New commitment for 2011- Shayok Shayok

[thefish7]

Really?

RA/SH vs. JC/SS or JC/DH

I don't think it is better - and certainly not 'better by a long shot'

I'm sorry, I'm sure he's a good kid, but it's really really hard for me to place any sort of realistic basketball value on SH at this point.

[amckillip]

If the Cerina transfer comes to fruition, this class is better than it was 2 months ago by a long shot. Right now the current status seems better..

I love this recruiting class, but we would have had a returning All-MVC Point guard, the most heralded recruit we've had, another big small foraward, Donivine and Nate Wells. So unless you'd trade Remy for Crawford and Sam for Shayok Shayok, I think this is a little ridiculous. I'm not saying at all that removing JL was the wrong move, but suggesting this individual recruting class is better than it was a couple of months ago, isn't at all realistic.

[SFP]

I love this recruiting class, but we would have had a returning All-MVC Point guard, the most heralded recruit we've had, another big small foraward, Donivine and Nate Wells. So unless you'd trade Remy for Crawford and Sam for Shayok Shayok, I think this is a little ridiculous. I'm not saying at all that removing JL was the wrong move, but suggesting this individual recruting class is better than it was a couple of months ago, isn't at all realistic.

The fun thing about this is that we'll have four years to discuss this. Time will tell how good this class is and how good those players that are no longer a Brave could have been if they decided to ply their trade in Peoria. Perhaps in the short run we would have had a better team but in the long run this group may be better.

[Da Coach]

Anybody else happen to notice:

2011 Recruiting Class:
PG - Donivine Stewart
SG - Jalen Crawford
SF - Shayok Shayok
PF - Devon Hodges
C - Nate Wells

Pretty neat if you ask me.

I hope we can be happy with how the recruiting has gone, and not dispute which guys would have been better. Considering the available talent this late is usually woeful, Coach Ford has done a remarkable job!

And I am hearing that this list may not be complete, yet.

[SFP]

Welcome to The Hilltop SS part 2! It sounds like GF is keeping our trend of recruiting high quality students. I like it that he chose BU partly because of our academic standards.

[Big Mike]

I gotta say.....I really like how this roster is shaping up!

http://www.bradleybraves.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=19333&SPID=1498&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=3400&Q_SEASON=2011

ESPN recruiting site......

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recruiting/school/_/id/71/class/2011

[JMM28]

Really?

RA/SH vs. JC/SS or JC/DH

I don't think it is better - and certainly not 'better by a long shot'

Well you wouldn't think it was better if Geno brought Austin Rivers in, because you spew nothing but negative on anything that has happened at BU the last 2 months. Sean Harris will go to UC-Davis now and be an average player in a below average league. Big friggin whoop.

I love this recruiting class, but we would have had a returning All-MVC Point guard, the most heralded recruit we've had, another big small foraward, Donivine and Nate Wells. So unless you'd trade Remy for Crawford and Sam for Shayok Shayok, I think this is a little ridiculous. I'm not saying at all that removing JL was the wrong move, but suggesting this individual recruting class is better than it was a couple of months ago, isn't at all realistic.

Well considering Sam Maniscalco isn't a recruit, I don't think it is that ridiculous. Not to mention this returning All MVC 2nd Team PG is now playing on 1 (or was it both?!) surgically repaired ankle. But his future effectiveness is another subject.

And to say Remy Abell is the "most heralded recruit we've had" is not realistic. He is rated similar to Anthony Thompson coming out of high school. And I think we all know how that has worked thus far. I think Cellus has to be the most heralded, albeit after the fact.

For what it is worth, and as far as I am concerned none of the sites are worth a ****, ESPN has Remy Abell graded at a 87. SS is also an 87. Also he is rated as the 67th SF, while Remy is the 70th SG.

DH is rated an 86, and the 75th best in the SF listings.

So yes, my opinion is that it is better right now, and even more so with the Cerina transfer. Obviously we will know in a few years, or maybe even this year depending on PT, how it all plays out.

And to echo what DaCoach said, regardless of anyones opinion, this is an amazing job by Geno, Willie, Jaden, Pat, and the crew to get this class put together in such a limited time. Can't wait to see what they can do with the 2012 and 2013 classes.

[SFP]

AE I understand your sentiment and where you are coming from but you need to start seeing the glass 1/2 full and start cheering on these young Braves. Positive thinking goes a long way. If you are right you'll have plenty of time to point it out. I'm just expressing this because in the past you have written well thought out posts but lately they have been a bit too pessimistic for a sports site. Anger/energy of this kind should be vented on things that effect the lives of the everyday man. Can't wait to get you back on board. I've held my tongue on a few things lately and unless you are in the thick of things on the hilltop I'd have to believe you'd be better off looking the other way for now.

[SFP]

I will say is that GF is proving his worth so far and is recruiting better then I though would happen right away. I'm not going to compare this to what could of happened but where we are today. I have hope for next year and in March I had very little.

[AZ BU Fan]

SS2- Julian HS Chicago
DH - Bolingbrook HS Bolingbrook
DS - Limestone HS Peoria
NW - Davenport West HS Quad Cities
WL - Julian HS Chicago
JP - Eureka HS Goodield
DSE - Washington HS Peoria

Nice to see recruiting successes continue near BU! If GF can get the BU program on a roll, could lead to more of the talented recruits in the IA/ILL area looking at BU! The local Peoria Area pipeline is also still flowing to BU and gaining steam (thanks to JL)....

Hopefully recent local BU BB alum can drop in on the local AAU/Middle School programs when in town and get these players "into" BU at an early age! Lots of them! Lavin, Phillips, Robertson, Adams, Ruffin, Crouch, Thornton, Cellus...and now add DSE, JP, and DS..

Time to start hosting bb "sleepovers" for area youngsters at the new BU practice facility....That is, if NCAA rules allow it!

[Braves4Life]

AE I understand your sentiment and where you are coming from but you need to start seeing the glass 1/2 full and start cheering on these young Braves. Positive thinking goes a long way. If you are right you'll have plenty of time to point it out. I'm just expressing this because in the past you have written well thought out posts but lately they have been a bit too pessimistic for a sports site. Anger/energy of this kind should be vented on things that effect the lives of the everyday man. Can't wait to get you back on board. I've held my tongue on a few things lately and unless you are in the thick of things on the hilltop I'd have to believe you'd be better off looking the other way for now.

Well said SFP. I'm certain that you echo the sentiments of the majority. Kudos my friend.

[Braves4Life]

I have a hunch that when all is said and done that we will be very glad that we got Shayok. I think he may be a real diamond in the rough.

[Missouri Brave]

I love this recruiting class, but we would have had a returning All-MVC Point guard, the most heralded recruit we've had, another big small foraward, Donivine and Nate Wells. So unless you'd trade Remy for Crawford and Sam for Shayok Shayok, I think this is a little ridiculous. I'm not saying at all that removing JL was the wrong move, but suggesting this individual recruting class is better than it was a couple of months ago, isn't at all realistic.

The most heralded recruit we've had? Really? Abell? Seems like a very nice player but, c'mon, BU has had many recruits who were more highly regarded. Many.

[FortyTwo]

I've felt real good about the long term future with GF, but I'm starting to think we have a chance to be pretty good this year. I agree with those that said this recruiting class is shaping up to be every bit as good on paper as what we had 2 months ago.

And assuming we aren't competing for a championship this year regardless, I like the idea of giving SM's minutes to DS and others, letting them develop sooner. Can't wait for fall and the dawning of an exciting new era of Bradley basketball!

[Braves4Life]

I've felt real good about the long term future with GF..... Can't wait for fall and the dawning of an exciting new era of Bradley basketball!

I haven't felt this optimistic since Jim Les was hired. I'm serious. Everything's rosy right now..... Let's hope Geno can deliver on this optimism.