Bradley Wins 67-61!!!

[BU ICEMAN]

Well, I guess this game was a classic example of living (or in the case of the 1st half, life support) at the FT line. Obviously, I probably wouldn't be saying this if we lost, but I think it might be the best 1st half to start off a season in a long time..................................now calm down and hear me out.

Maybe, just maybe, the atrocious 3 FG performance in the 1st half will stick in this team's memory all season, which should lead to thinking how they overcame that and how they played in the 2nd half. Instead of chuckin' and duckin' all day, we got tough and aggressive, put the ball on the floor and got to the rack. It's hard for me to see quickness listening to the game on the internet , but based on some of the posts, it sounds like we've got a ton of it. Hopefully, this team exploits that like they apparently did in the 2nd half, because once they establish they can beat anybody off the bounce, the defense will have to take a step back which should open up the outside for easier 3's, not forced ones. Maybe we'll have to move away from the artillery attack we've used the past few years and more towards a slash and burn attack.

Let's hope we'll carry some momentum from the 2nd half down to Florida.....we're gonna need it.

[Beninator]

And why didn't WE play?

When would have you put him in and better yet who would have he replaced?

It looks as if getting playing time for WE is going to be my talking point for a while as well. (it already was during the exhibition games) I was unable to go to the game last night, but I would like to see us start using Will in limited minutes to give SS and DC some rest. I dont look for this to happen anytime soon and definately not against Florida. Then we could adjust the minutes based on his performance on the floor. As we all know, we loose SS and DC next year. It would be nice to return someone next year at the 5 spot with at least some experience.

[tornado]

Joey Meyer told me he had bad memories of Carver Arena. The last time he brought a team there, Bradley beat DePaul.

Joey Meyer and Jim Molinari are best friends, and I think I recall Joey was Jim's best man....anyone else recall that?

I also recall the story that both Joey Meyer and Jim Molinari were very active in recruiting Simeon's Ben Wilson and were in the kid's home many times, including the day before he was shot to death.

[brocks]

I think Mo's best man was the guy who coached Florida and U of I whose name escapes me . . .

[brocks]

Lon Kruger I think.

[BUconnorD]

Connor - what were you and the 2 other guys on the floor competing for and then you won? I kinda missed everything - then all the sudden I am thinking, 'ok - what are these guys supposed to do' - then you just go nuts and run up to the camera, etc.

the smile competition!!!!!!! whooo!!!
i won a free teeth whitening...i'm OK w/ that...it says its worth 400 bucks...i don tknow if I believe that


and WE not playing...I'm ok w/ that

he's been out of possition. they had him ein the 5 during UWplatvillle game...and he was getting shoved around. could you imagine if he went up against Vandermeer?

as much as i would like to have seen it...I think the WE train isn't coming this year...I hope it does...but i'm not going to put $$ on it...or hold my breath

[Dubl R 1]

My very late take on the game.

Man, that 1st half was brutal. BU was playing so fast, not out of control, but just kind of catch the ball and fly with no real destination in mind. When you run a motion offense like we do, it puts alot of pressure on the 3 main ballhandlers to read the breakdowns in the D, and exploit them as they happen. To me, it looke like our guys would just catch and dribble to a spot at full speed without trying to read and react to the defensive players, thus we were just running around instead of running an offense for about the first 15 minutes. Luckily UIC fouled us about a thousand times, allowing us to stay in the game.

2nd Half. Much Better. Sam Singh, Theron Wilson, and Chris Roberts all toughened up after half time. Also, the team ran an offense and began to drive the ball with a purpose. I said in an earlier post, and I still think that our 3 point shooting is gonna be a rollercoaster this year, but I think this team is gonna be a team that can get to foul line a ton, hopefully we can knock in the ft's.

I also think BU has got to find a way to utilize Theron in the offense more, he's kind of like the forgotten man. He is absoulutely unstoppable when he faces his man up and drives the basket, I've yet to see ANYONE in Theron's time at BU that can stop his first step on his drive to the bucket. It's either a foul or a basket, we've got to find a way to use him more.

Also in that 2nd half Chris Roberts showed that when he's focused he can be a very good player in this system, he really calmed down in the 2nd half and made some big plays.

Dodie was outstanding all evening, tremendous D, and really carried the team offensively at times.

Great to see Captain Brave in Attendance.

[mrcoachdude]

Sam S is my unsung hero of the game....he shut down their big guy and set some great screens and rebounded well and passed well...all things that are not highlight reel material, but win games......nice job Sam!

Dodie was awesome and that roberts rebound dunk...almost made me throw my back out again.....that was a real pick me up for BU....

Jim Les is maturing as a coach....he made in game adjustments that I had not seen from him earlier in his coaching....great job Jim!

The defense when TB, EM, DD, CR, SS were in was AWESOME! When Theron was in with that group it was even better....... and the REBOUNDING? WOW....


Get the offense rolling

[lefty]

This was kind of weird game to watch. The Braves sure looked better in the second half than their stats indicate. It seemed like they shot better than 12-29.
I really like Vandemeer on BOTH ends of the floor. He doesn't have a lot of help and has to play alot of minutes which hurt his effectiveness and ft's in the second half.
Dunson played well on both ends...
It's obvious that teams are going to try and exploit Sam M when they have the ball but I think we will play good enough help defense that it will be ok.
Collins needs some intensity. We went inside once to him early in the second half and that was it for the rest of the game.
Weather or not SS or DC score much form the post it seems like the ball should go down there more...it's only one game so maybe it will.

Somebody mentioned so few assists...I think that happens when you shoot 47 ft's.....To Collins credit he didn't gripe about calls and called out his own team for more toughness.....many coaches would have viewed things differently if the home team shot 47 ft's.
I too would have like to see WE play some but I'm sure we will later...

Nice win after Sunday's showing....

[lefty]

Lon Kruger I think.

I'm fairly sure they were each other's best man

[houstontxbrave]

What is really positive about this team is the obvious outstanding athletic ability it has. Having guys like Roberts, Wilson, Brown allow us to play SS many more minutes because their jumping ability trumps the lack in height.

I love that we decided to become a aggresive off the dribble and get to the rim. And getting to the rim allowed us to shoot a ton of free throws and those every single time are free points, and we made them.

I am sure we will not shoot the way we did everynight but it would not surprise me if this team is a different look then resent JL teams and is more aggressive and less dependent on the 3, even with Warren is healthy.

Overall I was very worried about UIC and they do have some talent, not exactly a physical team but decent team.

Basketball is about competition and honestly in a 40 minute game you have to pretty much play your best 8-9 and it appears WE just is not ready to be in that top 8-9. I think if Collins keeps disappearing there will be minutes for WE to take or for AT to take but eventually both will have to contribute for us to be successful.

[shaunguth]

What is really positive about this team is the obvious outstanding athletic ability it has. Having guys like Roberts, Wilson, Brown allow us to play SS many more minutes because their jumping ability trumps the lack in height.

Absolutely agree! I loved watching the big picture and seeing 2-3 guys moving aggressively TOWARDS the basket when we took a shot on offense!

[Big Mike]

the smile competition!!!!!!! whooo!!!
i won a free teeth whitening...i'm OK w/ that...it says its worth 400 bucks...i don tknow if I believe that

For what its worth....my dentist get $450 for whitening!

[tornado]

Better than a free root canal

[BUconnorD]

Better than a free root canal

there's always a bright side


agreed earlier SS was great last night. Would LOVE to see that.
He brought some very good veteran leadership out on teh court that is needed with a few obvious holes in the leadership/experience department (AW, JC, and Ruff)