Final score: Bradley 86 SIU 67

[JMG 76]

I’m hearing Duke is already having schools contact him. I think he intends on coming back but it’s going to be tough if bigger schools are throwing money his way.

[Stryker]

anyone else kinda think he actually had more than 6 blocks, but since several came in a rapid flurry deep under the basket,
I'm convinced a few were missed. It appeared that he had 3 on one possession right under the hoop and 2 or 3 that he got from behind on SIU attempts

Yes I was saying this, I also noted the possession where it appeared Leons had 3 blocks just in that one trip down the court. Was a great defensive game by him.

[bradleyfan124]

I’m hearing Duke is already having schools contact him. I think he intends on coming back but it’s going to be tough if bigger schools are throwing money his way.

I have a problem with that. They should not be able to make contact with a player before the season is even ended. They should make it mandatory that the player turn in who contacted him and the NCAA should have the ability to enforce rules.

[BUfan17]

I’m hearing Duke is already having schools contact him. I think he intends on coming back but it’s going to be tough if bigger schools are throwing money his way.

I hope Duke comes back and I feel like he will. Hopefully our NIL can keep him here.

I think he likes being one of the alphas on a team who can take a shot when it comes down to the wire. Wardle has really given him a lot of freedom in his play. Due to his size he might not have as much freedom at a bigger school.

[elmerb]

I want Darius and The Duke come back but I'd like to see Linke come back also. He understands his role is not to score but plays within the offense to make rest of his team mates better. He would a nice addition coming off the bench.

[Da Coach]

Did anyone notice a familiar coach on the sideline for Southern Illinois? Former Peoria High School and Illinois player Jerrance Howard is in his first season as an assistant coach at SIU. He has spent the last 16 seasons as an assistant coach at Illinois, SMU, Kansas, and Texas. - https://siusalukis.com/sports/mens-b...ce-howard/1220



And one other unrelated thought... Bradley fans need to enjoy this season, because a lot of things could change for next season and fans need to be prepared.
In this era of NIL, transfer portal, and immediate eligibility, there is a chance Bradley could lose players we didn't think we'd lose. It has happened each of the last three seasons.
But the biggest wild card is if Coach Wardle leaves to take another job, and that is a real possibility, Bradley could be looking at a major rebuild over the next few months.

[ManMythLegend]

And one other unrelated thought... Bradley fans need to enjoy this season, because a lot of things could change for next season and fans need to be prepared.
In this era of NIL, transfer portal, and immediate eligibility, there is a chance Bradley could lose players we didn't think we'd lose. It has happened each of the last three seasons.
But the biggest wild card is if Coach Wardle leaves to take another job, and that is a real possibility, Bradley could be looking at a major rebuild over the next few months.

Yeah I'm not ready for that mentally and emotionally. But that's the price of having success at mid major. Bigger schools will come calling eventually.

[egib52]

I hope he returns to BU, but I would also not be surprised if he transfers elsewhere. Others on this board seem to be 100% convinced he comes back to BU, but everything he has said over the past couple weeks, that's not what I am hearing. He definitely could return to BU and I really hope he does, just saying I won't be shocked if he does not return.

I hope for his sake, if he leaves he leaves for a better NCAAT shot or at least a guarantee starting role at a P5.

[egib52]

Did anyone notice a familiar coach on the sideline for Southern Illinois? Former Peoria High School and Illinois player Jerrance Howard is in his first season as an assistant coach at SIU. He has spent the last 16 seasons as an assistant coach at Illinois, SMU, Kansas, and Texas. - https://siusalukis.com/sports/mens-b...ce-howard/1220



And one other unrelated thought... Bradley fans need to enjoy this season, because a lot of things could change for next season and fans need to be prepared.
In this era of NIL, transfer portal, and immediate eligibility, there is a chance Bradley could lose players we didn't think we'd lose. It has happened each of the last three seasons.
But the biggest wild card is if Coach Wardle leaves to take another job, and that is a real possibility, Bradley could be looking at a major rebuild over the next few months.

If that were to happen get some money together and go get Danny Sprinkle he's great at first year rebuilds lol.

[BUBraves2006]

I'll never have the connections that many on the board have but what could be so enticing to Coach Wardle that he'd leave? Especially with the ages that his kids are, for a guy who is such a family man, would he really upend his family just to chase some bigger program where he'd have to start from scratch just for a bigger paycheck and possibly more of a chance at the NCAAs? I obviously don't know him personally but now of all times seems a tad crazy for him to consider doing something different, especially with his personal life.

I also think it is silly to think that NIL dollars is what is going to drive every one of these guys. Take that also that the grass is definitely not always greener on the other side, i.e. Zek.

Is Wardle going to go to DePaul and bring half the roster with him?

This just feels like quite a big statement ...

[Da Coach]

For a coach, It does revolve mostly around the money. DePaul can offer twice what Bradley can, and maybe more. There are always other factors like you mentioned, but money, if it is a large enough amount, usually trumps other factors.

And you are right, that NIL money isn't the only driving factor for the players. Last year, Malevy Leons decided to stay at Bradley for his final year, and I have heard that he could have gotten more NIL money elsewhere. And the value of a Bradley degree is probably significantly greater than one from a lot of other schools.

[Stryker]

For a coach, It does revolve mostly around the money. DePaul can offer twice what Bradley can, and maybe more. There are always other factors like you mentioned, but money, if it is a large enough amount, usually trumps other factors.

And you are right, that NIL money isn't the only driving factor for the players. Last year, Malevy Leons decided to stay at Bradley for his final year, and I have heard that he could have gotten more NIL money elsewhere. And the value of a Bradley degree is probably significantly greater than one from a lot of other schools.

I'd have to think Wardle still isn't getting a ton of attention for other jobs though. He has no post-season wins at BU, just an NCAA loss to Michigan State, NCAA qualifier the COVID year, and a loss to Wisconsin in the NIT. Usually it takes some level of post-season success for an MVC level mid-major coach to get a shot at an actual good job at a power school. I'm not convinced a job like DePaul is that attractive to most mid-major coaches despite the higher paycheck. Not saying it couldn't happen, I just don't really see it. I think getting an NCAA win is on Wardle's list of accomplishments he would like to get at BU, just like winning the MVC regular season was.

[egib52]

I'd have to think Wardle still isn't getting a ton of attention for other jobs though. He has no post-season wins at BU, just an NCAA loss to Michigan State, NCAA qualifier the COVID year, and a loss to Wisconsin in the NIT. Usually it takes some level of post-season success for an MVC level mid-major coach to get a shot at an actual good job at a power school. I'm not convinced a job like DePaul is that attractive to most mid-major coaches despite the higher paycheck. Not saying it couldn't happen, I just don't really see it. I think getting an NCAA win is on Wardle's list of accomplishments he would like to get at BU, just like winning the MVC regular season was.

I know DePaul was just an example of an open job, but I agree it can't be that desirable. With Illinois and Northwestern strong, you are battling with the mid major schools for recruits.

[yoda]

..but what could be so enticing to Coach Wardle that he'd leave? ... ...

I would never say I know what's in someone else's mind and maybe it's not always only about the money.
But in a way, this is like asking why would a player on the Peoria Chiefs consider moving up to the big leagues?
Well, money would be a huge consideration. The AVERAGE Big East head coach salary is over $3 million.
But it would also be a chance to play at a higher level. Very few competitive coaches would turn that down-
ask Porter Moser, Tim Jankovich, Matt Painter. Dan Monson (who major-flopped at Minnesota) said he never regretted
the chance to move up & coach at the highest level while getting paid millions.
Read his comment
“I know I made the right decision for my family. I was going to make as much money in two years at Minnesota as I would in 15 years at Gonzaga"

[tomahawk chop]

Did anyone notice a familiar coach on the sideline for Southern Illinois? Former Peoria High School and Illinois player Jerrance Howard is in his first season as an assistant coach at SIU. He has spent the last 16 seasons as an assistant coach at Illinois, SMU, Kansas, and Texas. - https://siusalukis.com/sports/mens-b...ce-howard/1220



And one other unrelated thought... Bradley fans need to enjoy this season, because a lot of things could change for next season and fans need to be prepared.
In this era of NIL, transfer portal, and immediate eligibility, there is a chance Bradley could lose players we didn't think we'd lose. It has happened each of the last three seasons.
But the biggest wild card is if Coach Wardle leaves to take another job, and that is a real possibility, Bradley could be looking at a major rebuild over the next few months.

If Bradley ends up losing most of these players plus Wardle they more then likely will lose more season ticket holders . The fan base is up there in age and some will not go thru another rebuilding period where you see the team finishing at the bottom level of the conference. I also would like to know why the NIL at Bradley cannot raise enough money to keep our players satisfied. Zek is a prime example of getting more money and now comes off the bench on a bad team. Players that have any chance at going pro over seas need to actually prove themselves on the court and they cannot do that by coming off the bench and getting 10 minutes or less.