recruiting

[houstontxbrave]

was replaced by Molinari who did a pretty job of repairing the damage but never reached the lofty heights of the program under DV.

You know I think Moinari did a great job at BU, he brought in even at the end guys like Granger, Tisby had Grundy etc. I still say if Robinson does not get hurt in the Valley Tourney that team plays in the NCAA tourney.

Overall his tenure was more successful then DV. DV had a few very lean years after the program left the Fieldhouse and moved to Carver.

Yes the budget for recruiting likely increased from Stowell to DV but DV required it, I dont know if Stowell ever went and said he needed more money. Regardless Bradley's transformation from Stowell to DV was incredible and pretty quick.

[houstontxbrave]

You will not get a debate from me about Albeck, however the downward spiral began when DV left BU. As for what happened after 1979-80, you might want to check out the money allocated to recruiting after 1979-80. I think that you will find that the budget was much more generous.

Benniator what are you talking about the downward spiral began when DV left BU? Of course it did but it was not immediate. Even in '89 with Jackson and Manuel we were ok, it all went sideways when Albeck started briniging in his recruits, Versace had nothing to do with anything after '89. The downward spiral begin and was big time in '90 and that was all on Albeck.

[wizard1]

Recruiting---DV

Some more ancient history to correct some poorly grounded and incorrect statements by a couple of you guys----

First, The Athletic Director at the time had nothing to do with DVs firing. This was done 100% on direct orders from the President.

Secondly---The violations were very small and really didn't amount to much. I was there and I know so trust what I say!

Three---BU went to 2 NCAAs---1980 and 1986 and in 1988 with a team of Versace recruits.

Fourth--- DV didn't leave the team in "shambles". The players were going to leave on their own after DVs bad treatment by BU. Fergie saved the day and they stayed. .

Fifth---The NIT in 1982 was tough as Hell! We beat American U., Syracuse at their Carrier Dome, Tulane, Oklahoma, and Purdure who had a 6-10 All American in Russell Cross! BUs average winning margin was 13 points---No one else even came close.

[amckillip]

DV was a great college coach who brought BU back after years of mediocrity. The success, achievements, excitement, recruiting, etc. in the DV era was unparalleled.

As were the NCAA sanctions and bad publicity.

[Beninator]

Benniator what are you talking about the downward spiral began when DV left BU? Of course it did but it was not immediate. Even in '89 with Jackson and Manuel we were ok, it all went sideways when Albeck started briniging in his recruits, Versace had nothing to do with anything after '89. The downward spiral begin and was big time in '90 and that was all on Albeck.

Don't you think that the quality of recruits went down as a result of the NCAA sanctions? I do. Recruiting is a process that doesn't happen overnight. It is pretty tough for a school to recruit with that cloud overhead and even a little after the sanctions have been cleared. By saying this, I am not sticking up for Albeck.

[Braves4Life]

Some more ancient history to correct some poorly grounded and incorrect statements by a couple of you guys----

First, The Athletic Director at the time had nothing to do with DVs firing. This was done 100% on direct orders from the President.

Secondly---The violations were very small and really didn't amount to much. I was there and I know so trust what I say!

Three---BU went to 2 NCAAs---1980 and 1986 and in 1988 with a team of Versace recruits.

Fourth--- DV didn't leave the team in "shambles". The players were going to leave on their own after DVs bad treatment by BU. Fergie saved the day and they stayed. .

Fifth---The NIT in 1982 was tough as Hell! We beat American U., Syracuse at their Carrier Dome, Tulane, Oklahoma, and Purdure who had a 6-10 All American in Russell Cross! BUs average winning margin was 13 points---No one else even came close.

I agree with everything you have stated here wizard. It was no secret that Versace and Abegg did not get along...... AT ALL. This was the "gift" that Abegg had been looking for so that he could justify getting rid of Versace. If he could have done it sooner he would have.

There were many "rumors" floating around about Versace during those years involving recruiting and cheerleaders. In addition, Abegg was a very low key and "stand up" guy. He did not appreciate Versace's high profile and arrogance and was deeply bothered by BU's academic reputation and ethical integrity being denigrated by Versace's actions.

If there was any fault to BU's downfall after Versace it should be placed squarely on the BU Administration as they decided to go a "different direction" with the "profile" of BU Basketball.

[Beninator]

Fourth--- DV didn't leave the team in "shambles". The players were going to leave on their own after DVs bad treatment by BU. Fergie saved the day and they stayed. .

I have to disagree on this point as BU was not able to recruit quality players to replace the DV recruits after they graduated. This was a direct result of the NCAA sanctions on BU. While the team was in good shape in the short term as a result of Ferguson's actions, the long term outlook of BU basketball after DV was in shambles.

[AZ BU Fan]

Is your (BU 9) goal to start a bunch of threads just to complain?

Sorry BU 9 and AMC.....

I already have taken the spot of starting threads on this Forum to complain!

[houstontxbrave]

Don't you think that the quality of recruits went down as a result of the NCAA sanctions? I do. Recruiting is a process that doesn't happen overnight. It is pretty tough for a school to recruit with that cloud overhead and even a little after the sanctions have been cleared. By saying this, I am not sticking up for Albeck.

Beninator, honestly I have no idea about the recruits and the effect of the sanctions because Stan Albeck was MIA all the time. To me he literally was one of the worst overall head coaches to have ever coached a D1 program. His involvement was minimal to never.

I think any downturn in the quality of recruit brought to Bradley was directly related to the efforts of Stan Albeck. I wish I had never had to watch one Bradley game with him or that stupid can of diet coke. I dont care about 88 either that was a gift to Stan all he had to do was get out of the way and thank god he did.

I agree it is tough to recruit because of sanctions but those sanctions were imposed in 86-87, we fell apart in 89-90 right when all of Versaces recruits left and Stan had to do work. The guys Stan would have recruited were Freshman and Sophs and in 8th grade when it happened. If there would have been effort I dont think the NCAA stuff would have been an issue at that time.

On the other hand it was a little silly to have Versace coach as a lame duck coach. There are lots of fingers that can be pointed in that era of BU basketball.

[Da Coach]

Stan did know how to coach. Its incorrect to suggest we could have sent our players out on the floor and the wins would have happened without any coaching. Stan instituted the right offense for that team, and was able to make adjustments to the defensive tricks other MVC coaches used to defend Hersey and the others. He has a winning record as an NBA coach and as a college coach, that doesn't happen without the ability to coach.

[amckillip]

Beninator, honestly I have no idea about the recruits and the effect of the sanctions because Stan Albeck was MIA all the time. To me he literally was one of the worst overall head coaches to have ever coached a D1 program. His involvement was minimal to never.

I think any downturn in the quality of recruit brought to Bradley was directly related to the efforts of Stan Albeck. I wish I had never had to watch one Bradley game with him or that stupid can of diet coke. I dont care about 88 either that was a gift to Stan all he had to do was get out of the way and thank god he did.

I agree it is tough to recruit because of sanctions but those sanctions were imposed in 86-87, we fell apart in 89-90 right when all of Versaces recruits left and Stan had to do work. The guys Stan would have recruited were Freshman and Sophs and in 8th grade when it happened. If there would have been effort I dont think the NCAA stuff would have been an issue at that time.

On the other hand it was a little silly to have Versace coach as a lame duck coach. There are lots of fingers that can be pointed in that era of BU basketball.

I seriously don't know how so many people are defending DV. In another thread we're criticizing Bruce Pearl at this very moment, and regarding our own cheat 'em and leave as a saint. At the end of the day what DV did is directly comparable to Calipari or Carrol. I understand this is a BU board, but what many are saying is pretty much justifying what Pete Carrol did because the fan base enjoyed it when he was there. Of course cheating to win is going to be fun for fans. But at the end of the day, it's cheating. When newspapers like the LA times and NYT are running articles about how the coach cheated, that person was not good for the program. I don't care what success he had, he tarnished the reputation of BU. I will take Albeck over DV any day as at least he lost honestly.

[Beninator]

I agree it is tough to recruit because of sanctions but those sanctions were imposed in 86-87, we fell apart in 89-90 right when all of Versaces recruits left and Stan had to do work. The guys Stan would have recruited were Freshman and Sophs and in 8th grade when it happened. If there would have been effort I dont think the NCAA stuff would have been an issue at that time.

I agree with you regarding Albeck. However , I think that we need to look at this from a recruiting perspective. Even back in the 1980's I believe that DV and crew were after recruits 2-3 years before they committed to Bradley. If a school was competing against Bradley for a recruit then, what do you think they were telling that recruit? All that competing school/coach had to state back then was why would you want to go to BU? They just got off of NCAA sanctions and are under the NCAA microscope, the coach who recruited you and took the team to the NCAA's is gone and as a closer you bring up Albeck. DV's actions and departure had a direct correlation as to how the program fell apart.

[Da Coach]

... I will take Albeck over DV any day as at least he lost honestly.

For the record, Stan Albeck was not a loser. Albeck's record in his 5 seasons at Bradley was 75-71, and his MVC record was even better at 41-31. That MVC winning percentage (.569) is the 4th best in Bradley MVC history, behind only Forddy Anderson, Chuck Orsborn, and Dick Versace, and better than Joe Stowell, and everyone who followed Albeck.

[Beninator]

For the record, Stan Albeck was not a loser. Albeck's record in his 5 seasons at Bradley was 75-71, and his MVC record was even better at 41-31. That MVC winning percentage (.569) is the 4th best in Bradley MVC history, behind only Forddy Anderson, Chuck Orsborn, and Dick Versace, and better than Joe Stowell, and everyone who followed Albeck.

Correct, but 43 of the 75 wins were in his first two years as a coach at BU!

[Braves4Life]

Albeck's only problem was recruiting...... and it can be argued that he couldn't recruit because of the blemish and sanctions left by Versace.

Unfortunately, Stan's system was a system that required talented players since it was really made more for a good college team or pro team. It can also be argued that because of the talent Stan initially inherited from Versace that he might have done better with that group than Versace...... I think the record with that talented team speaks for itself.

Stan was a good man who did his alma mater a favor when it needed him most. He didn't need the money or the job and deserves better than to be vilified in BU history, IMO.