PJ Star- BU guard asks for release

[BUSongwriter]

Two thoughts:

1) The reality is even if Sam goes (and I hope he doesn't) we will still have the team Jim Les recruited for next year -- provided others honor their commitments. And it's still a team I'm very excited about watching next year. Until he went down in December, Sam was obviously not in the plans for next year. It would have been a nice bonus to have him back, but just that....a bonus.

2) A show of hands of those who think, had Sam played his senior season and made all-conference, that he would now be pursuing a master's degree in sports journalism? No . . . he'd be pursuing playing basketball at the next level. My guess is his decision is 95 percent about basketball, 5 percent about studies, and I suppose that's why as a Bradley fan I have the right to feel a little let down.

[Beninator]

Here is something that I find interesting about Reynolds' article in today's PJS.

When writing about Remy Abell, Reynolds states the following in his column.

"ABell’s waiting: Bradley incoming recruit Remy Abell, a Kentucky all-state guard from Louisville Eastern High School, has taken a wait and see approach following BU coach Jim Les’ dismissal this week.

“I want to concentrate on (the) state (tournament),” Abell said about his team’s qualification in next week’s event. “I’ve been talking to my family, and we just have to see what’s best for me.”



Reynolds' article leads the reader to the conclusion that Reynolds spoke to Abell.

However, Jody Demling's article in the March 9 Louisville Courier states the following.

"noting he "wants to concentrate on (the) state" tournament that will begin next Wednesday.

"I’ve been talking to my family and we just have to see what’s best for me," Abell said."


Link to Demling's article: http://blogs.courier-journal.com/jod...um=feed&utm_ca

So my question is, did Reynolds speak with Abell, or did Reynolds lift parts of Demling's article, which are eerily similar, without accrediting Jody Demling for his work?

[Oldguy]

l am not sure the administration is doing anything different than what they have indicated to the board, they seem to still have the board's approval for this type of process as per PJS article last year:

"I asked Gerald Shaheen, chairman of the Bradley Trustees, whether allowing Glasser to run counter to the university??™s hiring culture had required a hard sell with the board.

In short: No.

???A lot of things in the world are changing, and we are changing with the times,??? Shaheen said. ???Our board understands. We are moving away from being a 40-man social group to a corporate board. This is a business. It??™s a big business.???

The fan hating and player hating I have seen lately must be part of the process of moving from a university to a big business. It must be working though because it seems to be a different Bradley than before. I am not sure where loyalty and "once a Brave, always a Brave fits into the big business world. Guess I need to stop being Cub and Cardinal fans and switch to Yankees.

[lefty]

Two thoughts:

1) The reality is even if Sam goes (and I hope he doesn't) we will still have the team Jim Les recruited for next year -- provided others honor their commitments. And it's still a team I'm very excited about watching next year. Until he went down in December, Sam was obviously not in the plans for next year. It would have been a nice bonus to have him back, but just that....a bonus.

2) A show of hands of those who think, had Sam played his senior season and made all-conference, that he would now be pursuing a master's degree in sports journalism? No . . . he'd be pursuing playing basketball at the next level. My guess is his decision is 95 percent about basketball, 5 percent about studies, and I suppose that's why as a Bradley fan I have the right to feel a little let down.

I agree...although you may be light about on the basketball percentage...that only came about because of the coaching change.
I have a hard time to see how Sam fits with the Illini next year but we'll see I guess.....it will be weird to see him on senior night

[Braves4Life]

.... it is my right as a bradley fan to express my disappointment in him leaving. He wants to go then go, but I won't pretend to be happy about it.

I think we are all disappointed Bradleyguy10.

[mrcoachdude]

I am one that is surely dissappointed...I have enjoyed watching Sam at BU...I hope that he still gives the new coach an ear...

[AE Braves Fan]

Thanks Joanne!

I can't believe some of you are surprised or upset with Maniscalco for this. This is only the beginning...

[Buesch N Chips]

I am one that is surely dissappointed...I have enjoyed watching Sam at BU...I hope that he still gives the new coach an ear...

I'm sure everyone would rather see him here next year. Hopefully he will thrive at U of I, and hopefully we can replace him.

[wily coyote]

Two thoughts:

1) The reality is even if Sam goes (and I hope he doesn't) we will still have the team Jim Les recruited for next year -- provided others honor their commitments. And it's still a team I'm very excited about watching next year. Until he went down in December, Sam was obviously not in the plans for next year. It would have been a nice bonus to have him back, but just that....a bonus.

2) A show of hands of those who think, had Sam played his senior season and made all-conference, that he would now be pursuing a master's degree in sports journalism? No . . . he'd be pursuing playing basketball at the next level. My guess is his decision is 95 percent about basketball, 5 percent about studies, and I suppose that's why as a Bradley fan I have the right to feel a little let down.

Great post my feelings exactly. If JL had been retained we wouldn't be having this conversation. I'm 99% about the decision 1% about studies.

[LittleBrave]

Does anyone know if Sammy grew up following the Illini? Maybe he had aspirations to play for them since he was little, but knowing the reality that he was not heavily recruited by the big boys, his chance to play for them was not realistic. Now that McCamey is leaving, Sammy would be the best PG to step in for them and make an impact. I see him playing 25 mpg on a team that could be Top 25. I'm not sure I'd pass up that opportunity, especially if SM came to BU hoping he'd get a chance to play in the NCAA tourney and that hasn't materialized. This gives him the best chance to do that. Granted, BU would have been good if everyone stayed, including the new recruits. But who knows if we'd be NCAA tourney good - not likely.

Sammy has had lots of time to reflect while sitting out the whole season, and I would bet he thought there's a chance that JL might not return next season. This is not a spontaneous decision by the kid - he's got a good head on his shoulders. I would imagine he understands how BU fans feel and that he appreciates them greatly.

I have a little bitterness toward his decision, but we know how competitive Sam is and he wants to win to end his college career on a high note. Added to that is his graduate opportunity in sports communication, which will be a more viable option for him at U of I by what I'm hearing from others.

[flipper]

i think sammy is a smart young man with very intelligent parents. i don't think his decision to ask for his release was made without alot of thought.

i wish sammy the best of luck. always liked watching him play, he seems to get the most out of his talent.

i am not going to speculate on what i think is best for sammy. it is his life and the decision is his.

let's face it. we are in a rebuilding mode and it is gonna take awhile to get back the top.

[thefish7]

We sure can. Maybe not in the conference standings, but in effort, as well as the plethora of off-the-court responsibilities that JL did very well. I think the potential to drop in those other responsibilities makes this an extremely stressful hire.

But I agree, and I need to follow this as well, we need to move on with the wait and see.

Could get worse in all those ways, but also performance. Record wasn't good this season, but a lot of losses were close... We could face 20 blowouts, which is why this hire is so critical. I'm encouraged by the hype and recent rhetoric and so hopeful we'll make a big hire.

[BradleyJD]

Thanks Joanne!

I can't believe some of you are surprised or upset with Maniscalco for this. This is only the beginning...

He is making his choice.

I do thank the President though.

[panther12thman]

Sam's departure is about loyalty to his coach. He is a smart young man with a father who like himself has seen what is happening on the hilltop with the President and her agenda's. Pure and simple. Sam is making a good decision and I will cheer for both him and whatever school he chooses. Bradley is in a mess right now, not just the athletic program but the whole institution and the reason is the ego centered president. We can only hope that her tenure is much shorter than what Jim's was. Good for you Sam - I am proud of you.

[BradleyJD]

Sam's departure is about loyalty to his coach. He is a smart young man with a father who like himself has seen what is happening on the hilltop with the President and her agenda's. Pure and simple.

Is her agenda, winning?