Final: Evansville 66 Bradley 56

[shaunguth]

Wasted in terms of only giving one year or less of a decent contribution, yes. But if they turn into a "superstar" in year four or five, then no, at least not a complete waste. But again as I said before, if everyone takes that long to develop, that won't help Bradley as far as championships are concerned.

I don't know of any Division 1 players that spent 3-4 years not producing at a school and then turned into a "superstar" in year four or five.

Did anyone really think MK was going to be a "superstar" this season?

Does anyone really think NW will turn into a "superstar" at Bradley? We have no depth and he can't even get into games.

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see his time at Bradley being too much different than MK's time here. I certainly don't see him turning into a "superstar".

[SFP]

If a player is here five years and doesn't contribute until year four or five, then that could be considered a "wasted" scholarship.

I was going to write "I do not agree" but it depends on how much they contribute in year 4 and 5. I know people are pointing the finger at NW and for me we'll find out more next year. He was always going to be a project and 7's with a great attitude are hard to come by. The other guy has to be MK and I bet there are positive intangibles that he has brought to the BU community that has nothing to do with basketball. I've never met him but it appears everyone likes the kid and doesn't he bring a smile to your face when he's playing? I guess I'm just not a fan of hearing the words "wasted scholarship" on any player that is trying their best. If there is proof that they are not working on improving their game then that's another story.

[Bravesfan]

I was going to write "I do not agree" but it depends on how much they contribute in year 4 and 5. I know people are pointing the finger at NW and for me we'll find out more next year. He was always going to be a project and 7's with a great attitude are hard to come by. The other guy has to be MK and I bet there are positive intangibles that he has brought to the BU community that has nothing to do with basketball. I've never met him but it appears everyone likes the kid and doesn't he bring a smile to your face when he's playing? I guess I'm just not a fan of hearing the words "wasted scholarship" on any player that is trying their best. If there is proof that they are not working on improving their game then that's another story.

+1 Completely agree!

[lefty]

I was going to write "I do not agree" but it depends on how much they contribute in year 4 and 5. I know people are pointing the finger at NW and for me we'll find out more next year. He was always going to be a project and 7's with a great attitude are hard to come by. The other guy has to be MK and I bet there are positive intangibles that he has brought to the BU community that has nothing to do with basketball. I've never met him but it appears everyone likes the kid and doesn't he bring a smile to your face when he's playing? I guess I'm just not a fan of hearing the words "wasted scholarship" on any player that is trying their best. If there is proof that they are not working on improving their game then that's another story.

Not to sound cold but you grant athletic scholarships in order to win games. Milos's case is a little different but I doubt any coach is going to want to "waste" a scholarship for guy to sit the bench and never play. Too many of those will cost a coach his job. There would be all kinds of nice kids who bring a smile trying to play better basketball but can't play at this level...I admire Geno for keeping him but I'm guessing if Geno happens to bring another recruit who is plainly not going to work out he will handle it differently

[tornado]

I don't know of any Division 1 players that spent 3-4 years not producing at a school and then turned into a "superstar" in year four or five. ...

well, certainly not superstar...and not at the BCS level - but mid-majors often have to invest a few years for players to develop....that's literally how many good mid-major programs are successful ..but it's a roll of the dice and some don't turn out - perhaps many..

- here are a couple examples of the long term payoff from a scholarship committed..

-Wichita's Ehimen Orukpe isn't a superstar but a decent 7-ft post player who helped the Shox beat us here in Peoria.
They committed a scholarship to him six years ago and he's just now developing..

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=35164&postcount=1

-Indiana State has a had a few kids (Aaron Carter, Lucas Eitel, Jake Kitchell, Jordan Printy, RJ Mahurin) who took 3 to 4 years of relatively minimal contributions before they became key players and currently they are way better than anyone thought they'd be.

-UNI likewise often committed a scholarship to a kid who didn't do much at all for 2, 3, or 4 years then became a key player in their rotation (Jordan Eglseder, John Little, Kerwin Dunham, Lucas O'Rear, Adam Koch, Jake Koch, Kwadzo, Mark Sonnen)

-Likewise Drake has a similar situation with Ben Simons, Jordan Clarke and previously had with Adam Emmenecker, Bucky Cox, Josh Young, &
especially Leonard Houston - who (all four) were All Conference in their great 28-win, 2007-2008 season (they were picked to finish 9th) and was dominant at times - but who spent his first 3 seasons as a bench guy averaging 2 ppg

[lefty]

Without looking them all up T......I agree on a few of them but some of those guys were instrumental in their soph and junior years.......

I'm guessing most coaches have an idea when players can/will contribute....and they are all different but I don't think a coach is looking for players who can only contribute in their last year...

[tornado]

recruitng at the mid-major level is totally different than at the BCS level...
Every coach since Versace has said so plainly...

the BCS schools have the best players, 4 & 5-Star guys just lining up waiting for offers...and the coaches just have to lock in on his pick of the litter...

The mid-major coaches have to really dig deep, look for the hidden gems and under-the-radar types...then try to lock in before they blow up or grab them when they're raw and develop them.
Because it's riskier than grabbing the proven product - a lot of mid-major kids don't develop but you can't blame the coach for trying.
Because - that's how you get the kids like Emmenecker who develop down the road.
But for every one that pays off there's at least one who doesn't. If a coach NEVER takes a chance on players like that then he has to hope he's got the recruiting prowess to land the BCS-caliber kids - and he's just not going to succeed.

[wily coyote]

If a player is here five years and doesn't contribute until year four or five, then that could be considered a "wasted" scholarship.

We disagree here but not by much. I wouldn't say could be considered a wasted scholarship. IMO it IS a WASTED scholarship and we recruit to many people that fit that mold. Lets hope Geno can do better than 4th or 5th year for help. I don't expect to get many 4 yr. kids to come in and contribute in yr. 1 but it would be nice and we'd be contending if that would happen.