Final score: Bradley 86 Missouri State 62

[BUFAN1]

I just do not get who coach chooses to play anymore. This will hurt any chances we have in winning the Tour. It just seems like he wants to punish players for whatever reason instead of going with the ones with the most talent. Nothing personal against Linke but how do play a guy at this point when he has not played much at all in his 4th season. Something seems really wrong in this program.

Yep, I give up trying to understand. Whatever Wardle, do your thing. I feel that Wardle has been a bit clocked out in this little slump. He usually never sits in the chair, but he has been in it alot lately.

[Bballjunkie]

I don't get it either but we don't know what's going on in practice and behind the scenes. linke really sets good wide screens for the shooters. He did his job last night. Good win . Need to play well Saturday against isu. They are playing well.

[LittleBrave]

I get what you mean, but at the end of the game look at his line. 5 rebounds, a block, and a steal. Is that any worse than meta or Thomas?

Linke may have played his best game as a Brave, but we are limited to only 4 guys who can score with him on the floor. He is not a scoring threat at all, so when he gets the ball guarded, you pretty much know he's gonna kick it back out. Very discouraged by our lack of consistency by the big guys this season and we NEED to find a reliable big man - probably 2 for next season, and another outside shooter to go along with Hick, Davis, and Atlason.

[LittleBrave]

I don't get it either but we don't know what's going on in practice and behind the scenes. linke really sets good wide screens for the shooters.

Not sure what Thomas did to get in Wardle's doghouse. He was playing pretty well before he got glued to the bench. I like his game.
About every season since Wardle arrived, there is a guy who we can't fathom why he doesn't get much PT.

Suggs in '17
Van Bree in '18
Pittman in '19
Not really anyone in '20 (our most complete team)
East in '21 (before our roster was depleted)
Hannah in '22
Weathers in '23
Thomas, Ellis in '24

It goes to show the work ethic and character of D Hannah to have made the most of his opportunity when he didn't see the floor much his soph season.

[bradleyfan124]

BU locker room celebration- https://twitter.com/BradleyUMBB/stat...04101094170989

I thought after the UNI game Wardle had lost the team. After seeing the video I was wrong and I am glad I was wrong

[bradleyfan124]

No, just unusual for the end of the year for a guy like that to join the rotation all of the sudden. He wasn’t bad tonight, but we will see against teams with stronger defense and inside games. I’ll be interested to see going forward how our ever changing backup post spot evolves.

Even if Thomas and him are equal, one offers long term potential and one doesn’t. I have liked the potential I’ve seen in Thomas. As is, hard to see him sticking around. Of course maybe he’s the next Hannah and goes from bench to starter in his career. I guess more than playing Linke, the not playing Thomas thing just seems odd to me.

Also, if taken at face value, Brian apparently has now asked the entire staff and the players who should play as of late. Very interesting.

Just to reiterate, tonight was great on both ends. Just thought that was an interesting development in terms of the backup post.

I like letting the team help to decide who plays. It gets each individual player to take ownership in the team

[tomahawk chop]

Also, unless Deen said something worse than it appeared, that technical seemed completely unnecessary. I think a guy can be a little fired up to no one in particular for hitting what I believe was his 8th three of the game at the time. It looked like a fairly tame reaction of Duke’s part.

Kip Kissinger is a horse sh-- ref and Duke did nothing wrong.

[Dubl R 1]

For the record, Clay was 1st team preseason All MVC, and got votes for POY.

Clay looks out of shape to me this year.

[yoda]

Not sure what Thomas did to get in Wardle's doghouse. He was playing pretty well before he got glued to the bench. I like his game.
About every season since Wardle arrived, there is a guy who we can't fathom why he doesn't get much PT.

Suggs in '17
Van Bree in '18
Pittman in '19
Not really anyone in '20 (our most complete team)
East in '21 (before our roster was depleted)
Hannah in '22
Weathers in '23
Thomas, Ellis in '24

It goes to show the work ethic and character of D Hannah to have made the most of his opportunity when he didn't see the floor much his soph season.

it has to do with what goes on in the practices & preparation - and Wardle has even confirmed so.
Since we never see practices, it's a little difficult or maybe unfair to question or criticize Wardle's judgment.
Weathers is an easy one to answer. He just didn't put in the effort, develop or earn playing time.
Check his stats now- he stepped way down and plays at Texas A&M-Commerce. There, despite 4 years of college experience,
and despite he's on a team that desperately needs anyone who can produce....his stats are worse than their walk-ons.
He's 14th on their team at 2.0ppg, 15th (last) in FG% at 23%, last among those who have made more than 1 3-pt shot (19%)

[JMM28]

Not sure what Thomas did to get in Wardle's doghouse. He was playing pretty well before he got glued to the bench. I like his game.
About every season since Wardle arrived, there is a guy who we can't fathom why he doesn't get much PT.

Suggs in '17
Van Bree in '18
Pittman in '19
Not really anyone in '20 (our most complete team)
East in '21 (before our roster was depleted)
Hannah in '22
Weathers in '23
Thomas, Ellis in '24

It goes to show the work ethic and character of D Hannah to have made the most of his opportunity when he didn't see the floor much his soph season.

That list goes to show that the guys making six figures to do this know more than us that post on a message board.

Also East was 2nd in MPG that year so not sure why he's included.

[Dub]

Also, unless Deen said something worse than it appeared, that technical seemed completely unnecessary. I think a guy can be a little fired up to no one in particular for hitting what I believe was his 8th three of the game at the time. It looked like a fairly tame reaction of Duke’s part.

Seeing all this play out in person from just a few rows back, I think there’s a chance that this T was actually the culmination of adding up a few minor/moderate instances from earlier in the game between Deen and the MSU bench. Not that you’re supposed to think that way as a ref, but that was my interpretation. Luckily it didn’t matter whatsoever bc Duke had already put them in the rear view.

[Tommy]

I thought after the UNI game Wardle had lost the team. After seeing the video I was wrong and I am glad I was wrong

I love this post. Humility is a rare and valuable character trait and you just displayed it my friend!

[Tommy]

I loved seeing Linke get some playing time and perform admirably on the floor as he’s always been a high effort guy that appears to equal that with integrity.
Also, does anyone else remember how much slack Duke was taking on this forum during our losing streak? I hope now, we can we all agree that regardless of his size, the kid can play, and is a HUGE part of what makes this team successful? If Hickman is our floor general, Duke is the heart. How lucky are we to have these two guys as our starting backcourt? I wouldn’t trade either of them for anything. They are BU!

[Da Coach]

I loved seeing Linke get some playing time and perform admirably on the floor as he’s always been a high effort guy that appears to equal that with integrity.
Also, does anyone else remember how much slack Duke was taking on this forum during our losing streak? I hope now, we can we all agree that regardless of his size, the kid can play, and is a HUGE part of what makes this team successful? If Hickman is our floor general, Duke is the heart. How lucky are we to have these two guys as our starting backcourt? I wouldn’t trade either of them for anything. They are BU!

Duke also took some "slack" when Bradley signed him. A 5'6" point guard (he's not 5'8" even with the shoes on) who shot only 33.9% from three at Troy?
But nobody is doubting him now. There are probably about 10 other MVC head coaches who would love to have him.

I'd like to see Duke get 1st team All-MVC, but the competition is really tough. SIU PG Xavier Johnson is averaging league-leading 22.8 ppg and 6.1 apg, InSU PG Isaiah Swope is averaging 17.3 ppg and 2.2 apg, Missouri State PG Alston Mason is averaging 18.1 ppg and 3.5 apg, Valpo's PG Isaiah Stafford is averaging 17.1 ppg and 2.1 apg, UIC's Isaiah Rivera is averaging 15.1 ppg, Drake's Atin Wright averages 14.2 ppg, and Bowen Born was the preseason 1st team All-MVC point guard. Plus, there are several other quality guards.

[BRAVE82]

Not sure what Thomas did to get in Wardle's doghouse. He was playing pretty well before he got glued to the bench. I like his game.
About every season since Wardle arrived, there is a guy who we can't fathom why he doesn't get much PT.

Suggs in '17
Van Bree in '18
Pittman in '19
Not really anyone in '20 (our most complete team)
East in '21 (before our roster was depleted)
Hannah in '22
Weathers in '23
Thomas, Ellis in '24

It goes to show the work ethic and character of D Hannah to have made the most of his opportunity when he didn't see the floor much his soph season.

'20 Don't forget Luqman Lundy. Got very little playing time the first half of the season but eventually became a starter. We don't make the NCAA's without him. He was fantastic late in the season. Couldn't understand why he wasn't playing mid-season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2O_Yrm7H0A