2/9 DR....getting to know John Wilkins...

[Big Mike]

IT All sounds good to me! Hang in the JW...can't wait to see you in a Braves uni!

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x955249727/Getting-to-know-John-Wilkins

[thefish7]

Great article. Can't wait to get JW in a Braves uniform.

[mexicobufan]

I still like the idea of a trip over to one of his games next year to show him that the Bradley fans are behind him. He seems like a great kid and I am sure he would appreciate the support.

[mexicobufan]

Also it sounds as if Dave watched practice? If so I would like more from him on his thoughts on the kids abilities?

[Da Coach]

Dave told me he sat in on a practice and even took some video of the John Wilkins interview.
The article that appeared today (2/9/09) in the print version of the PJ Star says there is a video available at BradleyHoops.com, but I didn't find it. If anyone sees where the video is posted, let us know.

[braves12]

I think the PJStar is probably going through serious budget constraints as many companies are at this time. I prefer to give them and Dave credit for doing the legwork instead of questioning why it had to be done during a trip to Drake. Thanks Dave and the PJStar. If things don't pick up soon for newspapers and I suppose the PJStar, it could certainly reduce the coverage of BU sports. Many like to rip the paper, but we could be close to severly reduced coverage of our beloved Braves. To me this would be sad. I noticed in the Des Moines Register sunday morning big articles with color pictures for Iowa and UNI, but only a small article on Drake. The only picture of the Drake game was a black and white picture on page 5.

[thefish7]

That it's not a 100% monopoly is the problem. The internet is pounding newspapers all over the place, PJS included. I kind of like newspapers, and I definitely like having a local paper, but I don't subscribe to the PJS or any newspaper. I'm an example of how they aren't a monopoly anymore.

[Scouter]

This is fine coverage....
if the PJ Star can send Dave Reynolds to places like Omaha, Wichita, Florida, etc...to cover Bradley basketball, then why not Iowa?
Wonder why it had to be a trip to Drake before he could get to Southeastern Community College?

Because beat writers follow the teams they cover to all the games they play, it makes it just slightly difficult to take an entire day to drive to Iowa and write a story that's not about anyone currently on the team. The trip to Drake gave DR a chance be in the vicinity of Burlington on his drive over (although still out of the way).

[dogsrus]

I still like the idea of a trip over to one of his games next year to show him that the Bradley fans are behind him. He seems like a great kid and I am sure he would appreciate the support.

The more I think about it thats a GREAT idea....can you imagine 20-40 BU fans decked in RED cheering JW on. I think that woud all but seal the deal.

Just thinking outloud wonder if it would be cost effective to do a bus trip.....40 people at 20-25 bucks a pop.....hmmmmmmmmmm

[leebiddlecome]

John Wilkins won't ever play a basketball game at Bradley. We might as well move on from this.

[leebiddlecome]

Thanks for that report, Lee, and I am sure Lee Biddlecome should have his word trusted on this one...

No sweat. If and when John Wilkins plays a game for Bradley I will be the first to admit I was wrong. Until then---I feel confident in my statement. I guess we will find out sometime in 2010 or so.

[braves12]

t,

I am not disagreeing with you that the PJS should actually up it's coverage of BU....they should. I am just saying that when cuts come, all areas seem to be affected, and I think the BU coverage will be also. I have no facts when it comes to what the PJS will do, just seems what management does these days. Cut costs anyway possible to help the IMMEDIATE bottom line and long term is worried about later. I am not wanting to get into a long discussion about what the PJS does right or wrong. Just saying it would not surprise me that coverage will shrink and I think that is sad. We have been lucky (some would disagree ) to have better (more ) coverage than many other programs the same size as BU. Not many teams get 2 writers on many but not all of the games.

[BU RICK]

I think the PJS is great. This is from a guy that use to have a large directional TV antenna on my former 17th floor balcony pointing south and some nights I could see a game. And also use to have a radio antenna pointing south and some nights, I guess it all depended on weather conditions, I could hear the game. Local library and it's a big suburban library didn't subscribe to PJS. When I got my computer and discovered the PJS site, my need for Bradley information was fixed. Thank you PJS!! Since the computer, no need for antennas.

[sam hannam]

The video is now up.

[Da Coach]

John Wilkins, Bradley recruit (from YouTube.com)-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onD0Bx4eHy8&eurl=http://www.bradleyhoops.com/