Is Cole-Scott a Bust?

[Chico]

IMO the whole team is a bust. I'm afraid there was too much hype. Hopefully things will change when the MVC season starts.

[TheGreatOne]

I know some people think I am a Bradley apologist, but in fact, I just don't like to see some of the exaggeration, hyperbole, and inaccuracies that come up whenever Bradley loses a game. Tyrone Cole-Scott has not had great success so far, but to suggest his season is the worst in history, is silly and not accurate.

After 12 games, TCS is playing 12.7 minutes a game and averaging 3.8 ppg. Yes, he is shooting 31.6%, and 19% from 3-point. But undoubtedly you know there have been thousands of Division I players who have had worse seasons than that.

Here is a little comparison-- Bradley had a junior college guard in 2005-2006 who also did not start so well.
After 12 games (the same point in the season we are now), he averaged 10.0 minutes a game, he averaged 1.3 ppg, and he was shooting 37.5% and 0.00% from 3-point.

Those numbers are much worse than TCS's stats this year. That guard in 2005-2006 was Will Franklin. He began to get more playing time in the second half of that season, and turned into one of the key players on that Sweet 16 team. His 2nd year at Bradley he became a starter, was All-MVC, and was, IMO, the MVP of the 2006-2007 Bradley team.

I am not suggesting that Tyrone will have as successful a career as Will did, But I agree with those who say it is a little too early to write him off as a bust yet.

I only asked the question.

Please do not spin my opening remark. I did not say he was worst season in history. I said he was having a historically bad statistical season. Statistically, he is having a bad season.

You just chastised another poster for "twisting" your remarks. Please don't do so with mine either.

Either way you look at this player and situation, I would think its a disappointment. One that must be remedied quickly too

[Dallas Brave]

Cole-Scott is not a bust.

[Da Coach]

If you just meant he is having a bad season, then I agreed with you.
I did not spin your words, but I interpreted the extra word "historically" to mean that you are comparing his bad season to all the ones in history, which, as I pointed out, would be extreme.

[mrcoachdude]

It's too early in a D1 career to claim a player a "bust" IMO! He is prabaly doing what the coach's ask of him....and it seems to work in practice.....only problem is that 10,000 fans aren't at practice and it's against our D'! Remember how JJ was said to be the best player in practice (feildhouse)his 2nd and 3rd year but when the lights came on in front of the crowd for some reason JJ would rush his game just enough to miss every shot and even have trouble passing too strong and getting off the dribble! Almost forcing the action in gametime where practice it came easy.....I think TCS has the same problem.....speeding up his game putting too much pressure on himself! He is an extremely gifted athelete IMO and sooner or later it will work out for him! Right now with no other scorers stepping it up a lot of pressure is put on TCS and it shows.....but without DR on the court to settle things down there is no leadership.....it's time for JC to get it together and put force an effort I haven't seen thus far! TCS will become better......just like DC should get a chance to work through some mistakes and get a comfort level going during a game......IMO no one getws better sitting on the bench! In a perfect world CB will go to JL's house for Christmas with a few words of advice........the staff does not seem to have the team ready to play any minutes with DR off the court.....change things up to who is on the court....please!

Mike...thank you for saving me from typing....I AGREE

[TheGreatOne]

If you just meant he is having a bad season, then I agreed with you.
I did not spin your words, but I interpreted the extra word "historically" to mean that you are comparing his bad season to all the ones in history, which, as I pointed out, would be extreme.

I meant, and mean, he is having an awful season.

As I also mentioned, what concerns me more is his lack of effort and hard play in other areas as well.

I fully believe he could turn it around and start playing better. However, at this point, I think he is a big-time disappointment.

[shaunguth]

We are on the same page bufan. I think that Will Egolf was decent last night. Will E didnt have that lost look to him. But right now when Will is in the game, we dont get that much offense from him. Will had a couple of good ideas offensively last night but just didnt finish. He is a freshman and he will get better. I really want to see what Austin can do for us in a game situation. I liked some things that I saw from Austin last night in the limited time that RA was in the game.

I'll take that a step further...when Will is in the game with JC, AW, TCS, and Sam S, then we really have just two offensive threats. I couldn't believe it when I saw those guys on the floor at the same time!

[shaunguth]

I only asked the question.

Please do not spin my opening remark. I did not say he was worst season in history. I said he was having a historically bad statistical season. Statistically, he is having a bad season.

You just chastised another poster for "twisting" your remarks. Please don't do so with mine either.

Either way you look at this player and situation, I would think its a disappointment. One that must be remedied quickly too

Looking at this statement only, one would wonder just who you are talking about....TCS, Egolf, Salley, Austin, Collins?

[MacabreMob]

I'll take that a step further...when Will is in the game with JC, AW, TCS, and Sam S, then we really have just two offensive threats. I couldn't believe it when I saw those guys on the floor at the same time!

I know what you mean.....

And reflecting back... I recall seeing 2 Freshmen, 2 Jucos and a Sophomore on the floor at the same time and thought to myself... "If someone said 3 months ago we'd be getting beat at home and trying to mount a comeback against VCU with an injury to Ruff, who are the 5 in the game?".... I would NOT have said WE, SM, TW, T C-S and AW.... eesh. And I think that was not long before AW got konked in the noggin' and left for some stitches.

[CLBravesfan]

My concern with Cole-Scott is with his confident level. Once it gets down so low sometimes it is very difficult to ever get it back up. Crouch had a miserable Sophmore season as I recall, Crouch did not contribute until last year. I cannot believe Crouch's confidence was any lower than his sophomore year but he over came it and became a big contributor last year.

Can Cole-Scott do the same? Time will tell, with Ruffs injury he needs to step up. I believe he has talent to succeed but sometimes the pressure of D1 and the confidence of playing at this level do not show up with players potential.

[jasonpeoria911]

A few games ago i'd probably say TCS was a bust with his turnovers and lack of playing time. However the last couple games hes shown me Wilson style quickness to the lane but he just can't finish it. Most of his missed shots have been wild layups. He goes in the lane so quick then just throws the ball in the vicinity of the hoop hoping to draw a foul or maybe the ball go in the hoop. I'm sure he'll learn to slow down a little after some video watching but I do like his quickness to the hoop.

Jason

[BradleyBrave]

We're declaring a guy a bust after his first 12 DI games? Give me a freaking break. Haven't we learned anything from guys like JJ Tauai, Will Franklin, and Danny Adams? Haven't we learned not to write people off, declare them as busts, or say they'll never contribute? What is this fan base turning into? Of course we'd all like him to play better than he has, but come on. It's not TCS's fault people billed him as the next Will Franklin (Sr year WF, that is). It's been a tough first 12 games, but if you want to give up on him (or any of our first year players) at this point, I would say the chances of you eating crow are likely. I would say that ALL of our 1st year players need to step up their games, and maybe some need to sit the bench a little more. But I am not declaring any of them busts at this point. Ray Brown was a bust. These guys aren't busts, not yet. No way.

[Guinness]

He's just going to take a lot longer than we thought to adjust. He's fast but he makes too many mistakes. At this point I dont think he should be starting but who would replace him? We dont even play DC for what, more than 10 minutes?

[buballer82]

IMO the coaching staff is the bust of this season so far. I think Jim Les is a great recruiter but not a great coach. I think the loss of Chuck Buescher accounts for the lack of defensive intensity. Man I miss that foot stomp on the sidelines!!!! It seems like no one on the staff knows how to work with the big men to make them better, a la Al Biancalana or even Chuck Buescher. I also agree with other posts that talk about a lack of a vocal leader on the court. I'm no D1 player but I think I have more heart when playing in Winter League basketball than some of the guys are showing. I was watching the Celtics the other night and admire Kevin Garnett for how intense he is when he's on the court and how much of a leader he is to his teammates while hes in the game and even when they are smashing a team and he's vocal to the subs. I'm not saying BU is going to have someone of his caliber, I'm just saying if the team is to be successful this year in the Valley they have to have someone step up and be a vocal leader. I remember playing in a league one year recently with Ericson Beck who played and Peoria High and South Alabama. He may not have been the best player on the court but he was surely vocal. He lifted teammates spirits, gave them leadership and direction and was a coach on the court. He received a ton of respect for that. We need that at BU!!!!

[Double D]

Just a couple of thoughts as it relates to this discussion:

1. I think it is safe to say that TCS will not play the same role as Will F. If he becomes a productive player (which he still has every opportunity to do) he will make his own mark. Just as Will was not TB, TCS will not be Will F. He will be his own player.

TCS is a very explosive scorer and Will had a very steady style of play. Unfortunatley we need a "steadying" influence on the floor right now and I don't see TCS ever providing that. Last year we had 2 addditional players (DA and JJ) along with Will that were very experienced and understood where to be and what to do. They also could provide some solid shooting. At some point we need Sam M. to get there and TCS to at least minimize mistakes so he can stay on the court and give himself the opportunity to get hot.

2. I am personally commited not to make the loss of CB an issue for at least 2 seasons.

JL has earned the right not to have to listen to the "were now bad without CB grumblings." It is hard for me to believe that between JL and EB that If CB had some type of "rosetta stone" of solid defense that those two don't know the drills and understand the principle's inside and out. They are likely having ""coffee" with CB every day for heavens sake. So even if they are missing something in practice or with personel it is being discussed plenty.

The deficiencies are most likely are in the amount of reliable players and preformance. Not in coaching philosophy or practice.

I think we should put that one to bed. At least for quite some time.

3. Don't let anyone hijack a perfectly relevant thread with all this "you predicted this, you predicted that stuff."

4. Merry Chirstmas all. It is time to enjoy this wonderful holiday and move on the what we all wait for each year.

THE MVC SEASON, YEAH!