Darius Burford

[WoodlandWarrior]

Davis and Banks are staying.
Coin flip on Luke and Lieb.

Cannot have Banks playing significant minutes per game and expect to be a contending team.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

I would disagree that DB fit into Pedon's offense. DB was an up tempo player who worked better when slashing toward the bucket and either driving it or pulling up for a jumper. That is not what Pedon's offense is about. I thought a lot of the time he played this year, when the birds weren't in transition he looked out of place and looked like he felt uncomfortable.

I wish DB the best, and hope he gets onto a team that can best utilize his talents.

I agree with several that DB’s style of play fits better with a larger group of up tempo slashers (he was basically our only one, imo) that take turns attempting to break down the defense and either get their shot or kick it when contained. ISU’s personal this past year required much more team ball movement to break down the defense and create quick open shots as most players could not create their own shooting space…burford averaged about 1.4 assists a game and had more turnovers than assists….aka creating offensive opportunities for others was not his style of play.

All that said burford moving on is a loss as it is easier to try to bring in another slasher or two to work with him then it is to try to replace true basketball talent. Tough to see talent leave but, as we all know, at the same time we need to make changes to our overall team offense.

 

[SgtHulka]

While JK can really shoot it, he’s more valuable at the 1.

1-5 roles has muddied through the last decade or so. We were at our best this year, when Darius was out, with Banks and JK together on the floor with Banks being the primary ball handler.

Both got themselves in trouble this season dribbling at times. A bigger guard that can penetrate the seams and has the court vision to distribute the ball from there is my preference with 2 guys who can shoot and 2 inside threats

 

[SgtHulka]

I conferred with the judges and we're all in agreement...that's a firm 9 out of 10!

I give it 10 out of 15

 

[Phantom]

I liked Burf's slash game. He and Banks carved up UIC in Chicago as one example. He had a strength for that and getting some good percentage looks, but the offense was so all over the place during the first half of the year, it didn't really matter. I wish we would've attacked the hoop harder given how piss poor we shot it from deep.

 

[Adunk33]

Disappointed in this. I am not one of the many that think he didn’t fit in here. He is the perfect complement to the type of offense coach has employed because he can slash and score like no other guard/forward could do especially when playing through the 4/5. Coach actually said that right before he returned and was eager to employ DB again. I was looking forward to seeing DB healthy and how the new found offense from JK and MP would flow when put together. Outside, driving, and inside. They now had all three levels of scoring represented on the team that could really be constructive and complimentary. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to see this but I was hoping to see it next year. However, DB was still not 100% and the team went into a shooting funk as well as a complete defensive letdown the last two games. DB did not play against Valpo.

Go listen to Coach's comments leading up to Darius' return to action. The team was rolling, at the time, having won 5 of 6 or something like that. Pedon made several comments about he (and to a lesser extent, Davis) needed to assimilate to what is working now. He was clearly worried DB would come back and force his shots up.

I'm not saying DB is a bad player or won't be missed. It was just obvious some level of turnover would have to happen. There's no way we could roll out the same 11 dudes next year and expect a different result. That's the definition of insanity, right?

I'd say with all the movement throughout the league this offseason, the pressure on Pedon to win now is increasing every day. New coaches at Drake, UIC, SIU, and SWMS, likely new coach at Indy State, UNI and Belmont crushed by the portal, there is no reason this squad shouldn't finish top 4 next season. Ambitiously, it should be even higher. It's Bradley's league right now. Time to make a massive jump.

 

[DaveBird10]

I wish DB the best, he was definitely one of my favorite players but its without a doubt the offense without him moved so much better. The final 7 games and MVC tournament (1 game with DB) Myles avg 16ppg, JK 15 ppg and Mal 14. Johnny and Mal 3 point percentage also went up to about 45% each. I think JK and MP play really well with each other.
When pops was on the board, he mentioned a few times that Mal and DB didn't play well together and I think that showed when Mal got hot and picked up from 3. DB was great but the lane clogged up too much. We scored 80 points 4x this last year and I dont think it was a coincidence that we did it 3x straight times when DB was hurt. DB was great and ill always wish him well but with Myles and Chase it just didn't work. Need to space the floor better and get ball movement instead of a slasher bc when teams double team Myles in the post more times then not you'll be open cross court for a 3 and if you're only shooting 20% from 3, that's not going to help us.
Best of luck DB!!

 

[Moreorless]

I wish DB the best, he was definitely one of my favorite players but its without a doubt the offense without him moved so much better. The final 7 games and MVC tournament (1 game with DB) Myles avg 16ppg, JK 15 ppg and Mal 14. Johnny and Mal 3 point percentage also went up to about 45% each. I think JK and MP play really well with each other.
When pops was on the board, he mentioned a few times that Mal and DB didn't play well together and I think that showed when Mal got hot and picked up from 3. DB was great but the lane clogged up too much. We scored 80 points 3x this last year and I dont think it was a coincidence that we did it 3x straight times when DB was hurt. DB was great and ill always wish him well but with Myles and Chase it just didn't work. Need to space the floor better and get ball movement instead of a slasher bc when teams double team Myles in the post more times then not you'll be open cross court for a 3 and if you're only shooting 20% from 3, that's not going to help us.
Best of luck DB!!

That was well said and in no way is that a knock against DB. He’s a different talent and one that can be used in a different program. There are many teams out there that play a faster pace. I believe that system is one he can absolutely strive in. That kid have next level quickness for real.

 

[Redbird222]

DB was out seven games and played 17 minutes against Evansville. The offense looked very good 3 of those games, decent in 2 games, and poor in 3 games. We still have a long ways to go to demonstrate we can be good offensively on a consistent basis. He could have helped the team next year in my opinion.

We have glaring needs still in my opinion that need to be addressed. There is a window of opportunity next year with all of the MVC turnover in players and coaches. Bradley just got hit with Hickman declaring for the portal and Leons is out of eligibility. We still have plenty of players with one year of eligibility on the roster. If we don't win next year and they are all depart ... yikes. Pedon needs to make this happen next year while not completely decimating the future. However, next year should be the emphasis. Players can get poached anytime and the landscape is too volatile to rely on players to stay 3 and 4 years. Go look at Belmont ... 3 great sophomores that were ripe to have to two upcoming great seasons.

1. I think Pedon should try and find players with two years of experience and eligibility. They can contribute, be here another year, and fill the junior class that has not scholarship players

2. We need the following
A. Wing player that shoot the ball and is physical
B. Guard that create their own shot and increase team speed. The guard needs to be respectable from 3.
C. We need a stretch 4 that has some offensive capabilities. I don't want to rely on Lieb and the incoming freshman only.

3. We need this year's freshman class to continue to develop and contribute more next year.

The window is there. We will see how the MVC rosters develop but I don't want to lose this opportunity to Evansville who is in a similar boat as us. I also don't want to be sitting in St Louis listening to Bradley fans. Let's do this and do it now!!

 

[CB2K]

Good points by all but I don't think anyone is saying the offense didn't improve and the ball did not move better when DB went down. Why did the offense improve and the ball move better? It wasn't necessarily because DB was out; it improved in spite of DB being out. It was improved because 2 players' contributions and skill improved. JK and MP. If JK and MP showed this improvement and skill prior to DB's injury then the new found success would have folded into the entire team's offensive sets with everyone healthy. They ran the same sets they ran after DB's injury that they ran prior to them. It just so happened guard play was bad prior to DB's injury so he was not around to benefit from that. It only improved after his injury.

Prior to DB injury:
* Offense stagnated
* Poor outside shooting caused teams to double team MF and KL constantly
* Poor guard play including poor ball movement and finding spacing/gaps
* DB and MF were mutually relied upon to score so a lot of booty ball as one coach defines it (which he is a fan of)
* Nominal minutes from JK and MP
* JK improving but overmatched at times; MP lost his shot and mojo

After DB injury
* JK and MP minutes increase
* JK breaks through and matures and comes into his own and guard playmaking ability ignites the stale offense
* MP finds his shot and mojo which causes defenses to now pay attention to JK and MP and opens up the floor and improves spacing/gaps
* Play sets that they ran prior to DBs injury are now working better due to dramtically improved guard play
* Offense improves; scoring improves

After DB returns
* Coach stated he was excited to get DB back to insert in the offense because we need him - made a point to say that he was looking forward to inserting him in the offense -- for MVC tournament.
* DB plays 17 minutes and was ok -- rust and not 100%
* MF was the only one that really played a very good game inside - Evansville guarded JK and MP quite well on the perimeter because they now required attention from defenses which loosened up the middle and MF took advantage.

Anyway, just my thoughts. I am not saying the offense wasn't better when DB went down; I am explaining why I personally think it did improve and that we really never got to see the dynamic of DB work with the new JK and the lost but found MP. It would have been a better offense in my opinion if we got to see the entire team working together with the improved contributions from JK and MP. Intriguing to think there could now be good outside shooting (again), along with the driving abiltiy of DB and the inside options for offense.

 

[Aggie]

DB was out seven games and played 17 minutes against Evansville. The offense looked very good 3 of those games, decent in 2 games, and poor in 3 games. We still have a long ways to go to demonstrate we can be good offensively on a consistent basis. He could have helped the team next year in my opinion.

We have glaring needs still in my opinion that need to be addressed. There is a window of opportunity next year with all of the MVC turnover in players and coaches. Bradley just got hit with Hickman declaring for the portal and Leons is out of eligibility. We still have plenty of players with one year of eligibility on the roster. If we don't win next year and they are all depart ... yikes. Pedon needs to make this happen next year while not completely decimating the future. However, next year should be the emphasis. Players can get poached anytime and the landscape is too volatile to rely on players to stay 3 and 4 years. Go look at Belmont ... 3 great sophomores that were ripe to have to two upcoming great seasons.

1. I think Pedon should try and find players with two years of experience and eligibility. They can contribute, be here another year, and fill the junior class that has not scholarship players

2. We need the following
A. Wing player that shoot the ball and is physical
B. Guard that create their own shot and increase team speed. The guard needs to be respectable from 3.
C. We need a stretch 4 that has some offensive capabilities. I don't want to rely on Lieb and the incoming freshman only.

3. We need this year's freshman class to continue to develop and contribute more next year.

The window is there. We will see how the MVC rosters develop but I don't want to lose this opportunity to Evansville who is in a similar boat as us. I also don't want to be sitting in St Louis listening to Bradley fans. Let's do this and do it now!!

This 100%

 

[DWRedbird]

DB was out seven games and played 17 minutes against Evansville. The offense looked very good 3 of those games, decent in 2 games, and poor in 3 games. We still have a long ways to go to demonstrate we can be good offensively on a consistent basis. He could have helped the team next year in my opinion.

We have glaring needs still in my opinion that need to be addressed. There is a window of opportunity next year with all of the MVC turnover in players and coaches. Bradley just got hit with Hickman declaring for the portal and Leons is out of eligibility. We still have plenty of players with one year of eligibility on the roster. If we don't win next year and they are all depart ... yikes. Pedon needs to make this happen next year while not completely decimating the future. However, next year should be the emphasis. Players can get poached anytime and the landscape is too volatile to rely on players to stay 3 and 4 years. Go look at Belmont ... 3 great sophomores that were ripe to have to two upcoming great seasons.

1. I think Pedon should try and find players with two years of experience and eligibility. They can contribute, be here another year, and fill the junior class that has not scholarship players

2. We need the following
A. Wing player that shoot the ball and is physical
B. Guard that create their own shot and increase team speed. The guard needs to be respectable from 3.
C. We need a stretch 4 that has some offensive capabilities. I don't want to rely on Lieb and the incoming freshman only.

3. We need this year's freshman class to continue to develop and contribute more next year.

The window is there. We will see how the MVC rosters develop but I don't want to lose this opportunity to Evansville who is in a similar boat as us. I also don't want to be sitting in St Louis listening to Bradley fans. Let's do this and do it now!!

I agree with A and C. For B, I'd disagree slightly. While lateral speed will be important on defense, in Pedon's offense we don't need him to be able to be fast towards the basket. Shooting the 3 well is much more important for the offense our coaches want to run and I'd target that.

 

[Redbird222]

I agree with A and C. For B, I'd disagree slightly. While lateral speed will be important on defense, in Pedon's offense we don't need him to be able to be fast towards the basket. Shooting the 3 well is much more important for the offense our coaches want to run and I'd target that.

I think of quickness as start to top speed, ability to start/stop/start along with lateral. I think it's important for both defense and breaking down a defender.

 

[DWRedbird]

I think of quickness as start to top speed, ability to start/stop/start along with lateral. I think it's important for both defense and breaking down a defender.

Thats fair. I'm thinking more in terms of how Pedon has the offense flow. Someone who is quick, like DB was, doesn't really fit unless they can shoot the 3 really well.