Illinois 2007 Mr. Basketball

[Beninator]

Roth is not a necessity for BU and like you I would like for us to recruit some players with size and strength. But if Roth wants to play for BU, we would be getting a quality kid on and off the basketball floor.

I do not believe our current lack of size is by design or lack of effort.. Do you honestly expect Bradley to have more than 3 centers on scholarship?
I think Bradley needs about 3 years of recruiting a big man before they'd commit to BU, and if you look at BU's future big man needs at the beginning of the 05-06 Sweet 16 season you'd see:

06-07
POB
SS
XC

07-08
POB (might leave after 06-07, but you cannot promise playing time)
SS
XC

08-09
XC
SS (I believe?)

As 05-06 played out, the perfect storm hit, and BU lost S Singh (injury again), POB to NBA; and XC due to academics. Options A B and C were gone (but XC might come back, so can you truely replace him...) BU had to go to option D (guard oriented) to have sucess these 2 years.

Although those losses hurt, It may be better in the long run, as college is greatly guard oriented.

PH, I have to say that my Roth comments were not made as a knock on our recruiting. My comments were made as a response to questions about Roth's abilities as a viable division 1 player. I agree with you that we had the "perfect storm" hit us last year. However, as you can see on other threads on this site, Bradley is obviously recruiting some sizeable juco players for next year's team.
For BU to win on a consistent basis next year, which I see as a strong possibility, we need a sizeable juco recruit to step in with our guards/forwards. and... I am confident that JL can land the big guy!

[houstontxbrave]

Honestly I think if he were from lets say Minnesota no one would be excited about Roth in Peoria or as BU fans, and if we recruited him and signed him there would be a huge "?" regarding his talents. But because he is from Washington he is considered prefect for our offense and is a must sign.

The 6'8 comment is in general actually. JL and staff is proving they are capable of having good strong guards buy into the system. I really would like to add strength and size to our rotation, specifically strength.

I have never seen Roth play but I just have a difficult time imagining a slightly built 6'3 guard as a huge difference maker... but in time, if he signs with BU I really hope I am wrong.

Houstontxbrave, my comment about Roth being perfect for JL's offensive schemes isnt based on Roth being from Washington.
--again maybe your remark was made in general-- My remark is based on Roth's abilities to shoot, pass, and create opportunities for his teammates. In my opinion Roth is a player who at worst can be like JC in our scheme. However, I believe Roth's upside potential is much greater. (this is no knock on JC) Roth is not a necessity for BU and like you I would like for us to recruit some players with size and strength. But if Roth wants to play for BU, we would be getting a quality kid on and off the basketball floor.

I will have to take what everyone says about him over my opinion. I am certain he is a very good player and if his potential at this stage is higher the JC then that is wonderful.

I though feel like he is magnified slightly, or a whole lot, because he is local.

The bottom line though is our staff has done a good job of recruiting, especially at the 1,2,3 positions on the floor. If they in interested in Roth and feel confident he will effect this program positively then by all means bring him in.

One question though from our player grid we have 12 scollies committed for 08, of course 3 of those are to Crawford, West and Buycks. Lets assume those 3 show and we have one ride left is Roth worth waiting for?

[Beninator]

Houtontxbrave, your question about waiting for Roth is something that I have been wondering about as well. A couple of responses ago, I stated that Roth is not a necessity for BU.
On the other hand, I will be very surprised if Buycks is ever in a BU uniform. The Buycks statement is just my opinion and I have no fact to back that up. If my assumption is correct, then we have two scholarships open. We can still go after Roth and a center or power forward.

If Buycks does make it here, then we have to go after the best
available quality player that fits our system. I would really like to see Roth in a BU uniform. I wouldn't wait for Roth, but I wouldn't ignore him either.