Update on coaching staff and recruiting

[Da Coach]

I am hearing a few things about who Coach Wardle will have on his coaching staff. One assistant position appears to be already locked up, but the announcement won't happen immediately, and there are reasons for that.

I have also heard at least a half-dozen names that the Coaches have targeted and will be checking out next week, starting Monday, after Coach wardle gets back from his weekend in Indianapolis.

And anyone here knows, my sources have been pretty good, and virtually 100% accurate and reliable.

Recruiting can be a pretty secretive process, so I have been asked to keep some of this information off the message board.

Send me a PM (Private Message) for further information-
Click here to send me a Private Message

[BUSongwriter]

I don't follow high school basketball that closely, but I would love to see Bradley land more area recruits. Without saying whether they are BU targets, could someone offer a list of a few regional quality high school seniors who have yet to commit and who might be a good fit for our program?

Thanks.

[Da Coach]

Here are some I am aware of. Feel free to add more.

The 2015 area kids who still haven't committed, and who I think may be able to play at D1 are:
Alex Peacock of Normal Community

http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/story/d/story/alex-peacock-patiently-waiting-for-offers/32817/-JPbCkG-8kSyOneNUuCzow

Alex O'Neill of Peoria Christian

http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/alex-o-neill

Lou Griffith of Washington HS- borderline D1



2016 -
Nate Kennell of Metamora is an outstanding shooter.

2017 -
DaMonte Williams of Manual

[Da Coach]

I am hearing a few things about who Coach Wardle will have on his coaching staff. One assistant position appears to be already locked up, but the announcement won't happen immediately, and there are reasons for that.

I have also heard at least a half-dozen names that the Coaches have targeted and will be checking out next week, starting Monday, after Coach wardle gets back from his weekend in Indianapolis.

And anyone here knows, my sources have been pretty good, and virtually 100% accurate and reliable.

Recruiting can be a pretty secretive process, so I have been asked to keep some of this information off the message board.

Send me a PM (Private Message) for further information-
Click here to send me a Private Message

Thanks to all those who have PM'ed me, and for all the appreciative sentiments.

Let me add one thing to the packet of information I sent out to almost a hundred members so far- the coaching info seems pretty well confirmed.
But as usual, the recruiting info and the names are not intended to suggest that Bradley will sign any of them. As always, they are just names, and the final decisions will made by the coaches!

[lefty]

You think O'neill is mid-major D-1 talent?

[Da Coach]

You think O'neill is mid-major D-1 talent?

Low mid-major, and he'd benefit from a redshirt year. But he does have some skills and is 6'9". Mostly I'd think a lower level coach would want to take a chance on him for his potential. Note that my post was not saying they could play for Bradley or that Bradley should recruit them. Here is what was said:
The 2015 area kids who still haven't committed, and who I think may be able to play at D1 are...

[tornado]

The 2015 area kids who still haven't committed...

Alex O'Neill of Peoria Christian

http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/alex-o-neill

Lou Griffith of Washington HS- borderline D1

Alex O'Neill has a very late birthday and is still 17 ...

Lou Griffith is only a junior - Class of 2016

http://www.pjstar.com/article/20150110/Sports/150119946

[Vent]

I do not expect the new coach to bring in more than one or two players this spring, that will actually be able to help the program over the next four years. His recruits that begin to change the program, should be signed this coming fall and be eligible for the 2016-17 season. Any players he brings in that may have committed to Green Bay, will help fill the roster, but more than likely will not be the type of players that would put Bradley back into the top 4 or 5 of the MVC standings. There is a clear difference in the level of talent in the Horizon as opposed to the Valley.

In addition, he will not be able to waste scholarships on "projects", that may be able to contribute by the time they are juniors or seniors. He is not in the most desirable position when it comes to recruiting.

Bradley is a wonderful school with a rich tradition and it will take time to turn it around. He's not going to be able to sell the tradition because the kids he's recruiting know nothing about the tradition. They were only 8 years old when BU went to the Sweet 16, and that one year is not enough to call a tradition. Wardle will have to sell the program on himself and his style.

Let's hope it works.

[Da Coach]

Maybe, and under normal circumstances a new coach would not want to use more than 1 or 2 scholarships right away. But the extremely low number of returning players will dictate that he bring in more. I expect at least 3 and probably 4, which may include at least 1 transfer who will be able to play immediately, and 1 more who would have to sit out a year.
Remember, next year's team will have 5 or likely 6 seniors (assuming Max is here). That means he'll have at least that many more scholarships to give next year. So he will try to use as many of the available ones this year he can (there are 7 open scholarships as of now).

[Da Coach]

For the record-
The Bradley coaching page now shows only Brian Wardle. All of the previous Bradley assistant coaches' names and bios have been removed.

http://www.bradleybraves.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=3400&SPID=1498&SPSID=19331

So, even though no official announcement has been made, and may not come real soon, this fits with what we have been hearing, that none of the previous Bradley assistants will be retained.

[Vent]

The one or two scholarships I was referring to would be for incoming freshman. It did not include a fifth year transfer such as Max, that would be available immediately.

As far as a transfer that must sit out next year, it must be a very good one that would be a difference maker in our program. He would be no help to us at all next season, other than in practice. If he isn't a difference maker in our program, I'd rather see that scholarship be given to a high school senior, this upcoming fall. That player would be eligible at the same time the transfer player would be, for the 2016-17 season.

It is rare that schools such as Bradley, get above transfer players, that come from another college. I'm not talking about fifth year transfers such as Max. He would be a definite shot in the arm. Most transfer players that would come to Bradley would be transferring because of lack of playing at their previous school.

[Fyrebyrd]

I can't see Lou Griffith being any higher than low D1 either. I watched him multiple times this year and his size will be an enormous problem at the D1 level.

[Da Coach]

I can't see Lou Griffith being any higher than low D1 either. I watched him multiple times this year and his size will be an enormous problem at the D1 level.

I said I'd rate him to be "borderline D1" because he does have great point guard skills. His size is against him, but I have heard he has already had at least one D1 coach looking at him.

[pfcmsh]

Max

Who are you referring to when you refer to 'Max'?

[tornado]

Peoria Notre Dame product Max Bielfeldt who is currently at Michigan