Pumped about next year...

[MikeCash]

...not because I have unrealistic expectations for the newcomers. But I am really excited for Bradley basketball to continue this momentum now. I think that in many ways this year was more crucial to the program than last year.

Sure last year will always be remembered and honored, and rightly so. But this is the year I think that could have been the turning point in terms of the big picture of the Bradley basketball program.

I don't believe we can overstate the importance of a good and positive year this year (the one just ending). It would have been so easy to take a step backwards. Coming off the huge success and the late season run of '05-'06, there were no guarantees that this year's Bradley team would continue being significant. The losses simply seemed too overwhelming. But in hindsight it's tough to say what a poor year would have done for the long term.

Remember, last year's team was largely a major disappointment until deep into the Valley season. This year's team seemed to overachieve from the get-go. I don't think there are anything but positive feelings and respect for this year's accomplishments.

One year could have been a fluke, but two years can make for a real turning point--especially when the prognostications were so negative for this year. Now that there are two very very successful campaigns in a row, it seems like it's finally realistic for this program to re-enter the upper echelon of the league and perhaps maintain a presence in the national spotlight.

And yes guys like Fears, Thompson, and DeAaron shouldn't hurt the cause...

[Dallas Brave]

I am looking forward to seeing a mature and focused Ray Brown. I look forward to having a physical 6'6" player at the 2 spot.

[mexicobufan]

Dallas, you have Ray starting over Fears? From what I have heard Fears is the best player in practice hands down?

[Dallas Brave]

I haven't made a lineup in my mind. BU will certainly be deep at the guard position. Maybe too deep unless DR is leaving for Europe. But I want a guard who can match up phsyically with teams such as MSU - whether he starts or not will remain to be seen.

[Dallas Brave]

The other hope I have for Ray is that he will be next year's JC. Not many people were expecting much from JC this year. he put in the effort and dedication to take his game to the next level. With all the new players coming in next year, I think RB is getting overlooked. He has the physicial tools to be a dominating player at the 2 spot - I hope he works his tail off between now and next season.

[mexicobufan]

I know during the BU vs NIU games there is the kid that was a high school teammate of Rays and he played very well against us. I think his name was Brown as well? All I could think about watching him play was that Ray was better than him so how good could Ray be next year?

[IheartBU]

The other hope I have for Ray is that he will be next year's JC. Not many people were expecting much from JC this year. he put in the effort and dedication to take his game to the next level. With all the new players coming in next year, I think RB is getting overlooked. He has the physicial tools to be a dominating player at the 2 spot - I hope he works his tail off between now and next season.

I hope JC is next year's JC.

Ray can be next year's Will Franklin.

[Da Coach]

I know during the BU vs NIU games there is the kid that was a high school teammate of Rays and he played very well against us. I think his name was Brown as well? All I could think about watching him play was that Ray was better than him so how good could Ray be next year?

Travis Brown was the teammate of Ray Brown's at Richfield high school that played well for Northern Iowa this year and had his best game against us in Carver arena when UNI beat Bradley.
And though they were both very good players, most people who saw them in high school, including me, would say Ray was the better player with the higher potential.

[real fan]

Just think how good next seasons practices will be with Ruffin, Warren, Crouch,Fears,Brown,Williams,Maniscalco, Buycks,Coe,Salley;Singh,Thompson,Egolf; it should really make these players better going up against one another; the other thing I like about these players as they have come from winning programs and there is a lot of truth to the saying that knowing how to win makes a difference.

[amckillip]

I think a season off will be a good thing for both Fears and Brown, both have a little bit of baggage that I think a season focusing on becoming better players and watching and learning can help correct.

[ser_solace]

Next year will definitely be interesting with all the new players coming-in. I wonder how they can gel together in a short amount of time. Either way, it should be fun!

Current, Returning Player I'm Most Interested to See -- Andrew Warren. He's just shown quite a bit of talent as a freshman, and he's only to get better.

New Freshman I'm Most Interested to See -- Sam Maniscalo. Sounds like he's really upped his level of play in his senior year of high school. Looking forward to see him in a Braves uniform. Maybe with his dad's old number whatever it was.

New Transferee I'm Most Interested to See - - Jeremy Fears. Possible NBA-level talent? Awesome that he's here at Bradley.

[romar]

So does anyone know if the new BU guys will be playing in the Hersey Hawkins summer league this year. Looks like there'll be enough guys to field a team of their own this year.

[tornado]

I really doubt it, given the issues that arose a couple years ago.

[romar]

I really doubt it, given the issues that arose a couple years ago.

Are you talking about Star Transport? Was that the only reason they played in that league was because the players worked there in summer jobs? Couldn't they play for another sponsor?

I just figured they didn't play last year because it would have only been Salley & Warren.

[tornado]

Yup-- I think the staff will go as far out of the way as possible to avoid any contact that the new recruits have with people who may not know the NCAA rules, and who may create a problem with compliance.
Since the RiverPlex league is NOT sanctioned by the NCAA, then any questions of improprieties will come under close scrutiny, and that's the last thing BU wants to chance.