Expect announcement of commitments soon

[Classof77]

I sure hope we can get another big man. A big body and not just length.

[BUfan14]

If we get this Dillon kid (I like how how game sounds) and Zek that’s a really nice start. Still would love another point.

As far as big men (the other big need), is that Moni kid still in play? Seems like he’s be a nice fit.

[LittleBrave]

Still would love another point.

As far as big men (the other big need), is that Moni kid still in play? Seems like he’s be a nice fit.

Are we not expecting JaQuan to get much PT? Duke prone to injury? I would say maybe we could get a transfer PG from the portal just in case Duke gets injured, but I think we're good right now with Duke, JaQuan, and Zek (that's 3 where we only had 2 all of last season...Duke and Hick)

[LittleBrave]

Also, should we get these 2 guys (Dillon and Monty), I think we are better off at the 2 & 3 than Jan 1st of this year.
Burch is primed to have a good season and is happy at BU.
Zek will take on a role he had in 2022, but more complete...a 2nd team MVC-caliber player IMO
Davis has improved on both ends.
Dillon and Atlason can shoot the 3-ball proficiently.

[bradleyfan124]

The family dinners in the Dillon household should be real interesting next year what with Connor going to Bradley and Eoin going to Belmont

[BUfan14]

Are we not expecting JaQuan to get much PT? Duke prone to injury? I would say maybe we could get a transfer PG from the portal just in case Duke gets injured, but I think we're good right now with Duke, JaQuan, and Zek (that's 3 where we only had 2 all of last season...Duke and Hick)

He’s a freshman and I expect he will at best be at the level Burch was this year, which is not ideal for a backup ball handler. He may very well have a bright future, as I believe Burch does. Several posters have mentioned after watching him in a league lacking defense it make take him a while to grow and adjust to D1. So I imagine bright future, though won’t pretend to know much about freshmen, but next year is as big as it gets for us and I would love another pure point with experience in case Duke gets hurt. Even if it’s a Mikey Howell clone for one year.

I don’t think Zek is a point guard. I know he was used there some when he was here, but it’s not ideal in my world (he was also our starting three man). He was used at point because we haven’t had a true backup point since Howell and that lack of ball handling depth has cost us a few games in crunch time the last couple years. Having three true point guards is ideal roster construction for me out of 13 scholarships. Zek is more of a 3 to me. We didn’t really have a three guard last year either. Davis to an extent, but Zek has better ball handling skills.

I envision something like this for the one through three spots:

Deen/transfer/Burch
Dillon/Burch
Zek/Davis/Burch

Also, even if Johnson can break into the rotation right away, wouldn’t it be nice to have a little bit taller PG just to play on occasion when needed? Even if just for an offense/defense sub. Duke was much better on defense this year, but his height can still be vulnerable in the right end of game matchup.

[tomahawk chop]

We need 2 players with size that can rebound, 2 JUCOS would be great that have proven they are able to score, rebound and defend. Hoping the staff can work with Johnson and get him up to speed on defense. I would like another athletic combo guard that is a good shooter for the last spot.

[Da Coach]

Announcement of a Bradley commitment is coming in the next couple days, though it is not the one that has gotten the most discussion here in the last few days.
Peoria Notre Dame grad, and high scoring Division II guard Connor Dillon will soon be a Bradley Brave. Connor just completed his 4th season at Winona State University, averaging a team-leading 21.6 ppg, which ranked 13th in the country among D2 players. He also had 3.8 rpg and 3.0 apg, and shot 39.0% from three.
I hear Coach Wardle liked Connor in high school, and is happy to land him for his extra Covid season. He is a hard-working and smart player with excellent scoring and passing skills.
Bio- https://winonastatewarriors.com/spor...--dillon/12502
Stats- https://winonastatewarriors.com/spor...all#individual
NCAA Division II scoring stats (Connor Dillon #13)- https://www.ncaa.com/stats/basketbal...individual/136
Article- https://winonan.org/14564/sports/con...in-the-making/

Twin brother Declan Dillon (6.7 ppg, 4.7 rpm, 3.7 apg) is also considering an offer to join the 2024-25 Bradley team as a non-scholarship player.

Declan Dillon, twin brother of Bradley commit Connor Dillon, has committed to SIUE- https://twitter.com/DeclanDillon4/st...65320413659280

[yoda]

Cade Hardtke has committed to return as a scholarship player for 2024-25,
Gus Rugaard also committed as a walk-on
and Goanar Bilyew also will return in 2024-25 for his Covid 5th year

[BUfan14]

Cade Hardtke has committed to return as a scholarship player for 2024-25,
Gus Rugaard also committed as a walk-on
and Goanar Bilyew also will return in 2024-25 for his Covid 5th year

Does that mean Linke is a walk-on? I’d much rather have Linke on scholarship than Biliew. Not that it matters as a fan either way, but I just in general would rather have Linke and am hoping this doesn’t mean he isn’t sure he’s coming back yet.

[Da Coach]

I might have missed it, but where was it officially reported that Cade Hardtke or Goanar Biliew will be on scholarship for the 2024-25 season?

Linke needs a few more credits to graduate (he did not graduate this past Saturday as Biliew, Hannah, and Davis did), so he will definitely be back at Bradley for '24-'25.
He is listed on the 2024-25 roster, so that seems to suggest he will be back.

[tomahawk chop]

Does that mean Linke is a walk-on? I’d much rather have Linke on scholarship than Biliew. Not that it matters as a fan either way, but I just in general would rather have Linke and am hoping this doesn’t mean he isn’t sure he’s coming back yet.

I do not like giving free rides away just because they are good kids. I hate this idea .

[BUfan14]

I might have missed it, but where was it officially reported that Cade Hardtke or Goanar Biliew will be on scholarship for the 2024-25 season?

Linke needs a few more credits to graduate (he did not graduate this past Saturday as Biliew, Hannah, and Davis did), so he will definitely be back at Bradley for '24-'25.
He is listed on the 2024-25 roster, so that seems to suggest he will be back.

https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/college/basketball/bradley-hoops/2024/05/14/bradley-basketball-adds-walk-on-from-morton-high-school-fills-roster-2024-25/73686909007/

“Morton guard Gus Rugaard is joining the Braves as a preferred walk-on. Former walk-on guard Cade Hardtke also will return to the Braves as a scholarship player, while forward Goanar Biliew will return as a scholarship player for his fifth season.”

Linke, Biliew, and Hardtke can’t all be on scholarship, that’d be 14 guys right?

[BUfan14]

I do not like giving free rides away just because they are good kids. I hate this idea .

Ya of the three I’ll take Linke. With what he showed last year as a decent but flawed back up big I get taking him back, even if it wouldn’t be my first choice, I can understand it. As I’ve said many times, the other spot I don’t understand. Apparently, if that article is accurate Linke didn’t get either spot, Hardtke and Biliew did. Very strange in such a big year to waste two rides.

[yoda]

….waste two rides.

I’d trust the coach on this one,

… I seem to recall the PJS writers drooled over the recruiting class that contained Chris Blake, Stefan Zecevic & Shayok Shayok - - “light years better” than Dyricus, Remy Abell, Maniscalco, Andrew Warren, Taylor Brown & Walt Lemon