Ari Boya out for 10-12 weeks with ankle injury

[tornado]

I know- but it's not like Bradley fans aren't used to going with undersized low post players -
we've done it with Taylor Brown, Donte Thomas and a lot last year with Elijah Childs

we still have Bar, Childs, Hanley & Henry who are 6-6 or bigger then we add back Luuk when he's healthy

[Go_Braves]

On The Fence Regarding Redshirting Ari Boya

Ari Boya looks like quite the new Freshman recruit / pick-up. A player that Bradley could really use. If Ari sits out until the MVC season begins with Northern Iowa - he would be sitting out the first 13 games with 18 conference games remaining. In 2006 sophomore Patrick O'Bryant sat out the first 8 games (not due to injury). It took Patrick a couple of games to "get into his groove" - then he and the 2006 Braves took off and the rest is history. I would love to watch Ari play. I hope that he can go "full speed" when he returns. But I wonder if mid-way through the season if Ari would be making freshman and early season mistakes beginning with his first college game. I'll have to rely on Ari and the coaches to make the decision if Ari is "truly" ready to go. I would love to see Ari do what O'Bryant did in the winter of 2006. Beating Loyola, Illinois State, Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois would be awesome. Especially at Arch Madness. Go Braves!!!

[pfcmsh]

7'1" Freshman center Ari Boya suffered a severe ankle injury and will be out for 10-12 weeks. It happened in a scrimmage during a team practice yesterday (Wednesday, 10/10). It is not being described as a fracture, no surgery is being considered, and there is no plan to redshirt Ari. Let's hope for a fast recovery.

I am sure Da Coach got accurate information about Ari's recovery. There is a management philosophy to under promise and over deliver. I wonder if that might be the case here. I wonder if the Braves trainers are looking at the worst case rather than the best case. Lets assume that Ari is back in 10 weeks fully ready to go. That would be a pleasant surprise and takes a lot of pressure off of those who are providing the therapy. I wonder if the sprain is a grade II and that his recovery is 8 weeks and they give themselves a little safety factor.

If I was the trainer, I would under promise 12 weeks and over deliver in 8-10. Who really knows? Just a thought for those who anticipate Ari's return as much as I do.

[Dub]

I am sure Da Coach got accurate information about Ari's recovery. There is a management philosophy to under promise and over deliver. I wonder if that might be the case here. I wonder if the Braves trainers are looking at the worst case rather than the best case. Lets assume that Ari is back in 10 weeks fully ready to go. That would be a pleasant surprise and takes a lot of pressure off of those who are providing the therapy. I wonder if the sprain is a grade II and that his recovery is 8 weeks and they give themselves a little safety factor.

If I was the trainer, I would under promise 12 weeks and over deliver in 8-10. Who really knows? Just a thought for those who anticipate Ari's return as much as I do.

Wardle said in a radio interview that it is a fracture, but didn??™t say what bone.

[pfcmsh]

Wardle said in a radio interview that it is a fracture, but didn??™t say what bone.

Thanks for clarifying that, Dub.

[Bradleyfan1]

I vote redshirt. Even if he had been injury free I may have liked him sitting next year and maximize his potential.

I thought all along with Bar we??™d get one good year, this one and one great year, next year.

We will be ok. Go BU .

[tornado]

you sure? we have a chance to be very good, possibly compete for the MVC Championship in March -
Ari might be the difference-maker

[buballer82]

It scares me to redshirt a player that has the potential Boya has. If he redshirts and ends up being what many of us hope he will be, there's a good chance one of the Power teams come calling for his services as a grad transfer before his last year of eligibility. If he can contribute this season I say let him play and let's hope to contend this year.

[Dub]

It scares me to redshirt a player that has the potential Boya has. If he redshirts and ends up being what many of us hope he will be, there's a good chance one of the Power teams come calling for his services as a grad transfer before his last year of eligibility. If he can contribute this season I say let him play and let's hope to contend this year.

I would bring Boya back this year as soon as it is safe for Ari, but not out of any fear of transfer. He and the staff worked extra hard to get him eligible this year, so that speaks to the need they feel to use him right away. We are very thin at the center position, but have all the remainder of the pieces in order to compete for something this year. Unless the recovery goes poorly, or has complications, I expect that we will see Boya in the rotation after the first of the year, and that's what I support. However, it is a true luxury to have a staff we can trust fully on these calls.

[Da Coach]

Bradley was thin at the center position last year, too. We essentially did not have a backup center. Koch Bar was the only center who played any significant minutes, and he averaged less than 18 minutes per game (and he played in only 30 of 33 games). So Bradley played more than half the time without a true 5. Yet Bradley outrebounded opponents by 2.5 rpg on the season, and was more efficient scoring with the smaller lineup.
This year, I could see Luuk and Childs both playing some minutes at the 5 if needed, though I think Bar will average more than the 17.7 mpg he did last year. An I expect we will still play a lot with the smaller lineup.

[ihatetea]

Bradley was thin at the center position last year, too. We essentially did not have a backup center. Koch Bar was the only center who played any significant minutes, and he averaged less than 18 minutes per game (and he played in only 30 of 33 games). So Bradley played more than half the time without a true 5. Yet Bradley outrebounded opponents by 2.5 rpg on the season, and was more efficient scoring with the smaller lineup.
This year, I could see Luuk and Childs both playing some minutes at the 5 if needed, though I think Bar will average more than the 17.7 mpg he did last year. An I expect we will still play a lot with the smaller lineup.

We played without a consistent backup center, but two traditional power forwards who were both outstanding rebounders and could play center when needed. Also Barker was a usable minute sponge at center at times. With Boya injured we have one center and one more traditional power forward with no emergency center types. Van Bree is a stretch 4 who’s weakness, in my observation, is rebounding and physical play. We can use him at center for some minutes and will use Childs at center for minutes, but with Boya out it makes the demand on Childs to play at a high level for lots of minutes higher. We aren’t so thin we can’t win, it’s just more difficult to play the way Coach Wardle wants and we will definitely miss Boya. I am of the opinion we could win the Valley this year so we can’t afford to redshirt Boya. That’s how I see everything right now.

[Mikovio]

Hanley just replaces Barker. Might even be an upgrade.

I still say no redshirt, but it depends on how it heals. If he's close to 100% in January, no redshirt. Having him in Feb could make all the difference.

[Bradleyfan1]

IMO , he needs a Freshman non con season under his belt before being thrown to the wolves that is the MVC con season.

I would be shocked if Boya doesnt stay . He can get to the NBA from Peoria.

I want to see him on the court impacting games as bad as anyone. I want us competing for MVC champions spot ASAP just as bad as anyone.

I also want Boya to impact the program as much and as many games and for the longest term possible.

Yes we are down to Bar as far as a true 5 goes. That hurts. Rebounding may be a slight step back. Bar ,Childs and DLO can carry the load.

Red Shirt him and he may win 4 titles and 4 Larry??™s

[PhiAlphaBoy]

IMO , he needs a Freshman non con season under his belt before being thrown to the wolves that is the MVC con season.

I would be shocked if Boya doesnt stay . He can get to the NBA from Peoria.

I want to see him on the court impacting games as bad as anyone. I want us competing for MVC champions spot ASAP just as bad as anyone.

I also want Boya to impact the program as much and as many games and for the longest term possible.

Yes we are down to Bar as far as a true 5 goes. That hurts. Rebounding may be a slight step back. Bar ,Childs and DLO can carry the load.

Red Shirt him and he may win 4 titles and 4 Larry??™s

He won't be redshirted unless there are further serious complications. If he's even halfway good he won't play 4 full seasons at Bradley. I'm sure the staff knows they have a limited amount of time to get the most out of Boya before he moves on to a higher level. 7-footers are a dime a dozen and don't have to be great to get a higher look.