A Tale of Two Teams...

[peoriakid]

I just finished watching the game online. After watching Bradley about 5 times this year, it seems like they can be two different teams. The good team (2nd half against Vandy, 2nd half today) amd the bad team (1st half today, whole game against UIC).

If the good team shows up for a whole game, I honestly think they can play with teams like Michigan State, if the bad team shows up for a whole game, they can lose to a team like UIC. If they split halves like they did tonight, they will squeek out wins against poor valley teams, but theyre going to lose a lot of conference games.

I really hope they can get to a point where they can play a full strong game before conference play starts.

[Da Coach]

I can't figure it out either. They continue to come out flat, and fall behind early. Hopefully they will get that fixed!

[TRIMAN]

I hope it's just all the new players on the team (and I don't know why DC doesn't play more...). If it doesn't get better, we may have to turn into the DR, JC, and AW show to beat people.

[jasonpeoria911]

I'm curious if it has to do more with the coaching and BU's scouting of other teams. It seems like in the first half, Bradley consistently turns the ball over and falls behind on the D like they aren't familiar with the other teams strengths. Then magically in the 2nd half, Bradley just dominates. It's like they go in at halftime and suddenly they know the other team. I think Bradley would of been fine tonight if they wouldn't of shot 30% in the first half but the TO's killed them. Overall, it would of been a 40+ point win if it was a solid game both halves. Plus this was a road game so have to cut em some slack on only the 7th game of the season.

Jason

[Guinness]

Alright. I'll lay the truth out there. You see. They're all so talented that if they came out full force right out of the gate it would be a blowout and they would get bored and eventually lazy.

So here's what they do, ok?

They intentionally sabotage their first half to give themselves a little bit of a challenge. When they lose its because they have to keep it somewhat realistic.



.....i tried....

[mexicobufan]

I can tell you this much, this starting five has fallen behind against Vandy by 8 and the Ramblers by 9 before scoring. I wouldnt start with these five guys next game if for no other reason than to make a point. For some reason this group is not ready to go at the first of the game and I would find a starting five that can out come ready to play.

Also at this point of the season I would like to see more of the following group on the floor at the same time.

Ruff
Crouch
Collins
Egolf
Wilson


Lastely, what does Collins have to do to get more minutes, he came in last night changed the game with his play and was gone in 2 minutes? One time he got in he had a slam dunk and then came down on defense, altered a shot and dove on the floor to get us a possession and was quickly pulled from the game. This kid should be averaging about 25 minutes a game. And by the way he doesnt look winded to me....

[basketball nut]

I can tell you this much, this starting five has fallen behind against Vandy by 8 and the Ramblers by 9 before scoring. I wouldnt start with these five guys next game if for no other reason than to make a point. For some reason this group is not ready to go at the first of the game and I would find a starting five that can out come ready to play.

Also at this point of the season I would like to see more of the following group on the floor at the same time.

Ruff
Crouch
Collins
Egolf
Wilson


Lastely, what does Collins have to do to get more minutes, he came in last night changed the game with his play and was gone in 2 minutes? One time he got in he had a slam dunk and then came down on defense, altered a shot and dove on the floor to get us a possession and was quickly pulled from the game. This kid should be averaging about 25 minutes a game. And by the way he doesnt look winded to me....

I must be watching a different player then some of you are. I see the "above" DC but I also see the DC that has caused both DR & JC to increase their turnovers by about 2 or 3 a game each. He has no hands and is out of position defensively about as much as he is in the right position. I watched everything you stated but at the same time I also saw 2 or 3 baskets scored that he should have altered or even blocked the shots but was way out of position. Egolf, on the other hand, would be a great fit in the middle w/ his jumping ability but he also plays out of position defensively a lot. They are both getting a lot better and will see more time as the season goes along but until they can stay home on the defensive end and DC can start to catch the passes that come his way the are both playing about the right amount of minutes.

[houstontxbrave]

I must be watching a different player then some of you are. I see the "above" DC but I also see the DC that has caused both DR & JC to increase their turnovers by about 2 or 3 a game each. He has no hands and is out of position defensively about as much as he is in the right position. I watched everything you stated but at the same time I also saw 2 or 3 baskets scored that he should have altered or even blocked the shots but was way out of position. Egolf, on the other hand, would be a great fit in the middle w/ his jumping ability but he also plays out of position defensively a lot. They are both getting a lot better and will see more time as the season goes along but until they can stay home on the defensive end and DC can start to catch the passes that come his way the are both playing about the right amount of minutes.

I agree Nut, there is a reason why JL plays Salley, and I am sure it has nothing to do with Salleys summer or his mental state. It has to do with that JL trusts Matt to do the things he wants to have done. As DC improves his awareness on the court his minutes will increase as will Egolfs but Salleys wont diminish that much, he will still play and as DC plays more I think Salleys contributions will be more efficent.

It will be really nice in about a month to 6 weeks to be able to play DC 20 minutes, Egolf 10 Salley 15-20... I said at the begining of the season I would like 20 points and 10 boards from the 5 every night. Right now we are getting from DC, MS, SS and WE 18.3 pp, 13.2 rebounds per game in but they have committed 37 Turnovers with 30 of those from Salley and Collins.

[TheHeemyMonster]

I must be watching a different player then some of you are. I see the "above" DC but I also see the DC that has caused both DR & JC to increase their turnovers by about 2 or 3 a game each. He has no hands and is out of position defensively about as much as he is in the right position. I watched everything you stated but at the same time I also saw 2 or 3 baskets scored that he should have altered or even blocked the shots but was way out of position. Egolf, on the other hand, would be a great fit in the middle w/ his jumping ability but he also plays out of position defensively a lot. They are both getting a lot better and will see more time as the season goes along but until they can stay home on the defensive end and DC can start to catch the passes that come his way the are both playing about the right amount of minutes.

tell me why then that DC's number per 40 mins are waaay better than Salleys??
I am too lazy to do the number but DC is averaging 6.6 ppg and 4.7 rpg while Salley is averaging 4.7 ppg and 4.4 rpg. Salley is averaging just over 9 more mins per game more than Collins. Doesnt make much sense to me

[Les is More]

tell me why then that DC's number per 40 mins are waaay better than Salleys??
I am too lazy to do the number but DC is averaging 6.6 ppg and 4.7 rpg while Salley is averaging 4.7 ppg and 4.4 rpg. Salley is averaging just over 9 more mins per game more than Collins. Doesnt make much sense to me

I agree Heemy. Collins was impressive last night. Salley just doesnt seem to have the heart or desire. I dunno. I like Salley alot, but sometimes I question what he is doing out there...

[mrcoachdude]

Heart or desire? I disagree.......he was battling last night and he really got up on some blocks and helped out a ton on "D"......

He is fine and is a solid contributor on both ends of the floor....

[edmondo15]

Stats are great and all but do those "production per 40 minute" numbers account for experience at the D1 level, blown defensive assignments or remembering/executing plays called from the bench? DC has a very bright future, but I'll take experience every time. Salley has played a year in this system, knows what Coach Les expects and won't go through the typical mental lapses that most first year D1 players occur. As the season rolls on expect to see DC's minutes increase as JL gets more comfortable with him and he gets more comfortable with the system.

[TheHeemyMonster]

at the begining of the season I would have agreed with you about giving salley all of his minutes, he will be fine, he is experienced, dc needs to develop, blah blah blah....

however after 7 games salley looks worse than last year and collins is producing. I think collins does a lot more than people might give him credit for just by being on the floor. I dont see as many people going to the basket when he is in the game, and when they do DC usually makes them change their shot.

i am not seeing salleys experience helping him in catching and holding on to the ball, making shots, and getting boards like DC is

[edmondo15]

While the general public can judge a player based on 15-30 minutes played in a game, let us not forget that the coaches get to judge each player based on 10-12 hours of practice each week. If DC could clearly contribute more on both sides of the floor than MS at this time then he would be getting the minutes. Why would JL sit out his best chance to win the basketball game if he is, as you say?

[Braveman]

at the begining of the season I would have agreed with you about giving salley all of his minutes, he will be fine, he is experienced, dc needs to develop, blah blah blah....

however after 7 games salley looks worse than last year and collins is producing. I think collins does a lot more than people might give him credit for just by being on the floor. I dont see as many people going to the basket when he is in the game, and when they do DC usually makes them change their shot.

i am not seeing salleys experience helping him in catching and holding on to the ball, making shots, and getting boards like DC is

I would argue that Salley is playing at same or slightly higher level this year...

2006- 39%FG 50% 3pt 47% FT 3.8 reb 19 mins ??“ 7to??™s (97 team) (After 7 games)

2007- 47% FG 0% 3pt 50%FT 4.4 reb 21.5 minutes 15 to's (132 team)

So field goal percantage is better, he hasn't shot any threes, FT % is better, more rebounds...