that looks pretty good. I would still like one more shooter (I suppose Ville could fill this role for one more year if he stays, but I would still a knock down pure shooter to develop on this roster long term - that could be Davis too), and of course we need a back up point guard. Burch seems to be that slasher scoring guard we need. If we can find a point guard that is also a knock down shooter to back up Deen that'd be ideal, but maybe not realistic. Backup PG is the only huge need I see right now though for next year.

I don't know that I see Deen, Hick, Zek getting tons of upper levels interest yet without a great finish to the year, but Zek eventually may get there. Mast and Leons are the big decisions this off season, and I'd love if at least one of them comes back for one more year. Both coming back would be amazing and I think make us instant favorites for the Valley next year.

I agree with you . Malevy is the scary one regarding portal risk because of his defense. He's almost certainly going to be DPOY in the Valley.

[NashvilleBU]

Thoughts on the game - First off, I love dragging our balls all over ISU. However, Pedon will turn around in due time.

Davis needs to swap time with Ville. Ville is a Defensive liability and if he’s not hitting shots, no point.

Our front court is the best in the league with Rienk, Leon’s, Hannah and Jason. Keep feeding Rienk and Leon’s all game.

Backcourt makes me a little nervous especially if Dean is out. Connor is solid and Zeke is fine as a backup to give Connor/Dean a rest. Pop should only get time to fill in when people are in foul trouble.

[bradleyfan124]

Thoughts on the game - First off, I love dragging our balls all over ISU. However, Pedon will turn around in due time.

Davis needs to swap time with Ville. Ville is a Defensive liability and if he’s not hitting shots, no point.

Our front court is the best in the league with Rienk, Leon’s, Hannah and Jason. Keep feeding Rienk and Leon’s all game.

Backcourt makes me a little nervous especially if Dean is out. Connor is solid and Zeke is fine as a backup to give Connor/Dean a rest. Pop should only get time to fill in when people are in foul trouble.

A good shooter does not stop shooting. I remember a game with Michael Jordan where he missed nine shots in a row. The second half he scored 26 points.

[Stryker]

A good shooter does not stop shooting. I remember a game with Michael Jordan where he missed nine shots in a row. The second half he scored 26 points.

That's one game bro. When a shooter has multiple chances to set and shoot open 3's over an entire season and still can't seem to land them at a justifiable percent...it hurts.

[basketball nut]

This team is almost to unselfish as they sometimes pass up good shots.
As for PG goes CH is improving every game and has been guarding the opposing teams best guard. He is a good shooter but doesn't look to score as so many others do it for this team. He will also improve with this year of playing PG and having the off season to work on his overall game.

[bradleyfan124]

That's one game bro. When a shooter has multiple chances to set and shoot open 3's over an entire season and still can't seem to land them at a justifiable percent...it hurts.

My point, bro.is a great player like Michael Jordan can have a bad shooting game also. You just dont top shooting as long as it is a good shot for you. Law of averages kicks in

[Tommy]

[bradleyfan124]

That's one game bro. When a shooter has multiple chances to set and shoot open 3's over an entire season and still can't seem to land them at a justifiable percent...it hurts.

As far as per cent goes Ville is shooting 34% from 3. Not sure but I think the national average is around 33%

[BUfan14]

Hickman is fine as a backup point guard for this year, but I don't think that's his best spot. He plays much better off the ball. He doesn't seem to have a ton of quickness when trapped or guarded on ball by a quicker defender. That seems to lead to turnovers from him, or having to pick up his dribble way outside the three point line. I actually like him and Zek splitting the backup duties this year because it gives different looks, but neither one is perfect in that spot, so it limits their exposure.

As far as Ville, I think he has contributed more this year as a slasher/driver making twos close to the bucket and rebounding than he has as a three point shooter. Basically he's an average shooter statistically. I've said his shot looks too flat to ever be overly consistent. The more arc, the more chance it goes in geometrically, so Ville has to shoot pretty much perfect to make it with a flatter shot. I would much rather have Deen or Zek shoot a three with the game on the line. When his foot speed is as slow as it is, it is tough to justify an average shooter getting tons of time because of the defense. I've said for a while he has never reached the heights as a shooter we thought he might freshman year, whether due to injuries or otherwise. When someone underachieves what was expected, it is hard to not view it as a disappointment even if they still contribute. To me, he is fine in the role he is in now, and no more than that. But I also believe Davis offers more long term upside and they should be splitting minutes.

Interesting 33% is average, because that meets what I envision in my mind too. About 4 or 5% more than that (37%-38%) is what I think good shooters should do, and knock down shooters are 40% plus. Some knock down shooters are a little below 40, but shoot a huge volume. I always love to have those true knock down shooters in the college game. This is a really good shooting team compared to recent years as a whole because so many guys can shoot it well, but maybe we still don't have that one true knock down guy. Zek has been pretty close to that in the conference season though. I love his shot.

[Dub]

As far as per cent goes Ville is shooting 34% from 3. Not sure but I think the national average is around 33%

What is he at for the past 10 games? What I think we are feeling isn’t a season avg thing… it’s a what have you done for me lately thing.

[Dub]

such a great dunk… it looked cooler from the opposite angle though.

cant get over how we just dominated 3 conference road games in a row. This is such a different experience from the preponderance of my years as a fan.

don’t want the team to get thinking they’re too good though. Any remaining game could be a W or an L

[Da Coach]

What is he at for the past 10 games? What I think we are feeling isn’t a season avg thing… it’s a what have you done for me lately thing.

In his last 10 games, Ville is 10-26 from three. That is 38.5%. Pretty good.
Here is his game-by-game numbers-

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/4433093/ville-tahvanainen

[LittleBrave]

Right on target, bf124. Can you imagine how tough we would be to beat if we can get consistent shooting like that from Ville for the rest of the season?

Absolutely!!!

We are making our 3's at a good clip, which is essential to beat the best of the Valley. And we haven't fallen in love with chucking from deep.
But we know we have guys capable of making them consistently!

Great to see us gelin' at the right time!

[LittleBrave]

Malevy...He's almost certainly going to be DPOY in the Valley.

I mean, what has this guy NOT done for us this year??
Whatever we need, he has given to us on both ends. And he's now playing with a LOT of confidence and attacking the rim and finishing!
What a TREMENDOUS get by Wardle and the gang.

I don't think we'd be a Top half team without his contributions to be honest. But in fairness to the other guys, they are playing very well - and so well together...lot of guys playing at a high level!