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Why is everyone...

I would suppose that the frustration over this year's team is so heightened (for me) because the expectations were raised so high to start the year. And now a lot of us are feeling as though we were completely duped by all the hype...
Ruffin is a really good player, but c'mon...a supposed NCAA team, a super deep, super talented, top two team in the Valley doesn't turn into a competely inept, Valley play-in game team because of one injury.
UNI is not a good team, and they played us today without their entire starting back court...on our home court...and they flat-out embarrassed us.
I'm frustrated because this team with or without Ruffin doesn't appear to be anywhere near what they were being touted as in the pre-season...but I'm in no way jumping ship. I think I should be allowed to be disappointed and to give my honest assessment of what this team looks like without being accused by the 'voices of reason':rolleyes: on this board of having 'jumped ship' or of 'being a fair-weather fan'...
I am frustrated because this was the one year that it looked like we would have an opportunity to stand toe to toe with SIU and Creighton and come away with a title....rather than with a 4th, 5th, or 6th place finish and a hope that we could get hot and win 3 games in St. Louis. Those MVC constants lost a ton to graduation, and we finally thought we had an opportunity to make a move past them and challenge for that ever-elusive Valley title. And now an injury to one player and poor play from a whole host of other players that are simply not living up to the preseason hype are combining to make this look as though it may be another 'wait until next year' kind of year.
However, the problem with that 'next year is our year' theory is that Creighton and SIU (along with a few other Valley teams) are as weak this year as they are likely to be over the next few years. The level of recruits that those two schools are bringing into their programs is simply light years ahead of what BU is restocking its cupboards with. So looking ahead unfortunately doesn't appear to be much brighter for BU right now until we can start to bring in the type of recruiting classes that Creighton and SIU are continuing to do on a yearly basis. Creighton has a freshman class with P'Allen Stinnett, Kenny Lawson, Kenton Walker, and others this year that we could only dream of putting together...and SIU has a recruiting class coming in next year that quite simply might be the best recruiting class that any Valley school has put together in recent memory (which includes Anthony Booker, Kevin Dillard, Torres Roundtree, and I believe Justin Bocot)...so the gap that we thought we had narrowed on those two Valley benchmarks (for this season at least), appears as though it could widen considerably in the next few years unless the play of our current recruits and the quality of our next few recruiting classes increases considerably from where it is now.
So, this is the source of my frustration...I felt like this was our most realistic chance to win a Valley title in a long time, and now I feel as though our season is sinking quickly...and those pillar programs of the Valley are now strengthening themselves in ways that are seemingly outside of our capabilities for next year and beyond...
I just don't want to be sitting in Carver Arena ten, fifteen, or twenty years from now and staring up at a faded red vinyl banner that ends with "MVC champs 1996"...
 
I wasn't going to churp in because the feeling that I have is hard to put into words. I was buying a car yesterday and I checked my phone to get an update on the Bradley game. When it came up and said 25-9, my mind started racing. I knew that Ruff was not playing for sure. I know UNI has Eric Coleman, but we only scored 9 points in the 1st half? Is this the same team that I saw take Michigan St. and Vanderbilt down to the wire, NO. There is another post that says Coach Les looks like he feels that this group is not worth it. This coaching staff has dealt with alot of turnover since last year. CB leaving, LF leaving, the loss of several "primetime" players that were purportedly going to take us over the top. JF, DW, Buycks, Cooley, and so on. The decision to make Eric Buescher the top assistant is laughable, and I am not sure that Alvin Brooks was a good addition to the staff either, but I stayed positive. I am not jumping ship by any means. See, I grew up watching Jimmy Les, and going to his camps and hell, I have his Sacramento Kings card right here next to me on my desk. I believe that he can right this ship, but the only way that he can do it is if he does not start feeling sorry for himself. "Lost Ruff, lost CB, lost recruits, almost got the upsets." It's time to man up. Get this team playing like it is capable of. I have seen alot less talent win alot more games on the hilltop in my day. Now I don't know if any of this makes sense, but I am pretty sick of losing. GO BU!
 
patrick_o'brian said:
......... the loss of several "primetime" players that were purportedly going to take us over the top. JF, DW, Buycks, Cooley, and so on. ....
Click to expand...

JF and DW are playing D-II ball, Buycks may still be in BU's future....but there are just kids who end up going the juco route...

As for Cooley.........I don't know him, but Coley (:)) is averaging 8.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg,
(exactly what Theron Wilson is doing and only slightly better than Matt Salley) but Coley gets the luxury of playing in the the 231st best Strength of Schedule (lousy opponents) while Bradley has a TOP 20 Strength of Schedule.
If Coley played the same schedule as BU plays his numbers would not be impressive.
Roy Bright is actually doing well but he sure doesn't help his team as they can't beat anyone except RPI #332, and they get blown out by 30 routinely every night.
Thus Bright's numbers are often cranked up because he's playing the opponent's deep bench during garbage time, and he plays selfishly.....
Even tho most of their games are blowout losses, Bright plays 35 minutes per game and averages 17.6ppg, 4.7rpg, and only SIX assists all year so far, in 11 games/nearly 400 minuites!!
Plus their home attendance is a D-I WORST, 249 per game!!!!!

I can only imagine what posters would be saying about Jim Les if we had only one win all season and a guy playing 35 mpg with essentially no assists.
 
IF a player doesn't "live up to the hype"....who's fault is that? Is it the players or those that hyped him? Personally I take a wait and see approach....especially with Juco's and freshman. No one knows how these guys will react to D1 ball.

SOME click from the get go but VERY few.....some take half a season, full season...some more and some NEVER click at all.

I don't claim to be any "voice of reason".....perhaps "jumping ship" was not a good title. I realize we are all frustrated, with GOOD reason, and we all voice it in our own way. We ALL want BU to succeed. PERIOD.

I offer 1/2 of basketball without our leader is too early to judge. The next several games will be a truer test...lets hope we pass and lets hope DR is indeed a fast healer.
 
I'm hugely disappointed in this season so far, but I'm still here as a Bradley fan. Usually you won't see me posting after a bad loss because I hate to read the message board after a bad loss. Too much negativity.

I'm not sure what else the coaching staff can do to improve things when it seems the players aren't producing within the offensive scheme. Missed shots, etc.

However, I really think our players just can't produce within the style of play. The offensive scheme seems to consist of dribbling and passing around the 3-pt arc and hoping someone gets open. It can be very good, but it also seems so risky and relies on a lot of luck. I don't see as many set plays that we used to rely a lot on. It felt quite often that after our time-outs, whatever play we were supposed to run just fell apart. Whereas last year, I just had more confidence the shot would go in after a time out.

Anyway, I really hope we can turn things around before Ruff gets back and have a decent season. And I hope the players don't dwell on these losses and the coaching staff and senior leadership can motivate the team for the upcoming games. It's okay to be mad and angry. Get it out of their system. But try to move on and play the next game.

I think I already mentioned that I live in South Florida now. So, I've got the wonderful Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, and Florida Marlins to enjoy. So, c'mon, Braves, someone give me a winning sports season!!! :)

(Yes, the U of Miami basketball team is doing pretty well, but I feel like I'm cheating on Bradley if I cheer for them too much.)
 
dogsrus said:
IF a player doesn't "live up to the hype"....who's fault is that
Click to expand...


This is a great question, that I have been thinking alot about. It is not the players fault since they certainly didnt hype themselvs up and you never hear much hype from the coaching staff. So its the fault of the person or people that over hyped them. When you hear that Egolf shoots as well as JC in pracitce and then see what he does in the game how would anybody not be frustrated. When you hear that Sam is so good at shooting the staff thinks he may have to play two guard and that he gives Ruff all he can handle in practice than you expect to see that in games. (Sam has done great IMO freshman or not but he is not Ruff and he doesnt shoot like JC) Totally unfair to both guys. JUCOs are a crapshoot for most coaches and Coach Les has done very well at getting some excellant ones. I dont remember any hype about Will Franklin so that fact that he didnt contribute right away was no big deal. In fact I remember not really caring that he was suspended for 6 games because I didnt think he could do much for us. Conversely when you read that TCS is quicker and more athletic than Ruff and has possible NBA talent than you are really disappointed when he doesnt produce immdieately. The team was hyped and overhyped all summer long up to the point of getting votes in the top 25 to start the year. We would only have 1 or 2 losses if we lived up to the hype.

A few keys moving forward

Andrew Warren must be consistant on both ends of the floor everynight

The combination of Salley, DC, Singh, Austin need to find away to score inside when they dont draw a double team.

JC needs to regain his shooting touch and continue to fire away

TCS becomes an impact player.

I really think that TCS could be the key for us, Big Bish said yesterday on the radio that he just needs a few shots to fal and maybe he will get going.
 
Lakeview Brave said:
This is a great question, that I have been thinking alot about. It is not the players fault since they certainly didnt hype themselvs up and you never hear much hype from the coaching staff. So its the fault of the person or people that over hyped them. When you hear that Egolf shoots as well as JC in pracitce and then see what he does in the game how would anybody not be frustrated. When you hear that Sam is so good at shooting the staff thinks he may have to play two guard and that he gives Ruff all he can handle in practice than you expect to see that in games. (Sam has done great IMO freshman or not but he is not Ruff and he doesnt shoot like JC) Totally unfair to both guys. JUCOs are a crapshoot for most coaches and Coach Les has done very well at getting some excellant ones. I dont remember any hype about Will Franklin so that fact that he didnt contribute right away was no big deal. In fact I remember not really caring that he was suspended for 6 games because I didnt think he could do much for us. Conversely when you read that TCS is quicker and more athletic than Ruff and has possible NBA talent than you are really disappointed when he doesnt produce immdieately. The team was hyped and overhyped all summer long up to the point of getting votes in the top 25 to start the year. We would only have 1 or 2 losses if we lived up to the hype.

A few keys moving forward

Andrew Warren must be consistant on both ends of the floor everynight

The combination of Salley, DC, Singh, Austin need to find away to score inside when they dont draw a double team.

JC needs to regain his shooting touch and continue to fire away

TCS becomes an impact player.

I really think that TCS could be the key for us, Big Bish said yesterday on the radio that he just needs a few shots to fal and maybe he will get going.
Click to expand...



Good points.....we must remember though that this is, by nature IU believe, a "kool-aid" site. NOTHING wrong with that. Its suppose to be fun and I love sipping a bit of the red from time to time. Some are afraid to admit that. I laugh when board police try and warn me to not get excited. Thanks but no thanks for the advice. I think though there comes some "personal responsibility" (as much that can come from the entertainment aspect of your life) in buying into the hype.

Again...we get a variety of people on this board and most other fan boards that hype players. I actually enjoy that and don't care because I am a buyer beware type. I listen, read and hope they are correct but always try and remain cautiously optomistic.

With all that said its hard NOT to buy into some of it to a degree. So IF I'm a bit dissapointed I blame myself IF I have bought in too much.

I STILL say we have to give this team some time to adjust. You just spent the summer and 12 games developing a style with your starting QB and now he's out.

Patience....

JMHO....
 
get rid of the freakin montage

get rid of the freakin montage

Not being superstitious or anything but can we get rid of the **************** 5 hour long video intro montage and just get to the players names and the game. I mean we are 0-3 with it. It is a waste of time and makes no sense. Maybe it's that I am in a bad mood over the crap I sat through yesterday, but can we just play ball and not watch lame-put-together history lesson. Most Bradley fans know their history of the bradley program.

This team has no heart. They had no heart in the 1st half and they had none in the 2nd half (some may disagree about the 2nd but any team will look better after the garbage fest of a 1st half). It is more of a coaching problem than a 18, 19, 20, or 21 year old kid problem.

I am not jumping ship, there is plenty of sleeping talent on this team, but geez just show some heart.
 
I also agree with this. I can't stand watching the players get into their "circle of motion" and then break it to stand around while the video is playing. I liked it much better when the players were able to get hyped in their circle and go straight to the introductions!
 
shaunguth said:
I also agree with this. I can't stand watching the players get into their "circle of motion" and then break it to stand around while the video is playing. I liked it much better when the players were able to get hyped in their circle and go straight to the introductions!
Click to expand...

The weave is OK if used sparingly but when i see it it reminds me of watching the Harlem Globetrotters.
 
lefty...just type a colon (upper case above the semi-colon) followed by the end parenthesis (upper case of the zero)
and it'll show up on the board as a typical smiley

:) :) :) :) :)
you can type them as fast as words...
 
I just thought BU was past the days when one injury could sink the whole ship. This one injury has magnify how badly half the roster has underachieved this year.
 
Until Ruffin returns, I think BU is sitting at the bottom of the ocean. I don't think this team is magically going to get better without him. He masked a lot of the holes on this team.

BU just lost a home game badly to an average Valley team. I'm having a hard time being optimistic about a victory. Maybe there is a night when the three point shots are dropping. However, I think there are some more beatdowns in BU's near future until #20 returns.

I would love to hear reason why you think Bradley is going to win games during this stretch without Ruffin? I'm all ears. I want to believe it. My heart is still with this team, but my head isn't.
 
Redefining Success

Redefining Success

If we were a good team (and well coached) we would have won this game without Ruffin. Teams use opportunity like that to step up. I can understand the 2nd half with VCU because it came as a surprise to be without Ruffin. We had time to step up and what we showed up with was 9 pts.

Guys, I am as much a fan and drank as much kool-aid as all of you did I have to face it that this year is a big disappointment --so far. We had big expectations and a great schedule but to-date we haven't be able to get the job done.

I am not saying that the season is over but it's not going to be the season we expected. It is important now that we continue to get better. That our new and young players develop and that we position ourselves for a run in the conference tourney. Our coaches need to step up too and figure it out and still be able to sell the dream to new recruits.

We can now say that any national publicity, winning the MVC, or at large invites isn't going to happen and that's disappointing and as a result the goal from here out needs to change. We need to redefine success.

I would say how well the guys that we'll have back next year play/develop is now more important that what Salley,JC or Ruffin does. Let's play the new guys and let them develop so we can get ready for next year and maybe position ourselves to make a move at the end of this year.
 
So what offense were we running there early in the second half when we made a run to get back in the game v. UNI? Pretty sure we used the weave at times.

It's not flashy or exciting, but it got us some points when we needed points badly.
 
longtimelistener said:
So what offense were we running there early in the second half when we made a run to get back in the game v. UNI? Pretty sure we used the weave at times.

It's not flashy or exciting, but it got us some points when we needed points badly.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Some people don't like hearing this, but it's really about making shots (CB echoed the same sentiments on the postgame show). No one complained about the weave last year when Franklin, Ruff, JC, DA, and even JJ were making shots. The weave gave us plenty of good looks in both halves Saturday. I don't care what offense a team is running, if you shoot 17% in a half, it's gonna look terrible and ineffective.
 
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