Junior College Question

[Murph]

How many JC players on a team is too many?

[real fan]

My opinion is more then 2 if you are not totally rebuilding a program from scratch.

[BradleyBrave]

I think it depends. JUCO's are often viewed as the 'quick fix' rather than the long term solution. Some programs have lived on JUCO's (Cincinnati during the Huggins years) and some have been rebuilt overnight with JUCO's (Billy Gillespie's UTEP team), but I personally don't think you can build a program that's successful year-in and year-out on JUCO players. I think BU has overall done a good job finding talent in the JUCO ranks (Bennett, Wright, Andrews, Franklin, Wilson), but I personally would like us to start recruiting predominantly 4 year players. I think we're starting to trend that way with Warren, Maniscalco, Egolf, and Thompson. I'd like our next 2 scholarships to go 4 years guys if possible.

[Dallas Brave]

It would optimum if the program was in a position to only need to bring in 1, maybe 2 JC players each year and be highly selective about who is offered a scholie. Plus, not needing contribution from them until their Sr. year would also be the best scenario.

As we are witnessing this year, bringing in several JC's in a single year puts a heavy premium on having a very strong, complementary set of coaches who can teach fundamentals at all positions.

[bu fan 9]

I think it is harder to get a good JUCO big man than it is a good guard.

[Murph]

I think it depends. JUCO's are often viewed as the 'quick fix' rather than the long term solution. I think BU has overall done a good job finding talent in the JUCO ranks (Bennett, Wright, Andrews, Franklin, Wilson), but I personally would like us to start recruiting predominantly 4 year players. I think we're starting to trend that way with Warren, Maniscalco, Egolf, and Thompson. I'd like our next 2 scholarships to go 4 years guys if possible.

Do you there may be some animosity between the 2 year players and the 4 year players?

[Da Coach]

Do you there may be some animosity between the 2 year players and the 4 year players?

As someone who is a little closer to the team than many other posters, I can say I have never seen any suggestion of this.

Maybe if a team brought juco kids with the wrong personality, it could happen. But that has never been the case at Bradley. The juco kids Jim has recruited have all be great guys who blend in with the others and get along very well.

[BradleyBrave]

Do you there may be some animosity between the 2 year players and the 4 year players?

I agree with DC. I have never sensed any type of animosity. The guys who haven't been 'team' guys have found their way out of Peoria, whether they were transfers or JUCO's or 4 year guys.