Wessler- Better days are not ahead

[Dallas Brave]

Unfortunately after the last several games I have to agree that things are really going downhill fast, I have always felt that every good head coach has great asst. coaches and BU does not have that which falls into Jims responsibility, the last time things got this bad we ended up having good players transfer out which in turn put this program back several seasons, that is a major concern as I think we all agree that we do not want to wait another 5 years to compete for a championship, an asst. coach that can teach better defensive techniques and schemes would be the answer to most of our problems .I think Jim had better find one soon or he may not be aroud much longer.

If it comes down to replacing JL, I'm hoping that the program can avoid a fall out. Bradley has a lot to offer prospective players ... and that doesn't change even if JL goes away. With the new facilities, a new AD, and a President who places a high priority on winning ... I think Bradley would be able to attract some highly qualified, proven coaching talent. A new coach will have the benefit of stepping into a program trending the right direction in terms of talent and facilities.

At the end of the day, winning is very important to a school's attractiveness for qaulity students. I was just talking with a TCU administrator the other day and applications to TCU are out the roof thanks to the success of the football team.

 

[BradleyBrave]

If it comes down to replacing JL, I'm hoping that the program can avoid a fall out. Bradley has a lot to offer prospective players ... and that doesn't change even if JL goes away. With the new facilities, a new AD, and a President who places a high priority on winning ... I think Bradley would be able to attract some highly qualified, proven coaching talent. A new coach will have the benefit of stepping into a program trending the right direction in terms of talent and facilities.

At the end of the day, winning is very important to a school's attractiveness for qaulity students. I was just talking with a TCU administrator the other day and applications to TCU are out the roof thanks to the success of the football team.

BU canned a similar legendary figure about 30 years ago, and everything turned out just fine. He's still a beloved legendary figure, and the program took a major step forward with the guy that succeeded him. The only thing BU has to fear is fear itself...

 

[Da Coach]

Wizard, perhaps you have forgotten what a "fan" is. I am a fan of Bradley. If it comes time for Bradley to make a change, I will support that, as well.

 

[dogsrus]

I read the article. It's very hard to disagree with any of it at this time. That being said, I think KW has been waiting for this. He took some heat a year ago for being anti-Les, and as a result backed off. Apparently the frustration of yesterdays game super ceded his attempt to prove people wrong about his opinions of Les, and he went into attack mode. It takes no guts to write an article like this at this time.

But like I said at the beginning, it is a very hard time to defend Les. Even though the article is harsh, and oozes of KW's personal issues with Les, it is not inappropriate.

I don't think you can agree with what is written and at the same time criticize him for writing the truth can you?

He is just writing what the mases allready know and see for themselves......I understand its like a bully pulpit where its hard to argue him directly if you disagree but there are ways of disputing WHAT he says IF you disagree.

Again though, it sounds like you don't disagree......

 

[dogsrus]

This seems like a silly question. I support Bradley. Who do you support?
Apparently, you are a supporter of:
Bradley when they win.

It may irk a few people, but the truth is that the administration supports Jim Les, so apparently you think they are irrational, too.
And so do a lot of fans.

Both those that complain and don't complain as much or at all can support the same University.

I support the US but I'm sure not happy about giving up what I EARN through hard work to those that sit around wanting and expecting handouts....and I'm going to voice my opinion about it time and time again until a change is made.

I think we ALL support BU the University.....some are just not supporting JL and want change.

 

[dogsrus]

Wizard, perhaps you have forgotten what a "fan" is. I am a fan of Bradley. If it comes time for Bradley to make a change, I will support that, as well.

Sorry I wrote my last thread before I read this one.....I agree. And I think that holds true to MOST of the fanbase...even those that are calling for change now.

I have yet to see alot of fire JL type statements. I beleive MOST are willing to play this year out before that choice is made.

 

[Braveman]

Let's remember that as a columnist- KW is supposed to give his opinion- which he did...

My question to those blind loyalists would be- what did he say that was untrue or attacking the program?

I don't see any attacks- and before anyone says I am a fair-weathered fan only- I have close ties and a history with the program and have for many years..

It is what it is... and right now, it isn't very good- FACT

 

[Buesch N Chips]

I don't think you can agree with what is written and at the same time criticize him for writing the truth can you?

He is just writing what the mases allready know and see for themselves......I understand its like a bully pulpit where its hard to argue him directly if you disagree but there are ways of disputing WHAT he says IF you disagree.

Again though, it sounds like you don't disagree......

Any criticism that comes now cannot be disputed. I guess my point is, if everyone is thinking it, for KW to be so vitriolic about things that everyone can see speaks to their relationship.

 

[Bravesfan]

I don't think anyone disagrees with the central thesis of KW's article that BU plays soft and passive. Yesterday's game was a clear example of this. Love to have a nickel for every rebound that was taken away from us, or every shot that was eeked up to the basket in fear by one of our big men.

But....this team has proven that when it plays aggressively it can win against top 25 caliber teams. And, no, I'm not hanging my hat on the Illinois win alone as hope that this team can be better. How about we let the conference season play out and then make a judgement? We still have Drake once, Evansville twice and a very beatable Creighton team twice. We'll also get a look at this MoSt. team at home, where I'm pretty sure that Michael Jordan Weems won't have the same production.

At this point, though, through about half of the season, the trademark of this team is softness.

I absolutely 100% agree with all your points doug. And while KW makes some very good points as well, I don't totally agree with his assessment that Bradley's better days are not ahead.

I think the real evaluation of this team starts next Saturday at Carver Arena with our rematch against MSU. I do think Bradley will improve before the end of this season. Of course everyone has a different definition of what "better days" mean. I think in terms of what Bradley can do this year, a .500 record beyond the UNI game is certainly within grasp, maybe even a few games above .500. Again I realize this would not constitute better days in the eyes of many fans, but it certainly would be an improvement over this 2-6, and most likely soon to be 2-7 stretch that this team has suffered through since the Illinois win. But I can still see this team finishing the regular season 8-5, perhaps even 9-4 if they get some lucky breaks.

I think my philosophy behind this prediction stems from the Drake/SIU game last night. It shows that even the worst of the worst teams in the Valley can upset good teams on the road if they have a great shooting night and play good defense. Therefore you can't dismiss any game until it's played. We also get most of our toughest games out of the way with the UNI game on Tuesday night. And finally just because a team embarrasses us on their home court doesn't mean it will happen on our home court. I have seen many teams over the years just bury us at their place only to come to our place and look just as bad as we were on their home court. That's why I really can't see MSU pulling that same performance in Peoria that they did in Springfield yesterday. Can they still beat us in Peoria? Absolutely! But will they make as easy as yesterday. Possiblely if we come out flat again, but not as likely.

In short, I think Bradley will upset a few good teams at least at home this year, and judging by the SIU performance in Carbondale last night, I think Bradley steals at least one game against a mid level road team like SIU or either of the ISU's in addition to a win at Evansville. Creighton in Omaha will be tougher but is very winnable too. I still can see Bradley finishing with between 9 and 11 conference wins, and yes KW, that would represent better days ahead!

 

[Bravesfan]

Let's remember that as a columnist- KW is supposed to give his opinion- which he did...

My question to those blind loyalists would be- what did he say that was untrue or attacking the program?

I don't see any attacks- and before anyone says I am a fair-weathered fan only- I have close ties and a history with the program and have for many years..

It is what it is... and right now, it isn't very good- FACT

What did he say that was untrue? That better days are not ahead. How does he know that for sure? I've seen many bad seasons in college basketball turn on a dime over the years. Sometimes things just all of the sudden "click" for a team and they go on a run. Heck even during Coach Mo's second season in 1993, Bradley finished the season on a 5-2 run after starting 6-14. That propelled them to a 23-8 NIT season the following year, which was the first of three consectutive 20 win seasons.

So I don't know about anyone else, but I for one am certainly not ready to write off this season yet!

 

[wizard1]

Wessler-BetterDays-----

Wessler-BetterDays-----

Coach---Thanks for the respnse. I certainly know what a loyal fan is and I have never doubted that you are one of the loyalist BU fans and want nothing but the best for them. I share this with you. I only wanted to "tweek"you position on the current situation and KW and aks that you give serious thought to this situation which I know you will do. Thanks again.

 

[Bradleyguy10]

He seems to dismiss the effects of the injuries to DD and DSE, as if they should have no effect.

He has a whole paragraph that acknowledges injuries and suspensions. Did you read the article?

I do think DD and DSE have affected us but we were playing good basketball w/out DD and DSE is a freshmen that was 7th or 8th off the bench at the time. That is not the reason for this season to spiral out of control...it's something else and it's something deeper.

 

[Out of Balance]

What did he say that was untrue? That better days are not ahead. How does he know that for sure? I've seen many bad seasons in college basketball turn on a dime over the years. Sometimes things just all of the sudden "click" for a team and they go on a run. Heck even during Coach Mo's second season in 1993, Bradley finished the season on a 5-2 run after starting 6-14. That propelled them to a 23-8 NIT season the following year, which was the first of three consectutive 20 win seasons.

So I don't know about anyone else, but I for one am certainly not ready to write off this season yet!

I'm not either BUT there has got to be a lot of changes with JL, the coach's and the player's NOW:!::|

 

[dogsrus]

Let's remember that as a columnist- KW is supposed to give his opinion- which he did...

My question to those blind loyalists would be- what did he say that was untrue or attacking the program?

I don't see any attacks- and before anyone says I am a fair-weathered fan only- I have close ties and a history with the program and have for many years..

It is what it is... and right now, it isn't very good- FACT

Braveman...I agree with what you say save for calling SOME "blind loyalists" (BL).....even if you didn't mean it in a deragatory fashion (which I'm sure you didn't) it doesn't seem fair.

I don't think we can call some a BL anymore then we want or should be called Les Haters or program attackers, etc.

 

[molar50]

Les staying on as a coach

Les staying on as a coach

Naturally, the natives are restless and the drums are beating for changes. I think our expectations were raised after the University of Illinois game. Unfortunately, that is the last game our team has good bb for 40 minutes. Several things have caused this team to the losses and I am not sure how much each has contributed to these losses. The mystery of Steve Merfeld leaving, the suspensions of Taylor Brown, the injuries to DD and DSE have hurt. Our team shoots free throws poorly and our offense often passes up open shots and dribbles the ball too long. I think you just have to hope Les will find some answers. I do think we will be much better next year, but I have doubts we will finish above 4th place again.

 

[bigdaddystuck]

I/we are reminded on here all the time that I/we are not experts, because we are not that involved with the program or coaches etc...

Before this season, many people who make their living, (and I am willing to say probably better judges than I am being a fan), writing/following college bball chose BU to finish 6th or lower in the Valley. Many on here ripped those writers. Maybe, just maybe, those people had a better handle on how good the team was/is. Maybe they questioned the abilities of the coaches to put it all together. Maybe we should have listened/ paid closer attention to these "experts". If we had maybe we wouldn't have had such high expectations for this team.

Not ready to give up on this team and coach. However, I do think that change has to happen and I don't know if it can wait until after the season. I am not saying fire the staff. What I am saying is scrap whatever is the plan because what we have is not working!

 

[BradleyJD]

Not ready to give up on this team and coach. However, I do think that change has to happen and I don't know if it can wait until after the season. I am not saying fire the staff. What I am saying is scrap whatever is the plan because what we have is not working!

Agreed.

Most of the people on here who have been worrying about Les and the BU program have the same thoughts.

We need to change stuff up. What we are doing right now is not working.

 

[Da Coach]

He has a whole paragraph that acknowledges injuries and suspensions. Did you read the article?

I do think DD and DSE have affected us but we were playing good basketball w/out DD and DSE is a freshmen that was 7th or 8th off the bench at the time. That is not the reason for this season to spiral out of control...it's something else and it's something deeper.

Here is KW's entire paragraph where you say he acknowledges the injuries-
Bradley is not the only Valley team with an injury or two, or a player suspension that cut down on the rotation.
Injuries happen. So do suspensions. So you play with a shorter bench than you’d like. And yes, over a 30-game regular season, even the best teams encounter nights when they don’t shoot well, or their legs are dead, or they get outhorsed and overwhelmed by a hot or superior opponent.

You may be the one who needs to re-read the article.
The intent of this only mention of injuries is not to acknowledge that they played a part, but to dismiss them as any possible cause for this team's underachieving.
IMO, things like injuries don't always even out as he suggests.

 

[peoriaillinois]

I actually think KW has been to easy on JL. The team lacks focus and intensity and the ability to maintain it. You can discuss this as a player issue or a team issue but it ultimately is a reflection of the coach. Bradley is playing below their potential and their inability to win games they have in hand will only drive recruits away. It is time for a change for this team JL was a great basketball player but he is not a great coach.

 

[lefty]

As one who has defended the Journal writers and as well as been critical of the "kool-aid" drinkers on this board....I did think the article while truthful was a little harsh as well.
I mean it's not like I'll never read the paper again but I thought he stated the obvious. I'm guessing JL knows they need to change something to be successful...

And while KW has pretty much declared the season over I will reserve judgement until the season is over. I don't see it turning around the way we have played the last several games but we still have to play the games to know for sure....and I know it's KW's opinion so it is what it is