Another teammate of Michael Ocherobia signs to play with D1 school

[Da Coach]

Aaron Geramipoor, is a 6-foot-11, 225-pound frontcourt player originally from Manchester, England. He was a teammate of Michael Ocherobia at the Canarias Basketball Academy, and has signed with Seton Hall.
Seton Hall had earlier signed Patrik Auda, another CBA player.

http://www.zagsblog.com/2010/07/14/seton-hall-signs-6-11-englishman-mike-glover-to-iona-carter-gets-release-from-bonaventure/

[wizard1]

Michael Ocherobia---

Why are other schools able to sign Canarias players and we can't seem to complete what is needed to enable us to sign MO? Has anyone got off the dime, talked to MO, traveled to Canarias, or otherwise done anything other than wind this entire episode down with silence and veiled statements about using scholies for other recruits?
Also, where are our hard-charging, inquiring, "dig-it-out PJS sports reporters in finding out and reporting what is going on regarding MO?
We lost Wilkins and now it looks like we may lose MO. Whats going on and whats happening to cause us to lose these guys who we very badly need to get the BB program back to where we all want it?

[Da Coach]

We did have a coach travel to the Canary Islands, evaluate their players, and get a verbal commitment from the best big man they had available. From what I have heard, Bradley was assured by the head of the CBA and by MO that there would be no trouble getting into Bradley and being cleared by the NCAA. I think JL and Bradley's Athletic Dept. have done everything they can do. Call it bad luck, or whatever you want, but I don't think it's from Bradley not doing something right. Recruiting international players does have greater risks like this. That's why there are hundreds of them at jucos and prep schools. Wichita State just admitted a kid (Ehimen Orukpe) who they actually got a verbal commitment from 3 years ago, but he had visa problems and then his academic background couldn't be verified and he had to spend 2 years at a juco. So it happens a lot.

[BUBrave28]

So when are we going to hear about CC finally making a good decision and coming to BU?

[wily coyote]

Why are other schools able to sign Canarias players and we can't seem to complete what is needed to enable us to sign MO? Has anyone got off the dime, talked to MO, traveled to Canarias, or otherwise done anything other than wind this entire episode down with silence and veiled statements about using scholies for other recruits?
Also, where are our hard-charging, inquiring, "dig-it-out PJS sports reporters in finding out and reporting what is going on regarding MO?
We lost Wilkins and now it looks like we may lose MO. Whats going on and whats happening to cause us to lose these guys who we very badly need to get the BB program back to where we all want it?

I think Mo still is committed to BU and will not be able to go anywhere D-1. Does that make the picture clearer? Not sure if the time frame will be able to get him enrolled b-4 the fall. This is not a BU or NCAA issue.

[BradleyBrave]

We did have a coach travel to the Canary Islands, evaluate their players, and get a verbal commitment from the best big man they had available. From what I have heard, Bradley was assured by the head of the CBA and by MO that there would be no trouble getting into Bradley and being cleared by the NCAA. I think JL and Bradley's Athletic Dept. have done everything they can do. Call it bad luck, or whatever you want, but I don't think it's from Bradley not doing something right. Recruiting international players does have greater risks like this. That's why there are hundreds of them at jucos and prep schools. Wichita State just admitted a kid (Ehimen Orukpe) who they actually got a verbal commitment from 3 years ago, but he had visa problems and then his academic background couldn't be verified and he had to spend 2 years at a juco. So it happens a lot.

I don't think BU is at fault for anything here. I think it's silly to think so. Had we not landed Andrew Davis, then perhaps we could be blamed for not having a backup plan, or not addressing our recruiting needs. Neither can be said in this case.

This just got me thinking - We should be one of the best teams in the MVC up front next year. Look at our frontcourt size -

Taylor Brown 6'6"
Milos Knezevic 6'8"
Jordan Prosser 6'8"
Will Egolf 6'9"
Anthony Thompson 6'10"
Andrew Davis 6'10"

Hopefully with a 30+ year veteran working with these guys, we can finally cure what has ailed us inside the past few years. Adding MO would be a bonus in my world.

[houstontxbrave]

I think Mo still is committed to BU and will not be able to go anywhere D-1. Does that make the picture clearer? Not sure if the time frame will be able to get him enrolled b-4 the fall. This is not a BU or NCAA issue.

If Mo is not able to get into BU for whatever the reason is, do we then use this last ride on a transfer? But if Les uses the last ride on a transfer and Mo becomes able to enrol in lets say Aug, then there would be no ride for Mo.

Seems to me Les has to decide to either try to get Mo in and use the last ride on him, use the last ride this year on a transfer or hope Mo goes JUCO and recommits and is able to enroll next year.

Or is this simply whoever can committ and can get into BU first gets the ride, period?

[houstontxbrave]

I don't think BU is at fault for anything here. I think it's silly to think so. Had we not landed Andrew Davis, then perhaps we could be blamed for not having a backup plan, or not addressing our recruiting needs. Neither can be said in this case.

This just got me thinking - We should be one of the best teams in the MVC up front next year. Look at our frontcourt size -

Taylor Brown 6'6"
Milos Knezevic 6'8"
Jordan Prosser 6'8"
Will Egolf 6'9"
Anthony Thompson 6'10"
Andrew Davis 6'10"

Hopefully with a 30+ year veteran working with these guys, we can finally cure what has ailed us inside the past few years. Adding MO would be a bonus in my world.

I really hope Pratt is the answer because what you wrote is exactly what we had last year other then Singh for Davis and we were soft in the lane and not very good on the boards.

Bottom line though is this has a lot to do with Brown and his maturation. IF he comes to play nightly and does not let the outside world determine things, he is capable of taking over in a lot of areas. His basketball/physical ability is second to none in this conference, but when you miss games and your head is not there nightly well we saw what happens.

He is quite capable of 20/10.

[LittleBrave]

And WE's spring workout update was nice to hear. Hopefully, he'll keep that going when practice picks up in a few months. Yes, let's hope that Platt comes through with the Bigs.

[thefish7]

I think Mo still is committed to BU and will not be able to go anywhere D-1. Does that make the picture clearer? Not sure if the time frame will be able to get him enrolled b-4 the fall. This is not a BU or NCAA issue.

If not a BU or NCAA issue, then what kind of issue?

[bugregshu]

I really hope Pratt is the answer because what you wrote is exactly what we had last year other then Singh for Davis and we were soft in the lane and not very good on the boards.

2009-10 versions of Brown, Knezevic, Prosser, Egolf, Thompson are not the same as the 2010-11 versions

[AZ BU Fan]

2009-10 versions of Brown, Knezevic, Prosser, Egolf, Thompson are not the same as the 2010-11 versions

....We all hope!!!!!

[houstontxbrave]

2009-10 versions of Brown, Knezevic, Prosser, Egolf, Thompson are not the same as the 2010-11 versions

I am sure that Brown Knezevic Prosser and Egolf have evolved. Ill believe Thompson when I see it.

[real fan]

I am sure that Brown Knezevic Prosser and Egolf have evolved. Ill believe Thompson when I see it.

This still leaves us without a big center that can go up against the good ones in the Valley like Carmichael, Stutz and Teague, I am afraid without a true big we will be left fighting for 3rd or 4th which is unacceptable .

[houstontxbrave]

This still leaves us without a big center that can go up against the good ones in the Valley like Carmichael, Stutz and Teague, I am afraid without a true big we will be left fighting for 3rd or 4th which is unacceptable .

I am not one to completely believe you must have a true 5 to win in the Valley. It is a guard oriented league.

Regardless if we continue to not make rebounding a point of emphasis or make defense a prioriety every night then yes you are right we will be fighting for middle of the pack status.

We have enough physical size and athletic ability to rebound and defend and to use what we have on our roster to challenge for a Valley title, but it all comes down to how this team responds and evolves on the glass and on the boards.

If you play a size of Egolf, Brown, Warren and either Prosser/Thompson/Knezevic with any guard that is enough size and skill to be competitive on the boards. Fundamentials both on the boards and in defending shooters is key to the Bradley season.

We know this team will score but will it commit to doing what needs to be done to be a great team?