Career or Season Highs against us

[Lakeview Brave]

Each of these players scored above thier season average against us. Most had thier season high and some had thier career high. All of these were losses for us. I am a little worried about next year with our best and maybe second best defensive guards leaving. In addtion to Salley who by all accounts is our best defensive big man.

Josh Mayo 34

S Foster 22

AJ Graves 21

Eric Maynor 30

Deven Mitchell 25

Gal Mekel 19

O Eldridge 24

Gabe Moore 27

Cavell Witter 42

[BradleyBrave]

Well, most of those guys are guards. I think Ruffin's defense is a bit overrated, as evidenced by these guards going off for what they have. JC's weakness is defense too. I am not too concerned about post defense, because while Salley is our best post defender, he really isn't that good. I think a 6'10" long and athletic Anthony Thompson will be able to make up for what he gives us defensively. There aren't many post threats in the league either, so that doesn't really concern me. As I said in a post on ValleyTalk, I think we'll be good next year, we just may have to play a little slower and a little more under control without Ruffin at the point. He's a big loss, no doubt. But not one that's insurmountable. Maniscalco, Warren, and Dunson will be as collectively talented as any 3 guards we face in league play next year IMO. But, we all know talent doesn't always equal wins.

[Braveman]

I agree that stat is annoying, but also remember that several of them are standout players, so it isn't exactly like a scrub off the bench lit us up...

[Big Mike]

well you could also say DR and JC had career nights too!

[BradleyBrave]

well you could also say DR and JC had career nights too!

Yes, but JC and DR don't average 17 mpg and 8 ppg. JC and DR also didn't go scoreless against the Braves in their first meeting.

[it's boogie time]

Bradley needs a shot blocker. Too many guards take the ball to the basket knowing that their shot isn't going to get rejected and they won't get call for a charge.

[Lakeview Brave]

Bradley needs a shot blocker. Too many guards take the ball to the basket knowing that their shot isn't going to get rejected and they won't get call for a charge.

That is a great point. Hopefully AT will be a shot blocker next year.

[BUBraves06]

Bradley needs a shot blocker. Too many guards take the ball to the basket knowing that their shot isn't going to get rejected and they won't get call for a charge.

That's what I said last night. I know it probably would have hurt/slowed down our offense, but with DC in the paint last night Whitter doesn't get nearly as many layups. We needed a post presence last night that would alter Creighton's shots, like DC. It's a shame that David's lack of development is so severe that he can't even come in after two of our other bigs have fouled out.

[ph]

Much like the Bears (NFL) we have more of an opportunistic defense (try to get a steal)than a Stop a possession, get a bad shot, low scoring (SIU) defense.

Plus, Jim seems too willing to let a poor offensive player get many shots, "'cause the averages should be in our favor"

[BradleyBrave]

Bradley needs a shot blocker. Too many guards take the ball to the basket knowing that their shot isn't going to get rejected and they won't get call for a charge.

Agreed, but our porous perimeter defense is what caused our bigs to foul out. Shot blocker or no shot blocker, if we keep getting burnt out there, it's going to get our bigs into foul trouble. If we played better defense on the perimeter, Austin and Salley likely would not have fouled out, as they were only making up for Ruffin, JC, and Sam getting toasted time after time after time. If AT is a shot blocker, great. But he'll foul out often if we can't defend better on the perimeter.