The incoming, new players...

[tornado]

Maybe everyone is getting tired of little piecemeal reports, but here is another one.

One acquaintance played golf today with a person who has seen all the new, incoming BU players up close for several hours per day, although I won't say who.

But here are the casual comments of this close observer and basketball expert as reported to me in an e mail describing the new guys:

"Talked to **************** at the****** today and he had some interesting things to say about the new players.
1. Sam M--- Said he is really good
...... will be in the upper 50% of the Valley guards when practice starts. "He's that good"

2. AT (Thompson)--- needs to put on weight but he could be the surprise. Can really jump and can shoot it. Alot of upside.

3. WE (Egolf)--- might be the best before he's done. Very athletic can handle and pass the ball as well as shoot it. Really likes him.

4. T Scott--- said he was better than Will or TB now. Said he can get a shot off no matter whose guarding him....
.........compared him to Alan Iverson??

5. Collins-- said not sure how good he could be but the skys the limit. For a big man he can do lots of things. Said he was a great kid that hasn't been pushed much and he may be the real deal.

6. RA (Austin)--- not there yet but 95% sure he will be."


So yet another set of nice views on our incoming players.
Is anyone else as anxious as I am to see these guys?????

[dogsrus]

Thanks for the reports...I don't think they EVER get old, at least for me. I will say I learned ONE thing over the years open gyms or srimmages don't ALWAYS lead to success on the court.

I recall thinking JJ Tuaii was going to be a STAR at BU based on the Red and White games. While JJ eventually turned into a very good player and one of my favs of alltime he struggled early as we all know.

Lets hope all the early excitement pans out.....

Thanks for the updates.

[Lakeview Brave]

The hype and now reports of our new guys has raised the bar the bar back up for next season. With Fears, Brown and Williams I thought we should finish first or second in the Valley and play on Sunday. When we found out none of those guys were coming I lowered my expectations (a little bit) but now I have raised them again.

Its time for us to truly be the top team in the Valley and win the regular season and/or the MVC tournament. I think this is the year we can do it!

[MacabreMob]

Its time for us to truly be the top team in the Valley and win the regular season and/or the MVC tournament. I think this is the year we can do it!

Agreed! Go Braves!!!

[BradleyBrave]

95% percent sure on Austin? What the h-ll does that mean? If Austin doesn't make it to BU, we have some SERIOUS issues this season. Austin is supposed to be a key cog up front, and I don't like the way this is going. I don't care how good the new guys are, we can't be relying on freshmen bigs to take us back to the tournament. There should be no doubt - Austin should be here or on his way here. This is not sounding good IMO.

[dogsrus]

95% percent sure on Austin? What the h-ll does that mean? If Austin doesn't make it to BU, we have some SERIOUS issues this season. Austin is supposed to be a key cog up front, and I don't like the way this is going. I don't care how good the new guys are, we can't be relying on freshmen bigs to take us back to the tournament. There should be no doubt - Austin should be here or on his way here. This is not sounding good IMO.

95% means he's not a coach and can't promise the kid is coming. The source is just showing he's that...a source. Lil Bish gave us 100%.....I'm not worried but anytime he wants to get here is fine by me

[BradleyBrave]

95% percent sure on Austin? What the h-ll does that mean? If Austin doesn't make it to BU, we have some SERIOUS issues this season. Austin is supposed to be a key cog up front, and I don't like the way this is going. I don't care how good the new guys are, we can't be relying on freshmen bigs to take us back to the tournament. There should be no doubt - Austin should be here or on his way here. This is not sounding good IMO.

95% means he's not a coach and can't promise the kid is coming. The source is just showing he's that...a source. Lil Bish gave us 100%.....I'm not worried but anytime he wants to get here is fine by me

What if he wants to get here in December? Not trying to be argumentative dogs, it is just concerning to me that the kid isn't around yet. Heck, all the fraternity and sorority people will be moving back to school in the next week or so. I'm probably getting worked up over nothing, but it sounds like the new guys are gelling and really making strides this summer. I wish Austin, who could be one of the most important incoming players, was a part of it. Hopefully in February we're laughing at my concern.

[Chucky T's]

The news on the new guys is great and I'm as excited as anybody to get the season started. I certainly do not want to be a "wet blanket" here but I think we all need to remember a couple things. This team has a lot of players that have not played a minute of D1 basketball yet. Also, we need to keep in mind that BU has a demanding non-con schedule this season. It might take these guys a month or so before they hit their stride and get acclimated to the faster, more physical college game. If things don't go well right from the start....be patient...I expect that by the end of the year BU will be a very good basketball team.....but the beginning of the year could be a bumpy ride.

That being said, I hope we come out and kick a$$ right from day one!

GO BRAVES!

[mexicobufan]

Chucky T's, I agree with everything you are saying but it also points out why it was important for Austin to be here working out with the team as early as possible.

[tornado]

Thanks for the reports...I don't think they EVER get old, at least for me. I will say I learned ONE thing over the years open gyms or srimmages don't ALWAYS lead to success on the court.

I recall thinking JJ Tuaii was going to be a STAR at BU based on the Red and White games. While JJ eventually turned into a very good player and one of my favs of alltime he struggled early as we all know.

Lets hope all the early excitement pans out.....

Thanks for the updates.

I recall very well the performance by JJ Tauai in that Red-White game his freshman season, and
I recall thinking he was flashy and I wanted to see more of him, but I never concluded it was proof he'd be a star.
I think that performance generated a desire by the BU fans who watched him to see MORE, but if anyone said at that point that they thought he'd be a star, then I must have missed it.

[real fan]

I thought Austin was here now; are we saying he is not at Bradley yet?

[dogsrus]

95% percent sure on Austin? What the h-ll does that mean? If Austin doesn't make it to BU, we have some SERIOUS issues this season. Austin is supposed to be a key cog up front, and I don't like the way this is going. I don't care how good the new guys are, we can't be relying on freshmen bigs to take us back to the tournament. There should be no doubt - Austin should be here or on his way here. This is not sounding good IMO.

95% means he's not a coach and can't promise the kid is coming. The source is just showing he's that...a source. Lil Bish gave us 100%.....I'm not worried but anytime he wants to get here is fine by me

What if he wants to get here in December? Not trying to be argumentative dogs, it is just concerning to me that the kid isn't around yet. Heck, all the fraternity and sorority people will be moving back to school in the next week or so. I'm probably getting worked up over nothing, but it sounds like the new guys are gelling and really making strides this summer. I wish Austin, who could be one of the most important incoming players, was a part of it. Hopefully in February we're laughing at my concern.

Oh I agree....and what I meant by "anytime" he wants to get here is the SOONER the BETTER...NOT anytime he feels like it.

[mrcoachdude]

I thought Austin was here now; are we saying he is not at Bradley yet?

I was told that all were here.....

[squirrel]

95% percent sure on Austin? What the h-ll does that mean? If Austin doesn't make it to BU, we have some SERIOUS issues this season. Austin is supposed to be a key cog up front, and I don't like the way this is going. I don't care how good the new guys are, we can't be relying on freshmen bigs to take us back to the tournament. There should be no doubt - Austin should be here or on his way here. This is not sounding good IMO.

95% means he's not a coach and can't promise the kid is coming. The source is just showing he's that...a source. Lil Bish gave us 100%.....I'm not worried but anytime he wants to get here is fine by me

What if he wants to get here in December? Not trying to be argumentative dogs, it is just concerning to me that the kid isn't around yet. Heck, all the fraternity and sorority people will be moving back to school in the next week or so. I'm probably getting worked up over nothing, but it sounds like the new guys are gelling and really making strides this summer. I wish Austin, who could be one of the most important incoming players, was a part of it. Hopefully in February we're laughing at my concern.

Oh I agree....and what I meant by "anytime" he wants to get here is the SOONER the BETTER...NOT anytime he feels like it.

Most likely, since his graduation stuff was still being worked out into the summer, he has to go through the out-of-state orientation (no room in other sessions), which is always the last orientation the last few days before move-in weekend.

A move from Colorado is no small thing.

[Grassman]

Ok. Here's the deal. Austin is NOT here. They EXPECT him. Right now " they are giving him some rope." Hopefully he does not hang him self and comes ready to play.
By the way, I believe he will come here from his home in California, not his Juco home Colorado.
Since he went to summer school, I am hoping he just wants some home cookin before heading off to the college repaste..