Next season's team

[BUfan14]

So that looks like the scholarship players for next season are:
Post grad/5th year- Darius Hannah, Duke Deen
Seniors- Christian Davis
Juniors- Ahmet Jonovic
Sophomores- Almar Atlason, Demarion Burch
Freshmen- Jaquan Johnson, Timoty van der Knapp

That is 8 scholarship players, leaving 5 open scholarships

Walk-ons- Sam Hennessy and Cade Hardtke will both be seniors
Unconfirmed- Connor Linke- may return as non-scholarship post-grad
Am I missing anyone?

Are Atlason and Jonovic both confirmed staying?

[BUfan14]

The way Davis was playing defense by year’s end and improving his rebounding, he could take on a lot of Malevy’s role I think. Not necessarily at the same level and he can’t do everything Malevy can, but with other pieces also being added he can take on a lot of that responsibility I believe. This is a big piece to get back and I think he just makes winning plays.

[egib52]

The way Davis was playing defense by year’s end and improving his rebounding, he could take on a lot of Malevy’s role I think. This is a big piece to get back and I think he just makes winning plays.

I wouldn't go that far, but he should def be a more important contributor.

[Da Coach]

Are Atlason and Jonovic both confirmed staying?

I am assuming they are until we hear otherwise.

[BUfan14]

I wouldn't go that far, but he should def be a more important contributor.

And again, not to imply as high level of impact player at all, but the role of 3/stretch 4 that can hit a three, make some winning plays, rebound decently, and play defense on the better tall opposing perimeter players.

Mal played that role while also being an all league type player. I don’t expect that from Davis, but not every role will be a star each year and I think Hannah will take on some more of the Mal scoring part. I’m really high on Davis’s defense.

[BUfan14]

I am assuming they are until we hear otherwise.

It is also assumed Biliew won’t use his extra year? It seems if Linke does it will be non-scholarship as well?

[Fetz86]

Biliew is in the portal, so if takes it, it won't be here.

[Peoria_bradley_fan]

I'm not sure every player has to announce that they are staying. I know that is what the culture is now but it doesn't seem necessary. Not that I think any player announcing they are staying is necessary. But I suppose it sure does feel good to see haha.

I also think it's strange many of us are saying "come back" instead of "staying". It's almost as if we feel as if every player is already in the portal. And if they stay, they came back baby!!

Maybe everyone is already in the portal. Portalception so to speak. Woah. Maybe we're all just living in a giant portal.

Now Zeke...he might actually be "coming back".

I don't recall if Darius announced last year or what not. I actually think it would just be incredibly badazz if he never even says anything.

[Tommy]

I'm not sure every player has to announce that they are staying. I know that is what the culture is now but it doesn't seem necessary. Not that I think any player announcing they are staying is necessary. But I suppose it sure does feel good to see haha.

I also think it's strange many of us are saying "come back" instead of "staying". It's almost as if we feel as if every player is in the portal. And if they stay, they came back baby!!

Maybe everyone is already in the portal. Portalception so to speak. Woah. Maybe we're all just living in a giant portal.

Now Zeke...he might actually be "coming back".

I don't recall if Darius announced last year or what not. I actually think it would just be incredibly badazz if he never even says anything.

Really insightful post and clever, as well! I like the portalception term! I might use that one!

[LittleBrave]

What are rhe chances of Zek returning? I LOVED his game and he could be a starter on most Valley teams. Not a good season last year, but let’s just hope he was homesick and not connected to URI as he was to BU.

If we get Zek back and get 1 more big man to complement DH, this team could be awesome!

[LittleBrave]

Man - can we start the 2024-'25 season already!!!??? Other than Hick leaving, we return the bulk of last year's scoring, and we should add a couple more pieces in the next month, along with a couple incoming freshmen who have bright futures, though I don't expect them to play much with all the competition for minutes.

Should Zek return (just rumors now), are we all set for the starting 5? I think we need to add a more athletic big man, and Burch and Davis would get big min. as 6th man.

Hannah
Deen
Burch
Davis
Zek
____
Atlason
Linke (maybe)
Ahmet
Ja'Quan
Van der Knapp

Let's get focused and primed for another championship run boys!

[basketball nut]

Man - can we start the 2024-'25 season already!!!??? Other than Hick leaving, we return the bulk of last year's scoring, and we should add a couple more pieces in the next month, along with a couple incoming freshmen who have bright futures, though I don't expect them to play much with all the competition for minutes.

Should Zek return (just rumors now), are we all set for the starting 5? I think we need to add a more athletic big man, and Burch and Davis would get big min. as 6th man.

Hannah
Deen
Burch
Davis
Zek
____
Atlason
Linke (maybe)
Ahmet
Ja'Quan
Van der Knapp

Let's get focused and primed for another championship run boys!

If Zek comes back he will will be alternating at the 2 with Burch. Zek isn't really big enough to be a small forward. Zek and Burch both have great size to play the 2.

[LittleBrave]

If Zek comes back he will will be alternating at the 2 with Burch. Zek isn't really big enough to be a small forward. Zek and Burch both have great size to play the 2.

Good point b-ball Nut.

I also hope Linke returns to give us depth off the bench at FW - he showed some nice signs of even scoring some toward the end of the season. Getting about 4 ppg, setting screens, and being a defensive presence down low for 10-15 mpg could be a boost.

[Da Coach]

Zek is 6'6" and that's big enough to guard most small forwards in the MVC. 2 years ago, he did a decent job at times guarding guys like Tucker DeVries, Michael Duax, and Donovan Clay. But he is a big guard with good ball-handling and passing skills. As we've seen, Wardle likes all his players, even the forwards, to have decent dribbling and passing skills. I think Zek would be a perfect compliment to the 24-25 team, if he decides to come.

Btw, he has a number of interested teams. I've heard that Louisville, his hometown team, is interested. They are undergoing a big rebuilding under a new coach, so it's not an ideal choice for someone wanting to win.

[LittleBrave]

Zek is 6'6" and that's big enough to guard most small forwards in the MVC. 2 years ago, he did a decent job at times guarding guys like Tucker DeVries, Michael Duax, and Donovan Clay. But he is a big guard with good ball-handling and passing skills. As we've seen, Wardle likes all his players, even the forwards, to have decent dribbling and passing skills. I think Zek would be a perfect compliment to the 24-25 team, if he decides to come.

Btw, he has a number of interested teams. I've heard that Louisville, his hometown team, is interested. They are undergoing a big rebuilding under a new coach, so it's not an ideal choice for someone wanting to win.

His decision, to me, is about rectifying a wrong decision - being loyal to the team that showed interest in him from the beginning when nobody else did.
Hate to say, but I would lose a lot of respect for Zek if he were to decide not to return, and Bradley gives him a great chance to taste success like he did as a freshman and sophomore.