Loss to W. Carolina will not disqualify our NCAA Tournament chances

[Bravesfan]

No, but I expect to win every home game. Especially ones that we lead by double-digits with less than 10 minutes left in the game. If I didn't think we were good enough I wouldn't care as much.

Fair enough, but as stated, most of the top 25 will have a bad loss or two on their resume by the end of the year and still do well. (See Louisville, Michigan, Michigan St., etc.).

 

[Bravesfan]

My thoughts exactly.

Again, I agree wholeheartedly with all of you that we should win all of our home games. But again, occasionally a bad loss will happen, even at home. I'm just saying it shouldn't disqualify us from becoming a great team as many great teams bounce back from losses like this, and many great teams experience one or two of these each season. And it shouldn't cause people to overreact based on one game.

Let's see how Bradley adjusts in their next few games. It's how a team reacts to a loss like this that will tell how well they will do the rest of the way. If this team is under .500 in the Valley at the halfway point, then I completely agree that we should be concerned. But we're not there yet. And we have not even entered conference play yet. So I'd wait and see awhile before we jump to conclusions about this team.

 

[Braves4Life]

Well said Bravesfan. I agree and I hope the team responds. It's just disappointing to me that a team that benefited from pre-season play struggles against both bad (Presby) and mediocre teams (WCU, Wofford, Lewis, & Id. St.) at HOME. I know these games could be considered "practice" for the Valley season, and I know we're already dealing with injuries, but this SHOULD NOT happen against this caliber of team at HOME.

 

[Bravesfan]

Well said Bravesfan. I agree and I hope the team responds. It's just disappointing to me that a team that benefited from pre-season play struggles against both bad (Presby) and mediocre teams (WCU, Wofford, Lewis, & Id. St.) at HOME. I know these games could be considered "practice" for the Valley season, and I know we're already dealing with injuries, but this SHOULD NOT happen against this caliber of team at HOME.

Yes, I understand it's perplexing that we have had so much of a struggle against poor teams at home this year, WCU notwithstanding because I think they are a very good team no matter what conference they belong to. And the way we played against Illinois only verifies what I have thought since last season that this team has some great potential to do well.

I don't know what the problem is with this team aside from inexperience playing together and a bad habit of playing down to a team's talent level. I'm hoping these are the only problems. If so, last night's loss could be the kick start this team needs to realize that they need to take EVERY opponent seriously.

 

[MacabreMob]

I posted in the new AD thread regarding a comment by another posting how Xavier, Butler and Gonzaga don't lose at home to the "Western Carolina" type team. Not picking on that poster, just trying to get it into perspective. Here is some of what I posted and some other info to chew on.

Quote:
Originally Posted by xxxxx
I hope he has amazing ability because the Xaviers, Gonzagas and Butlers of this current world do not lose home basketball games to Western Carolina.

Those are some pretty darn good programs to aspire to be as good as. I welcome Cross to the Hilltop and hope he does well for Bradley.

But getting back to those 3 programs....

In the last 5 years, those 3 teams haven't lost many games at home. Worst Non-Conference home losses in the RPI for those 3 teams in the past 5 years:

Butler - lost to #163 Indiana St in '05-'06 season
Gonzaga - lost to #113 Portland St in '08-'09 season
Xavier - lost to #77 Bucknell in '06-'07 season

Bradley's worst Non-Conference home loss based on RPI in the last 5 seasons goes to #54 VCU in the '07-'08 season.

After Western Carolina beat Bradley last night, they have moved up to #25 in the RPI this season. (I know it's early to look at the RPI right now - just as it is early to consider losing to Western Carolina as such a terrible loss right now)

Also:

In the last 5 seasons, here are the Non-Conference losses with RPI's for each team.

Xavier = 5 losses
to #24 Butler 08-09
to #29 Miss St 04-05
to #39 Mia-Oh 04-05
to #44 Creighton 04-05
to #77 Bucknell 06-07

Gonzaga = 4 Losses
to #7 Memphis 08-09
to #8 Memphis 06-07
to #23 Washington St 07-08
to #113 Portland St 08-09

Butler = 3 Losses
to #7 SIU 06-07
to #10 Drake 07-08
to #163 Indiana St 05-06

Bradley = 3 Losses
to #16 Michigan St 07-08
to #24 Butler 08-09
to #54 VCU 07-08

 

[Bradleyguy10]

You know I'm not really sure why so much emphasis is put on "at home" for this team. What exactly is the advantage...? Jim Les being able to hear the opposing coach's plays in the huddle maybe? :lol:

 

[ser_solace]

Fair enough, but as stated, most of the top 25 will have a bad loss or two on their resume by the end of the year and still do well. (See Louisville, Michigan, Michigan St., etc.).

But unfortunately for Bradley, we and the MVC are not perceived as a "major" power. That perception helps uplift those teams from bad losses in the eyes of the selection committee.

 

[Braves4Life]

You know I'm not really sure why so much emphasis is put on "at home" for this team. What exactly is the advantage...? Jim Les being able to hear the opposing coach's plays in the huddle maybe? :lol:

Don't take this wrong but I'm guessing you've never played sports. If you had I think you would understand.

 

[Da Coach]

If anyone thinks losing at home to Western Carolina is bad, check this out:
The North Dakota fighting Sioux lost at home last night to the Comets of Mayville State, 73-61.
http://www.fightingsioux.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=204846255http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=200912081279

I suspect very few here have ever heard of Mayville State or know where it is.
Mayville State is in Mayville, North Dakota.They are a Division II NAIA school (non-scholarship). They are now 6-5 with the win, but 2 of their wins were against Canadian Mennonite College.
http://www.mayvillestate.edu/athletics/schedule_mens_basketball.cfm

North Dakota is new to D1, and are off to a 1-9 start this year.

 

[Bradleyguy10]

Don't take this wrong but I'm guessing you've never played sports. If you had I think you would understand.

I have definitely played many different sports in my life. Official sports...not just "backyard" or intramurals. My grandpa played triple A for the St. Louis cardinals until he had kids, my dad and uncle were professional soccer players (my high school gym teacher had my dad's card), a cousin of mine played professional indoor soccer for the St. Louis Ambush and then the steamers. Another two of my cousins were DI soccer players at two different BCS schools. And yes I realize I'm talking about my family and not me a lot but I tend to think my family (myself included) is very athletic and knows a thing or two about sports. I know I mentioned soccer a lot also but it's mainly because those were the highest levels to make a point lol.

I guess some people couldn't see the joke in my previous statement.:roll:

 

[afan]

I have definitely played many different sports in my life. Official sports...not just "backyard" or intramurals. My grandpa played triple A for the St. Louis cardinals until he had kids, my dad and uncle were professional soccer players (my high school gym teacher had my dad's card), a cousin of mine played professional indoor soccer for the St. Louis Ambush and then the steamers. Another two of my cousins were DI soccer players at two different BCS schools. And yes I realize I'm talking about my family and not me a lot but I tend to think my family (myself included) is very athletic and knows a thing or two about sports. I know I mentioned soccer a lot also but it's mainly because those were the highest levels to make a point lol.

I guess some people couldn't see the joke in my previous statement.:roll:

It's not a joke! Where is the funny part? I doubt if anyone could see the joke in your previous statement. I agree with BradleyBrave4life. There are many reasons for home court advantage. None of your reasons fit the bill.

 

[Out of Balance]

You know I'm not really sure why so much emphasis is put on "at home" for this team. What exactly is the advantage...? Jim Les being able to hear the opposing coach's plays in the huddle maybe? :lol:

I'll take this as a joke friend, just because there is NO other way to look at it or make sense of it:roll:

 

[chitown fanatic]

Fair enough, but as stated, most of the top 25 will have a bad loss or two on their resume by the end of the year and still do well. (See Louisville, Michigan, Michigan St., etc.).

And all of those teams you list play in top conferences and have much greater exposure and name recognition. They are not playing the drakes of the world(though Iowa this year would qualify ) The WCU loss is too much to overcome unless we finish 1 or 2 in conference and 14-4. That coupled with 8-3 non con and at least 1 win in STL, would put us at 23-8 and squarely on the bubble. Get to the title game and I think 24 would be enough to merit at-large. That's a lot to ask of a team that hasn't finished better than 12-6 in Les's tenure. Also, don't forget the incredibly shrinking number of mids invited to the Dance(4 last year), and a considerably weaker valley with only 3 noteable non-con wins so far(ILL,Tulsa, BC) and that spells even further doom.

 

[Chico]

You know I'm not really sure why so much emphasis is put on "at home" for this team. What exactly is the advantage...? Jim Les being able to hear the opposing coach's plays in the huddle maybe? :lol:

I took this post as a joke, but the sad part is that it's more truthful than not. If the band were able to do what they come for and being so close to the opponents bench, and not have to stand through PA announcements, the opposing players might even have a hard time hearing their coach.

 

[Grassman]

And all of those teams you list play in top conferences and have much greater exposure and name recognition. They are not playing the drakes of the world(though Iowa this year would qualify ) The WCU loss is too much to overcome unless we finish 1 or 2 in conference and 14-4. That coupled with 8-3 non con and at least 1 win in STL, would put us at 23-8 and squarely on the bubble. Get to the title game and I think 24 would be enough to merit at-large. That's a lot to ask of a team that hasn't finished better than 12-6 in Les's tenure. Also, don't forget the incredibly shrinking number of mids invited to the Dance(4 last year), and a considerably weaker valley with only 3 noteable non-con wins so far(ILL,Tulsa, BC) and that spells even further doom.

IMO, We better beat IA. St. and they better finish in the top 1/2 of the Big 12,or even that W will not mean much. IA st. should with Brackens a 2nd team All-American,, according to SI.
If we lose to IA. St.. we better win The Valley and/or the tournament, or its off to some alphabetically, insignificant tournament. I do however, still consider the NIT significant. This year, not next!

 

[Chico]

If anyone thinks losing at home to Western Carolina is bad, check this out:
The North Dakota fighting Sioux lost at home last night to the Comets of Mayville State, 73-61.
http://www.fightingsioux.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=204846255http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=200912081279

I suspect very few here have ever heard of Mayville State or know where it is.
Mayville State is in Mayville, North Dakota.They are a Division II NAIA school (non-scholarship). They are now 6-5 with the win, but 2 of their wins were against Canadian Mennonite College.
http://www.mayvillestate.edu/athletics/schedule_mens_basketball.cfm

North Dakota is new to D1, and are off to a 1-9 start this year.

Hate to repeat myself, but maybe it will be beneficial and they can learn from it. Humbug

 

[Bradleyguy10]

Man I'm really tired of this board ragging on me in the past few weeks. I can name 3 off the top of my head.

Take my word for it..it was definitely a joke

geez

I'll go crawl into a hole for the rest of the season.

 

[MacabreMob]

Man I'm really tired of this board ragging on me in the past few weeks. I can name 3 off the top of my head.

Take my word for it..it was definitely a joke

geez

I'll go crawl into a hole for the rest of the season.

Don't do it man. Stay with us. Don't let those bullies get you down.

 

[Braves4Life]

Take my word for it..it was definitely a joke

I've got know problem with you Bradleyguy. I believe you when you say you were joking. I obviously misinterpreted what you meant.

I'm with Macabre (the original message board bully ) STAY WITH US.

 

[Out of Balance]

Man I'm really tired of this board ragging on me in the past few weeks. I can name 3 off the top of my head.

Take my word for it..it was definitely a joke

geez

I'll go crawl into a hole for the rest of the season.

Don't do that, stay with us, we love you man:!: Just your turn in the barrel:lol: