The Calm Before the Season

[Dallas Brave]

As I await the start of this year's basketball season, my disposition is totally different from that of the last few years. Two years ago, the focus was on JL and if he was the right guy. Last year, there was much ado about life after POB. This year ... a calm, confident mood seems to pervade within the pre-season pundits (or am I misreading the tea leaves?). Is the house finally in order?

For me, I attribute my attitude to knowing that DR is at the helm. There is a ton of talent on this team -- well-balanced between last year players and newcomers. Since it all comes together through guard play, knowing that DR is manning the point is a comforting factor.

[real fan]

I keep hearing good reports about the players from numerous people that I trust as far as judgement ; I can:t wait to see the new players perform in person and I believe the biggest problem we had last season was the lack of size which has been taken care of so I for one am looking to challenge Siu for the championship this season.

[squirrel]

Call me an old fuddy-duddy but I cringe whenever I hear how good things look in practice. If you look good in practice, something's wrong. You're not working on things that need to get better.

Game situations are the best way to gauge where you're at.

[tornado]

But isn't it good that there are NO new injury reports yet?
Usually by now there are some groin pulls and ankle sprains, and maybe even something serious.

[Da Coach]

I believe the biggest problem we had last season was the lack of size which has been taken care of so I for one am looking to challenge Siu for the championship this season.

You are right, lack of size, and lack of depth cost Bradley several games last yeat. When Zach was in foul trouble, and he was in almost every game, and had to sit out, we couldn't defend bigger opponents.

If Bradley had one more quality inside defender, IMO, Bradley would have won most, if not all these games:
against Illinois, Tennessee-Tech, the home games against UNI and Creighton, and the games against SIU at Carbondale, and in St. Louis.

[ph]

Coaching has been a concern for so many years (even pre-Les), that it seems half of a fan's worries are now gone.
Add in some great experience and a ton of potential with the new recruits, and there is very little to worry about. (It seems potential means more to fans of any sport)

[it's boogie time]

There seems to be a system in place and as the first post pointed out, a guy to run the system.

The potential depth is nice to have back on the roster.

[Big Mike]

Hey at least we have some big bodies now........this is really exciting.....the guards never seem to be a concern under this staff!

[real fan]

Shooting the ball has never seemed to be a problem with coach Les"s teams; and if we just had one more big body inside to defend and rebound last season we could have won at least 5 more games; I like the types of players coach has brought in as he has many options available this season.

[MacabreMob]

Call me an old fuddy-duddy but I cringe whenever I hear how good things look in practice. If you look good in practice, something's wrong. You're not working on things that need to get better.

Game situations are the best way to gauge where you're at.

Yea... too bad Bradley didn't take a trip to Canada this year like the Illini so we all could guage where we are at.

By the way, what is the 'spin' coming from Illini Nation regarding their 'game situations'?

[squirrel]

I honestly couldn't tell you what Illini fans are saying about their Canadian trip. I imagine it's no different than what was said about Bradley after theirs several years ago.

[MacabreMob]

I honestly couldn't tell you what Illini fans are saying about their Canadian trip. I imagine it's no different than what was said about Bradley after theirs several years ago.

Sure you can Squirrel... they're talking about Michigan football losing to App St.

[shaunguth]

Can we can a sticky on the Red/White countdown?