PJ Star 4/16/08

[Da Coach]

Kirk Wessler--

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/041608/KIR_BGBTNMAC.073.php

[Braves4Life]

I've got to agree with him on BU.........................How Les' staff develops these big men and how this team chooses to practice, perfect, and "buy in" to the defensive scheme will determine our success next year.

If the "bigs" play like they did in CBI run, and the guards are as good as advertised (which I think they will be), I think this BU team has a legitimate shot at winning the MVC and of having yet another 20+ win season

[dogsrus]

Well said IMO.....we have size we just need to develop it. Much like Collins is coming along.

I still say he starts and wins the most improved player next year.

[brocks]

Well said IMO.....we have size we just need to develop it. Much like Collins is coming along.

I still say he starts and wins the most improved player next year.

Wouldn't be surprised if you're right . . . there were moments in the CBI where he looked awfully good. And he absolutely dwarfs everyone else on the court . . . he's every milimeter of 7 feet.

[J Money]

I think Wessler is pretty much right on in his column. He did leave one thing out about this guard-oriented system......NO REBOUNDING! I think this is the aspect of the game that frustrates people the most--especially me.

The really tough part to get over is that you don't need 3 bigs on the floor to rebound. It helps, but it's not required. Wessler talks about buying into a defensive system and rebounding goes along with that. As long as everyone gets a body on their man (or finds a man in the zone) we shouldn't get blasted on the boards every night no matter how small the lineup is.

[BradleyBrave]

As most in this thread have said, KW is spot-on. I too like the up-and-down, perimeter-oriented style. We just need some quality post threats and quality post depth to truly make this a well-oiled machine on both ends (quality being the operative word). We certainly had the bodies this year, but not the quality. Hopefully the quality can be developed over the summer, as every returning post player has at least 1 season of DI experience (practice counts) under their belts.

[Guinness]

Anyone know Bradley's record for consecutive 20 win seasons and the MVC record? I would like to know.

[ph]

I think the "how he and his staff develop the big guys" will be the key to next year.

It seemed that Merf was a decent developer of big men. I am hopeful that Merf spent most of the season laying a foundation, and we'll see true Big man skill growth next year. Otherwise we did not see much big man skill growth this year.

Of course, I thought starting out, Les's coaching strong point would be outside shooting. It took about 4 years of no noticable shooting improvement before a Les team improved shooting, when they rocketed to the best 3 point team in the nation (only top10 in 3 point made and 3 point % last season)

[BradleyBrave]

Anyone know Bradley's record for consecutive 20 win seasons and the MVC record? I would like to know.

Well, Creighton has done it 9 straight years. I'm not sure if that's an MVC record, but we have a ways to go. I look at next year as being year #4 of our own streak at the very, very minimum.

[brocks]

I think the BU record is six. so JL has to stay 3 more years at least.

BTW, I agree about Merf . . . his forte is big guys . . . hope he has a busy summer!

[audacious_aficionado]

If the "bigs" play like they did in CBI run, and the guards are as good as advertised (which I think they will be), I think this BU team has a legitimate shot at winning the MVC and of having yet another 20+ win season

i like the positive outlook but creighton is going to be a beast of a team next year. i'd say second isn't so bad for next year.

[Dallas Brave]

I agree with KW's take on needing to develop the big men. But, is there evidence for this statement?

"You're seeing more of the three- and four-guard sets in college basketball; going small and fast and forcing bigger, slower teams to try to keep up with you."

I don't recall seeing any four-guard sets (especially among the BCS and at-large teams) in the NCAA tournament this year and I don't care what the non-NCAA tournament teams are doing.

[ph]

I agree with KW's take on needing to develop the big men. But, is there evidence for this statement?

"You're seeing more of the three- and four-guard sets in college basketball; going small and fast and forcing bigger, slower teams to try to keep up with you."

I don't recall seeing any four-guard sets (especially among the BCS and at-large teams) in the NCAA tournament this year and I don't care what the non-NCAA tournament teams are doing.

Within the ever expanding world of D1, throughout the last 20 years, 3 and 4 guard sets happen more often. Really, it is a matter of the law of averages, there are more quality basketball players that grow to around and below the average human height, than above.

You are technically correct about NCAA teams this year, although I think KW was referring to D1 as a whole. And, in general, a large philosophy shift will only take place through coaching changes, as most coaches do not change their systems.

[SFP]

If you look at Memphis and Kansas even their bigs could run up and down the court except that real wide body guy on Memphis.

[pfunk880]

i like the positive outlook but creighton is going to be a beast of a team next year. i'd say second isn't so bad for next year.

And hopefully the MVC will do well enough OOC this year to return to being a multi-bid league.