The 2016 Smoker

[tornado]

The 2016 Smoker event has not been officially announced by the Independent Sports Club of Central Illinois, so there may yet be changes, but I have heard that the event will be announced soon.

It will reportedly be held as in recent years at the Gateway Building on Thursday October 6, 2016 (barring any changes). It is expected that the head basketball coaches for Bradley & Illinois, Brian Wardle and John Groce, should be there.

[tornado]

One other event for Head Coach Brian Wardle...

he's speaking at the Peoria Rotary Club this week
It's Thursday at 11:30am at Barrack's Cater Inn

https://twitter.com/RotaryPN/status/775425440022458368

Coach Wardle also has a new instructional video out

http://www.championshipproductions.com/cgi-bin/champ/p/Basketball/Brian-Wardle-Building-a-Rebounding-and-Defensive-Mindset_BD-05025.html

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The Smoker was at The Warehouse this year...went well...
will post more later when I have time, but one thing...
Wardle noted Jojo McGlaston as an explosive layer - perhaps most impressive...
Kennell shooting very well.... more to come

[tornado]

a few more notes

John Groce talked about his players' injuries. He has 7 of his top 8 scorers back this season.

Groce is optimistic about the return of his big man Mike Thorne for a 6th year. He only played in 8 games last season due to an injury.
Also, he thinks the return of Abrams will help tremendously, and he likes freshman Kipper Nichols.

Then Groce spent a bunch of time on a long tale about a recruit's dog chewing up his shoe....they always have a funny story or two.

Wardle also added that Jojo McGlaston so far has been much better offensively than defensively.
Guard group should be much stronger with basics, leadership. PG skills.

..mentioned Pittman & Kennell in regards to shooting...

Wardle thinks they will be able to play more pressure and uptempo game this year. They tried to limit possessions last year but will try to ball pressure and move the ball up the floor quicker. ...
also word that freshman Darrell Brown looks really good..

Brian Wardle also spent time praising the city, he loves Peoria and the fans ...

will add more as I can get to it..

[tornado]

one other person who was there had seen some practices and said Koch Bar was better than he thought he'd be and should contribute this year.

used to be that the day after the Smoker we'd get an article from Dave Reynolds, Bill Liesse, or Kirk Wessler... **
...that doesn't seem to ever happen any more.

[Bradleyfan1]

Sounds exciting. So close I can taste it.