Bradley/State Tournament

[Bballnut]

There is considerable discussion in the Matt Roth all state thread about Bradley's State of Illinois recruiting. I remember when Peoria landed the state tourney, there was hopeful talk that it would help BU recruiting. What's everyone's thoughts? I know some doors were opened with certain players but has it been fruitful? I remember Philip Gilbert putting on a show here and then signing with BU but are there others?

[Da Coach]

My opinion is that it doesn't really help Bradley's recruiting any, but that it just makes high school kids in the northern and southern parts of the state a little more aware of Bradley's existence and where Peoria is, and the fact that Peoria is not just some farm town with cows walking in the street. It's possible that helps a coach from Bradley get in the door a little easier in a few cases.

[MacabreMob]

I recall Tony Bennett saying how much he liked playing at Carver and how great it felt to come back and play for the Braves.

[real fan]

The problem is that only a few teams make it to play in peoria so it does not mean anything to the ones that are not able to play at carver arena; hopefully with the new format we will have a chance to get more recruits from chicago and their suburbs .

[Da Coach]

The problem is that only a few teams make it to play in peoria so it does not mean anything to the ones that are not able to play at carver arena; hopefully with the new format we will have a chance to get more recruits from chicago and their suburbs .

The problem is that there are no more teams that make it to Peoria than under the old 2-class system. Now there are 4 classes, but only the final 4 teams make it to Peoria (16 teams total). Under the 2-class system, there were 8 teams that played in Peoria-still 16 teams..

[tornado]

Da Coach....can we expect to hear something from Matt Roth in regards to his college preference, after this weekend?
Also, any chance that maybe another kid who has played on the Carver Arena floor in March might end up at BU??
By the way, I was just looking over the Big Ten stats....
and Indiana's present freshman shooting guard actually led the Big Ten in TWO statistical categories.

Scoring (21.5) and turnovers (3.6)

(edit...actually three...he also leads in Field Goal Attempts)



Another kid playing in the state tourney that BU recruited is Stan Simpson (Simeon)...
and there is a little buzz this morning due to a Champaign News-Gazette article saying that Weber should and probably will redshirt Simpson next year as a true freshman.
This bothers quite a few Illini fans who already had Simpson pencilled in as either a starter (in Pruitt's spot) or a key reserve.
However, I don't think Bruce Weber wants another repeat of the Richard Semrau/Bill Cole scenario where he plays the kids then realizes after they get injured that they may not have been ready for Big Ten play.
In Cole's case, it cost him the season.

[beanocookschins]

My opinion is that it doesn't really help Bradley's recruiting any, but that it just makes high school kids in the northern and southern parts of the state a little more aware of Bradley's existence and where Peoria is, and the fact that Peoria is not just some farm town with cows walking in the street. It's possible that helps a coach from Bradley get in the door a little easier in a few cases.

I agree. I don't think it helps Bradley directly but it certainly helps in the indirect ways Da Coach mentioned. If a kid is already being recruited by BU I think it helps but I don't think a kid will all of a sudden change course and choose Bradley just because he enjoyed his experience at Carver and in the State Tournament.

I do think it can help put the Braves "over the top" with a kid if it gets to that point. It helps the university as a whole I think.

[tornado]

I think it might help a little.....if a local kid does well, say like Daniel Ruffin, Ryan Thornton, Matt Roth, or Bill Cole.....and he gets to star in front of huge crowds at the Civic Center....then I believe it would have an effect on where that kid would like to play....especially if he had yet to make his final decision....as the kid would realize the potential of being a great hometown favorite like Jeremy Crouch has become, and also guys like Bobby Huumbles, Roger Phegley, etc....who even used their local name recognition in their future endeavors.
If the kid had already committed elsewhere, then should he later transfer...he'd also be more likely to choose BU.
It might have more effect on the local kids than the out-of-towners, but how can you say it does give BU more name recognition, then also say it would have no effect?

[IheartBU]

I think it might help a little.....if a local kid does well, say like Daniel Ruffin, Ryan Thornton, Matt Roth, or Bill Cole.....and he gets to star in front of huge crowds at the Civic Center....then I believe it would have an effect on where that kid would like to play....especially if he had yet to make his final decision....as the kid would realize the potential of being a great hometown favorite like Jeremy Crouch has become...

Hmmm ... Washington plays its first game today ... on Jeremy Crouch Appreciation Day (in Pekin, but who's splitting hairs ...?) That should send a nice message to our local boys ...

[ryeguy212]

Hopefully Dyricus will get a nice idea of how it feels to play in front of a sold out Carver Arena.

Also, does anyone know whether the game will be on the internet or radio? I'm stuck at work but I'd like to know whats going on...

[Da Coach]

Da Coach....can we expect to hear something from Matt Roth in regards to his college preference, after this weekend?

Maybe you hadn't heard, Matt Roth signed with Indiana.

[Da Coach]

I agree. I don't think it helps Bradley directly but it certainly helps in the indirect ways Da Coach mentioned. If a kid is already being recruited by BU I think it helps but I don't think a kid will all of a sudden change course and choose Bradley just because he enjoyed his experience at Carver and in the State Tournament.

I do think it can help put the Braves "over the top" with a kid if it gets to that point. It helps the university as a whole I think.

Has anyone else had this experience that I have had a number of times--
I have had the opportunity to talk with people from Chicago area, as well aspeople from the southern part of Illinois who come to Peoria for events like the state tournament, or for business meetings.
The first time they approach Peoria, they are amazed to see the downtown buildings, and they are surprised to find Peoria such a thriving city, instead of a tiny farm town. I think they way Peoria is portrayed, and "does it play in Peoria" line gives people the erroneous impression that Peoria is a small rural village. Anything that helps change that perception is good for Peoria and probably for Bradley recruiting.

[beanocookschins]

Has anyone else had this experience that I have had a number of times--
I have had the opportunity to talk with people from Chicago area, as well aspeople from the southern part of Illinois who come to Peoria for events like the state tournament, or for business meetings.
The first time they approach Peoria, they are amazed to see the downtown buildings, and they are surprised to find Peoria such a thriving city, instead of a tiny farm town. I think they way Peoria is portrayed, and "does it play in Peoria" line gives people the erroneous impression that Peoria is a small rural village. Anything that helps change that perception is good for Peoria and probably for Bradley recruiting.

That's true. Or I've had people think they would be driving into some city that once was thriving but is now run down with all boarded up windows, abandoned buildings, no activity downtown. I've seen cities like that but Peoria isn't one of them. It has it's flaws no doubt but everyone I know who has never been there and then went talked highly of it.

[ph]

The problem is that there are no more teams that make it to Peoria than under the old 2-class system. Now there are 4 classes, but only the final 4 teams make it to Peoria (16 teams total). Under the 2-class system, there were 8 teams that played in Peoria-still 16 teams..

But, the 4 class system has brought in more Chicago schools!

[Da Coach]

I am at the Carver Arena, and the Washington-Marshall game is about to begin. The attendance is a little disappointing. Plenty of good seats available. Despite a lot of Washington fans (maybe 5000+) the total attendance looks around 8000. Maybe there are ticketholders that will arrive for the second game, so the total attendance will probably be more. But the split into 4 classes will result in smaller crowds, and rare sellouts.