Bradley @ Evansville

[Majik45]

Thought I'd start a gamethread for this game. Big game for the Braves to see if they can get 5 in a row and continue the momentum since Ruffin has been back. Or will Evansville be able to pull out their second win of the year. They nearly won 2 weeks ago in Peoria, but that was without Ruffin. Should be a good game tonight.

[AcePurple]

Should be one of our biggest crowds of the year as well, as it's "bring a kid to the game" night. They gave vouchers out to all the schools in town that are good for 2 free kids' tickets w/ the purchase of 1 adult ticket (which are themselves only $5).

Let's keep the good-bad-good-bad-good pattern going for now, Aces! (then we'll break the pattern next game)

[AceGargantua]

I expect a close one. Aces 69, Bradley 65.

:aces:

[chitown fanatic]

If we're truly turning this season around, this is a game we have to win. We are better and we win this game by 10.:braves:

[bugregshu]

:braves: 35
:aces: 19

HALFTIME

The game started out really ugly for both teams, but the Braves went on a huge run at about the 8 minute mark.

[Majik45]

57-47 Bradley with 6 minutes left.

[Majik45]

64-52 Bradley with 3 minutes to go. Evansville going to the line for 2 shots. Bradley looking pretty good to hold on here for the win.

[Majik45]

Evansville missed both free throws. Bradley has made one free throw since. 65-52 with Bradley going to the line with 2 minutes left. Warren makes 1 of 2 for a 14 point lead. Unless Holsinger catches absolute fire, Bradley should win this one.

[Majik45]

Bradley wins 72-59. Win streak is now at 5 for the Braves, and it would be at 7 if not for the last second tip-in by Drake.

[BUBraves55]

:valley:Bradley wins 72-59. Win streak is now at 5 for the Braves, and it would be at 7 if not for the last second tip-in by Drake.

w/o ruffin

[DUBulldog]

:valley:

w/o ruffin

:crybaby::crybaby::crybaby: And Drake was playing without Josh Young.

[AceGargantua]

That damn Merfeld.

:aces:

[Dawg_tired]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[chitown fanatic]

Bradley is not a team ANYONE in the valley wants to play right now. Ruffin is the difference!:braves:

[AE Braves Fan]

:crybaby::crybaby::crybaby: And Drake was playing without Josh Young.

who is Josh Young?

[BradleyBrave]

Bradley will win in Des Moines. Bradley may win out.

[DUBulldog]

Bradley will win in Des Moines. Bradley may win out.

Bradley is a very scary team right now.

[BUBraves55]

how about we slow down on the guaranting wins at top 15 teams in the country, remember we have yet to put 2 great halves together (maybe besides msu)
btw forgot about young being out in peoria

[Dawg_tired]

Bradley will win in Des Moines. Bradley may win out.

Ya beat Evansville. Give it a rest.

[tBU]

Ya beat Evansville. Give it a rest.


What do you want us to discuss.....SIU's shooting abilities.:banana:

[AceGargantua]

Ruffin is pretty damn good. After the first five or six minutes last night, I thought to myself, "What's all the hype about this guy?" All he did at the beginning was throw the ball away on a couple of out of control plays. Then he lit us up. I was impressed.

Please, please, please Marty...bring in some shooters.

:aces:

[Ace Happy]

Ruffin just broke us down single handedly. He's waterbug quick and has a great sense of where his teammates are. AND, he can shoot. Unfortunately, UE couldn't buy a bucket in the first half. We might have had a chance if Holsinger wasn't shooting so poorly.

I would think Bradley will be tough to beat the rest of the way. If they can get their inside game going they could be unbeatable.

Congrats to the Braves.

P.S. It was really strange seeing Merfeld on the visitor's bench. He looked even smaller with tennis shoes on. I've got to wonder what was going through his mind being back at Robert's Stadium. I'm sure he takes some pride seeing Ely become a consistent scorer.

[go braves]

Ruffin just broke us down single handedly. He's waterbug quick and has a great sense of where his teammates are. AND, he can shoot. Unfortunately, UE couldn't buy a bucket in the first half. We might have had a chance if Holsinger wasn't shooting so poorly.

I would think Bradley will be tough to beat the rest of the way. If they can get their inside game going they could be unbeatable.

Congrats to the Braves.

P.S. It was really strange seeing Merfeld on the visitor's bench. He looked even smaller with tennis shoes on. I've got to wonder what was going through his mind being back at Robert's Stadium. I'm sure he takes some pride seeing Ely become a consistent scorer.

The game was broadcast here in Peoria. At the end Merfeld and the EU players hugged going through the hand shake line. It looked genuine on both parts. Very classy.

[Murph]

I've got to wonder what was going through his mind being back at Robert's Stadium.

Probably thinking, thank god I'm out of this miserable perpetually losing program. Sorry but EU is way out of it's class in the Valley, or any D1 league for that matter.

[E-Villan]

Sorry Murph-eld,

Don't think too many UE fans overall feel very ouclassed by UB. The basketball program may be rebuilding, which is something your program has experienced as well. The other programs seem to be holding their own just fine, in fact, I would say most of them are kicking your #@% on regular basis.


Disclaimer: This is intended only for the above mentioned tool and not the generally classy and respectable Bradley fanbase. The informed ones on both sides are fully aware of the great traditions of both programs.

[jb399]

Merfeld's best year at UE was his first year.

Is this the same "miserable perpetually losing program" that went to UB and was a made free-throw away from winning the game? And don't give me, Yes, but that was without Ruffin. Being a player away from being a "miserable perpetually losing program" still isn't very impressive.

[UE-BBALL#1]

I really like Bradley's offense. I think the best way to explain it is by saying it is a controlled out of control offense. They just drive, screen, kick out, roll off, chuck passes everywhere. Half the time it didn't even seem like they could possibly know where the pass was going to end up but it would be right on the money. The quickness of the Braves allows them to run insanely and get the other team back on their heels. The style definitely contributed to the high amount of turnovers by UE. Every time UE made a small run and the crowd would start to get behind them, Bradley would run something and get a wide open shot from somewhere.

I think with Ruffin running the point the Braves are really tough, especially with the way all of the perimeter guys can light it up. It's a shame really that Ruffin missed so much time, because I think Bradley would be sporting a much much better record had he been around. Usually I am skeptical about the ability of one player missing to effect a team so badly, no matter how good that player is. Even when Ruffin doesn't score, he is the engine that starts the Bradley offense and I can see after last night the team is really built around him. If he stays healthy, Bradley can beat any team in the conference and has a good shot at winning the MVC tourney.

[Murph]

Merfeld's best year at UE was his first year.

Is this the same "miserable perpetually losing program" that went to UB and was a made free-throw away from winning the game? And don't give me, Yes, but that was without Ruffin. Being a player away from being a "miserable perpetually losing program" still isn't very impressive.

Thats all you have......:braves:

[jb399]

I really like Bradley's offense. I think the best way to explain it is by saying it is a controlled out of control offense. They just drive, screen, kick out, roll off, chuck passes everywhere. Half the time it didn't even seem like they could possibly know where the pass was going to end up but it would be right on the money. The quickness of the Braves allows them to run insanely and get the other team back on their heels. The style definitely contributed to the high amount of turnovers by UE. Every time UE made a small run and the crowd would start to get behind them, Bradley would run something and get a wide open shot from somewhere.

I think with Ruffin running the point the Braves are really tough, especially with the way all of the perimeter guys can light it up. It's a shame really that Ruffin missed so much time, because I think Bradley would be sporting a much much better record had he been around. Usually I am skeptical about the ability of one player missing to effect a team so badly, no matter how good that player is. Even when Ruffin doesn't score, he is the engine that starts the Bradley offense and I can see after last night the team is really built around him. If he stays healthy, Bradley can beat any team in the conference and has a good shot at winning the MVC tourney.

Reminds me a lot of Butler's offense, just without quite the same level of personnel.

[Aces1982]

Ruffin is pretty damn good. After the first five or six minutes last night, I thought to myself, "What's all the hype about this guy?" All he did at the beginning was throw the ball away on a couple of out of control plays. Then he lit us up. I was impressed.

Please, please, please Marty...bring in some shooters.

:aces:

If I am not mistaken, before last nights game...UE was leading the country in 3 PT FG%. Pretty good w/o any shooters.

[Aces1982]

Probably thinking, thank god I'm out of this miserable perpetually losing program. Sorry but EU is way out of it's class in the Valley, or any D1 league for that matter.

I may agree w/ you as far as the Valley goes, although you won't hear that from any diehards on hear. But in D1???? Look from 1988 to about well right before we got in the Valley, around 1995. We were in post season quite often then. Heck 1988 we had only been D1 for about 10 yrs or so.

[tBU]

I really like Bradley's offense. I think the best way to explain it is by saying it is a controlled out of control offense. They just drive, screen, kick out, roll off, chuck passes everywhere. Half the time it didn't even seem like they could possibly know where the pass was going to end up but it would be right on the money. The quickness of the Braves allows them to run insanely and get the other team back on their heels. The style definitely contributed to the high amount of turnovers by UE. Every time UE made a small run and the crowd would start to get behind them, Bradley would run something and get a wide open shot from somewhere.

I think with Ruffin running the point the Braves are really tough, especially with the way all of the perimeter guys can light it up. It's a shame really that Ruffin missed so much time, because I think Bradley would be sporting a much much better record had he been around. Usually I am skeptical about the ability of one player missing to effect a team so badly, no matter how good that player is. Even when Ruffin doesn't score, he is the engine that starts the Bradley offense and I can see after last night the team is really built around him. If he stays healthy, Bradley can beat any team in the conference and has a good shot at winning the MVC tourney.


Well said....ANYONE that knows ANYTHING about BU is that Ruffin is the engine that drives the ENTIRE team. Some "stars" can go down on other teams and many times they can cover for that player with a different offense or with several subs picking up the slack.

When a 5th year pg goes down that brings so much to the offense, defense AND makes all the other players that much better...ouch.

With all that said BU should have NEVER $ucked so bad without him and that falls on Les and the other players.

We have beat a few of the lower tier teams along with ISU when DR was still not 100%. The true test is ahead for this team.

Good luck to UE the rest of the year.

[Murph]

I may agree w/ you as far as the Valley goes, although you won't hear that from any diehards on hear. But in D1???? Look from 1988 to about well right before we got in the Valley, around 1995. We were in post season quite often then. Heck 1988 we had only been D1 for about 10 yrs or so.


I'll agree with this, D1 was stretching it some.

[Ace Dad]

BU Murph, thanks for clarifying your stupid *** remark ;)

UE can play in the Valley.

The Aces are two quality players away from competing day in day out.

Remember that BU became a household name again on the back of a guy named POB. Sometimes it takes a special player.

[outpost]

Ace Dad, I've only seen Evansville play once this year......against Drake on the Sunday game 2-3 weeks ago.

I think (I fear!) they're gonna be very competitive on Wednesday night.

[Aces1982]

BU Murph, thanks for clarifying your stupid *** remark ;)

UE can play in the Valley.

The Aces are two quality players away from competing day in day out.

Remember that BU became a household name again on the back of a guy named POB. Sometimes it takes a special player.

Been 2 quality players away for 10 years now, almost everyone is 2 quality players away from competing.

[Aces1982]

BU Murph, thanks for clarifying your stupid *** remark ;)

UE can play in the Valley.

The Aces are two quality players away from competing day in day out.

Remember that BU became a household name again on the back of a guy named POB. Sometimes it takes a special player.

I think Summerfield had something to do w it....more so then POB.

[Ace Dad]

We can debate this all night long and never agree.

I have seen the Aces be three quality players away from competing in the Valley. In Crews last two years I remember games that I was embarrassed to attend, it got so bad.

I think the Aces were only 1 player away from competing during Merfelds last two years.

You are correct, many teams are two players away from competing. That is why you just never know.

Look at WSU.

Now, look at Drake.

Whoever would have thunk that the Bulldogs would be ranked and the Shockers would not, 2-3 years ago?

Again, couda, shouda, woulda, you take away the Thanskgiving theft in the fall of 2004 and I say the Aces would have competed for the top four spots for at least two years. We had a guard who could guard quick guards and he is living a life where he will be guarded in a prison one day.

[Murph]

BU Murph, thanks for clarifying your stupid *** remark ;)

UE can play in the Valley.

The Aces are two quality players away from competing day in day out.

Remember that BU became a household name again on the back of a guy named POB. Sometimes it takes a special player.

Hersey Hawkins, Anthony Parker, POB, etc etc., come on Ace Dad UE stinks in The Valley this year just as they have every year they've been in the league, their hefty 261 RPI proves that. And I'm not comparing them against BU, it's whether they can be Valley competitive which they prove every year they can't.

Sorry to pea in you Wheaties....

[Drakey]

I get so sick of these nonsensical comments about Evansville or other teams not being able to compete in the Valley. Basketball takes 5 players. If one or two of them are good enough, the others can be stiffs. There is no reason Evansville can't compete in the Valley. The pompous attitudes of some fans is amazing. I have to assume they are young and have no perspective. There is not a team in this league that has not had stretches of being a pretty bad team. It is difficult to get a team back up when it is down, but it can and probably will happen eventually. I seem to recall Bradley having some pretty brutal teams a few years back.

A year ago we had a thread on here about which team should replace Drake since Drake could obviously never compete.

[Ace Dad]

Murph, I have concluded that you are a 19 year old who probably does not have a clue. Your last post proves it. Keep on posting and continue to show your lack of basketball acumen.

[Murph]

Murph, I have concluded that you are a 19 year old who probably does not have a clue. Your last post proves it. Keep on posting and continue to show your lack of basketball acumen.


What is this for UE 8 losing seasons in a row?



Do you have a son that plays for UE?:aces:

[Ace Dad]

Not anymore.

However, long time posters know that I was harder on him than you could ever be.

New, huh??

Welcome to the board.

Over time you will gain some insight, maturity, and perspective.

WSU was on top of the world a few years ago. Look at them now.

Drake was a "Dawg" for several years. Look at them now.

Evansville has been a weaker team in the conference due to several reasons. So have other teams. A conference is comprised of 10-12 teams and normally 2-3 are very good, 4-6 are average, and 2-3 are weak. That makes a conference. Guess what, sometimes the weak team beats the strong team: that is college basketball.

It is nonsense to come on this board and spout off the way you did.

[Murph]

The least you could do to defend them is cite past records etc, insulting me and name calling only weakens your argument. Please tell us UEs record or past accomplishments since joining The Valley and don't forget RPIs.

I'll hang up and listen.

[Ace Dad]

Murph:

And your point? Are you saying we should do as the Europeans? The top two teams move up to a better conference and the bottom two teams move down to a lower tier conference? Kind of like Elite Soccer does in the US?

A MVC team should not play in the MVC when they cannot compete against the vast majority of MVC teams. All 10 teams fall within the range of being able to do that.

Go look at the ACC and pick the runts of the litter and make your argument.

Do the same thing in the SEC.

Losing is not the determining factor. A university seeks another conference when it cannot be competitive.

You dug yourself in a hole when you made your outlandish statement. Stop digging. Nothing wrong with youthful exuberance, as long as you learn more about basketball along the way.

[Purple&Orange]

I'm gonna jump in here if it's ok. Since Evansville joined The Valley in the 1994-95 season, the Aces have finished above .500 overall 4 times, .500 1 time and below .500 8 times, including the last 7 seasons. Included in this era was an outright Valley Regular Season crown in 98-99 and an at-large birth to the NCAA Tournament after falling in the Valley title game.

My opinion here, the league is a totally different animal today than 94-95 when UE joined. It is a much deeper league that expects multiple tournament births today. Since 99, the last winning season for UE, the MVC has had multiple teams in each NCAA Tournament.

I still believe Evansville can complete in this league. One of the biggest reasons why UE has struggle in the past few seasons is because of an incident that led to the dismissal of three players back in the 2004-05 season. The players were caught stealing electronics from the dorms and kicked out of school as well as being removed from the team. I applaud the school and Merfeld for taking the strong stand, something that doesn't happen everywhere (see UCONN and AJ Price). Two players were freshmen while one was a sophomore. Robert Nelson was a sophomore who started six games a freshman. Marcus Bulter was a two time Ohio Division-4 player of the year and Dupree Fletcher was the Division-1 player of the year in Wisconsin. Losing those kids hurt as UE started 7-2 that season but the lack of depth really hurt this group. Butler and Fletcher would be seniors this year and I believe UE would be a different team with those guys, however who knows if some of the key players on this team would be here without the scholarships opening up.

Yes, Evansville is down and has been for the past few seasons. As a UE fan who grew up going to games as a young child and who was there when Scott Haefner went for 65 against Dayton in 1989, one of the first things I can actually say I remember. I long for the days when the stadium was rockin and we were holding opponents low enough we got chicken. This is a proud program that is going through a very rough patch. I'm proud to say my squad is in the Valley, and I truly believe that Coach Simmons will get Evansville to a level where everyone else in this league will be proud to call the Purple Aces their league mates as well.

For what it's worth Bradley fans, I'm glad we're done seeing you this year. As long as you guys stay healthy, I can see another late season run where you guys just don't lose too often to close out the conference season during the great Sweet Sixteen run a couple years back. I'm not predicting that, but you guys are playing well and there is no reason to believe it won't continue.

[Ace Dad]

Excellent post.

There is sometimes a very thin line between a 2-3 year period of basketball success or failure.

If Coach Merfeld would have kept those three players, we would have won many more games that year and the next two years, I believe. But, he made the right call.

And Murph, if POB hangs around one more year or two I wonder how that impacts BU?

Unfortunately, couda, shouda, wouda, does not count and we have to play with the players we have.

[SashaNein]

Sorry to pea in you Wheaties....

Ugh, I thought there was a age limit to join forums..

[AceGargantua]

If I am not mistaken, before last nights game...UE was leading the country in 3 PT FG%. Pretty good w/o any shooters.

As of 1-31-08:
FG% 216 out of 328
FT% 248 out of 328
3ptFG% 6 out of 328
3ptFG/Game 264 out of 328

[chitown fanatic]

As someone who regularly makes incendiary comments, I'm probably the last person who should jump in...but I have to agree that Murph stepped over the line and AceDad is right. The Aces may or may not be competitive in our league ever again, but there's no reason to kick em when they're down. The Aces posters are some of the most benign on this board. Go after the Shucker fans...they're more fun to rile up...just look at how many times the WSUBaller has bit!:lol:

[bcg]

I believe Murph is a long time poster on another board.

[kevinmitchell]

Sadly..Bradley has the worst overall athletic department in the Valley on a yearly basis--so, I kinda cringe when I hear BU fans think OTHER teams should be kicked out of the league. It's all nonsense.

As someone said--last year it was kick Drake out. Evansville is a proud basketball school. They've been down for 8-10 years now. Of course, the time from 1988-1996 wasn't exactly a cheery time for BU hoops either.

Anyway, Evansville really struggles athletically--IMO. It's an athletes game now. Maybe Marty can get some guys in there. They aren't THAT far away and fans will come like the past if they can win. Holsinger and Ely are pretty good players--but Ruffin is a terrible matchup for Holsinger.

As for the Braves--they continue to play well. Defending better--getting just enough inside production. But this team plays at a very fast pace that only works because of the personnel. Like someone said, it looks out of controll but with four guards on the court at most times it works. Plus Bradley is as good a passing team as I've seen in a long time.

Ruffin, Maniscalco, Crouch, and Warren all pass the ball well. They make open shots and they make free throws. The team is still flawed but it's nice to see some wins and some growth. Being able to play Ruffin and Maniscalco at the same time makes Bradley really tough to guard.

[WSUbballer]

Go after the Shucker fans...they're more fun to rile up...just look at how many times the WSUBaller has bit!:lol:

You're purely amateur.

A real professional doesn't show up 2/3 of the way through the season. And your "biting" tactics aren't original at all.. Someone just needs to sit ya in your place.. 'someone' being me.. :yes:

:bears:

[Aces1982]

I'm gonna jump in here if it's ok. Since Evansville joined The Valley in the 1994-95 season, the Aces have finished above .500 overall 4 times, .500 1 time and below .500 8 times, including the last 7 seasons. Included in this era was an outright Valley Regular Season crown in 98-99 and an at-large birth to the NCAA Tournament after falling in the Valley title game.

My opinion here, the league is a totally different animal today than 94-95 when UE joined. It is a much deeper league that expects multiple tournament births today. Since 99, the last winning season for UE, the MVC has had multiple teams in each NCAA Tournament.

I still believe Evansville can complete in this league. One of the biggest reasons why UE has struggle in the past few seasons is because of an incident that led to the dismissal of three players back in the 2004-05 season. The players were caught stealing electronics from the dorms and kicked out of school as well as being removed from the team. I applaud the school and Merfeld for taking the strong stand, something that doesn't happen everywhere (see UCONN and AJ Price). Two players were freshmen while one was a sophomore. Robert Nelson was a sophomore who started six games a freshman. Marcus Bulter was a two time Ohio Division-4 player of the year and Dupree Fletcher was the Division-1 player of the year in Wisconsin. Losing those kids hurt as UE started 7-2 that season but the lack of depth really hurt this group. Butler and Fletcher would be seniors this year and I believe UE would be a different team with those guys, however who knows if some of the key players on this team would be here without the scholarships opening up.

Yes, Evansville is down and has been for the past few seasons. As a UE fan who grew up going to games as a young child and who was there when Scott Haefner went for 65 against Dayton in 1989, one of the first things I can actually say I remember. I long for the days when the stadium was rockin and we were holding opponents low enough we got chicken. This is a proud program that is going through a very rough patch. I'm proud to say my squad is in the Valley, and I truly believe that Coach Simmons will get Evansville to a level where everyone else in this league will be proud to call the Purple Aces their league mates as well.

For what it's worth Bradley fans, I'm glad we're done seeing you this year. As long as you guys stay healthy, I can see another late season run where you guys just don't lose too often to close out the conference season during the great Sweet Sixteen run a couple years back. I'm not predicting that, but you guys are playing well and there is no reason to believe it won't continue.

Just to set record straight, here is our conf. record since being in Valley:

1994-95 11-7 5th Place 1st rd L in STL
1995-96 9-9 T 5th 1st rd L in STL
1996-97 11-7 T4th 1st rd L in STL
1997-98 9-9 T6th 1st rd L in STL
1998-99 13-5 1st loss in Champ.
1999-00 9-9 6th 1st rd L in STL
2000-01 9-9 6th 1st rd L in STL
2001-02 4-12 10th 1st rd L in STL
*2002-03 8-10 T5th 1st rd L in StL
2003-04 5-13 T8th W play in game then L in Qrts.
2004-05 5-13 T9th 1st rd L in STL
2005-06 5-15 T7th W play in game then L in Qrts.
2006-07 6-12 T7th 1st rd L in STL
*start of Merfeld

You can spin it anyway you want BUT facts are: in 13 years we have finished in top 3 1 time. Top 4 twice and that was a tie for 4th. In STL, well record speaks for itself.

And coming into the Valley, we were coming off 3 straight years of 2 NCAA and 1 NIT so we should have been able to build on that but instead we jumped into a conf. we had no business being in(that is just my opinion). Again, records don't lie. It doesn't matter about woulda, coulda and shoulda...all that matters is what happened.

As far as the comment about D1...well that is just crazy. You would think Bradley would be beating us in the series like 29-1..but coming into this year it was 17-13 BU.

[bcg]

I didn't realize Evansville only had 1 victory in the quarterfinal round. I can see why not many fans would make the trip to St. Louis anymore. They brought a bunch that first year.

[BradleyBrave]

Sadly..Bradley has the worst overall athletic department in the Valley on a yearly basis--so, I kinda cringe when I hear BU fans think OTHER teams should be kicked out of the league. It's all nonsense.

I don't know how you can say that with the recent success BU has had in basketball, soccer, women's golf, and even baseball to an extent. Worst facilities? Yes, by far. Hopefully the new athletic center going up will change that. All things considered, with the junior high-level facilities BU has had to deal with for the last 25+ years it is amazing we've had any athletic success at all.

FWIW, I don't know why there's this vitriol towards Evansville. When they had Stanton and Wilson and the sleeves they were a constant thorn in our side, but what have they done to p-ss us off lately? Why kick them while they're down? The league as a whole needs UE to get back to their winning ways. People have won there before, so it's not impossible.

[chitown fanatic]

You're purely amateur.

A real professional doesn't show up 2/3 of the way through the season. And your "biting" tactics aren't original at all.. Someone just needs to sit ya in your place.. 'someone' being me.. :yes:

:bears:

I didn't realize there was a "professional" message board rank!:lol: I'm just an amateur poster.:doh: And what"place" are you going to put me in? Is it 9th place like your beloved Shucks?? Way to P*ss down your leg against CU saturday by the way.

[WSUbballer]

I didn't realize there was a "professional" message board rank!:lol: I'm just an amateur poster.:doh: And what"place" are you going to put me in? Is it 9th place like your beloved Shucks?? Way to P*ss down your leg against CU saturday by the way.

Thanks for biting.

[chitown fanatic]

Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? But back on topic...Evansville will still knock someone off this year that they're not supposed to. The slinger is always a threat to go off.

[kevinmitchell]

I don't know how you can say that with the recent success BU has had in basketball, soccer, women's golf, and even baseball to an extent. Worst facilities? Yes, by far. Hopefully the new athletic center going up will change that. All things considered, with the junior high-level facilities BU has had to deal with for the last 25+ years it is amazing we've had any athletic success at all.

FWIW, I don't know why there's this vitriol towards Evansville. When they had Stanton and Wilson and the sleeves they were a constant thorn in our side, but what have they done to p-ss us off lately? Why kick them while they're down? The league as a whole needs UE to get back to their winning ways. People have won there before, so it's not impossible.

I dont have the numbers in front of me but Bradley is last or in the bottom three of the MVC All-Sports Standings each and every year. Sure a women's golf team competes occasionally--but BU has only had three teams (men's hoops, soccer, and women's golf) compete in the NCAA's in the last 20 years. Not good. Especially not considering what the other league schools do.

[BradleyBrave]

I dont have the numbers in front of me but Bradley is last or in the bottom three of the MVC All-Sports Standings each and every year. Sure a women's golf team competes occasionally--but BU has only had three teams (men's hoops, soccer, and women's golf) compete in the NCAA's in the last 20 years. Not good. Especially not considering what the other league schools do.

I don't have all of the numbers either, but isn't part of that due to BU not having as many sports as the other larger MVC schools?

Regardless, we have been around BU enough to know that we have been poor athletically for a long, long time. But, we've also had among the nation's worst facilities for a long, long time as well. I am hopeful that with the new facilities comes a new standard of success to which all programs are held. Right now I don't think there is one.

[kevinmitchell]

I don't have all of the numbers either, but isn't part of that due to BU not having as many sports as the other larger MVC schools?

Regardless, we have been around BU enough to know that we have been poor athletically for a long, long time. But, we've also had among the nation's worst facilities for a long, long time as well. I am hopeful that with the new facilities comes a new standard of success to which all programs are held. Right now I don't think there is one.

When they do the all-sports trophy they only base it on a minimum # of sports--so BU doesn't lose points for not having a sport. Either way, I'm not suggesting BU is bad for the Valley. But I'm also not gonna sit here and say Drake or Evansville isn't either because of some bad men's hoops teams. That's my point.

I don't expect the volleyball, baseball or women's hoops teams to win the MVC title every year. But how about a title every 7-8 years and compete the other years. I don't think that's asking a lot.

[BradleyBrave]

When they do the all-sports trophy they only base it on a minimum # of sports--so BU doesn't lose points for not having a sport. Either way, I'm not suggesting BU is bad for the Valley. But I'm also not gonna sit here and say Drake or Evansville isn't either because of some bad men's hoops teams. That's my point.

I don't expect the volleyball, baseball or women's hoops teams to win the MVC title every year. But how about a title every 7-8 years and compete the other years. I don't think that's asking a lot.

I agree. Competing would be nice for a change.

[Mikovio]

The "All-Sports Trophy" would have more significance for me if it were weighted somehow.

Most athletic departments spend far more of their athletics budget on men's basketball than any else (aside from football, of course, for those who have it). Yet a 3rd-place finish in men's basketball = a 3rd-place finish in swimming and diving in the All-Sports standings.

If the chief aim of an athletic department were to win the "All-Sports Trophy," there would be a more equitable distribution of funds, since the standings count the same for every sport. The fact that the budgets are so inequitable tells me that departments don't care all that much about the Trophy and that winning it is more incidental than anything.

An All-Sports trophy win sounds nice, but it's hardly an indication of a healthy athletic department if you win despite finishing last in the sport where 75% of your budget is allocated. I'd take a men's basketball title and last-place All-Sports finish any day of the week....

[kevinmitchell]

I'd take a men's basketball title and last-place All-Sports finish any day of the week....

I agree...but it isn't like Bradley is doing either of the two at this stage.

[Mikovio]

I agree...but it isn't like Bradley is doing either of the two at this stage.

No they certainly aren't. I just think All-Sports Trophy standings are not necessarily indicative of the health of an athletic department. Not when men's basketball pays the bills (and generates the bills)....

[Murph]

Just to set record straight, here is our conf. record since being in Valley:

1994-95 11-7 5th Place 1st rd L in STL
1995-96 9-9 T 5th 1st rd L in STL
1996-97 11-7 T4th 1st rd L in STL
1997-98 9-9 T6th 1st rd L in STL
1998-99 13-5 1st loss in Champ.
1999-00 9-9 6th 1st rd L in STL
2000-01 9-9 6th 1st rd L in STL
2001-02 4-12 10th 1st rd L in STL
*2002-03 8-10 T5th 1st rd L in StL
2003-04 5-13 T8th W play in game then L in Qrts.
2004-05 5-13 T9th 1st rd L in STL
2005-06 5-15 T7th W play in game then L in Qrts.
2006-07 6-12 T7th 1st rd L in STL
*start of Merfeld

You can spin it anyway you want BUT facts are: in 13 years we have finished in top 3 1 time. Top 4 twice and that was a tie for 4th. In STL, well record speaks for itself.

And coming into the Valley, we were coming off 3 straight years of 2 NCAA and 1 NIT so we should have been able to build on that but instead we jumped into a conf. we had no business being in(that is just my opinion). Again, records don't lie. It doesn't matter about woulda, coulda and shoulda...all that matters is what happened.

As far as the comment about D1...well that is just crazy. You would think Bradley would be beating us in the series like 29-1..but coming into this year it was 17-13 BU.

Thank you Aces, we won't let the facts get in Acedads way. I admit saying D1 was wrong, UE just needs to find a league thats more suitable to the talent level that they are able to bring in down there, I'm sure the fan base had much more fun when they were competitive rather than watch the team lose all the time.