Max Bielfeldt

[Scoretable]

Recruits

Surely coach Brian Wardle has considered Cuevas as a potential Bradley basketball player. Far too often we have missed on area talent only to have them come back and play well against us.

[lefty]

Other than strength, what weaknesses does he have that would prevent him from playing at Bradley as either a point guard or shooting guard?

I'm not sure he could defend in the MVC........

[lefty]

Surely coach Brian Wardle has considered Cuevas as a potential Bradley basketball player. Far too often we have missed on area talent only to have them come back and play well against us.

I'm sure it's happened some.....it probably happens everywhere to a degree at times....but do you have some names that we didn't go after at all and came back to play well against us?

[Vent]

I'm not so certain he can't play at Bradley. He is a better shooter than anybody we currently have. His ball handling and passing ability was good also. At 6-3, he may not be done growing and could grow another inch or two. As I said in a previous, post, he didn't make many mental mistakes. How many times during the past several years have we seen the same players make the same mental mistakes? As far as defense, he may not be the quickest kid on the floor, but his ability to read and shut down the passing lane was pretty darn good. I also thought his weak side defense was very good. I think if he played at a 3A school, some mid major schools would be looking at him.

[mvcfan]

Not saying he couldn't play in the Valley but he didnt make a lot of mistake because the game at his level now is slower. That means the guy guarding him aling with who he is guarding. The length of players is totally different and your instincts need to be faster. Remember how good Shawn Jepson was in high school? He was more explosive and he was never that effective at ISU. Hit a hell of a shot against Drake in the Mvc tourny though.

[tornado]

there are a few kid who come from very small schools that excel in the MVC...
one that comes to mind is Drake's Josh Young, a kid from a high school in Oklahoma that had fewer than 100 students, who was passed on by many recruiters, but who ended up leading Drake in scoring, finished with almost 1800 career pts/

[Vent]

In the last several years, we haven't had a lot of kids excel in the Valley that came from big schools or small schools.

[CubbieBear]

IF Max comes--it might put a few more butts at Carver since he is a local kid--use a scholly for a year and then have it available again--okay. I am fine if he comes--fine if he doesn't. We are gonna struggle next year whether he comes or not--and in many ways--I guess I would rather not spend a scholly on a one and done in a year when we are going no where--vs using it to get a quality freshman to build on for the future--or even a JC that has 2 years and can play now and then have experience here and lead us the following year.

[LongTimeFan]

I would think getting enough quality freshmen at this late a date would be very difficult. I know some advocate banking it for next year but Max would seem to present the best of options.

[wizard1]

Max Bielfeldt

Max Bielfeldt would be a great addition to Bradley next year. He is a mature and experienced Senior which would help in the locker room. He would be a very good center in the MVC, could help anchor our offense, and could win some honors in the conference. With Shaw at the 4 and D. Thomas at the 3, Bell and Fields alternating at the point, and Jones and Grier alternating at the 2, and especially with Brian W. coaching, we should win a lot more than 9 games and would be much better than last year. The addition of other recruits would also add to this scenario.
Wiz

[tornado]

On Sunday Michigan got a verbal commitment from 2015 prospect, 6-9 big man Moritz Wagner...
Since Max Bielfeldt is the only senior on their squad - this would pretty much confirm he is leaving - although other player departures might happen - such as Caris LeVert going pro..

"The commitment likely spells an end to senior forward Max Bielfeldt’s
tenure in Ann Arbor. Both Bielfeldt and Beilein were noncommittal toward the
season’s end about his future with the Wolverines — though he has a year of
eligibility remaining, Beilein informed him in spring 2014 that the 2014-15
season would be his last at Michigan. Bielfeldt is expected to transfer for his
fifth and final year if his spot with the Wolverines remains unavailable."

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/04/michigan_lands_2015_commitment.html

now we need to get Nate Taphorn if he transfers

[Da Coach]

I am hearing these will be an answer this week.

[CubbieBear]

On Sunday Michigan got a verbal commitment from 2015 prospect, 6-9 big man Moritz Wagner...
Since Max Bielfeldt is the only senior on their squad - this would pretty much confirm he is leaving - although other player departures might happen - such as Caris LeVert going pro..

"The commitment likely spells an end to senior forward Max Bielfeldt??™s
tenure in Ann Arbor. Both Bielfeldt and Beilein were noncommittal toward the
season??™s end about his future with the Wolverines ??” though he has a year of
eligibility remaining, Beilein informed him in spring 2014 that the 2014-15
season would be his last at Michigan. Bielfeldt is expected to transfer for his
fifth and final year if his spot with the Wolverines remains unavailable."

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/04/michigan_lands_2015_commitment.html

now we need to get Nate Taphorn if he transfers

Chris Collins inherited Taphorn--right?? He was not recruited by Collins??

[Da Coach]

Chris Collins inherited Taphorn--right?? He was not recruited by Collins??

That is right. Nate Taphorn was recruited and signed by Bill Carmody, but never played for him. Nate signed with Northwestern in the early signing period in November, 2012. Carmody was fired and Chris Collins hired in March, 2013.

[Da Coach]

That is right. Nate Taphorn was recruited and signed by Bill Carmody, but never played for him. Nate signed with Northwestern in the early signing period in November, 2012. Carmody was fired and Chris Collins hired in March, 2013.

There is a connection between the Taphorn family and new Bradley Head Coach Brian Wardle. Nate's father, Pat Taphorn played basketball at Wisconsin-Green Bay from 1985-89. While that is well before Brian Wardle was at UWGB (assistant from 2005-2010 and head coach 2010-2015), they know each other a little from Pat's support of the UWGB program.
I have seen some people saying Taphorn and Wardle are close friends, but that is an exaggeration.
But it would be nice to think there is a chance Nate might want to transfer, since he is not Chris Collins' recruit, and he has seen Collins' recruits like Vic Law, Scottie Lindsey, and other younger players move ahead of him in the playing rotation. Now there will be more Collins recruits coming in next season, including a similar player to Nate in 4-star forward Aaron Falzon.
Nate shot 50% from three for this past season in limited playing time. I have always said he did not have the type of body that can usually be successful in the Big Ten.
Nate's stats-

http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2014-2015/teamcume.html#TEAM.IND