The PJ Star's Dave Reynolds writes his impressions after watching a preseason workout..Remember, they can't actually play basketball or be coached in a practice, but they can go through individual and small group workouts, and some of that would include shooting drills, so Dave got to see enough and describes his thoughts..
http://www2.pjstar.com/index.php/reynolds/article/first_impressions_of_braves
The two statements I am most impressed by are--
-they all looked great in conditioning drills, even Will Egolf and Andrew Warren who "showed no signs of limitation". Egolf has been working hard on his knee and his strength tests were "off the charts".
-Knezevic "put on an electric performance with his shooting and passing abilities".
and although Dave doesn't specifically mention Taylor Brown, I am also told he is in great shape and maybe even one of the fittest guys, as if maybe he's been running extra laps?? ;)
I pointed out some scoring stats in a previous blog entry, so today I am going to mention some rebounding stats.There has been a concern expressed that the Braves may lack rebounding because of the loss of Collins and Theron Wilson. Of course nobody will know how it turns out...but here are a few things to consider...
The 2008-2009 stats show that were were essentially equal to our opponents in rebounding, 1160 to 1185...which works out to only 0.7 fewer rebounds per game than the other guys.We more than made up for the slight rebounding difference, as we also had way more steals and blocks than our opponents, and fewer turnovers.
But I continue to hear that most of the Valley opponents seem to always have better rebounders....that Bradley perennially underperforms in regards to rebounding...so let's take a look at 2008-2009 with Bradley compared to the two teams at the top of the conference, UNI and Creighton.
Here are all ten Valley teams' rebounding figures....first the top 3 guys, then the STARTING five guys players, then the overall total, then conference team totals...then rebs per game total
BU (36 games)- 553, 713, 1160, 565, 32.2
CU (35 games)- 492, 599, 1140, 579, 32.6
UNI (34 games)- 556, 682, 1140, 617, 33.5
Rebounding stats can be affected by shooting percentages, whether you hold the ball or shoot early in the possessions, and by how many blowouts you might have and you're putting your deep bench in there...but if you only look at the numbers I'd say Bradley compares QUITE favorably in virtually all the rebounding stats to the top teams in the Valley.
With the loss of Theron Wilson, I agree we need to have a team effort to focus on going for the rebounds...
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If you're a BU alum and in the area...head up to campus at 1:30PM today (Thursday) for the groundbreaking ceremony for the NEW Alumni Center, right on the back side of Bradley Hall!
Let's celebrate the good stuff!!
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The news around the Valley is hitting a few schools pretty hard!
Last couple years about this time, it's been Bradley with bad news and injury reports...but so far this season, we have several reports from Coach Les, from Dave Reynolds, and from independent sources that everyone is doing quite well and cleared for full activity!
But ISU just lost a possible starter in Bobby Hill. I happened to have a conversation this morning with an orthopedic surgeon and asked how often he's seen an athlete make it back from ACL repair/reconstruction on BOTH knees.
He said he really never had. So it will be very tough on Hill.
Creighton just got news of a bone fracture in the foot of one of their likely starters, Chad Millard. If you want to know how tough fractures in the foot are...just ask Andrew Warren, Yao Ming, or Larry Bird...it can cost them months, and even a full year to fully recover.
http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?p=141286#post141286
Then Antonio Jones, projected by some to be a 6th man at UNI, has just left the team.
http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13205
http://www.panthernation.com/showthread.php?t=26955
John Wilkins is confirmed to still be a 100% solid verbal for BU, so I'd stop worrying, although I suspect others will carry on in my absence.
Bowling Green was searching for another opponent no their schedule, and there was a possibility we might play them, but they have now completed their entire schedule, so that window has closed.
ValleyTalk has been down several days...
I find some interesting talk on the other Valley message board about Valleytalk!
Does anyone see the common theme to all the other MVC fans' views about Valleytalk?
http://members.boardhost.com/isuhoopforum/msg/1254345522.html
http://members.boardhost.com/isuhoopforum/msg/1254347611.html
http://www.msubearnation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15076
http://www.shockernet.net/sn/viewtopic.php?t=14985&sid=d0835b923062d044dca23657f41d7835
http://creighton.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=2688&tid=126408156&mid=126408156&sid=1209&style=2
It is poorly run, never moderated, and is filled with arguments, flames, and viscious, juvenile insults. The people who have become their "elite" posters have in many cases made total buffoons of themselves.
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