Let's talk bu @ Illinois State

[Loyl2u]

First, Fisher played a GREAT game. Unfortunately, he got in foul trouble because he was left to fend for himself in the paint, with no other interior presence when he was on the floor for the Birds most of the second half.

Redbird Turnovers and giving up more than twice as many offensive rebounds to Bradley cost the Redbirds a winnable game at home. The Redbirds were forced to drive by the extended Bradley defense. Although I was happy that they tried to drive instead of putting up contested 3’s, the guards struggled with going strong to the basket . I saw a lot of fight and effort by players tonight. Unfortunately, I didn’t think Rey, Taylor and Abdou were put in positions to succeed in second half, being inserted individually instead of along side Fisher or another big.

There isn’t a team in the Valley that the Birds can’t beat this year, but they have to commit to putting enough players on the floor that can defend bigs and rebound. They have more than enough shooters on the floor and some of that competition for shots also creates poor shooting choices.

 

[Redbirds84]

We get sunk by me-first players like Malik and now Copeland. I wonder if guys on the team just shake their heads as much as we do when we watch this trainwreck. Just need to get this season over and pray Dan can keep some of his younger players and get the ones signed to come. At least next year we'll have some solid players back to build a team around

This would be a correct analysis and can even be said last year about Copeland. I believe that this is why Keith and Copeland butted heads last year. Going forward I would just play the guys that will here next year going forward along with Torres. In my opinion, I don’t think he has gotten enough time on floor. I understand he’s had some rough games but at least he passes the ball. Coach jones actually has plays that will work but as we all know some decide to mess the execution up and that is from a pretty reliable source.

 

[Redbird222]

Fisher was a stud tonight. We have to find a way to keep feeding him the ball. It is promising to see him develop like he has during conference play. Copeland... Boy tough night for him. I would have benched him... Again. I don't know why he feels the need to carry the team. Coach needs to tell him that going forward he is just another guy on a team, not the guy. We looked like the better team tonight. All that matters is St Louis but not it would have been nice to take down bu.

There were positives

Fisher played well
Man to Man defense was as good as it has been
Free throws ... getting to the line and converting
10 offensive boards
I thought Bruniga played well in the first half

Need to build around Horne, Fisher and Reeves. Keith as if late.

 

[TBS_20]

Illinois State got off to a fast start but let's stop putting lipstick on a pig. The last 27:25 of the game Bradley outscored ISU by 16. They pretty much dominated after the first 12 and change.

 

[ricohill]

At first I didn't get Copeland taking the shots at the end with a such a bad shooting night. The problem is everyone had an awful shooting night from three except for Fisher. It's not like there is a good option at the end of the game.

 

[Redbird222]

At first I didn't get Copeland taking the shots at the end with a such a bad shooting night. The problem is everyone had an awful shooting night from three except for Fisher. It's not like there is a good option at the end of the game.

How about Fisher as the option ? I would think his defender would want to rebound with 12 seconds remaining and he is 5 for 7 the last 2 games.

 

[Loyl2u]

At first I didn't get Copeland taking the shots at the end with a such a bad shooting night. The problem is everyone had an awful shooting night from three except for Fisher. It's not like there is a good option at the end of the game.

How about Fisher as the option ? I would think his defender would want to rebound with 12 seconds remaining and he is 5 for 7 the last 2 games.

:text-+1:

 

[AllFacts]

IMO, Copeland, fora5th Year player, hurts us more than he helps us.

Couldn't have said this any better.

 

[WoodlandWarrior]

Copeland has 93 turnovers in all games this year, and 61 in conference play. No one else on the team even comes close to those numbers. Why can’t we find a catch and shoot 3 point shooter like Northern Iowa has year after year with a solid basketball IQ? I hope Malcolm Miller pans out for us to be that kind of player.

 

[DWRedbird]

At first I didn't get Copeland taking the shots at the end with a such a bad shooting night. The problem is everyone had an awful shooting night from three except for Fisher. It's not like there is a good option at the end of the game.

How about Fisher as the option ? I would think his defender would want to rebound with 12 seconds remaining and he is 5 for 7 the last 2 games.

I was wondering if they might go to him at the end at all, especially because he had the hot hand, but I knew Zach was going to shoot it.

 

[SgtHulka]

At first I didn't get Copeland taking the shots at the end with a such a bad shooting night. The problem is everyone had an awful shooting night from three except for Fisher. It's not like there is a good option at the end of the game.

How about Fisher as the option ? I would think his defender would want to rebound with 12 seconds remaining and he is 5 for 7 the last 2 games.

I was wondering if they might go to him at the end at all, especially because he had the hot hand, but I knew Zach was going to shoot it.

Reeves was option 1

 

[ricohill]

At first I didn't get Copeland taking the shots at the end with a such a bad shooting night. The problem is everyone had an awful shooting night from three except for Fisher. It's not like there is a good option at the end of the game.

How about Fisher as the option ? I would think his defender would want to rebound with 12 seconds remaining and he is 5 for 7 the last 2 games.

I was thinking that as well, but Fisher seems to make his when he is stepping into his shot. I don't disagree, but they would have had to really screen to get him open. Copeland, Reeves, and Horne at least have a chance to create space and get a shot. I have no problem with what they did. Copeland is a senior and your best player. He should be the one taking it. It just didn't seem to be a good shooting night for Reeves either.

 

[DWRedbird]

How about Fisher as the option ? I would think his defender would want to rebound with 12 seconds remaining and he is 5 for 7 the last 2 games.

I was wondering if they might go to him at the end at all, especially because he had the hot hand, but I knew Zach was going to shoot it.

Reeves was option 1

Was he? I would have liked to have seen him shoot it too.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Copeland was 3-19 tonight from the field and I think 2-11 from 3. Why does it have to be him shooting the three in a close game? I’ll take my chances with Horne or Reeves or Bruninga. Bradley had 19 offensive rebounds tonight. 19! Another game where we blow a lead and lose.

Copeland makes Osiris look like Mr. Clutch.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Fisher was a stud tonight. We have to find a way to keep feeding him the ball. It is promising to see him develop like he has during conference play. Copeland... Boy tough night for him. I would have benched him... Again. I don't know why he feels the need to carry the team. Coach needs to tell him that going forward he is just another guy on a team, not the guy. We looked like the better team tonight. All that matters is St Louis but not it would have been nice to take down bu.

All that matters is St. Louis .... for good teams. Doesn’t apply to ISU.

 

[Brick]

All things said and done....I feel sorry for these kids and admire them too. Despite things going wrong and a lack of talent/depth especially in the middle they rarely quit all season long. You know none of them have ever experienced anything remotely like this year. But they come out and play hard every night. At this point just not enough talent and experience.

Going forward it looks like we have at least two pretty good recruits and perhaps 3. One probably a redshirt. The two kids from Atlanta and Louisville look to be good players. We seriously need a power player inside and given there will be roster changes I expect to pick up someone. Reeves and Horne are going to only get better. Keith became a presence down the stretch. I also think if Bruninga stays healthy added to an inside presence he can really be a good player the next two years. The kid can flat out shoot it and right now is playing out of position. I am as frustrated as anyone but being Mr Kool Aide I am hoping for better things next year. I am not going to get crazy over Dan because it’s worthless. He’s gonna be back next year and that’s a given

 

[stats]

Copeland was 3-19 tonight from the field and I think 2-11 from 3. Why does it have to be him shooting the three in a close game? I’ll take my chances with Horne or Reeves or Bruninga. Bradley had 19 offensive rebounds tonight. 19! Another game where we blow a lead and lose.

Copeland makes Osiris look like Mr. Clutch.

3 free throws to get us in overtime was pretty clutch.

 

[stats]

It looked like Torres was benched for something. I think Paris Lee might be the only point guard Dan has trusted. Without a trusted point guard, you will have players playing out of position and making more turnovers. Last night there were a few guys on the court that were timid and didn't want the ball, especially late in the game. I would have felt better if Torres was running the offense late, but I guess he had to learn a lesson about something.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

At first I didn't get Copeland taking the shots at the end with a such a bad shooting night. The problem is everyone had an awful shooting night from three except for Fisher. It's not like there is a good option at the end of the game.

Reeves may have been off, but fundamentally looks pretty good. Copeland seemed to throw up the ball in any way he could. Yes, he hit 3 clutch FTs. But there were a lot of turnovers and questionable shots that led to Bradley getting back in the game. One of his made 3's, you could tell Dan was ready to chew him out but it was an off-balance 3 that went in.

Copeland is going to take these shots, and there is nothing, short of benching him, that is going to change that. Maybe he gets hot in StL and we can win 1-2 games somehow. This team is going to have to be near perfect though to win 4 in 4 days. At least we are a lot deeper than we have been, especially if Chastain is back and can step into 10-12 minutes a game. However, if Ndiaye is averaging a foul per minute, our post depth will get thinner real quick.

 

[SgtHulka]

I was wondering if they might go to him at the end at all, especially because he had the hot hand, but I knew Zach was going to shoot it.

Reeves was option 1

Was he? I would have liked to have seen him shoot it too.

He inbounded the ball, then cut straight to the corner. We looked to him, but the defender stepped out at him so we went with option 2.