Official Postgame thread-- BU 96 Virginia 85

[BU ICEMAN]

OK, I really should be getting to bed right now instead of being on the board, but I guess that's what happens when you get a chance to witness a great win like that.

I just got back from UVA and lemme tell ya, first of all, that is a NIIIIICE arena, they've got an awesome scoreboard and signage around the place. I had an awesome seat on the baseline and the UVA fans around me were all pretty fun to talk with, really a good time.

Anyways, onto my impressions of the game:

Talk about getting away with a lot of contact; there were hand checks and pushes on every drive to the basket for both squads, but not a lot of whistles at all. I think this is why Singletary had an off night, anybody driving the ball tonight was getting mugged and pretty beat up. He looked like he might try taking over at one point with (maybe?) 3-4 mins to go, but all night, he was fairly invisible. Considering he seemed to be the only fella UVA had that could get to the basket, that hurt them big time.

UVA's got some guards that can shoot, but I really don't remember any of them trying to get to the basket. When we went to the zone, it seemed to really stagnate their offense. I don't think their defense was really as bad as some have said on here, I mean, yeah, we hung 96 on 'em, but I don't know, it's hard to put it to words. Maybe because we were missing shots in the 1st half?

Before I forget, for those of you who didn't actually SEE the game, UVA's player Pettinella's free throws are perhaps the ugliest thing I have ever seen on a basketball court. As the UVA fan said next to me when he got fouled early in the 1st half, "You're in for a treat, wait until you see this, he doesn't even have anything you could call a form on these" And he was right!!! Seriously, I'll try to explain it so you can visualize it, but really there's no way for me to do them justice, but I'll try anyways, so, he never really held the ball with his shooting hand, just the fingertips, and his shooting elbow was pretty much chicken winged waaay out and even up, and he sorta flicked his wrist to the right and sidespun the ball up there, I mean, I was seriously in shock when I saw that. Really, it was incredible to see. I only wish I knew how diplomatic Snell was when giving the P-by-P on describing them.

Theron Wilson, wow, he could really, really be something next year.....inside and outside game, driving the ball he really uses his body well to shield the ball, I can't help but expect a big year next year. Him and AW can be a really wicked duo with their similar games next year.

Got a little scared after Singletary smoked Ruffin on the first play, but Ruffin made up for it. He really did a great job distributing the ball and really running the show tonight.

Jeremy couldn't hit water from a boat in the middle of the ocean in the first half, but once he got dialed in on the other end of the floor, whoo baby! Smart and heady and confident, it showed tonight. Also loved seeing him take charge after a time out was over and have his own little conference with the squad with about 7 mins or so to go.

Collins...gave us good minutes, but his body language and facial expressions just don't inspire confidence. I totally think he can contribute, but I really wish I saw some intensity in his movements and his eyes. I think we'd all rather see an aggressive mistake than a passive one. Certainly no reason to give up on him yet at all.

Somebody tell Maniscalco to jump when he gets to the basket. Please.


Ok, that's it, I gotta get to bed, I'll look forward to reading alls y'alls thoughts and replies tomorrow at work.....provided I can stay awake!

2 more wins to go, baby!!!

[BU ICEMAN]

The best deal I can find, so far, is to drive to St. Louis, where there are some lower priced flights direct to Tulsa (American Airlines). But they leave in the early AM, so you'd have to leave Peoria pretty early.

I wouldn't count on American Airlines, especially since they grounded every one of their MD-80s today. That's a perfect plane for a trip of that distance, so they might not have the route up if they don't have a plane....

[Da Coach]

Here is a better idea--

Bradley is arranging a fan bus trip for Monday. More will be announced tomorrow--

http://www.bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7842

Here is the game story from BUBraves.com

http://www.bubraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=25965&SPID=1498&DB_OEM_ID=3400&ATCLID=1419938

and the box score--

http://www.virginiasports.com/fls/17800/stats/mbasketball/2008/va032608.htm?&SPSID=88843&SPID=10616&DB_OEM_ID=17800

[Tulsa Brave]

Is there anyway to get tickets through BU to sit with other BU fans without going on the bus trip?

[SFP]

I thougt we did a great job penetrating and dishing today. I liked the way we ran our O, it seemed like everybody was moving in concert tonight. The zone worked!!! Where was it earlier in the season. It sure saved our legs for the end of the game. JC was great but I will eat some crow and say MS played some inspiring ball and really finished around the rim.

Just wondering why RA did not play much.

[BradleyBrave]

Just wondering why RA did not play much.

I really saw no reason for RA to play much. DC was as good as he's been all year tonight, especially defensively. He blocked a shot (finally!), grabbed 4 tough rebounds, and affected a couple of other shots by just having a hand up. Call me crazy, but I have seen a little growth in him from the Cincy game through tonight (another example of why continuing to play and practice is a tremendous benefit). It kinda makes you wonder if he would have shown similar growth if given 5-10 minutes consistently. But, what's done is done. Everyone made great contributions tonight in dropping 96 points on an ACC team on their home floor. Has a Valley team EVER done that?

[VeveJones007]

Collins...gave us good minutes, but his body language and facial expressions just don't inspire confidence. I totally think he can contribute, but I really wish I saw some intensity in his movements and his eyes. I think we'd all rather see an aggressive mistake than a passive one. Certainly no reason to give up on him yet at all.

After he fouled a guy in the second half on a play where he didn't need to jump and got duped into the foul, Collins was clearly upset with himself. With how he's played the last few games, it seems to me like he's starting to "get" it. He just seems to be thinking too much out there rather than reacting. I honestly think that he could make a big improvement for next season.

Also, is Virginia a second home for the Braves? Two of our best games the last two years have been @ VCU and @UV. Can we get Duke and North Carolina to play us on a neutral floor in Richmond?

[shaunguth]

Can we get a Tulsa/Houston fan to get on the board, link us some video, and tell us how good they are? That seems to give us a spark...

Just a couple quick quotes from the Tulsa message board.....one of which left me wondering what Northern Iowa has to do with any of this.

A 6th place Missouri Valley team who finished 17 and 15 is crap. In the end, I really don't care who we play but a named ACC team would be much bigger in the national scheme of things.

Bradley isnt that good

Let them go small and we can feed the ball into JJ for about 20 or 30 dunks...

[tornado]

Before I forget, for those of you who didn't actually SEE the game, UVA's player Pettinella's free throws are perhaps the ugliest thing I have ever seen on a basketball court.

yup...I've seen shot-putters with a better chance of actually getting one through the hoop than this guy.
BUT...it gets even better........ Petinella's story is pretty interesting...
Here's an interview........scroll down about half way to the part on his FT shooting...
"Question: I have to ask you about your free throw shooting. You??™re constantly working at your free throw shooting, but you??™ve struggled at the line. Has that always been the case with your free throw shooting?

Pettinella: ???I was a four-year varsity player in high school and finished about 70 percent shooting from the line. My first year at Penn I was a little over 60 percent and then I went down to a little over 40 percent. It even dropped lower than that last year. It??™s gone down hill since I went to Penn. I don??™t know if that??™s because I changed my form or anything. I??™m really working in practice to improve and I??™m working on my form with Coach Courtney. I think I??™m getting better. I??™m shooting 50 percent in ACC play (through Virginia??™s first five ACC games) so that??™s encouraging.???https://<br /> http://www.virginias...ATCLID=1377380

The kid was a pretty highly sought after recruit out of high school and
his FT shooting in HIGH SCHOOL was 70% !!!
He started at Penn for two years, then transferred to Cincinnati to play for Bob Huggins.
When Huggins left, he left also, and transferred again to Virginia, so he has lost TWO YEARS to transfer, and he's been at 3 different D-I schools.
Personally I have no idea why the kid plays. He has started 20 of their games, and only averages 2.6 ppg, and now shoots 25.7% from the FT line (9-35).

[mexicobufan]

Just wondering what everyone thinks about our run in the CBI and how it may be affecting Bradleys recruiting? The signing period is getting close and we are not focused on recruiting with continueing to play games. Dont get me wrong I hope we keep playing all summer just wondering what people think about the impact good or bad?

[ser_solace]

Well, since we've been able to play additional home games and will get one more, aren't we able to invite the recruits to the games on-campus?

I thought the problem with the NCAAs is that you had to play away from home.

[Double D]

Just a couple quick quotes from the Tulsa message board.....one of which left me wondering what Northern Iowa has to do with any of this.

A 6th place Missouri Valley team who finished 17 and 15 is crap. In the end, I really don't care who we play but a named ACC team would be much bigger in the national scheme of things.

Bradley isnt that good

Let them go small and we can feed the ball into JJ for about 20 or 30 dunks...

"20 or 30 dunks,"...Hmmm.

There are always going to be some juvenille dopes on these boards. I wouldn't use an ignorant comment like this one to shape the way the whole Tulsa fan base feels.

I think Bradleyfans is a ray of sunshine in that we don't have to deal with much of that type of garbage.

[BUBraves06]

Great game all-around last night. Our bigs, SS, MS, Theron and DC stepped up and played absolutely awesome. I'm sad to see Jeremy go, he's really playing well and had a great game last night.

[Out of Balance]

I think if we had this JC the whole year, would have finished top 3 and maybe made the NCAA. This JC (the one playing from the Drake road win on) would have given us at least 5 more wins IMO

Not sure I unstand where you get that BS. JC's numbers and play have been there the whole year. Yes, the numbers have increased but keep in mind that so has AW's, MS, SM and TW. And getting DR back and AW has made this team. When one of these guys are out other teams have focus their def. on one guy! Guess Who! They double teamed JC and he always drew the best def. player! This being said, having everyone back and having them playing at a higher level has help free up JC to do the things he's doing now.
Don't put the year on our MVP, but on getting killed on the bourds, injuries and some off the court crap. JC is the one player who came out every game and left everything on the court! Player's like JC only come around so often!
I would say if we would have everyone all year, there would be 7 more wins, a MV top 3, a league MVP (should of had anyway) and a NCAA invite. But it is what it is! I will enjoy watching BU finishing out the year winning this tourment. Go BU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[VeveJones007]

Not sure I unstand where you get that BS. JC's numbers and play have been there the whole year. Yes, the numbers have increased but keep in mind that so has AW's, MS, SM and TW. And getting DR back and AW has made this team. When one of these guys are out other teams have focus their def. on one guy! Guess Who! They double teamed JC and he always drew the best def. player! This being said, having everyone back and having them playing at a higher level has help free up JC to do the things he's doing now.
Don't put the year on our MVP, but on getting killed on the bourds, injuries and some off the court crap. JC is the one player who came out every game and left everything on the court! Player's like JC only come around so often!
I would say if we would have everyone all year, there would be 7 more wins, a MV top 3, a league MVP (should of had anyway) and a NCAA invite. But it is what it is! I will enjoy watching BU finishing out the year winning this tourment. Go BU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whoa there. I'm pretty sure you misinterpreted his point. To anyone who has watched BU this year, it's pretty clear that Jeremy has stepped up his game at the end of the season. You could say he's taken his game to another level. He's taking the ball to the basket off the bounce, drawing fouls, and making tough shots. He's shown himself to be much more of a scorer than a shooter. IMO, he's gone from a really good player to a great player. He wasn't blaming JC. We all know just how much he's meant to this team.