Bradley - 02/08/2023 - 7:00 PM - ESPN+

[Birdfriend72]

For all those who were saying Pedon’s system was working and we could go on a run, when is there legitimate concern we’ve improved very little, if at all, the entire season? We just lost at home by 18 in a game we led for 0 seconds. What can you point to that’s working? How many times can we hear that our competitive spirit wasn’t there or we didn’t play the right way on our journey before that isn’t acceptable? There’s no issue with putting out multiple social media videos about one win against SIU like we won the league, but then we turn around and do this? What’s the proper way to measure success here?

No offense to some of the players! But, we are playing kids that are equivalent to a walk-on! Heck Matt Hein might be an upgrade to a few!

 

[Redbirdfan06]

I didn't? Wardle got hired at Bradley because he was a defensive coach. He left a top-25 defense at UWGB. That was what he was building there. He brought that to Bradley. He put it in year one. They've been that way every year he has been there. The offense comes and goes. The defense has remained the same. What are we building that you think you could point to in year three, five, seven and say - I saw that coming from this year.

Wardle’s first two seasons at UWGB: 240th and 175th defensive rating.

Wardle’s first two seasons at Bradley: 179th and 176th defensive rating.

Sounds like we should give Pedon more than one season to proclaim he isn’t building anything at ISU

 

[Birdfriend72]

That’s a good and fair question. Of course I’m bias to Mal only. I can actually see progress in him running point. No he’s not the quickest, high flyer or biggest out there. I tell you this though his mindset is great going forward being there.. Ask yourself how would you feel playing off ball your whole life be now being called upon to run point on this level? Believe it or not I still say the lack of a true big/body down low is what’s missing from this bunch. I’m not talking a 20/10 big just a 12/8 is very serviceable. How often do we get a big in foul trouble? How often do we stop them from scoring in the paint? That happens rarely. Yes Pedon is doing a good job with what he have. We as fans want improvement over night regardless of the roster and that’s the biggest problem. Call me old school if you want but I believe your best low post offensive player and your best shooter should be taking majority of shots. Let’s be realistic for a minute. The Birds don’t have enough toughness down low to matter this year, nor do we have a true pg. With that being said I believe a jump will occur next year through the portal. Like I said I’m biased. Get Mal off the ball next year about 50% of the time have him moving pair that with another shooter and true tested post player and it will be totally different

The lack of a real big hurt us tonight for sure. I totally agree with you! Hopefully the coach is living on the portal looking for a big that can step right in next season!

 

[Hamdonger]

We flat out got our arses whipped from start to finish...down 25, several times, early in 2nd half. Out hustled, out played, out coached. Very very very very disappointing, especially to an engaged crowd. As Buffett stated...the ticker tape parade came on our own offensive foul...I looked at my game partner and said said oh sheet, here we go.

I'm feeling a little discouraged with Coach tonight. I wasn't secure with this early in year, or even a month ago, but I would get Darius into PG position...specifically in terms of getting us into our offense...a good 70% of time when he's in the game. He's our only player who can get into a lane and distribute effectively (and that's only sometimes) or break down a defender from ball-handling slot. And I would play Ryan Schmitt 10 min a game. He's the only kid who sets a physical screen. Against a team that plays physical like Bradley, it's crucial.

I don't care how bad we are...we don't get down 25 freaking points to Bradley...at home. Bradley's better than us. But dammit, 25 down with 15 to go?? With that said, moving on...except for...AGGIE it's your fault!

 

[Hamdonger]

I said it before and I will say it again.
4. Pedon and staff need to become better game coaches.

I really agree with this...and really, your whole post.

 

[SlackBooDom]

Wardle’s first two seasons at UWGB: 240th and 175th defensive rating.

Wardle’s first two seasons at Bradley: 179th and 176th defensive rating.

Sounds like we should give Pedon more than one season to proclaim he isn’t building anything at ISU

Would love to know the metrics you use.

KenPom Rankings for AdjD in Wardle's career.

UWGB: 181, 154, 133, 36, 24
Bradley: 129, 130, 84, 113, 134, 162, 64, 56

Answer the question - what is something you'd point to this year that we are building on for the future?

 

[Redbird222]

We flat out got our arses whipped from start to finish...down 25, several times, early in 2nd half. Out hustled, out played, out coached. Very very very very disappointing, especially to an engaged crowd. As Buffett stated...the ticker tape parade came on our own offensive foul...I looked at my game partner and said said oh sheet, here we go.

I'm feeling a little discouraged with Coach tonight. I wasn't secure with this early in year but I would get Darius into PG position...specifically in terms of getting us into our offense...a good 70% of time when he's in the game. He's our only player who can get into a lane and distribute effectively (and that's only sometimes) or break down a defender from ball-handling slot. And I would play Ryan Schmitt 10 min a game. He's the only kid who sets a physical screen. Against a team that plays physical like Bradley, it's crucial.

I don't care how bad we are...we don't get down 25 freaking points to Bradley...at home. Bradley's better than us. But dammit, 25 down with 15 to go?? With that said, moving on...except for...AGGIE it's your fault!

I said coach needs to pick 2 players besides the 6 and give them enough minutes in set roles to contribute. Schmitt would be would be 1 of the 2 players I would play.

 

[Redbirdfan06]

We flat out got our arses whipped from start to finish...down 25, several times, early in 2nd half. Out hustled, out played, out coached. Very very very very disappointing, especially to an engaged crowd. As Buffett stated...the ticker tape parade came on our own offensive foul...I looked at my game partner and said said oh sheet, here we go.

I'm feeling a little discouraged with Coach tonight. I wasn't secure with this early in year but I would get Darius into PG position...specifically in terms of getting us into our offense...a good 70% of time when he's in the game. He's our only player who can get into a lane and distribute effectively (and that's only sometimes) or break down a defender from ball-handling slot. And I would play Ryan Schmitt 10 min a game. He's the only kid who sets a physical screen. Against a team that plays physical like Bradley, it's crucial.

I don't care how bad we are...we don't get down 25 freaking points to Bradley...at home. Bradley's better than us. But dammit, 25 down with 15 to go?? With that said, moving on...except for...AGGIE it's your fault!

I agree with you on Schmitt. Thought he gave us good minutes against Belmont and again tonight. Play him with Lewis instead of the Lewis-McChesney frontline. Mcchesney got some garbage baskets late when the game was already decided and hasn’t been a factor on offense or defense for the past month.

 

[Popsto4]

We flat out got our arses whipped from start to finish...down 25, several times, early in 2nd half. Out hustled, out played, out coached. Very very very very disappointing, especially to an engaged crowd. As Buffett stated...the ticker tape parade came on our own offensive foul...I looked at my game partner and said said oh sheet, here we go.

I'm feeling a little discouraged with Coach tonight. I wasn't secure with this early in year, or even a month ago, but I would get Darius into PG position...specifically in terms of getting us into our offense...a good 70% of time when he's in the game. He's our only player who can get into a lane and distribute effectively (and that's only sometimes) or break down a defender from ball-handling slot. And I would play Ryan Schmitt 10 min a game. He's the only kid who sets a physical screen. Against a team that plays physical like Bradley, it's crucial.

I don't care how bad we are...we don't get down 25 freaking points to Bradley...at home. Bradley's better than us. But dammit, 25 down with 15 to go?? With that said, moving on...except for...AGGIE it's your fault!

The only way it would work with DB at the point is if he’s willing to look to pass first. He have a scorers mentality straight up. It’s a shame he is t 6”5 man I’m telling ya. It’s so hard to not do in this game what’s been working your whole like, just about impossible.

 

[Hamdonger]

I said coach needs to pick 2 players besides the 6 and give them enough minutes in set roles to contribute. Schmitt would be would be 1 of the 2 players I would play.

Me too.

 

[Hamdonger]

The only way it would work with DB at the point is if he’s willing to look to pass first. He have a scorers mentality straight up. It’s a shame he is t 6”5 man I’m telling ya. It’s so hard to not do in this game what’s been working your whole like, just about impossible.

It's not that I really disagree with you and I would rather not see DB at that position all the time but he gets us into offense quicker and he can go north/south...and not just east/west. DB is the only guy (JMO) who gives us a legitimate north/south look. Seneca, in a helter-skelter way, can and does get to bucket but he sees NOTHING else (including teammates) besides the bucket.

Bottom line is we're not a bad team, just not a good team. A dis-jointed team & dis-jointed way of playing is the simplest and best term I've heard to describe us.

You could see our discouragement tonight and a few guys let it affect their hustle at times. That bothers me more than being down 25. Ryan, when hired, talked about - more than anything(!) - doing the little things right. I've watched that closely this year.

We've got a ways to go.

 

[Popsto4]

It's not that I really disagree with you and I would rather not see DB at that position all the time but he gets us into offense quicker and he can go north/south...and not just east/west. DB is the only guy (JMO) who gives us a legitimate north/south look. Seneca, in a helter-skelter way, can and does get to bucket but he sees NOTHING else (including teammates) besides the bucket.

Bottom line is we're not a bad team, just not a good team. A dis-jointed team & dis-jointed way of playing is the simplest and best term I've heard to describe us.

You could see our discouragement tonight and a few guys let it affect their hustle at times. That bothers me more than being down 25. Ryan, when hired, talked about - more than anything(!) - doing the little things right. I've watched that closely this year.

We've got a ways to go.

I agree. We won’t get there until the two missing pieces arrive. I think Pedon will the road running. Honestly I’d like to see DB splitting time at the point with Mal for the reasons we both see I believe. The best way for Mal to be getting better shots if to have him off ball and that’s where he is at his best on that end. DB can play point but it’s just so tempting to take his man because he quicker than most that guard him.

 

[Bird Friend]

No offense to some of the players! But, we are playing kids that are equivalent to a walk-on! Heck Matt Hein might be an upgrade to a few!

I knew somebody else pined for Matt Hein's return!

 

[Bird Friend]

Frankly . . . at this point . . . it's not worth worrying about what this team can/can't do. It's not worth complaining about their play, or getting excited about it when they play really well. Whatever Pedon is trying to do offensively or defensively, we don't have guys who can do it. We're not fast enough as a team. We're not strong enough as a team. We win when the treys are falling and we're getting fouled.

Currently we have a new coach and only 1 coach who has any experience on the sidelines for games. So expecting them to be excellent in game coaches is a stretch. But, you can't excel at in game coaching when you don't have guys who can do what you need them to do.

I'm excited about the guys we've got coming in next year, but we really need an experienced PG and an experienced big who is actually big.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

This team doesn't have the physicality to compete against teams like Bradley unless the game is called extremely tight.

Bradley's players look like they lived in the weight room the past 3 years and our players look like they passed it on the way to practice their FTs

I said it before and i will say it again

1. We don't have the horses and depth to compete on a consistent basis
2. We need a PG and help in the front court
3. With Sandage injured, it appears Pedon has confidence in 6 players. 5 will be back and one will be out of eligibility. Thats the core and we need to bring in pieces to compliment and strenghthen those players. We need 2 to 4 players in addition to the 3 freshman recruits.
4. Pedon and staff need to become better game coaches. We have talked about the use of timeouts and play out of timeouts as examples.
I think the player rotations are very questionable at times. I know some of this is brought on by limited contributions by the 5 remaining scholarship players and 3 walk-ons. However, it still feels like every game we run a slew of players out for minimal minutes with a hope and prayer we can find the one than can help in that game. I am not a fan of throwing the Jack's up in the air and see what happens. Play the 2 or 3 that you feel will be the best LONG TERM contributors in defined roles.

I think long term Pedon's ability to recruit better talent, make decisive decisions with that talent, and retain the proper players will determine how successful he will be at ISU.

Agree on your point that Bradley was more physical and looks stronger.

Points 1-3 are along the same line. Losing Sandage took out a key piece of an already short rotation. If we’re in foul trouble or guys are gassed, we’re in trouble. The scholarships will be there if Pedon and Co. can find talent to fill them. Operating with one fewer key staff member hurts when trying to do that. Our next assistant having a good recruit or transfer in their pocket could help. Maybe Pedon knows an OSU or other B10 player looking for PT. The three freshmen coming in will have every opportunity to earn as much PT as they want.

4 is a circumstance of having 2 coaches who had never been college assistants, let alone in D1. Getting an experienced D1 coach should help both recruiting and in-game coaching.

 

[Redbird222]

I agree. We won’t get there until the two missing pieces arrive. I think Pedon will the road running. Honestly I’d like to see DB splitting time at the point with Mal for the reasons we both see I believe. The best way for Mal to be getting better shots if to have him off ball and that’s where he is at his best on that end. DB can play point but it’s just so tempting to take his man because he quicker than most that guard him.

You asked me a a couple of weeks ago what would I do with players playing out of position. I think Mal moves well off the ball. I would run him around screens all day. He looks like he has good stamina and I would make the defender feel miserable by the end of the game. He will have run 3 miles through 100 off ball screens chasing Mal. Heis defender would have no legs for offense and make silly mistakes in the second half ... late to close out, foul, and TOs.

I think Mal shoots the 3 best curling around a screen, one dribble, or inside out pass that he can step into. He doesnt seem as effective/comfortable just standing and waiting off the ball with feet set. Some players are good with feet set and cannot be moving left or right. It's like a 1 foot jumper versus a 2 foot jumper.

I know mid range is not popular but I think he does better pulling up vs finishing at the rim. When he goes to the rim I wish he would draw contact versus fading back. That's a tough shot and he is such a great FT shooter that I would take chances drawing contact. Yes he may have a shot blocked but the FT line is his friend.

Against teams like Missouri St that fly out at the 3 pt shooter, I would have him fake and draw contact on those out of control players. 3 FTs = 3 points

In obvious foul situations at the end of the game I would put the ball in his hands and take advantage of the tremendous FT shooting. In a close game where we are letting time run off, I am letting someone else that can create to the rim be out front. I would play him off the ball on that situation for the kicking 3 and to get back on D.

I thing he can can backup the PG spot and this year will help in the upcoming years. I just see more upside if plays more off the ball versus starting the half court offense

 

[Popsto4]

You asked me a a couple of weeks ago what would I do with players playing out of position. I think Mal moves well off the ball. I would run him around screens all day. He looks like he has good stamina and I would make the defender feel miserable by the end of the game. He will have run 3 miles through 100 off ball screens chasing Mal. Heis defender would have no legs for offense and make silly mistakes in the second half ... late to close out, foul, and TOs.

I think Mal shoots the 3 best curling around a screen, one dribble, or inside out pass that he can step into. He doesnt seem as effective/comfortable just standing and waiting off the ball with feet set. Some players are good with feet set and cannot be moving left or right. It's like a 1 foot jumper versus a 2 foot jumper.

I know mid range is not popular but I think he does better pulling up vs finishing at the rim. When he goes to the rim I wish he would draw contact versus fading back. That's a tough shot and he is such a great FT shooter that I would take chances drawing contact. Yes he may have a shot blocked but the FT line is his friend.

Against teams like Missouri St that fly out at the 3 pt shooter, I would have him fake and draw contact on those out of control players. 3 FTs = 3 points

In obvious foul situations at the end of the game I would put the ball in his hands and take advantage of the tremendous FT shooting. In a close game where we are letting time run off, I am letting someone else that can create to the rim be out front. I would play him off the ball on that situation for the kicking 3 and to get back on D.

I thing he can can backup the PG spot and this year will help in the upcoming years. I just see more upside if plays more off the ball versus starting the half court offense

You’re a wise man. Agreeing to this post is very easy you nailed it. That’s exactly what I believe will happen next year. It can’t this year because we have no threat inside that can be a bully on the blocks. It will definitely improve on the offensive end no doubt.

 

[Matt Hein Fan]

No offense to some of the players! But, we are playing kids that are equivalent to a walk-on! Heck Matt Hein might be an upgrade to a few!

Disagree, Matthew Hein would be upgrade to every single player on this team.

It seems as if though every time we get a big student crowd at home we come out incredibly timid and full of nerves. There were some shots in that first 10 minutes that you just don’t see us missing ever. Last night was one of those nights walking out of the arena where it’s just plain embarrassing to admit you are attending these games, Bradley was on every loose ball and Wardle was still hounding them after the under 8 and a 20+ lead for the majority of it. I have yet to see any fire from Pedon or even a tech in a last ditch effort to motivate the guys. There were several chances for that last night and none taken.

For those optimistic about St. Louis a week ago, you clearly have your answer on what this team is capable of in St. Louis by this point. I expect next year to be much different and still have complete faith in Coach Pedon though.

 

[DWRedbird]

Well, we took a whooping for sure, and I can't say I didn't kind of expect it, but my other thoughts are:

-We still have no real flow to the offense, and we have more of an accidental offense than anything else. When good things happen, at least to me, it looks more accidental than it does intentional. I think a part of this is because Pedon doesn't think he has the pieces to run his full offense, and so instead we run this bastardized version of it, where we play slow with no real direction to do anything. I think part of this is typical new HC jitters and indecisiveness, part of is players, and part of it is being down a coach.

-We should be getting to the line a minimum of 20 times a game. The line is where we thrive, and we need to live there.

-I agree with others, we need an experienced PG. Mal doesn't look comfortable running the point full time, but he looks the most comfortable on the team right now.

- I'm not getting excited one way or the other this year. We are more or less the same team we were at the start of the year. Some of the players have developed, but being down a coach we haven't really developed as a team overall as I think the other coaches, especially Pedon and Jud are stretched thin.

 

[Phantom]

BU is good. We aren't. But we still cannot get curbstomped that bad on our own floor. There's NAIA teams that would've put up a better performance than that gargantuan shitshow we threw out there last night. Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ please let's never see that nightmare again.