The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

but forgot you need to put it in the bucket to win games... 16 points in a half at home? Against IDAHO?

This team is amazing at passing the ball around the perimeter... I mean... so many teams should watch WMU pass the ball around the arc... but close your freaking eyes when they decide they need to score... BRICK!

That was a pathetic team effort tonight. Senior leadership (Wilder/Lamont) was nonexistent. Couldn’t put the ball in the ocean. On top of that, Idaho has a nice team.

(12-18-2017 08:56 PM)flushtheherd Wrote:  This team is amazing at passing the ball around the perimeter... I mean... so many teams should watch WMU pass the ball around the arc... but close your freaking eyes when they decide they need to score... BRICK!

I agree on some occasions this team can pass the ball around the perimeter but WMUMBB team guards dribble the ball entirely to much. They dribble so much looking for their shot the wmu wings and the center starts to watch the game instead of playing the game. This team is badly coached. I can't see how the average basketball enthusiastic doesn't recognize this. Idaho looked to be well coached and every player was involved in tonight thrashing. I will bet my house the if WMU is matched up with a decent well coached team we will lose 9 out 10 times. That's too bad because we have the talent. For God, sakes we have a NBA talent on the team.

NBA talent? Where and who? Wilder shows flashes for sure but he has not been very good as of late. Won't be drafted. 4-18 shooting, constant foul trouble won't cut it. He has ability but needs to pick it up and be a leader. NO ONE ELSE on this team will even sniff the D-league.

(12-18-2017 09:57 PM)Broncos83 Wrote:  NBA talent? Where and who? Wilder shows flashes for sure but he has not been very good as of late. Won't be drafted. 4-18 shooting, constant foul trouble won't cut it. He has ability but needs to pick it up and be a leader. NO ONE ELSE on this team will even sniff the D-league.

Between Brice and Thomas they were 8 for 30

Two scouts in attendance to see Wilder and Victor Sanders.

Sanders 9-14 25 pts. Long, quick, range, good defender, plays under control, and never forced a shot. Afraid Wilder blew his opportunity.

Idaho did some things I wish we’d do. Switched defenses constantly, totally had us guessing, and used half court traps even when they got a big lead.

Post game Hawkins said, “We’re going to turn this thing around, that’s for damn sure.”

Hope he’s right.

(12-18-2017 09:57 PM)Broncos83 Wrote:  NBA talent? Where and who? Wilder shows flashes for sure but he has not been very good as of late. Won't be drafted. 4-18 shooting, constant foul trouble won't cut it. He has ability but needs to pick it up and be a leader. NO ONE ELSE on this team will even sniff the D-league.

I was referring to Thomas as the NBA talent. We will never see how the other players can develop because 1. Hawkins rely too heavily on the guards making plays when the should at least try to get their teammates involved 2. No team Chemistry no leadership 3. Hawkins does not have any ideal how to coach this team.

I agree with a lot of what's been said about the coaching, but I think too much dribbling by the guards is really not the problem. Especially by Wilder. I think basketball offenses changed, probably in response to the way the game is officiated, and ours didn't. We still run like an old school John Wooden Bobby Knight motion offense that was originally designed to create post-ups for guys like Joe Reitz. Nobody in the NBA plays anything close to our offense. Today's offenses are about spacing the floor, giving a guard a ball screen, and then spreading the floor with shooters for him to pass to if defenders help on the pick and roll. It's obviously way more complicated than that, but the best offenses look nothing like ours. A big part of it is that there is always a big guy on the block, even when we try to run a pick and roll. There's no space to drive into. I watch NBA games and then watch Western and it's infuriating sometimes. The O is just so lifeless in comparison.

I've watched a lot of games this year and thought that if I were an NBA scout evaluating Wilder I'd really have to just shrug my shoulders. Offensively you just don't get a chance to see him attempt the kinds of plays NBA point guards are asked to execute. Against App State, with the game in hand in the last two minutes or so, they spaced the floor for Wilder pick and rolls. It was like Hawk did it to give Wilder a chance to show out for NBA scouts. They didn't even do it right, and you could tell the players didn't really know where to go, but it was still really effective. Wilder looked awesome. It's like torture watching him in our offense sometimes.

(12-18-2017 10:08 PM)Chipdip2 Wrote:  Two scouts in attendance to see Wilder and Victor Sanders.

Sanders 9-14 25 pts. Long, quick, range, good defender, plays under control, and never forced a shot. Afraid Wilder blew his opportunity.

Idaho did some things I wish we’d do. Switched defenses constantly, totally had us guessing, and used half court traps even when they got a big lead.

Post game Hawkins said, “We’re going to turn this thing around, that’s for damn sure.”

Hope he’s right.

Thought I saw scouts but wasn’t 100% sure. Huge bummer. Wilder struggled but it didn’t seem like anything special they were doing. Shots just weren’t dropping. I think he was something like 0-9 in the first half.

Conflicted about how I feel about Hawk’s post-game comments. Didn’t care for his comment about “letting it go” towards the end because he was essentially saying he gave up coaching in the second half. At the same token, I understood what he meant in context. This game will make or break our season based on how we respond on the road in Milwaukee.

(12-19-2017 09:20 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  

(12-18-2017 10:08 PM)Chipdip2 Wrote:  Two scouts in attendance to see Wilder and Victor Sanders.

Sanders 9-14 25 pts. Long, quick, range, good defender, plays under control, and never forced a shot. Afraid Wilder blew his opportunity.

Idaho did some things I wish we’d do. Switched defenses constantly, totally had us guessing, and used half court traps even when they got a big lead.

Post game Hawkins said, “We’re going to turn this thing around, that’s for damn sure.”

Hope he’s right.

Thought I saw scouts but wasn’t 100% sure. Huge bummer. Wilder struggled but it didn’t seem like anything special they were doing. Shots just weren’t dropping. I think he was something like 0-9 in the first half.

Conflicted about how I feel about Hawk’s post-game comments. Didn’t care for his comment about “letting it go” towards the end because he was essentially saying he gave up coaching in the second half. At the same token, I understood what he meant in context. This game will make or break our season based on how we respond on the road in Milwaukee.

One bad (and oh, yes, it was bad) non-conference game in December does not "make or break" a season.

It's all about having a good MAC tournament run, which includes a solid regular conference season for seeding purposes. As much as last night's game stings (30 pts to f-ing Idaho...at home?!?), it is relatively meaningless.

Hawk will have this team peaked when it needs to be in late Feb/March.

(12-19-2017 10:06 AM)GullLake Wrote:  

(12-19-2017 09:20 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  

(12-18-2017 10:08 PM)Chipdip2 Wrote:  Two scouts in attendance to see Wilder and Victor Sanders.

Sanders 9-14 25 pts. Long, quick, range, good defender, plays under control, and never forced a shot. Afraid Wilder blew his opportunity.

Idaho did some things I wish we’d do. Switched defenses constantly, totally had us guessing, and used half court traps even when they got a big lead.

Post game Hawkins said, “We’re going to turn this thing around, that’s for damn sure.”

Hope he’s right.

Thought I saw scouts but wasn’t 100% sure. Huge bummer. Wilder struggled but it didn’t seem like anything special they were doing. Shots just weren’t dropping. I think he was something like 0-9 in the first half.

Conflicted about how I feel about Hawk’s post-game comments. Didn’t care for his comment about “letting it go” towards the end because he was essentially saying he gave up coaching in the second half. At the same token, I understood what he meant in context. This game will make or break our season based on how we respond on the road in Milwaukee.

One bad (and oh, yes, it was bad) non-conference game in December does not "make or break" a season.

It's all about having a good MAC tournament run, which includes a solid regular conference season for seeding purposes. As much as last night's game stings (30 pts to f-ing Idaho...at home?!?), it is relatively meaningless.

Hawk will have this team peaked when it needs to be in late Feb/March.

Disagree. Did you listen to Hawk’s post-game? Told a bigger story to me.

If you have watched all of our games up until this point, I’m not sure what gives you any confidence we’ll “be fine” come MAC play.

This team has been hugely disappointing offensively and just doesn’t have the size or athleticism to compete defensively or on the boards in order to win the division.

We’re a 15-16 win team at best.

(12-19-2017 10:46 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  

(12-19-2017 10:06 AM)GullLake Wrote:  

(12-19-2017 09:20 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  

(12-18-2017 10:08 PM)Chipdip2 Wrote:  Two scouts in attendance to see Wilder and Victor Sanders.

Sanders 9-14 25 pts. Long, quick, range, good defender, plays under control, and never forced a shot. Afraid Wilder blew his opportunity.

Idaho did some things I wish we’d do. Switched defenses constantly, totally had us guessing, and used half court traps even when they got a big lead.

Post game Hawkins said, “We’re going to turn this thing around, that’s for damn sure.”

Hope he’s right.

Thought I saw scouts but wasn’t 100% sure. Huge bummer. Wilder struggled but it didn’t seem like anything special they were doing. Shots just weren’t dropping. I think he was something like 0-9 in the first half.

Conflicted about how I feel about Hawk’s post-game comments. Didn’t care for his comment about “letting it go” towards the end because he was essentially saying he gave up coaching in the second half. At the same token, I understood what he meant in context. This game will make or break our season based on how we respond on the road in Milwaukee.

One bad (and oh, yes, it was bad) non-conference game in December does not "make or break" a season.

It's all about having a good MAC tournament run, which includes a solid regular conference season for seeding purposes. As much as last night's game stings (30 pts to f-ing Idaho...at home?!?), it is relatively meaningless.

Hawk will have this team peaked when it needs to be in late Feb/March.

Disagree. Did you listen to Hawk’s post-game? Told a bigger story to me.

If you have watched all of our games up until this point, I’m not sure what gives you any confidence we’ll “be fine” come MAC play.

This team has been hugely disappointing offensively and just doesn’t have the size or athleticism to compete defensively or on the boards in order to win the division.

We’re a 15-16 win team at best.

Hawk's teams usually start slow, but finish strong. Look back at his records over the years. It can be frustrating, but it is always better to finish on a run, like WMU last season and many seasons before that, then start with a flash and finish flat.

Hawk has earned our patience and support. He's gotten solid results over the years.

Of course, that does not make last night's loss any better. But it is, what it is...a relatively meaningless early-season/non-conference loss.

I agree with you that Hawk’s teams traditional start slow and peak later. But much like our football season this year, there are other causes for concern visually when you watch the offensive inefficiencies and team chemistry. Reminds me of our ‘11-‘12 team that had tons of talent and potential but ultimately disappointed.

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They laid an egg. Idaho is good they demolished Wash State two weeks ago. Our 7' center hasn't played in a month and we forget our best two forwards are sophs, our backup guards are soph/freshman, our back up forwards are soph/freshman. Idaho resembled the 2013 MAC champ team, experience counts. Idaho will win 24-25 games this year in a very under ranked Big Sky conference. Never heard Hawkins so pissed in post game interview, his team was soft and he called them out. I like that and I like this team. Wins over Detroit and St Louis, even App state are a sign this team can perform. By March they should be in sync. I wouldn't worry about Wilder he trying to do to much at this stage. Good test this week at Milwaukee.

Idaho was on freaking FIRE last night... I mean holy crap they couldn't miss... Doesn't let Hawkin's off the hook but holy crap I don't think our best game would have stood up to the shooting from Idaho last night... Nearly 60% from 3?

(12-19-2017 04:28 PM)BuickBronco Wrote:  They laid an egg. Idaho is good they demolished Wash State two weeks ago. Our 7' center hasn't played in a month and we forget our best two forwards are sophs, our backup guards are soph/freshman, our back up forwards are soph/freshman. Idaho resembled the 2013 MAC champ team, experience counts. Idaho will win 24-25 games this year in a very under ranked Big Sky conference. Never heard Hawkins so pissed in post game interview, his team was soft and he called them out. I like that and I like this team. Wins over Detroit and St Louis, even App state are a sign this team can perform. By March they should be in sync. I wouldn't worry about Wilder he trying to do to much at this stage. Good test this week at Milwaukee.

Idaho is not good. They are comparable to Western. Their RPI is 141, their best win against a WSU team with a RPI of 139. St. Louis' RPI of 159 is the best win WMU has, every other team they have beaten is straight up garbage. Detroit and App State are bad basketball teams. It's not a sign they can perform beating them. They should beat them.

Embarrassing performance. Even for an average basketball team.

(12-19-2017 10:36 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  

(12-19-2017 04:28 PM)BuickBronco Wrote:  They laid an egg. Idaho is good they demolished Wash State two weeks ago. Our 7' center hasn't played in a month and we forget our best two forwards are sophs, our backup guards are soph/freshman, our back up forwards are soph/freshman. Idaho resembled the 2013 MAC champ team, experience counts. Idaho will win 24-25 games this year in a very under ranked Big Sky conference. Never heard Hawkins so pissed in post game interview, his team was soft and he called them out. I like that and I like this team. Wins over Detroit and St Louis, even App state are a sign this team can perform. By March they should be in sync. I wouldn't worry about Wilder he trying to do to much at this stage. Good test this week at Milwaukee.

Idaho is not good. They are comparable to Western. Their RPI is 141, their best win against a WSU team with a RPI of 139. St. Louis' RPI of 159 is the best win WMU has, every other team they have beaten is straight up garbage. Detroit and App State are bad basketball teams. It's not a sign they can perform beating them. They should beat them.

Embarrassing performance. Even for an average basketball team.

The season ain't over..."until we say it is."

"Was it over when the German's bombed Pearl Harbor?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vtWB4owdE

(12-19-2017 10:36 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  

(12-19-2017 04:28 PM)BuickBronco Wrote:  They laid an egg. Idaho is good they demolished Wash State two weeks ago. Our 7' center hasn't played in a month and we forget our best two forwards are sophs, our backup guards are soph/freshman, our back up forwards are soph/freshman. Idaho resembled the 2013 MAC champ team, experience counts. Idaho will win 24-25 games this year in a very under ranked Big Sky conference. Never heard Hawkins so pissed in post game interview, his team was soft and he called them out. I like that and I like this team. Wins over Detroit and St Louis, even App state are a sign this team can perform. By March they should be in sync. I wouldn't worry about Wilder he trying to do to much at this stage. Good test this week at Milwaukee.

Idaho is not good. They are comparable to Western. Their RPI is 141, their best win against a WSU team with a RPI of 139. St. Louis' RPI of 159 is the best win WMU has, every other team they have beaten is straight up garbage. Detroit and App State are bad basketball teams. It's not a sign they can perform beating them. They should beat them.

Embarrassing performance. Even for an average basketball team.

They are good. It only matters in March. RPIs in 150s puts you in top half of D1 basketball world. RPI's in 50s puts you in top half of D1 football world. Were you even at the game? They were better than Oakland that just took MSU to final minutes