BU at Drake Tuesday 2/19 7:35 pm

[Da Coach]

Bradley (15-12, 8-7, RPI 103) plays at Drake (23-2, 14-1, RPI 10) at 7:35 pm Tuesday night. The game is televised by the MVC Network, and will be on Comcast Chicago (cable channel 56 in Peoria), and on FoxSportsMidwest (cable channel 57 in Peoria).

Links:
MVC standings--
http://www.mvc-sports.com/standings/...EM_ID=7600&KEY=

RPI-

http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_mvc_Men.html

Drake basketball website--
http://www.godrakebulldogs.com/Sport...21&SPSID=71122


Roster--
http://www.godrakebulldogs.com/Sport...21&SPSID=71123


Schedule and results--
http://www.godrakebulldogs.com/Sport...21&SPSID=71124


Bradley stats--
http://www.bubraves.com/ViewArticle....ATCLID=1309880


Drake stats--
http://www.godrakebulldogs.com/fls/1...7/teamcume.htm

Drake fan message board--
http://www.drakenation.com/Forum8-1.aspx

Bradley discussion--
http://www.drakenation.com/Topic19279-8-1.aspx

[BU Firsty]

Very classy comments regarding the Bradley-Drake game on their site. I am really happy for Drake and the success they are having this year. Of course, I want to beat them Tuesday, but the Drake season is a wonderful story.

[Da Coach]

I agree. I still don't think there is any way to explain how a team that finished 1 game out of last place last year, lost their head coach, and lost 4 starters, had no new players contribute significantly, and played almost entirely with the one remaining starter plus last year's reserves, and yet they have gone 23-2 . It defies explanation, but it's a great story.

[Chico]

When I used to go to a lot of road games, Drake was always one our favorites. Their fans were friendly to opposing teams and fans. Happy for them this year. But, go Braves beat Bulldogs.

[BUBraves06]

I know they are having a great season and all, but we really need this one and I wanna go in there and put a damper on their conference title celebrations.

My biggest worry is how we are going to adapt as a team with Andrew being out. I'm assuming there will only be two practices, plus a gameday walk through for the guys to get accomponied to him not being in the lineup. I feel bad saying it because he's been so good this year, but Sam is really going to have to step up his game big time. TCS needs to contribute more too.

[jasonpeoria911]

Have to give Drakes coach a lot of credit. He obviously saw something in last years bench players and just like in the pros, a change of scenery/coaches can be like night and day. We'll see what happens when there without Young for a whole season though.

Jason

[jasonpeoria911]

I know our guards need rest and that's TCS's job but I wouldn't mind seeing a good 5-10 minutes of TCS, SM and Ruffin on the court at the same time. Those 3 alone can get great penetration for high percentage shots, combine that with Wilson on the floor and Drake could be in for some fits in the post. Course that probably won't happen and we'll be jacking up 3's every other possession but I won't mind as long as there going in.

Jason

I know they are having a great season and all, but we really need this one and I wanna go in there and put a damper on their conference title celebrations.

My biggest worry is how we are going to adapt as a team with Andrew being out. I'm assuming there will only be two practices, plus a gameday walk through for the guys to get accomponied to him not being in the lineup. I feel bad saying it because he's been so good this year, but Sam is really going to have to step up his game big time. TCS needs to contribute more too.

[mexicobufan]

I would love to see a starting five of..........Ruffin, Crouch, Wilson, Salley and Austin........TCS and the two Sams are going to have to get about 20 minutes each. If Collins could give us 5 minutes that would help. I dont think Will will be ready to play?

[thefish7]

I would also like to see mexicobufan's lineup come out on the floor, and Jason's slash package sounds like a nice lineup to throw at them at some point too. I'm a bit concerned about defense if we have three 6' guards out there at the same time though.

[BUBraves06]

I would love to see a starting five of..........Ruffin, Crouch, Wilson, Salley and Austin........TCS and the two Sams are going to have to get about 20 minutes each. If Collins could give us 5 minutes that would help. I dont think Will will be ready to play?

That's correct, Will is still out.

[real fan]

It sounds like the starters are going to be;
Ruffin
Maniscalco
Crouch
Wilson
Salley
The major problem I have with this lineup is 2 point guards trying to rebound and defend much larger players plus we don"t want to wear down our guards by playing them too many minutes ; Maniscalco deserves to start but I believe he is more valuable coming off the bench; I would rather start Austin because our bigs are going to have to give us more minutes and Cole-Scott it is time for you to show everybody that you are a lot better player then you have shown so far.

[tornado]

There were times BU played Saturday with both Austin and Salley in, and other times when Austin, Salley, and Wilson were on the floor, meaning BU was going with only two true guards a some points, and 3 at others.

I think it is possible we'll see Austin, Cole-Scott, and Maniscalco pick up Andrew's minutes.

[ph]

It sounds like the starters are going to be;
Ruffin
Maniscalco
Crouch
Wilson
Salley
The major problem I have with this lineup is 2 point guards trying to rebound and defend much larger players plus we don"t want to wear down our guards by playing them too many minutes ; Maniscalco deserves to start but I believe he is more valuable coming off the bench; I would rather start Austin because our bigs are going to have to give us more minutes and Cole-Scott it is time for you to show everybody that you are a lot better player then you have shown so far.

Just need Salley to keep rebounding well. It actually seemed that most of his boards were behind the other team. Did Salley finally learn that if you "push" the guy with better position closer to under the basket, he gets a better board chance?

[Da Coach]

Just out- Bradley-Drake game notes from BUBraves.com--

http://www.bubraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=25965&SPID=1498&DB_OEM_ID=3400&ATCLID=1392091

[thefish7]

I have this feeling that TCS might just pick up the torch. I don't know why I have this feeling, maybe it's just a grasp for good news with Warren going down. I thought he played a decent few minutes the other day, and Ruffin giving him that 3 pointer, I dunno, I just thought he put the ball up with confidence.