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**Braveman** · 03-05-2007, 01:44 PM

Lavin and Phillips are walk-ons.. and chances are that 1-2 players may end up leaving....

**Da Coach** · 03-05-2007, 02:08 PM

The NCAA rules allow 13 scholarship players.
See the Bradley scholarship grid--

http://www.bradleyfans.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=7

**Anthony Parker is my Hero** · 03-05-2007, 02:37 PM

ahh, thanks

so one player is almost guaranteed to be gone. I think our talent level will be perhaps the best we've seen.

it's just a matter of who fits in where, and can some really talented players adjust to their roles.

If so, I think we may have the strongest returning team next year.

SIU loses Tatum and Young but still will have a strong nucleus.
Creighton loses Funk and Tolliver, I'm sure they'll have strong replacements but should take a step down.

MSU loses Ahearn

I like our chances competing for our first title since '96.

**BradleyBrave** · 03-05-2007, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by Anthony Parker is my Hero

ahh, thanks

so one player is almost guaranteed to be gone. I think our talent level will be perhaps the best we've seen.

it's just a matter of who fits in where, and can some really talented players adjust to their roles.

If so, I think we may have the strongest returning team next year.

SIU loses Tatum and Young but still will have a strong nucleus.
Creighton loses Funk and Tolliver, I'm sure they'll have strong replacements but should take a step down.

MSU loses Ahearn

I like our chances competing for our first title since '96.

We should be picked to finish 1st or 2nd by nearly every publication. Next year's goal is the MVC Championship. It will be by far the best chance we've had in a decade.

**Da Coach** · 03-05-2007, 02:52 PM

Though I agree with Bradley being in contention for the top of the MVC next year, I would be surprised if the preseason magazines pick BU ahead of SIU and Creighton. They just don't ever seem to do enough homework on who is returning, who the incoming recruits are, or the redshirts/returnees. BU will be picked 3rd to 5th because of the lack of knowledge. But at least that's better than 8th, 9th, and 10th as all the "experts" had Bradley this year.

**BradleyBrave** · 03-05-2007, 03:01 PM

Originally posted by Da Coach

Though I agree with Bradley being in contention for the top of the MVC next year, I would be surprised if the preseason magazines pick BU ahead of SIU and Creighton. They just don't ever seem to do enough homework on who is returning, who the incoming recruits are, or the redshirts/returnees. BU will be picked 3rd to 5th because of the lack of knowledge. But at least that's better than 8th, 9th, and 10th as all the "experts" had Bradley this year.

I agree, but I do think BU is starting to turn the corner as far as perception within the league goes. I noticed this season, and especially this weekend, how much more respect we get from opposing teams and fans. With key names like Funk, Tolliver, Tatum, and Young leaving, and BU returning 'name' players like Ruffin and Crouch, I think BU should be picked in the top 3. Regardless of where we're picked, I think just about everyone involved with the program, from coaches to players to fans, are expecting a lot next year.

**Fetz86** · 03-05-2007, 03:09 PM

I see SIU still being picked ahead of us as they return 3 starters from the regular season championship team.

**ER3** · 03-05-2007, 03:33 PM

I don't think there is any way that BU will be picked anywhere in the top 4 in any preseason Valley polls next year...In the eyes of most prognosticators, it will be another 'rebuilding' year for Bradley...as we will be losing 4 of our top 7 players. SIU, MSU, WSU, and UNI will likely be picked ahead of us simply because they return more of their top 7 players than we will...and Creighton will likely be picked ahead of us simply because they are Creighton and they return Dana Altman...and don't be surprised if some people have Ill. St. ahead of us in the preseason (if everyone stays when a new coach is named).
So, if I had to guess, I would say that most Valley preseason polls will have BU picked somewhere around 5th, 6th, or 7th...I'm not saying this is where I think BU will finish...I just don't think that people outside of the program will look at the guys that are slated to replace the minutes of Franklin, Tauai, Andrews, and Adams and see it as a clear upgrade. And honestly, I don't know how they could at this point...because outside of Fears, I think there is a whole lot of unknown with the class coming in....a lot of potential (if they all make it to campus...), but it is hard to 'know' what these freshman, JuCo guys, and guys coming off of suspension will provide next year...we will see...I think the future is very bright for this program, I just don't know that next year will be the year we make a move closer to the top...but I hope so.

**Braves4Life** · 03-05-2007, 03:53 PM

Agree

Originally posted by ER3

I don't think there is any way that BU will be picked anywhere in the top 4 in any preseason Valley polls next year...In the eyes of most prognosticators, it will be another 'rebuilding' year for Bradley...as we will be losing 4 of our top 7 players. SIU, MSU, WSU, and UNI will likely be picked ahead of us simply because they return more of their top 7 players than we will...and Creighton will likely be picked ahead of us simply because they are Creighton and they return Dana Altman...and don't be surprised if some people have Ill. St. ahead of us in the preseason (if everyone stays when a new coach is named).
So, if I had to guess, I would say that most Valley preseason polls will have BU picked somewhere around 5th, 6th, or 7th...I'm not saying this is where I think BU will finish...I just don't think that people outside of the program will look at the guys that are slated to replace the minutes of Franklin, Tauai, Andrews, and Adams and see it as a clear upgrade. And honestly, I don't know how they could at this point...because outside of Fears, I think there is a whole lot of unknown with the class coming in....a lot of potential (if they all make it to campus...), but it is hard to 'know' what these freshman, JuCo guys, and guys coming off of suspension will provide next year...we will see...I think the future is very bright for this program, I just don't know that next year will be the year we make a move closer to the top...but I hope so.

I agree with everything you have said with one exception -- ISU WILL NOT BE PICKED AHEAD OF US.

SIU should be picked first as they return Faulker and Shaw along with two strong guards in Bone and Mullins. I was very impressed with Mullins at the point. They also appear to have a strong recruiting class.

Both WSU and Creighton bring back strong guard play and the reputations of Altman and Turgeon and some good incoming recruits should also put them ahead of us.

I'm fine with BU being picked 4th or 5th as I think this will again give the team the "chip on the shoulder" attitude. I think we'll have another Sweet 16 team in '08-'09, and next year's team will also certainly have that potential if Les gets them in synch by year-end.

**Majik45** · 03-05-2007, 04:17 PM

Most teams lose a lot more than in the past. Here's a thread from Valleytalk on the subject of who people lose:

http://valleytalk.net/showthread.php?t=4032

and to Summarize it:

SIU loses Young and Tatum (2 starters)
CU loses Funk, Tolliver, and Porter (3 starters)
MSU loses Ahearn, Bilyeu, and Chaney (3 starters)
UNI loses McCowen, Stout (2 starters)
WSU loses Wilson, Martin, and Bradley (2 starters, 1 reserve)
ISU (blue) loses Wurtz (1 starter)
ISU (red) loses Dillargard, Fortes, Moser (1 starter, 1 coach)
EU loses Webster, Strickland, Anslinger, Stalsberg, Petty (4 starters)
DU loses Keita, Calvin, Grant, Stewart (4 starters)

That's a lot of players leaving. I think the valley will be down a little next year.

**Les is More** · 03-05-2007, 04:19 PM

I just got word that Saihou Jassey is transferring, the school is currently looking for a new school. There is one scholarship and transfer taken. The official word will be announced once the season is completely done

**IheartBU** · 03-05-2007, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by Les is More

I just got word that Saihou Jassey is transferring, the school is currently looking for a new school. There is one scholarship and transfer taken. The official word will be announced once the season is completely done

Can't say I didn't see that one coming. I hope he finds someplace that fits him better than BU.

**Da Coach** · 03-05-2007, 04:28 PM

This, of course, has been rumored for several months, as SJ has not become a part of the playing rotation in his second year here.
Les is More- where did you hear this?

**amettrick** · 03-05-2007, 04:47 PM

Re: Bradley 07-08

Originally posted by Anthony Parker is my Hero

As far as next year, do we have another scholarship for the JUCO Big...i was looking at the guys we have for next year and I think with Ruffin, Crouch, Salley, Brown, Singh, Fears, Williams, Brown, Warren, Jassey, Thompson, Egolf, Sam, Byucks, Lavin, Phillips...that's 16 players and I believe that 14 are scholarship players...cant we only have 12? or is it 14?

well lavin and phillips are both walk-ons and you listed ray brown twice. so that equals 13 scholarships, which is the number we are allowed.

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