Connor Hickman enters portal

[Peoria_bradley_fan]

I also think that players like Hickman have little choice but to take the money. It may be his only real opportunity to make money playing basketball. I'm not sure if a pro career is in the cards for him. So get what you can now. Where as players like Malevy should have a career of making money off of basketball ahead of them. Not to excuse Hickman or take away from Malevys loyalty, but I think it's a very different set of circumstances for both players.

[egib52]

I also think that players like Hickman have little choice but to take the money. It may be his only real opportunity to make money playing basketball. I'm not sure if a pro career is in the cards for him. So get what you can now. Where as players like Malevy should have a career of making money off of basketball ahead of them. Not to excuse Hickman or take away from Malevys loyalty, but I think it's a very different set of circumstances for both players.

If he wants to make money playing basketball, he def can overseas. There are tons of pro leagues, but how much is a different conversation.

[Dubl R 1]

I blame the Civic Center for not getting that new scoreboard installed.

[carter]

I hope our coaches are looking hard at some of the players from other schools in the valley that entered the portal.Sounds like with all the coaching changes there is lots of opportunities.We might as well get use to this going forward.

[Peoria_bradley_fan]

If he wants to make money playing basketball, he def can overseas. There are tons of pro leagues, but how much is a different conversation.

I'm not so sure he's a shoe in at any professional level. But if he were to, I'm not sure it would be anywhere near what he can make in NIL annually. Who knows. Just kind of speculating I suppose.

[Dubl R 1]

Mid majors can't win.....If we would have made the tourney this year and won a game..we probably lose our coach, and then our players too....
We don't make the tourney and your players jump ship for a P5 school who only has to win about 16 games to get a chance to play.

Joke

[Tommy]

Mid majors can't win.....If we would have made the tourney this year and won a game..we probably lose our coach, and then our players too....
We don't make the tourney and your players jump ship for a P5 school who only has to win about 16 games to get a chance to play.

Joke

true story

[carter]

Yes,they are trying to get rid of mid majors one way or another.Any possiblity of mid majors conferences starting there own league and tournament?

[Bradley8792]

I’d like to hear an explanation from Connor himself, but we know that probably won’t happen. There’s talk about Indiana. As a kid growing up in Bloomington, I’m sure he dreamed of playing there. If he has the opportunity to do so, why would he pass. He has a pretty loyal following of family members and I’m sure they would like to see him play in person once a week instead of once a year.

[Da Coach]

I’d like to hear an explanation from Connor himself, but we know that probably won’t happen. There’s talk about Indiana. As a kid growing up in Bloomington, I’m sure he dreamed of playing there. If he has the opportunity to do so, why would he pass. He has a pretty loyal following of family members and I’m sure they would like to see him play in person once a week instead of once a year.

Connor will post something on his social media soon, like a lot of players do. I expect him to thank the coaches and fans, but I don't expect too much of an explanation of why he's transferring. And it's not about money for Conner. Bradley actually has a pretty good NIL deal going. I think he just wants to spend his final year playing at the highest college level. And I don't think Indiana is necessarily his preferred destination.

[carter]

Forget Connor now,sounds like a done deal.Let's move on and find players that want to be at Bradley.Should be able to find someone just as good or better with all the players entering the portal

[ChiTownBrave]

I’d like to hear an explanation from Connor himself, but we know that probably won’t happen. There’s talk about Indiana. As a kid growing up in Bloomington, I’m sure he dreamed of playing there. If he has the opportunity to do so, why would he pass. He has a pretty loyal following of family members and I’m sure they would like to see him play in person once a week instead of once a year.

He certainly doesn't owe me, or anyone on this board an explanation. To insinuate he does is ridiculous. Am I going to miss watching Hickman play, yes absolutely, but college basketball has become a paying job (more than the previous scholarship/housing/etc.) to these kids. Seeing as it's a job, he has the opportunity to presumably make more money, at a more prestigious company, with better facilities/offices, and better visibility. If you look at it from this being his "job", wouldn't you do the same? Strip basketball out of the equation, and unfortunately this makes sense.

It really sucks to say, but all mid-majors are essentially entry level jobs at this point. Some people become "lifers" and are here 4-5 years, and some people take a new job (transfer) after a year or two. If you excel at your craft, you should be rewarded and move up in the world. The problem is, basketball and feelings get in the way, and until you're a blue blood, this is always how it's going to be.

[Stryker]

I’d like to hear an explanation from Connor himself, but we know that probably won’t happen. There’s talk about Indiana. As a kid growing up in Bloomington, I’m sure he dreamed of playing there. If he has the opportunity to do so, why would he pass. He has a pretty loyal following of family members and I’m sure they would like to see him play in person once a week instead of once a year.

Reminds me of a Matt Roth situation, go to a BIG 10 team (Indiana) that is really down right now, just kind of languish there without much success vs. going to a school like BU where they can really contribute and have a great chance at some good post-season moments.

[Classof77]

Wow....good thing I'm not a gambling man....Hickman is the one I thought would stay ....
My take is your "always a Brave" as long as you finish out @ Bradley.....you leave for another school I'm done with you....period!

Pretty much how I feel about the players who choose to quit and go elsewhere. I no longer care about them. I don't hope they fail, don't hope they succeed. They chose to quit the school and team that gave them an opportunity to play and improve, and I choose to no longer care about them either way. There's not a one of them I look back on with the same affection as I have for those who stayed with us.

if the trend continues, the day may come when I'll just drop the season tickets rather than just watch a revolving door of players.

And Duke....thanks again!

[egib52]

Reminds me of a Matt Roth situation, go to a BIG 10 team (Indiana) that is really down right now, just kind of languish there without much success vs. going to a school like BU where they can really contribute and have a great chance at some good post-season moments.

There are a lot perks at a P5 school that Bradley can't compete with from housing, environment, and I am sure facilities. I agree with you though, I would have to think long and hard about how big of a fish I want to be in the size a pond I swim in.