My thoughts

[BradleyFan07]

Growing up in Chicago, I didn't really grasp the Bradley basketball tradition until I came to school here in 2002. I really didn't start attending games until the 2006 season, where I attended almost every home game and started going to st Louis for the valley tourney which I still attend. Since 2006 I have been to almost every home game and have to say I have never been more disappointed in this program than I am now. It is completely unacceptable to lose to WCU and loyola at home. Its embarrassing. I was at both games and both were very predictable outcomes. Bu has had way too many games where they jump out to big leads and let up. Its been a disturbing trend in jim les tenure. Now im not saying we need a coaching change but he needs to re-examine his strategy. We seem to play to our competition. I made the trip to vegas and that team that played illinois is not the same team I have seen since. That falls on the coach. He needs to get his team up for every game like its their last. Thats what the good teams do. Les has done a great job of getting talent into peoria he just needs to coach them better. This 3 guard offense worked when we had crouch and ruffin but not anymore. Lets get our bigs more involved. At needs to play period. While SS is ok for 5-10 min a game, thats all he should play..end of story. I know hes not our problem but we keep getting killed on the boards. The only way AT will improve is if he gets minutes. I know Im rambling but I want this team to succeed more than anything. This season is not over by a long shot. Lets have a good conf season, finish in the top 3(which Les needs to do to validate his career), and be players for the tourney championship

 

[BRADLEY FAN 49]

Growing up in Chicago, I didn't really grasp the Bradley basketball tradition until I came to school here in 2002. I really didn't start attending games until the 2006 season, where I attended almost every home game and started going to st Louis for the valley tourney which I still attend. Since 2006 I have been to almost every home game and have to say I have never been more disappointed in this program than I am now. It is completely unacceptable to lose to WCU and loyola at home. Its embarrassing. I was at both games and both were very predictable outcomes. Bu has had way too many games where they jump out to big leads and let up. Its been a disturbing trend in jim les tenure. Now im not saying we need a coaching change but he needs to re-examine his strategy. We seem to play to our competition. I made the trip to vegas and that team that played illinois is not the same team I have seen since. That falls on the coach. He needs to get his team up for every game like its their last. Thats what the good teams do. Les has done a great job of getting talent into peoria he just needs to coach them better. This 3 guard offense worked when we had crouch and ruffin but not anymore. Lets get our bigs more involved. At needs to play period. While SS is ok for 5-10 min a game, thats all he should play..end of story. I know hes not our problem but we keep getting killed on the boards. The only way AT will improve is if he gets minutes. I know Im rambling but I want this team to succeed more than anything. This season is not over by a long shot. Lets have a good conf season, finish in the top 3(which Les needs to do to validate his career), and be players for the tourney championship[/QUOTE

This is not something that just started with J.L.
Jim molinari was the worst coach I have ever seen for not having a team ready to play.
I think without our recent injuries we win both of the last two games.
At the very least we win the Loyola game.

 

[bu fan 9]

I really think we are a very soft team. We need to get some intercity kids like a Toney Bennett that won't back down from anybody. Our bigs are so soft it makes me sick.

 

[chitown fanatic]

Growing up in Chicago, I didn't really grasp the Bradley basketball tradition until I came to school here in 2002. I really didn't start attending games until the 2006 season, where I attended almost every home game and started going to st Louis for the valley tourney which I still attend. Since 2006 I have been to almost every home game and have to say I have never been more disappointed in this program than I am now. It is completely unacceptable to lose to WCU and loyola at home. Its embarrassing. I was at both games and both were very predictable outcomes. Bu has had way too many games where they jump out to big leads and let up. Its been a disturbing trend in jim les tenure. Now im not saying we need a coaching change but he needs to re-examine his strategy. We seem to play to our competition. I made the trip to vegas and that team that played illinois is not the same team I have seen since. That falls on the coach. He needs to get his team up for every game like its their last. Thats what the good teams do. Les has done a great job of getting talent into peoria he just needs to coach them better. This 3 guard offense worked when we had crouch and ruffin but not anymore. Lets get our bigs more involved. At needs to play period. While SS is ok for 5-10 min a game, thats all he should play..end of story. I know hes not our problem but we keep getting killed on the boards. The only way AT will improve is if he gets minutes. I know Im rambling but I want this team to succeed more than anything. This season is not over by a long shot. Lets have a good conf season, finish in the top 3(which Les needs to do to validate his career), and be players for the tourney championship[/QUOTE

This is not something that just started with J.L.
Jim molinari was the worst coach I have ever seen for not having a team ready to play.
I think without our recent injuries we win both of the last two games.
At the very least we win the Loyola game.

Injuries have nothing to do with why we lost to Loyola...absolutely nothing. this crutch can be used for other opponents, but not one like Loyola who clearly has inferior talent. I've never seen such a gift wrapped victory in my life at the collegiate level. 10 scoreless minutes at home in 2nd half???!!!!

 

[BRADLEY FAN 49]

Injuries have nothing to do with why we lost to Loyola...absolutely nothing. this crutch can be used for other opponents, but not one like Loyola who clearly has inferior talent. I've never seen such a gift wrapped victory in my life at the collegiate level. 10 scoreless minutes at home in 2nd half???!!!!

I think what you mean to say is we should have won with the people we had.

I don't care what you say injuries caused us to be more short handed and sure would have made a difference.

 

[bu fan 9]

It is hard to close games out when you don't have a point guard and a leader on the floor.I have been saying this for 2 years now if we would of had Ruffin on the floor last game we win it is preety simple.

 

[SFP]

I think what you mean to say is we should have won with the people we had.

I don't care what you say injuries caused us to be more short handed and sure would have made a difference.

With or without DD we should have won. If we are throwing in DSE in this conversation as a freshman then I have to start agreeing 100% with chitown's thought process. I have said this for the last 2 years that our team is not physical enough or mean enough. Matt Salley was the last guy that took it to the level that this team is lacking. I'd like to see JL goout and recruit a guy that is hugrier then a junk yard dog. Our guys look like they are way to comfortable. They need a sense of urgancy, with a never lose mentality. I'd like us to get a player that would get into the face of every player and challange their manhood when they fail to finish a game correctly win or lose. A coach can only do so much!

 

[bu fan 9]

SFP I agree with you but we all so need a point guard in a bad way. I want the meanist big man they can find.

 

[SFP]

SFP I agree with you but we all so need a point guard in a bad way. I want the meanist big man they can find.

I believe we do have a PG and his initial are EM. EM played well the last 2 games. We do not need a PG that can score but one that can penetrate and dish and play hounding D. EM is only in his 2nd year and will be great for us this year when it is all said and done. He started off slow but I believe those early season woes are a thing of the past. Can you imagine the play if we had EM, AW, MK, TB and a serviceable mean defensive 5? Then off the bench we could have WE come in and play the 4, SM comes in at the 5 for some offensive spark at the 1 and CR can then add the defensive pressure. Just a thought. We do have a PG just not a tough SOB that can look at every guy in the huddle and have them own up to their responsibility.

 

[mrcoachdude]

this belongs elsewhere i am sure...but:

Will is playing the 5 and is a 4
Taylor is a 3 and playing the 4


IF we had someone playing the 5 that was a 5 reaaalllllyyy a 5.....I think we would be much better....

 

[dogsrus]

this belongs elsewhere i am sure...but:

Will is playing the 5 and is a 4
Taylor is a 3 and playing the 4


IF we had someone playing the 5 that was a 5 reaaalllllyyy a 5.....I think we would be much better....

So lets throw Sticks/Branches to the wolves.....play him at the 5 with SS subbing to keep him fresh.....let Will play the 4, put TB at the 3, AW at 2 and SM running the show.

I understand that leaves CR out but sub him with TB and you got quite a 1-2 punch..heck you could let TB play the 2 also.

 

[amckillip]

It is hard to close games out when you don't have a point guard and a leader on the floor.I have been saying this for 2 years now if we would of had Ruffin on the floor last game we win it is preety simple.

This is so laughable it's hilarious. Look at how many clutch shot's SM's made, EVERYONE who's met him praises him as a natural leader. NO ONE said that about Ruffin, and he was that exact opposite of clutch.

 

[mrcoachdude]

So lets throw Sticks/Branches to the wolves.....play him at the 5 with SS subbing to keep him fresh.....let Will play the 4, put TB at the 3, AW at 2 and SM running the show.

I understand that leaves CR out but sub him with TB and you got quite a 1-2 punch..heck you could let TB play the 2 also.

Dru I like your thinking...but it has to be someone elses idea Come on Jim look at this thread lol

SM - EM
AW - JE
TB - CR
WE - MK
AT - SS

 

[Bravesfan]

Growing up in Chicago, I didn't really grasp the Bradley basketball tradition until I came to school here in 2002. I really didn't start attending games until the 2006 season, where I attended almost every home game and started going to st Louis for the valley tourney which I still attend. Since 2006 I have been to almost every home game and have to say I have never been more disappointed in this program than I am now. It is completely unacceptable to lose to WCU and loyola at home. Its embarrassing. I was at both games and both were very predictable outcomes. Bu has had way too many games where they jump out to big leads and let up. Its been a disturbing trend in jim les tenure. Now im not saying we need a coaching change but he needs to re-examine his strategy. We seem to play to our competition. I made the trip to vegas and that team that played illinois is not the same team I have seen since. That falls on the coach. He needs to get his team up for every game like its their last. Thats what the good teams do. Les has done a great job of getting talent into peoria he just needs to coach them better. This 3 guard offense worked when we had crouch and ruffin but not anymore. Lets get our bigs more involved. At needs to play period. While SS is ok for 5-10 min a game, thats all he should play..end of story. I know hes not our problem but we keep getting killed on the boards. The only way AT will improve is if he gets minutes. I know Im rambling but I want this team to succeed more than anything. This season is not over by a long shot. Lets have a good conf season, finish in the top 3(which Les needs to do to validate his career), and be players for the tourney championship[/QUOTE

This is not something that just started with J.L.
Jim molinari was the worst coach I have ever seen for not having a team ready to play.
I think without our recent injuries we win both of the last two games.
At the very least we win the Loyola game.

JM was a bad coach? He went to five NIT's and one NCAA tournament. That's not Creighton numbers, but that's not too shabby either. Far better than the "worst coach for not having a team ready to play"!

 

[Bravesfan]

Growing up in Chicago, I didn't really grasp the Bradley basketball tradition until I came to school here in 2002. I really didn't start attending games until the 2006 season, where I attended almost every home game and started going to st Louis for the valley tourney which I still attend. Since 2006 I have been to almost every home game and have to say I have never been more disappointed in this program than I am now. It is completely unacceptable to lose to WCU and loyola at home. Its embarrassing. I was at both games and both were very predictable outcomes. Bu has had way too many games where they jump out to big leads and let up. Its been a disturbing trend in jim les tenure. Now im not saying we need a coaching change but he needs to re-examine his strategy. We seem to play to our competition. I made the trip to vegas and that team that played illinois is not the same team I have seen since. That falls on the coach. He needs to get his team up for every game like its their last. Thats what the good teams do. Les has done a great job of getting talent into peoria he just needs to coach them better. This 3 guard offense worked when we had crouch and ruffin but not anymore. Lets get our bigs more involved. At needs to play period. While SS is ok for 5-10 min a game, thats all he should play..end of story. I know hes not our problem but we keep getting killed on the boards. The only way AT will improve is if he gets minutes. I know Im rambling but I want this team to succeed more than anything. This season is not over by a long shot. Lets have a good conf season, finish in the top 3(which Les needs to do to validate his career), and be players for the tourney championship

I thought WCU just beat Louisville AT Louisville. You know, they just beat the great Rick Pitino!

While I grant you we don't know a lot about Loyola yet, WCU is definitely a team NO ONE wants to play come March!

 

[MacabreMob]

I just wanna say... for all the sheeyat Eddren is taking on this board... that guy is a tough sob... and if he knew any of you personally that said any "crap" about him - he'd beat the crap out of ya. The guy IS a fighter and he will endure. And he will not only get better in everyone's eyes - he'll make you eat your words.

Go get 'em Eddren!

 

[tornado]

of the true PG's in the league, the guys who regularly bring the ball up against the defense and intitiate the half court offense...
here are some comparative stats...and recall our SOS...the teams we've been playing, are better than all the other teams except InSU.

Eddren......- assists 24, turnovers 10, A/T=2.4, assists per minute played 0.163
Young (CU)- assists 25, turnovers 14, A/T=1.8, assists per minute played 0.104
Phillips(ISU)- assists 38, turnovers 21, A/T=1.3, assists per minute played 0.104
Kelly (InSU)- assists 10, turnovers 17, A/T=0.6, assists per minute played 0.039
Kwadzo(UNI)-assists 21, turnovers 25, A/T=0.8, assists per minute played 0.081
Dillard(SIU) - assists 37, turnovers 16, A/T=2.3, assists per minute played 0.187
Hannah(WSU)-assists 33, turnovers 16, A/T=2.1, assists per minute played 0.185


I also applaud Eddren for such an improvement since last season...keep it up...

 

[Bradleyguy10]

I want more than a good assist to turnover ratio; we need him to be a threat. I don't think I've ever seen anyone say that he has a bad A/T ratio. The argument is that he is one dimensional. And you have repeatedly tried to side-step it. You are starting to sound like a broken record in all honesty...just "my thoughts" lol.

 

[Braves4Life]

McCain is our best option for success at PG. Sammy is good but he does not have EM's potential, quickness, and ability to drive by a defender deep into the paint. If we are to win the Valley we need EM to continue to progress and gain confidence; I think he will. He has proven in high school that he is a scorer; the guy can definately get to the basket. I just hope his outside shot progresses this year where we can say it is at least respectable. I have NO doubt the coaches are working on this with him. I think we will look back on this year as an early-season sophomore slump, but I think (at least hope) he will break out of it by league play. Just MY thoughts

 

[lefty]

McCain is our best option for success at PG. Sammy is good but he does not have EM's potential, quickness, and ability to drive by a defender deep into the paint. If we are to win the Valley we need EM to continue to progress and gain confidence; I think he will. He has proven in high school that he is a scorer; the guy can definately get to the basket. I just hope his outside shot progresses this year where we can say it is at least respectable. I have NO doubt the coaches are working on this with him. I think we will look back on this year as an early-season sophomore slump, but I think (at least hope) he will break out of it by league play. Just MY thoughts

Even though they played dfferent positions JC went through his soph season the same way where he played his way out the rotation and then had a great finish tohis career....maybe EM will do the same. I think he can