I am ENCOURAGED!

[Braves4Life]

Andrew kept trying to get open in the lane but Singler played great defense on him and had Andrew tried to force up some of his shots in the lane they would have been blocked, hard to shoot over a 6-8 long armed defender, why is it when he gets defended well some of you start into that soft crap, he was trying and fighting to get open, give credit to the defense on him.

I agree with all that you've said real fan but I did not call Andrew "soft". I was there and close enough to see it in his eyes -- he was intimidated by Singler. Heck, I'd be intimidated too if he was guarding me. I love Drew as much as anyone and hate when people criticize the kid and call him soft, but I would have liked to see the same aggression from him that I saw from Lemon, Dodie, and Egolf.

You're right, AW DID adjust his game once he realized that Singler and the Duke defense had his number. But, what I saw in his eyes early in that game showed me fear and intimidation...... and that's part of why his shots early in the game were SO far off the mark.

 

[real fan]

I agree with all that you've said real fan but I did not call Andrew "soft". I was there and close enough to see it in his eyes -- he was intimidated by Singler. Heck, I'd be intimidated too if he was guarding me. I love Drew as much as anyone and hate when people criticize the kid and call him soft, but I would have liked to see the same aggression from him that I saw from Lemon, Dodie, and Egolf.

You're right, AW DID adjust his game once he realized that Singler and the Duke defense had his number. But, what I saw in his eyes early in that game showed me fear and intimidation...... and that's part of why his shots early in the game were SO far off the mark.

It was someone else"s comment, Lemon,Dodie and Will did not have Dukes best defensive player plus a host of others guarding them, as far as being intimidated only he could answer that as he might just have been frustrated in that it was so hard to get an open shot.

 

[BradleyBrave]

The attention AW received from Coach K prior to the game and by their game plan should be taken as a tremendous compliment. He (Coach K) had mentioned on his radio program earlier in the day that they were worried about stopping him and noting that he averaged 24 ppg (really 19 ppg, but you get it). They made it impossible for him to catch the ball anywhere he could do anything with it. Let's give credit where credit is due - Duke's plan was to take him out of his game and make other people score, and they did it to perfection.

 

[AZ BU Fan]

I think we come within 15 on a good day with all 3 starters.

Of course, if Duke had it's #1 player healthy and playing....just sayin.

Let's not get too carried away here, bad form when you lose by 35 and don't break 50....

I also wouldn't get too worked up over Duke starters staying in game and extending the Duke lead in the 2nd half. Duke did what it had to do to maintain its ranking. This is what happens when top teams take on lower mid majors at home. It comes with the territory.

If BU were to be ranked #1 and was playing ISU Red at home, when ISU Red was injury depleted and struggling, I would hope JL would have the Braves pour it on too if ISU Red held BU down in the FH at home.....

 

[Bravesfan]

Five reasons:

1. BU holds Duke to a season-low 32 points in the first half. Think about that for a second.
2. Walt Lemon has no fear. He frankly needs to be on the court as much as possible.
3. A Will Egolf sighting!
4. Outrebounding Duke in the first half and staying nearly even for the game. Stunning.
5. A Will Egolf sighting!

Folks, I don't believe in moral victories and, yes, it hurts to get pasted like that on national TV. However, if BU plays with this kind of fight on defense and the boards the rest of the year, we WILL contend for the MVC title. A big "if" but we now know it is possible.

Now if only we could make a shot....let's get two non-con wins and get this party started, boys!

Agreed on all counts. I think they held their own despite the lopsided final score. We have a long awaited break upon us, but they have to start by beating Jackson St. on the 20th. Then we will take things from there.

 

[Braves4Life]

I also wouldn't get too worked up over Duke starters staying in game and extending the Duke lead in the 2nd half. Duke did what it had to do to maintain its ranking. This is what happens when top teams take on lower mid majors at home. It comes with the territory.

You called it early on AZ BU Fan. Good call.