brehms13

I hate the fact that some always bring up past players and compare them to current players..I can see if u're talking about what skills one may have possessed versus another, but to say we're losing because Sloan and Fish are gone, is not fair. They had strong defensive games, they were SENIORS and they had to learn the process too. The younger guys have to learn the process, they need to learn humility and they need to learn to play as a team and not one on one, or who wants the spotlight ball. As the team grows together they'll gel together..but Josh was Josh and Chris was Chris..So is Reg a bad player because he doesn't play like Marguee..is Polk a bad player because he doesn't play like Josh, is Drejaj a bad player because he's not Chris.. NO? I don't know what the expectations are, but if the guys are being played according to how "we(coaches, fans etc)" want them to play and not for how they can "acutally (within their abilities)" play then I can see why we're losing. The sooner, we identify each players talents or gifts and master that, the sooner we can see what's missing and build on that.

U have some valid points. There were 5 count them 5 NBA scouts there at the Oakland game to see one of Oakland's players, what do u know?? it was the one Drejaj played all night that he...shut down..Why shouldn't he get the starting position, he comes up big when we need him the most. Only Brad distrust his seniors, he has no confidence in them whatsoever and he blames them when the younger guys mess up. I've seen it for myself and heard him for myself..I don't even rely on what's said in articles anymore because it's a whole new ball game when the camera's are off.

I can live with that line up, but I'm still a believer from my two games, seeing for myself, that Drejaj should start over Polk.

I saw total opposites today. I actually think that Drejaj, Izik, Reg and Tom all had nice games. I think Justin contributed. I felt like Polk and Newbourne didn't look for the open guys quite a few times. I think their game is pretty predictable. The defense was on point today, the Refs definitely missed many calls for SLU. In Reg's and Drejaj's defense they both woke up with stomach virus, similar to what Tom had last game, so Reg wasn't even feeling well and still managed to get work done. I'm gonna put it out here and this is just my opinion. U do not want the team in Polk's hands..u just don't. Number one, the only thing he has over Drejaj, is speed that's it. I think Drejaj plays defense better and see's the whole floor. (In coference play, Polk's size will become a factor) I saw Polk sprint the court and his team was left behind, he had no one to pass the ball to, he lost it. We have the team we have, a point guard isn't the shooting guard, he looks the whole floor and gets the ball inside. If u don't have adequate shooters on your team, then u become the shooter, not before. Our big men rarely set screens VN, TF.. they had Reg and the other guards setting screens because they were out on the wing. I know they practiced setting screens in practice, for the whole practice the other day, but can't seem to do it in games. I think Reg's defense was good, his shooting was good. His passing was damn good today..What I see that definitely needs to change is Reg being denied the ball, he needs to get in their faces and demand the ball. There's no discussion about why, he's the senior, everyone wants him to lead then give up the damn ball point blank..At Nova..Reg had to earn his role as the shooter, Mike Bradley and the other seniors weren't debating why they should get the ball, the told Reg your job is to get me the ball, I don't see that here. I think the coach is relying on these younger guys and they can't possibly know what to expect their first year playind Div.1 Ball. Next time if anyone watches the game, count how many times Reg is denied the ball..(The coaches dwelled on that in practices and I didn't understand it until paying attention in this game) I counted at least 4 0r 5 open looks that he didn't get the ball. Last game Reg's defender fell and he didn't get the ball. I was screaming...do u think we'd get farther if Polk was the go to guy? I didn't like the subbing today with Tom and Justin..I felt like just when Tom was getting hot, he was subbed to the bench, I thought maybe it was his asthma, but he wasn't even winded on the bench. JJ got subbed the same way, I thought he was doing very well. I liked the line up with Drejaj, Reg, Izik, Justin and Polk. Bottom Line and a fan said this at the game..The players don't know their roles, they can't play as a team because they don't look as if they know their roles. I think only about 3 0r 4 people know the ball should go to Reg. At least the defenders know it. But the team doesn't.

Oh, I can handle loud, I hope u guys can..

We just sat there for the Oakland game I believe, because we were late, I'm told we're behind the players, near the top. So we'll be there on tomorrow.

Hey Thanks..the pictures are nice...Reg even viewed them.

Thanks guys...I came late but saw enough to know that the game was hot. I was all set to come and analyze the problems of the team, but only saw minimal tonight... I'll be there Saturday...look forward to meeting more board members.

I'm glad Reg's game is getting better..since the injury(still a long way to go, but he'll get there), he was feeling really bad about that. He's still working his tail off getting extra time shooting around etc..I know none of us counted on this record this season, namely the players. This is Reg's last year and who wouldn't want to go out with a bang, but unfortunately things don't always go our way. I'm still optimistic, this team will turn around, hopefully it will be soon.

So basically u think it's time for Reg to step up and be selfish with the ball, take more shots? I've been thinking about that, I think that's an important trait Reg doesn't possess but deeply needs. I don't know Roy...We'll see..It's hard because if Coach doesn't feel the same way and Reg does shoot more that may cause some issues. On the other hand, Coach could be waiting for the day Reg, does finally step up and take control of the team, shooting and leading wise. Though I still think the other players have to step up and help on the offensive end, I definitely see what u're saying.

What I'm interested in seeing for myself when I get to SLU this week is why is there always 3 or sometimes more guys on Reg and he can't get good looks, or get shots to the basket. Where is the rest of the team? What is being taught about getting one of your shooters an open look to the basket. Or if your main shooter is tied up by defenders, the next shooter stepping up or getting open for the pass to put up the shot. I heard several times last night that there were at least 3 guys on Reggie, that leaves some open guys on our team, who comes to Reg to get the ball, who's blocking out or cutting to get open, so Reg can see. I don't know what to say about this start, what I can say is maybe Brad should try a Don Nelson thing and let one of the Asst. Coaches, Coach the game and see what happens..Maybe they have some different strategies, assuming Brad is having a hard time getting the team going. I'm for trying anything at this point..I don't get it...

Roy if assuming Reg is more hurt than he really is; would give u good reason to accept the current play of the team, then believe that. If u want the truth, I've told u. U know exactly what we know. His tendinitis and ankle are actually getting better. Thus he has more lift in his legs, not a lot but a little. I told Reg last night, one of the commentators said he thinks Reg is experiencing a mental breakdown (5 second call)and they have to play through this terrible time. Actually from my talking to Reg he's not experiencing a mental breakdown, but he's getting more aggressive. Agressive with being vocal, with dealing with the team, with expressing himself, with knowing his game and accepting the areas that need work and more. Reg should not have changed his game to accommodate the defensive mindset of SLU. Plain and simple. He's still not our best defensive player, so it was pointless if u ask me. But he and the other guys have to start taking responsibility for their play, just like the coaches have to take responsiblity for their coaching. I read the article and Coach said the starting lineup may change, I'm thinking when has it stopped changing. That's just me and my opinion. Let's get some consistency going. Play everybody, I said it last week, it's no reason why anyone isn't getting time, other than they're hurt. If that's not the case, put the guys in the game. Start making each player accountable for their play.

Roy, I'm trippin..u're right, u were, but u make it sound soooo funny.

Of course it's a slam against Reggie, it always is; Don't sugarcoat how u feel. I just find it remarkable that when others allude to problems on this team that don't involve Reggie, u flip. I don't know who these other players are (their game anyway), I'm sure u know more than I do about that, but to say Reg is a stand still shooter who doesn't understand the game or can play at a fast pace, is purely judgemental. U never answered me twice before, where would this team be without Reg? Last year or this year? The Big East had many fast paced teams and he did fine (Nova was a fast paced, offensive minded team), he did well in Prep School (where he played with Julian from Hawaii). Let's see if u can make your points valid without trying to SLAM Reg. Afterall that's basically what u said to me about Coach. U're being hypocritical! U don't want others to make comments but u can voice yours over and over again, come on that's not right. If I can put up with your negative comments about Reg all the time, certainly u can put up with the same type of comments from others that aren't about Reg.

I agree. It doesn't matter who used to be here, it's all about who's here now. Hopefully Coach doesn't have time to ponder such things. The focus should be on how to get this team to play together now. I personally believe things will turn around but we have to show some consistency in our efforts to win, as well as consistency in our line ups, whether starting line ups, off the bench whatever. We need the right guys in at the right time, Right now, with the way we're playing, I would think everyone would see some time these past few games.

In Brad's post interview, he did mention something about the team being able to get along and for the players to not start blaming each other. So I know its some truth to the chemistry issues between the players, or he wouldn't have said it. I just have to be there to see the games to get a real feel for what's going on. It's hard to make an assessment when u're not actually seeing the team play. I did think they had this win though.

Roy, I'm sleepin over here , between my children and their basketball and SLU basketball, I'm not even on the radar on who's who over here anymore. I missed listening to the game last Saturday being in Delaware at a tournament with my youngest son.

Hey good looking out, I get the paper and haven't even read it.

I think that it's a little of everything. That most on this thread are correct. As Thicks said, Reg isn't vocal enough (Definitely not enough for my taste). I stress the fact that he has to step up and get the guys going, I don't know how much this happens, I'm not in the huddles, but it should be done. Torch, u spoke on Coach pressuring his defense...that's true, In workouts they worked on defense (offense was supposed to be in the bag). I feel that Reg is not playing his game. Now that he's so defensive minded, he's lost his offense. Of course it doesn't make it better that he's hurt. He has lost some of his legs Tseungnekillib. The combination of the two injuries are making things extra hard for him. I'm glad that u all picked up on those things, I didn't know how it would be received, so I just kept quiet. But I do think u all have raised some valid points.

Reg was recruited by Coach Beane.

I made that one statement about Reg and my conversation and what he said, u're right I should've kept that to myself (especially had I known it would cause that whole backlash stuff-still feel coaches aren't untouchable though). Every comment since then has been from me. I make sure not to paraphrase anymore. I figured u weren't just talking about Reg, but the whole team (I could only comment on Reg) But u do make it sound really easy for the guys just to step up and do the darn thing. What I'm saying is it's not gonna be easy and even though u feel the injuries etc are excuses, I have to believe it's legitimate, simply because I know Tom, Reg, Anthony, Darren, Ian, and any others that are playing hurt wouldn't just give up and lose. I feel they are fighters and want to win. But they have to make adjustments. It's okay about your rule, Slufanskip, said I should stop addressing the whole board, when I'm talking to a specific person. So I took that into consideration and directed my response to u. It's all good.

tseugnekillib, I said it. I'm not being silly, If u would Re-read the post, I said this summer, defense was mainly practiced, offense wasn't a priority. The focus was defense and because they were offensive minded players, offense wasn't practiced much. Coach even said it. The line up that's in the games barely practiced together, so I would expect offense to be a problem, being as though the guys are new to playing together (this line up) and they're all struggling to get their shots right now. I'm quite sure that after the Austin Peay game, offense became the focal point, I know they're practing it now. I refered to this summer, thus I'm not surprised their struggling.

Billikan, Why do I get the feeling u're talking about Reg, but won't come out and say it. What responsibility are u willing to take? Walk a mile in the players shoes then let me know whats up. Society is made up with people from diverse racial groups, diverse sexual groups, diverse cultures, diverse backgrounds, morals, values, upbringing, finances etc...Society as a whole shows me that its okay to have different opinions; It's okay to think differently. We (my brothers and I)were raised to take responsibility for our actions and to be independant thinkers, to not let others disrespect you, to stand up for yourself, to prepare for our future through education and hard work, and to excel at whatever we choose to do in life. If Reg does nothing else this year, from this moment on, he would have far exceeded what others in society have expected from him. Coming from an Urban City, surrounded by much negative influence, he could have ended up somewhere else in life. I can certainly live with him missing easy shots and I don't toss and turn at night, wondering will he survive this doggy dog world of Basketball. He has survived much worse. That's what I feel about society, its easy to say what someone else should do, especially when u're on the outside looking in. But if it were u, and u missed easy shots, how would u deal with it? What would u tell your fans? What would u say to the coaches, the press (media), your teammates? What would u do to make it better? What would change so that the next game u wouldn't miss easy shots? Let me know, I'll tell Reg and he can let the rest of the team know, so they can improve offensively and win games.

I responded to Big Al's post. In that response I did say it wasn't all on here but most, and that's simply my interpretation. Most of the post were about his bad shots etc... In my reponse to Bonwich's post I said, this is not u personally but generally speaking. When I write my post, I normally try to respond to what's posted and also to bring up points on my own. I don't think the whole board feels the same way. I said before, I don't even remember names half the time, so I just respond in general. I'm getting better at it. When I have something to say, I don't go back to the different post and say well, who said this , who said that, I have a tendency to address all the concerns in one post. If to u that's offensive "my bad". That's just me. I have a bad habit, of taking exceptional notes to what is being said and not to who said them. But slufanskip, I'm sure the school appreciates your financial support, the players as well, if u're referring to scholarships (as Reg has one). I'm talking about those posters who say, Reg needs to do this, the coach needs to get in Reg's face, He was triple teamed but should've made the shot; things like that (again don't remember who said them, just remember the comments)to me these comments discount all of his efforts. He's playing hurt. I don't remember many posters asking questions as u say, I remember posters making comments that I felt needed responding to, so I did. They make assumptions, they speculate. I want the whole board to recognize, that if they think it's hard to lose these games, think of how hard it is for the players and coaches. If u went back and look at the posts this summer many people slept on Izik, barely mentioned Reg, Tom was only mentioned, when saying he was hurt...My comments are based on what's posted on this board and I just like bringing them up to prove my points. The seniors were an afterthought before the season, now they're the only thoughts, Why wouldn't I bring that up? This makes for good debating, good conversations and insightful dialogue. My family and I will be in St. Louis 12/14 - 12/19.

U're right, No one can be the blame for what's going on, but everyone can be part of the solution. It's just hard reading post, where people who obviously don't know Reg assumes that an "in your face" approach is the way to go, when it's not. I'm an avid believer in this team, in their abilities, I don't care to look at who was here last year, what so and so did, I'm about the team we have now. I feel they're capable of great things and it will happen. It's hard swallowing losses, I hate having to talk to Reg after a loss, he's not angry or nasty, he's oddly always positive, but this last loss, he took personally. We'll see what's up Saturday, I will make sure I'm listening.