Best Newcomer This Season?

[NashvilleBU]

Who do we think is going to have the biggest year of the incoming BU players? Solid nucleus coming back but we will need some new players to step up this to be at the top of the conference.

[Da Coach]

Tough to say. It won't be easy to get a lot of playing time for all 5 newcomers (Atlason, Burch, Thomas, Pettigrew, Ellis), with starters Leons, Deen, and Hickman, and part-time starter Hannah all returning. I think Emarion Ellis would be the most likely newcomer to move into a starting spot. Kyle Thomas and Trey Pettigrew, because of their D1 experience, would probably be ahead of the freshmen for playing time. Atlason and Burch both seem to be more D1 ready than any recent freshmen we've had, but there is always an adjustment period for incoming freshmen.
Ahmet Jonović is not really a newcomer, but I'll include him anyway. I expect to see him get significant playing time at center, but, IMO, it will take a little more time to develop his skills, especially on offense.
So, I'd guess Ellis will have the biggest impact in 2023-24.

[BUfan17]

I agree that Ellis will probably have the biggest impact. He is a good sized guard who can handle the ball well, he should exceed in the Valley. He is the only newcomer who I think will be an immediate starter.

I think a starting five of Deen, Hickman, Ellis, Leons, and Hannah will be a really solid lineup. We also have a lot of depth at each position which is great. We will have to see who rises up this year.

[PhiAlphaBoy]

I agree that Ellis will probably have the biggest impact. He is a good sized guard who can handle the ball well, he should exceed in the Valley. He is the only newcomer who I think will be an immediate starter.

I think a starting five of Deen, Hickman, Ellis, Leons, and Hannah will be a really solid lineup. We also have a lot of depth at each position which is great. We will have to see who rises up this year.

Yes, if Ellis is healthy and stays healthy he would be the logical choice. Pettigrew should also have the chance to be THAT guy.

[tomahawk chop]

Ellis is obviously the favorite but someone unexpected always turns up and surprises fans. We appear to have quite a few new players that have a lot of upside to them.

[LittleBrave]

I'm gonna go with Demarion Burch (We've had recent success with guys whose initials are DB)
He'd be a darkhorse. Don't think there's much question about his game at the rim, and if he has a mid-range game, I think he'll see a good amt of PT.

[️ Fanatic]

Tough to say. It won't be easy to get a lot of playing time for all 5 newcomers (Atlason, Burch, Thomas, Pettigrew, Ellis), with starters Leons, Deen, and Hickman, and part-time starter Hannah all returning. I think Emarion Ellis would be the most likely newcomer to move into a starting spot. Kyle Thomas and Trey Pettigrew, because of their D1 experience, would probably be ahead of the freshmen for playing time. Atlason and Burch both seem to be more D1 ready than any recent freshmen we've had, but there is always an adjustment period for incoming freshmen.
Ahmet Jonović is not really a newcomer, but I'll include him anyway. I expect to see him get significant playing time at center, but, IMO, it will take a little more time to develop his skills, especially on offense.
So, I'd guess Ellis will have the biggest impact in 2023-24.

I agree with Coach on Ellis as the potential for biggest impact.

Yet my gut says we are just a more athletic team all around and we might see a faster pace of basketball than previous season with a lot of running and swapping fresh legs in to keep running. Wardle is big on controlling the ball, so players with fewest turnovers will equate to more playing time. Wardle has always been a defense first team... hopefully that continues, where a stop, then creates quick easy fast-break style offense.

[Da Coach]

I agree with Coach on Ellis as the potential for biggest impact.

Yet my gut says we are just a more athletic team all around and we might see a faster pace of basketball than previous season with a lot of running and swapping fresh legs in to keep running. Wardle is big on controlling the ball, so players with fewest turnovers will equate to more playing time. Wardle has always been a defense first team... hopefully that continues, where a stop, then creates quick easy fast-break style offense.

I would love to see Wardle try a faster tempo, and even some full court pressing. Bradley has the speed, athleticism and depth to do that effectively, IMO. And there are no other MVC teams that play that way. It could be an advantage for the Braves against some MVC teams that have guards who may not be able to handle pressure well. I think Bradley's size and length with Leons, Hannah, Jonović, Thomas, as well as bigger guards like Ellis, Pettigrew, Burch, Davis, & Hickman, would protect against opponents exploiting a pressing defense.

[tomahawk chop]

I think we could full court press with the roster we have now. This would allow for us to play more guys and wear down other teams that do not have enough good players to sub in during the game. This is definitely a more athletic team.

[Stryker]

Tough to say. It won't be easy to get a lot of playing time for all 5 newcomers (Atlason, Burch, Thomas, Pettigrew, Ellis), with starters Leons, Deen, and Hickman, and part-time starter Hannah all returning. I think Emarion Ellis would be the most likely newcomer to move into a starting spot. Kyle Thomas and Trey Pettigrew, because of their D1 experience, would probably be ahead of the freshmen for playing time. Atlason and Burch both seem to be more D1 ready than any recent freshmen we've had, but there is always an adjustment period for incoming freshmen.
Ahmet Jonović is not really a newcomer, but I'll include him anyway. I expect to see him get significant playing time at center, but, IMO, it will take a little more time to develop his skills, especially on offense.
So, I'd guess Ellis will have the biggest impact in 2023-24.

My money is also on Ellis. I think he has the size and talent to get a lot of minutes right away