Recruit on campus- Matt Salley of Monroe College, Bronx, NY

[MacabreMob]

I notice Barry Hinson just recently signed a junior college power forward to strengthen his team. Dextroy Mansell, a 6'7", 215 pound forward from Williston State JC in Williston, ND, helped lead his team to the 16 team NJCAA championship tournament.

http://www.missouristatebears.com/webapps/release?id=3171

Hinson and the Bears' fans are excited about his addition to their team, despite the fact that for the season he averaged just 13 points and 8 rebounds a game. Pretty similar numbers to Matt Salley's.
But Mansell's free throw percentage was 32%, and his 3 point percentage was 0%. He makes Matt Salley look like Steve Kerr!

Thanks for the example and comparison DC. Maybe Mr GlassEmpty, oops, I'm sorry, Mr Grassman (yea, cool name dude.... schmmmm..., dude - heh heh, cool) might see a glimmer of light.

[Da Coach]

Nawww.

I know the Grassman (and the name has nothing to do with the kind of grass some posters have been smokin'), and he really is a great Bradley fan. I am just trying to rib him a little. I would have loved to have signed a McDonalds AA or 2, or a couple Juco scoring All Americans. But how many midmajors do?

Bradley had multiple Juco All Americans the last few years. Can anyone name another mid-major that has had more than 1 player who was a 1st team juco AA? Bradley has had 1 (Cellus) and another one that left to go to a juco where he also became a 1st teamer (Lance)--
Lance Stemler is a 1st team Juco AA this season
Marcellus Sommerville was a 1st team Juco AA in 2003.
Tony Bennett was a Juco AA 2 years ago (not first team).

[Da Coach]

Pardon me for one more example--

Illinois State was done recruiting in the spring of 2004, when one of their players, Dirk Williams, decided he would not return to the basketball team for 2004-2005 because of effects from concussions. ISU appealed to the NCAA and was granted an extra scholarship late in the spring of 2004. They used it to sign a little-known 6'6" post player near the end of April, 2004. Lorenzo Gordon had some nice stats at Mineral Area CC, but he did not have any decent Div I offers. All he did was become the most dominating player in the MVC in his only year of play.

http://www.redbirdfan.com/roster/lorenzo_gordon.html

I am not suggesting that Matt Salley is another Zo Gordon, but let's give him a chance.

[bu fan 9]

Well said Da Coach!!!!!!!!!

[collegehoopjunkie]

In that same vein Coach, ISU also signed a couple kids late in 2005 with the extra scholarships they had.

The needed some bodies and some size, and although they turned out to be a pretty weak team anyway, look at one of the players they landed.

Mike Vandello (6-7, 220), not highly regarded, and averaging only 12.7 points and 6 rebounds.
But the kid ended up contributing more than many thought he would.
In MVC Conference play, Vandello was the Redbirds' 4th leading scorer, 4th leading rebounder,
and he connected on 48% of his 3 pointers.
Given how thin ISU was on big guys, I'd still say they got their money's worth with this kid.

Agree that you can't always tell by stats alone.

[mike radigan]

But Mansell's free throw percentage was 32%, and his 3 point percentage was 0%. He makes Matt Salley look like Steve Kerr!

Come on Coach. I usually agree with you, but the 3 point percentage you quote is misleading. He had zero attempts. Now the free throw shooting, that's a problem at 8 for 25.

[Da Coach]

But if I had included that, my Steve Kerr joke wouldn't have sounded as good!

[tornado]

(by the way, James Davis, center from Schoolcraft juco - MI, is off the board. Committed to Lamar)

[Grassman]

WOW! Beware the person that ever has a dissenting opinion on ANYTHING J. Les ever does. The wrath of Mac Mob and The Coach will come pouring down on you.

First of all regarding your comparison to Patrick, of Salleys 3 point inability. Patrick is a 7 foot 5 player. According to Salleys Juco coach he is a "6'7' 3 or 4 spot player." If you are going to play the 3, you better shoot better than 20% on 3's..
Secondly Sikes was being recruited by Minnesota, Cincinatti, and Seton Hall, after initially playing with Georgia. I would have loved to had Sikes!
Salley being recruited by W.. Carolina and Rider just does not have the same ring to it.
As I said on my last post, we needed somebody, we got somebody! You can do all the ifs, ands, and buts you want that is the reality!
I personally hope his Jersey is hanging from the rafters of Carver Arena someday.
This will be my last post on this matter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS: Mac Mob, This wolf would NEVER hide in Sheeps clothing.
This would be a really boring site if we all agreed on everything!

[Grassman]

I notice Barry Hinson just recently signed a junior college power forward to strengthen his team. Dextroy Mansell, a 6'7", 215 pound forward from Williston State JC in Williston, ND, helped lead his team to the 16 team NJCAA championship tournament.

http://www.missouristatebears.com/webapps/release?id=3171

Hinson and the Bears' fans are excited about his addition to their team, despite the fact that for the season he averaged just 13 points and 8 rebounds a game. Pretty similar numbers to Matt Salley's.
But Mansell's free throw percentage was 32%, and his 3 point percentage was 0%. He makes Matt Salley look like Steve Kerr!

Thanks for the example and comparison DC. Maybe Mr GlassEmpty, oops, I'm sorry, Mr Grassman (yea, cool name dude.... schmmmm..., dude - heh heh, cool) might see a glimmer of light.

To disagree is fine. To ridicule is classless!

[tornado]

I think your points are valid Grassman, and you have every right to express them.
I don't think the other guys meant to ridicule, so much as just give a mild jab, so don't mind them. I think there's room at BradleyFans for all viewpoints, and thanks for your contributions.
When we are up in Auburn Hills next season, we'll all be laughing about our disagreements!!

[wingrider81]

ME ME ME

Is it just me or did Marcus Sykes seem like a "ME ME ME"
player albeit not a music major? And his coach talked about
Sykes being an "average athlete".
In the scanty coverage that I read Salley seems more like
a Zack Andrews attitude "winning is what I am about" and
"whatever Coach says it takes". I noticed that Salley was majoring in Business (not busyness) too. I will be interested
to see what CB does with these fairly long, athletic bookends.
It only takes interest, hard work, and coaching IMHO to move
these guys to MVC matchup headaches.
I look forward to Bradley beginning to cement ties to a Bronx
JUCO that has talented players with intresting resumes. Wait
till PB gets a look at the women's team talent!
To me, it is all good. I am tired of the Danny Grangers out
there. Let's talk talent that love the team, can listen to coach,
and gladly work to improve.
With a Yuba City WC funnel and a Monroe College EC funnel
I really like much that JL is doing. Time will tell and I will gladly
eat my words. But my gut feeling is good.
Wingrider