Just a few more thoughts, and it's time to say what we really think, which I have actually been doing for a long time.-
I have been attending games regularly since my freshman year 1967. I have been a season ticket buyer since the mid-'70s. I have traveled to more road games over the last 30+ years than anyone not employed by Bradley. I have seen well over 1000 Bradley games in person. Bradley teams haven't always good, or loaded with talent. But they always competed hard, and usually overachieved. Until this season. And tonight was an all-time low point.
I have never seen a more embarrassing, listless, give-a-sh*t performance by any Bradley team in 47 seasons. I do not believe these players care and I no longer believe Geno or any of our highly experienced and knowledgeable assistants care any more. The only thing I can say is goodbye, and good riddance.
I listened to Geno's post-game show for any hint of an explanation for this disaster. He did admit there were several players who he felt did not play hard. No kidding. He said he is not the type of coach to single players out by name, but he said he benched those players and played guys who played hard- that is why in the final couple minutes when we might have still had a faint chance, we had guys like Fields on the floor, making sure we had no chance to come back. Grier, Shaw, Morgan, Taylor, and Sutherland were all on the bench. So Geno need not name those players not giving effort, we know who he thinks they were.
He blamed the loss on our poor peripheral and interior defense, and the fact Drake was hot and we couldn't stop them.
He stated clearly we would see "massive changes in the lineup" next game- which means we'll see Fields, Wells, Cunningham, Jones, and Barnes likely, since those were the players on the floor the final couple minutes. That might send a message, but it pretty much guarantees we will lose at Indiana State.
So in summary- this is the lowest point in the history of Bradley basketball in my lifetime. It was forseen and predicted. It was easily avoidable if those in charge had even an iota of sense or knowledge of what they were doing. Thank you Joanne, Mr. Shaheen, Mike, and Geno for destroying Bradley basketball.
PS- Geno said Thomas did something they did not like. It was nothing illegal, but Geno felt it deserved a suspension to make an example of him.