Dave Reynolds 3/9

[Lakeview Brave]

Okay, we'll agree to disagree.

Again, it was not the record I was talking about. It was the fact that some are calling for his job just two years removed from the Sweet Sixteen. Obviously if we have another season or two like this, we debate whether to start the "Fire Les" thread to replace the "Fire Hinson" thread.

But let's remember this. It is not easy for a program to send teams to the tournament almost every year the way Creighton, SIU, Winthrop and Gonzaga do, especially when there are only so many slots within a conference for teams to do just that. I agree this could have been a year in which Bradley overtook SIU and/or Creighton, but it didn't happen. We had more bad luck than anything else, and even the best coaches go through years like this. We'll be back, and it may be sooner than many think it will happen. Let's just give Les a chance to show what he can do, and in the long run if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. That's life!

I just wonder how long "the long run" is? Even the sweet 16 season was not a great one. Yes we snuck into the tournament and had two amazing wins but that team (the real most talented team in the last 20 years) only finished 5th in conference. How many seasons of finishing outside the top 3 is acceptable? If we finish top three every year and in the good years win the valley and/or the Arch Madness then in the off years finish 4 (Like Creighton/SIU) then thats a great mid major program regardless of NCAA wins.

[BradleyBrave]

Okay, we'll agree to disagree.

Again, it was not the record I was talking about. It was the fact that some are calling for his job just two years removed from the Sweet Sixteen. Obviously if we have another season or two like this, we debate whether to start the "Fire Les" thread to replace the "Fire Hinson" thread.

But let's remember this. It is not easy for a program to send teams to the tournament almost every year the way Creighton, SIU, Winthrop and Gonzaga do, especially when there are only so many slots within a conference for teams to do just that. I agree this could have been a year in which Bradley overtook SIU and/or Creighton, but it didn't happen. We had more bad luck than anything else, and even the best coaches go through years like this. We'll be back, and it may be sooner than many think it will happen. Let's just give Les a chance to show what he can do, and in the long run if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. That's life!

While the 2006 run was great, it's hard for me to say that 2 NCAA wins in 6 seasons make up for 6 games under .500 in-conference, and 3-6 in the conference tournament in 6 seasons. I don't expect an NCAA appearance every year, but I do expect a program with our tradition and support to contend for a league title every 2-3 years, which in turn should have us in contention for an NCAA bid as well.

Next year is a big year for this program under this leadership. 20+ wins and conference title contention and this thing is heading upward. Another .500 year in conference and it isn't. We'll be 3 years removed from Sweet 16 run and on the cusp of a large roster turnover (TCS, Collins, Austin, Singh, Wilson). If BU isn't contending next year in a depleted MVC, I think it's time reassess the program as a whole.

[Rocky Mountain Thunder]

While I DONT think Les should be replaced you cant be serious in comparing him to Dana and Lowery. This is a down year for both of them and they still did better than us. Altman and to a lesser extent Lowery have earned an off year from the NCAA while thier programs reload playing in the NIT. A few years ago people were posting Altmans record after 1 year then 2 years and 3 years and comparing it to Les. Anyone want to do that after 6 years?

For those who think Jim Les should be dismissed...you are nuts. Does anyone remember Molinari? Our program was barely an after thought under his direction. How long did we stick with him as a coach of a proud basketball tradition?

We have a coach today who is deeply attached to Bradley and will work diligently to take us back to the top. JL is a smart guy and knows how to win as an under dog. He has done so his entire life. Do not forget...we are upgrading our basketball facilities at the expense of the Field House. This too will draw more quality recruits.

Noting the "turnstyle" of coachs who have traveled through the MVC in recent years; I am glad JL is our guy.

[BradleyBrave]

For those who think Jim Les should be dismissed...you are nuts. Does anyone remember Molinari? Our program was barely an after thought under his direction. How long did we stick with him as a coach of a proud basketball tradition?

We have a coach today who is deeply attached to Bradley and will work diligently to take us back to the top. JL is a smart guy and knows how to win as an under dog. He has done so his entire life. Do not forget...we are upgrading our basketball facilities at the expense of the Field House. This too will draw more quality recruits.

Noting the "turnstyle" of coachs who have traveled through the MVC in recent years; I am glad JL is our guy.

I haven't seen one person suggest that JL be replaced. They're just saying his record isn't that good compared to his peers, and they'd like it to be better. If it doesn't get better, eventually he will be replaced.

FWIW - That 'afterthought' of a program under Jim Molinari won more conference titles, had better conference finishes, won more COY awards, won more conference tournament games, had more postseason apperances, and won more postseason games than this one has through 6 years. It also had recruited 2 all-conference players and an NBA player (Danny Granger) when that era was brought to an end. I'm not quite sure we were an 'afterthought'.

[VeveJones007]

I like Les and I think he's a good coach. I just want him to get his players to buy into defense more. I think sometimes the players get so focused on scoring the basketball in our offense that they forget that the other end is just as important. I felt our run to the Sweet 16 was a lot about our guys really settling in defensively more than anything else.

[Lakeview Brave]

For those who think Jim Les should be dismissed...you are nuts. Does anyone remember Molinari? Our program was barely an after thought under his direction. How long did we stick with him as a coach of a proud basketball tradition?

We have a coach today who is deeply attached to Bradley and will work diligently to take us back to the top. JL is a smart guy and knows how to win as an under dog. He has done so his entire life. Do not forget...we are upgrading our basketball facilities at the expense of the Field House. This too will draw more quality recruits.

Noting the "turnstyle" of coachs who have traveled through the MVC in recent years; I am glad JL is our guy.

Where do you get off talking badly about MO? I thought it was time for him to go when he did but dont disparage the job he did. "barely an after thought" the conference wasnt getting multiple bids every year and playing on CBS in the 90's. He was the COY and took us to the NCAA tournament once and NIT 5 times. Maybe you dont remember all the crap he had to deal with during his time here.

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/ssections/teamofdecade/1991-2000.shtml

Im not saying I want him back but dont pump up Les at the expense of Coach Mo.

[BradleyBrave]

Where do you get off talking badly about MO? I thought it was time for him to go when he did but dont disparage the job he did. "barely an after thought" the conference wasnt getting multiple bids every year and playing on CBS in the 90's. He was the COY and took us to the NCAA tournament once and NIT 5 times. Maybe you dont remember all the crap he had to deal with during his time here.

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/ssections/teamofdecade/1991-2000.shtml

Im not saying I want him back but dont pump up Les at the expense of Coach Mo.

Great find. Coach Mo got this program to a certain level of success, but was unable to capitalize on those successes and take us to the CU/SIU level. I hope that history isn't repeating itself in letting opportunities pass us by. Next year will be telling, as the remnants of the Sweet 16 group are all gone.