Terry Roberts - transfers to Georgia

[Da Coach]

And I can understand why some fans might feel that way. But.... Terry was a Bradley Brave for a year. He is a terrific young man, and committed to Bradley over several offers from higher level schools, and he gave Bradley 100% and helped make them a winner. We have usually stood behind Bradley players with the "Once a Brave, always a Brave" philosophy, and I do here, as well.
Also, realize that college scholarships are not 4-year commitments, but just 1-year commitments that are subject to renewal or revoking on a yearly basis. So loyalty works both ways. Players can find themselves on the other end of this equation, and often do. Any player can have his scholarship revoked and be forced to transfer. I can't blame a player who is simply taking advantage of these ridiculous rules the NCAA has now installed that seriously damage mid-majors and emerging programs.

[bradleyfan124]

And I can understand why some fans might feel that way. But.... Terry was a Bradley Brave for a year. He is a terrific young man, and committed to Bradley over several offers from higher level schools, and he gave Bradley 100% and helped make them a winner. We have usually stood behind Bradley players with the "Once a Brave, always a Brave" philosophy, and I do here, as well.
Also, realize that college scholarships are not 4-year commitments, but just 1-year commitments that are subject to renewal or revoking on a yearly basis. So loyalty works both ways. Players can find themselves on the other end of this equation, and often do. Any player can have his scholarship revoked and be forced to transfer. I can't blame a player who is simply taking advantage of these ridiculous rules the NCAA has now installed that seriously damage mid-majors and emerging programs.

Good point!!

[Dub]

And I can understand why some fans might feel that way. But.... Terry was a Bradley Brave for a year. He is a terrific young man, and committed to Bradley over several offers from higher level schools, and he gave Bradley 100% and helped make them a winner. We have usually stood behind Bradley players with the "Once a Brave, always a Brave" philosophy, and I do here, as well.
Also, realize that college scholarships are not 4-year commitments, but just 1-year commitments that are subject to renewal or revoking on a yearly basis. So loyalty works both ways. Players can find themselves on the other end of this equation, and often do. Any player can have his scholarship revoked and be forced to transfer. I can't blame a player who is simply taking advantage of these ridiculous rules the NCAA has now installed that seriously damage mid-majors and emerging programs.

It is a good point, and I agree with everything said here. The problem is that none of these truths help re-engage my attitude toward the situation. The “free agent” environment that these rules have created…. that a good young guy like Terry has simply “taken advantage” of…. this environment throws a wet blanket on my enthusiasm. (Ok, maybe a damp sheet). Is an overall decrease in enthusiasm at the mid major level a good thing for college bball? Bc that’s what’s going to ensue. I’d argue good mid major teams drive up viewership for the NCAA tournament for sure.

[LongTimeFan]

One thing I don't understand. Terry wtold people, eluding recruits, how he liked it at Bradley. The coaches had no idea that he was dissatisfied/wanting to transfer. Then one day later he does a 180 degree change and wants out of Bradley. I would think that kind of decision should take time and discussed with staff. Maybe he'd didn't like Bradley that much. Isn't it weird when leaving they all say how they enjoyed their time at a school and at the same time want to leave.

Looking at the recent Offers by Bradley, it appears that in addition to Terry's loss, recent campus visitors may not be considering Bradley anymore.

[Da Coach]

Looking at the recent Offers by Bradley, it appears that in addition to Terry's loss, recent campus visitors may not be considering Bradley anymore.

For the record, the NLI signing dates are from April 13-May 18. So I don't know that it's fair to say recruits are shunning Bradley, when they are quality players most of whom have other good offers and have other visits scheduled. Plus, they cannot even sign a Letter of Intent for another couple weeks.

Are there other teams in the MVC that are landing quality recruits already and leaving Bradley behind?
The answer is no.
Scroll through the recent MVC recruiting activity on this web page-

https://verbalcommits.com/conferences/missouri-valley

Or in this MVC Recruiting thread-

https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sports-forums/basketball-fan-talk/485876-2021-2022-valley-recruits?p=501494#post501494

The last recruiting commitment by any MVC school was when Illinois State coach Dan Muller got dual commitments from twin brothers Takai and Tajuan Simpkins on February 11, more than 6 weeks ago. And those two recruits were so far under the radar that they were not listed by any recruiting website, and neither one had any prior offers. I also doubt those offers and commitments still stand in view of Muller getting fired 2 days later.

Drake got a commitment from a transfer in January, who had quit the team at Texas Tech and had bounced around a couple previous schools--

https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sports-forums/basketball-fan-talk/485876-2021-2022-valley-recruits?p=500973#post500973

But the last commitment by high school or juco recruit to an MVC school that might actually ever play in the MVC was this one- Robbie Avila, who committed to Indiana State way back on October 23, 2021, weeks before the season even began.

https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sports-forums/basketball-fan-talk/485876-2021-2022-valley-recruits?p=499700#post499700

So it doesn't appear that other MVC schools are loading up with quality recruits and leaving Bradley in the dust. And there is no guarantee that any of the Valley members' 2022 commitments will be immediate impact/difference-maker types of players. So, all I am saying, is that the trends we are seeing are not unique to Bradley. Recruiting by mid-majors has changed a lot, but I think it is way too early to panic.

[Bradley3342]

It is a good point, and I agree with everything said here. The problem is that none of these truths help re-engage my attitude toward the situation. The “free agent” environment that these rules have created…. that a good young guy like Terry has simply “taken advantage” of…. this environment throws a wet blanket on my enthusiasm. (Ok, maybe a damp sheet). Is an overall decrease in enthusiasm at the mid major level a good thing for college bball? Bc that’s what’s going to ensue. I’d argue good mid major teams drive up viewership for the NCAA tournament for sure.

Exactly Dub. Who really cares about the final four now unless you’re associated these teams IMO…..

[LongTimeFan]

DC, I didn’t try to indicate panic. I tried to say it is ironical that transfers say love the the place they are leaving but feel the need to leave. Also I wondered if Terry leaving affected the recruiting of the recent campus visitors from Florida.

[Tommy]

We’ve only lost Kent and Roberts to the portal (both starters) so far, which isn’t great, but I am willing to see how this new norm affects the way BW recruits moving forward.

If the future becomes seeing an entirely new starting lineup every year, I will certainly not continue to be a season ticket holder. I do believe BW will find a way to remediate the transfers though and don’t believe all hope is lost, yet!

[ihatetea]

Losing players to transfer is something fans need to get used to with the current rules. In truth this fan base has been more or less perfectly fine with the transfers we’ve had, up until we lose our first all conference 1st teamer that we’ve had in years. In a vacuum I wish Terry finds what he’s looking for but it’s pretty devastating. If he had stayed and we didn’t get a single recruit we would have been competitive next year. Now we need to get a home run recruiting class. It sucks that this is the current reality for mid majors.

[Da Coach]

The latest list of schools that have reached out to Terry Roberts-
https://twitter.com/HoopScoopMedia/s...63616094760968

Florida
Purdue
Kansas State
Memphis
West Virginia
Clemson
Maryland
TCU
Ok State
LSU
Oregon
Rutgers
Indiana
BYU
Texas
Missouri
Georgia
Cincinnati
Wichita State
Georgia Tech
Wake Forest
Fordham
Miss State
NC State

[houstonbrave]

I’m gonna go out on a limb and predict it won’t be Fordham

[Big Mike]

Wow....Robert's down to final Top 10? Come on its turning into a (I will be taking my talents to......show)

[Da Coach]

Wow....Robert's down to final 10? Come on its turning into a (I will be taking my talents to......show)

Terry's "Final 10"- Texas, Kansas State, Wichita State, Oregon, Missouri, Memphis, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi State, and Georgia.
Will be interesting to see which he chooses. Several of those are in a bit of rebuilding with new coaches.

[Tommy]

Terry's "Final 10"- Texas, Kansas State, Wichita State, Oregon, Missouri, Memphis, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi State, and Georgia.
Will be interesting to see which he chooses. Several of those are in a bit of rebuilding with new coaches.

As if I needed more incentive to root against Wichita State.

[bradleyfan124]

As if I needed more incentive to root against Wichita State.

Tommy Say just the opposite. Go to their website and tell them they have to take our players for their team to be any good.