Tweet
There were no recruits at last night's game, and I have not seen nor heard of any recruits at any game since early in the season. In the first 2 seasons, this staff had a lot of recruits visit throughout the season, at nearly every game. But this year, we haven't seen anyone here for a long time. Bradley does officially have another scholarship to give, but that number is likely to increase. Just wondering, where are the recruits? Will we see any more visiting this season?
-
-
Unfortunately this time of year a lot of kids just don't have the ability to make trips and visits because their teams are still practicing and playing...but with all the young talent down at Manual - I'd love to see a few of the kids coming more regularly to Bradley games - especially last night when their ex-teammate Keke White was in town.... and if they do come, treat them like royalty - nice seats right behind the bench, etc.... -
How did we manage to get recruits here nearly every game the last 2 seasons?
High schools play mostly on Fridays, and don't play often on Saturdays.
There have been lots of chances to get kids here for visits.Comment
-
I think there is reason for concern that can only be helped by recruiting- I was happy and celebrating the win last night, but in reality, Bradley struggled for the first half and scored just 19 points against the worst team in the MVC. Bradley came on strong but still only scored 55 points, well below our average, which is, by far, the lowest in the MVC.
After this year, Bradley will lose their top 2 scorers, and more than 50% of their offense. Lemon and Pickett are also the top 2 assist men, and 2 of the top 4 rebounders.
And next year, they return nobody who averages more than 10.5 points per game.
The last time Bradley returned that little of the offense from the previous year was 2011-2012, and that turned out to be the worst season in Bradley's history (7-25, RPI 266). So I think we need a significant infusion of talent, including good shooters and scorers, and the 2 players who have signed so far aren't going to make up for what Bradley loses.Comment
-
I like how we went to Barnes early in the second half??¦..he had no shots in the first half at all??¦..Walt takes a lot of shots so maybe AB becomes a go to player next year??¦.he's a tough matchup for most teams??¦.Comment
-
X
I agree with you about Barnes! I also think that XT will get a lot better around the basket during the off season and this will give us some inside out side play. He is a hard worker and it will payoff. I also know the experts on here will say we have not had an inside player since Patrick O but it is time for that to change.Comment
-
Don't have to be an expert to say that, does it?Originally posted by Toyota12 View PostWhat part of illegal don't you understand?Comment
-
POB left unexpectedly after the 2005-06 season. I don't agree with the statement that we have not had any inside players since POB. Though it has not been the strongest position since 2006, we have had some pretty productive inside players prior to this season....we have not had an inside player since Patrick O...
Zach Andrews was pretty good in 2006-07 after POB unexpectedly left. He averaged 11.1 ppg and 7.0 rpg, and shot 64% for the 2006-07 team that also won 22 games. Matt Sally was the backup 5, and he averaged 7.1 ppg, and 4.8 rpg as a junior, which is still far better than any of our 5 players this season.
Matt Salley was the primary 5 in 2007-08 though he was undersized and playing out of his natural position. But his numbers were still pretty good, considering the offense revolved around the guards (Maniscalco, Ruffin, Warren, Crouch). Matt averaged 6.1 ppg and 6.9 rpg in 2007-08.
2008-09 Bradley played with Sam Singh and David Collins at the 5 (because of the injury to starting center Will Egolf). Sam Singh averaged 4.7 ppg and 3.2 rpg, and David Collins averaged 4.5 ppg and 4.0 rpg. Those were not great numbers, but they are still better than what we are getting this year from our 5's.
In 2009-10, Will Egolf returned at the 5, and averaged 7.0 ppg and 4.4 rpg.
In 2010-11 Will Egolf averaged 8.0 ppg, and 4.1 rpg and Prosser averaged 5.3 ppg, and 5.5 rpg. Not great numbers, but again, they are far better than what we've got now.
2011-12, with Egolf out again, Prosser averaged 7.8 ppg, and 6.5 rpg.
Then in 2012-13, Will Egolf returned again to average 10.0 ppg (the first and only double digit center since POB) and 5.5 rpg. Prosser had 5.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg.
This season, 2013-14, our 5 position is the weakest it has been in many years. XT averages 3.7 ppg and 3.4 rpg, and Prosser averages 3.3 ppg and 2.9 rpg, and Blake's numbers are insignificant.Comment
-
One more thought on recruiting...I have said this team needs another point guard (to backup TS), another post player (since Shaw will play 3 or 4, but not 5), and of course another 1 or 2 scorers. That is a lot for a team with only 1 official scholarship open. But we know things could change.
WSU will still be the #1 team to beat and many of the MVC teams return almost everyone next year and will be improved. Bradley loses as much or more of their offense & defense as any team in the league, including their 2 top scorers, 2 top players in minutes played, top rebounder, top 2 assists men, top steals man, the majority of scoring, and top players in almost every other category.
But I am hoping we get the right pieces in this class of 2014, since the recruiting for the class of 2015 will be limited. Bradley has only 2 players who will be seniors next year, and unless more turnover occurs, BU will only have 2 scholarships to give for the next recruiting class. So this year is the key to rebuilding.Comment
-
Big Man
I am sorry I should have been a little more specific with my comment. We have not had a freshman big man since POB with the potential that XT has. I am just trying to stay optimistic about this team and stay positive and support this group and not live in the past.Comment
-
I too am optimistic from what I have seen with XT, but he has a long way to go. I hope he can develop into another Zach Andrews.Comment
-
Hopefully north of SS, DC, AT, and AD, JP and NW as well!BUilding for the Future
Comment
Comment