starting line up

[bu fan 9]

I think JL should change the line up what do you think?

[Da Coach]

I think we will see a different lineup on Sat.

[ER3]

OK, I agree...I think Les should start:

Patrick O'Bryant
Marcellus Sommerville
Theron Wilson
Daniel Ruffin
Jeremy Crouch


Unfortunately, with this year's squad, I don't see a lot of options that Les has...What are your ideas?
Ruffin, Crouch, and Wilson would almost have to start...
As inconsistent as he may be, Warren is still pretty much a lock as the 4th starter...
Then you have to start a big...so pick one from Salley, Collins, Singh...and there you go...pretty much what we have...

Maniscalco can't start in the backcourt with Ruff...we would be way too small...
Cole-Scott, Egolf, and Austin simply aren't capable Division I basketball players right now...they simply can't be trusted with meaningful minutes...

So I just don't see what options we really have to significantly shake up the playing time...For all of this supposed depth we had coming into the season, we suddenly appear to be pretty thin on guys that can be trusted to give us decent minutes...

[houstonbrave]

I agree we probably will see a different lineup on Sat and that will be decided in practice over the next two days but....right now I don't see anybody making a very strong case to move off the bench into the starting lineup. Collins fouls too darn much, doesn't play defense and does not rebound. Cole-Scott looked better tonight but has not shown much yet. Egolf has been absent for a while now. Sam M-I really did not see much tonight. Sam Singh ?? So, I would not be surprised to see a change but I'm not sure who is going to step up.

[buballer82]

I think my starting lineup would have to be Ruffin, Crouch, Wilson, Austin, and Collins. Just let them play. I don't particularly see things getting much better if they don't have someone step up. From all indications right now, Salley misses way too many point blank shots and Singh is only really effective against other beefy slow guys. I know we don't know much about Austin but he has the body to get after it and make some things happen. Collins needs to be in the game to make something happen around the basket. If he blows a couple assignments on D teach him to do differently. It doesn't seem to be too positive sitting him out because the opposition scores inside when hes on the bench as well.

Who's with me?.............FREE RASHAD AUSTIN!!!!!! From some trends I've seen lately it couldn't be much worse.

[bu fan 9]

I kind of like that line up.

[wantawinner]

Need a big to finish

where is the big guy dc no pt? is he in the dog house because i think thats what we need someone who dunks everytime they get the ball in the paint not miss a bunny

[jasonpeoria911]

DC doesn't need to dunk the ball, he actually makes his bunny chip shots. Hes only missed 1 or less shots in 8 of 11 games for about a 72% FG shooting. His defense can be troublesome but don't think it would of been worse than what was on the floor in tonights game.

Jason

[ph]

I'd almost like to see a 100% layup drill at the end of practice. (AT and RT defend, no fouls called) Each player that misses is kicked out of the drill. The last 5 standing are the starting lineup.

[audacious_aficionado]

I think my starting lineup would have to be Ruffin, Crouch, Wilson, Austin, and Collins. Just let them play. I don't particularly see things getting much better if they don't have someone step up. From all indications right now, Salley misses way too many point blank shots and Singh is only really effective against other beefy slow guys. I know we don't know much about Austin but he has the body to get after it and make some things happen. Collins needs to be in the game to make something happen around the basket. If he blows a couple assignments on D teach him to do differently. It doesn't seem to be too positive sitting him out because the opposition scores inside when hes on the bench as well.

Who's with me?.............FREE RASHAD AUSTIN!!!!!! From some trends I've seen lately it couldn't be much worse.

i'm certainly NOT with you. austin is not in good shape, he looks lost out on the floor, he doesn't set up plays offensively very well (screens and such), and he gets lost in screens on defense. the guy doesn't play because salley is a much better option. salley misses shots and it is frustrating but at least he does the "behind the scenes" things to set up plays offensively.

as far as collins. he's big and the game does change a little when he gets in but he too is completely lost on both ends of the floor. salley just makes things work better. he knows our offense and plays it well. i think it will just take time for him. hopefully by the end of the year both he and austin will be capable of participating in an offensive attack.

[Dallas Brave]

I still believe DC should be in the starting line up.

As to what combination of players is needed to be able to beat a Michigan State, Vanderbilt, or Butler, I put the obligation on the coaching staff to improve our inside game. This Bradley team might well win the regular season conference title and could also win the tournament in St. Louis. But, we will get thumped in a first round NCAA game unless we develop DC and RA. This team's strength is its guard play, but it will never reach its full potential until an inside game is established and becomes a legitimate part of our offense.

If I was JL, I would use the semester break to conduct 2-3 hour daily mini-camps for our big men and also adjust the offensive scheme. A lot of people observed that Bradley's D was horrible in the 2nd half of the Butler game. I think it was a result of Butler exploiting Bradley's short lineup ... Butler got several layups and short jumpers due to player mismatches and then drained the open 3 when Bradley's D collapsed to the middle to offset its lack of height. I like this team's heart and hustle, but I haven't seen much development since watching them in person in South Padre.

After the game, I visted with an old friend who was a very successful D1 guard in the early 80's and is now a Butler season ticket holder. His first comment was what an ugly game it was ... and I don't think he was referring to the Bulldogs.

There are a lot of good players on our team and we have a great coaching staff, but somehow, someway the pieces are not coming together when we have a game against a top-notch opponent.

[Beninator]

I still believe DC should be in the starting line up.

As to what combination of players is needed to be able to beat a Michigan State, Vanderbilt, or Butler, I put the obligation on the coaching staff to improve our inside game. This Bradley team might well win the regular season conference title and could also win the tournament in St. Louis. But, we will get thumped in a first round NCAA game unless we develop DC and RA. This team's strength is its guard play, but it will never reach its full potential until an inside game is established and becomes a legitimate part of our offense.

If I was JL, I would use the semester break to conduct 2-3 hour daily mini-camps for our big men and also adjust the offensive scheme. A lot of people observed that Bradley's D was horrible in the 2nd half of the Butler game. I think it was a result of Butler exploiting Bradley's short lineup ... Butler got several layups and short jumpers due to player mismatches and then drained the open 3 when Bradley's D collapsed to the middle to offset its lack of height. I like this team's heart and hustle, but I haven't seen much development since watching them in person in South Padre.

After the game, I visted with an old friend who was a very successful D1 guard in the early 80's and is now a Butler season ticket holder. His first comment was what an ugly game it was ... and I don't think he was referring to the Bulldogs.

There are a lot of good players on our team and we have a great coaching staff, but somehow, someway the pieces are not coming together when we have a game against a top-notch opponent.

Nice post Dallas... I also think that DC needs to be in the starting lineup. Maybe during those mini-camps we can use an Izzo drill and get some guys in football gear and just hit the h*** out of our inside guys for rebound and inside scoring drills. Seems to work nicely for MSU. If JL needs a 6'5-6'6 alumni volunteer for this, I will gladly clear my schedule!

[BradleyBrave]

The only change I would make would be DC in the starting lineup, but that's been a given since about week 1 of the season. Unfortunately, I don't see it happening anytime soon.

[BuBraves55]

how about more cole-scott and less maniscalco!

[BradleyBrave]

how about more cole-scott and less maniscalco!

Why? There are very, very few things that TCS does better than Sam at this point.