He doesn't have a good position, and generally it is more determined by defense. He's not strong enough to guard the post, and he is not athletic enough to guard the wing. At the end of the game he got a cheap foul because he tried to close out and was not in an athletic position and ended up bumping the offensive player to cause a foul.
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Final score- Bradley 85 Murray State 83
- Thread starter Da Coach
- Start date
He doesn't have a good position, and generally it is more determined by defense. He's not strong enough to guard the post, and he is not athletic enough to guard the wing. At the end of the game he got a cheap foul because he tried to close out and was not in an athletic position and ended up bumping the offensive player to cause a foul.
Almar has gotten most of his playing time recently at the 5 position, mainly because the other 5's (Jonovic & Thomas) have been accumulating fouls early, and also to avoid playing Hannah at the 5 defensively to keep him from getting fouls. And I agree that he is more valuable as a wing forward, especially when he is hitting threes. But I watched him in the Murray State game, and he did a surprisingly good job defending Ellington and Lindsay inside when he was given that responsibility. Starting center Ellington had just 2 baskets and 5 points, well below his average. And backup center Lindsay did have 17, but from what I saw, most of them came in the 2nd half against other defenders. I think Almar is willing to learn. He is not a natural "5" (he never has been at any level before), and he is getting better at techniques that leverage his size and strength to keep big men away from the basket. Yes, his foot maneuverability is still lacking, and that is where his fouls mostly come from. What Bradley needs more than hoping Almar can convert to a 5 player is to work with the other bigs to defend without fouling so that Almar can go back to his preferred position on the wing.
bradleyfan124
Active member
Agree!!.. We need to recruit a strong center
Tommy
Well-known member
I have eligibility left.
[email protected]
New member
I was an undersized center in grade school. Does that count.:lol:
Dub
New member
Reflecting back on Saturday night...
I've been following this team for a long time now.
In my early years, it was about big, LOUD crowds. Hersey Hawkins and Jim Les. Seeing my dad excited. Seeing grown adults jumping around screaming.
When I got into my teenage years in the early nineties, a primary focus of my Bradley fandom became about season-end results. How could we engineer our way into the NCAA tournament? Could we perhaps someday win a game in the tournament again?
I'm still focused on season results, but after last Saturday night... I wonder if it's too much so.
Coming into the game on Saturday, I had just gotten done seeing my wife through a tough hospital stay. I needed something good in my life.
The level of excitement in that crowd during the comeback and at the final buzzer in OT took me back to feelings from my childhood. If we could bottle that experience up and drink from it every game, I'd consider it a priceless and intoxicating concoction.
Every individual game is its own unique challenge. They all matter. What a good time that was last Saturday.
I've been following this team for a long time now.
In my early years, it was about big, LOUD crowds. Hersey Hawkins and Jim Les. Seeing my dad excited. Seeing grown adults jumping around screaming.
When I got into my teenage years in the early nineties, a primary focus of my Bradley fandom became about season-end results. How could we engineer our way into the NCAA tournament? Could we perhaps someday win a game in the tournament again?
I'm still focused on season results, but after last Saturday night... I wonder if it's too much so.
Coming into the game on Saturday, I had just gotten done seeing my wife through a tough hospital stay. I needed something good in my life.
The level of excitement in that crowd during the comeback and at the final buzzer in OT took me back to feelings from my childhood. If we could bottle that experience up and drink from it every game, I'd consider it a priceless and intoxicating concoction.
Every individual game is its own unique challenge. They all matter. What a good time that was last Saturday.
Steve Zalutsky
New member
Very Happy to hear you had a good time! College Basketball is so inspiring when you have close games with great enthusiastic home crowds!!!! I wish I could have been in Peoria last Saturday, but living in Chicago, doesn't make it as convenient! I am though driving the 1 hour 20 minute ride east to Valparaiso Wednesday! I hope I hear the BU fans loud and clear!!!! Following Bradley does bring me some purpose likewise! I do Relish in Bradley's great Basketball History! That a small school from Peoria could rise to the top in this most exciting sport is awesome! Finally, to see Coach Wardle REV up the crowd when we were down 14-2, shows his Passion and respect for our fans that he knows can give his team a huge Lift!
bradleyfan124
Active member
lol!!!!!!!!
LittleBrave
Active member
LOVED reading this Dub!
It surprised me how excited and energetic the crowd was on Saturday. We probably knew that the Valley title wasn't going to be a reality, an At-Large bid was out of reach, and we were playing a mediocre Murray St team (who didn't play like one on Sat) on the heels of 2 huge road games, and a tough loss to our biggest rivals.
Good to have a few games like this one to store in that sports memory bank so that whatever expectations not met by the Braves at season's end doesn't get you down.
Bradley fans truly are the CLASS of the Valley, and just another strong reason I've stayed a BU fan for 30+ yrs.
LittleBrave
Active member
WTH! Valpo is that close to Chicago?? Why didn't that even cross my mind! I just checked and it's only 1.5 hrs for me!
Count me THERE next year when we play there!
I know you don't wanna hear this - but last Saturday's game vs Murray was WORTH every minute of the 2 hr 45 min drive to Peoria! Was awesome to share that moment with Dub, Tommy, and my 11-yr-old (maybe future Brave) son!
Hope to meet you in person too someday Steve Z!
LittleBrave
Active member
Brian is coming after us hard Tommy with our combined 8 yrs eligibility. Let's keep our options open. I heard there will be room on the Cincy bench next year!
Just imagine - bench buddies for 4 yrs and loads of NIL cashola!!!
LittleBrave
Active member
Really depends if you are now an undersized man or not (to be considered as BU's future center star).
Tommy
Well-known member
I don't know if I want to play with you LB. You're a bit of a ball hog and you'd probably negatively affect my rebound numbers.
LittleBrave
Active member
You're probably right Tommy. Size has NOTHING to do with rebounding (Isn't that what Les used to say?)
I know that nobody can shoot better than me, so why pass the ball? And if you have doubts I can make it, well...more rebounds for YOU!