Recruiting sites respect

[BUBraves2006]

I was going to add to the John Wilkins article thread, but I didn't want to detract from that too much.

It seems like there's a lot of complaints about how anyone who commits here gets downgraded on the national recruiting sites.

Question: If all of our recruits are so spectacular and underrated, why haven't we won the Valley title yet?

Trust me, I'm as big of a proponent for taking down the "big boys" and supporting our school/conference as anyone. But if we were THAT talented, I think it would have translated to better results.

And again, I do recognize that the 22-win seasons is a nice accomplishment. So was the Sweet 16. So was a million other great things that people know and love about our program. As is with a most of things in life though, you get respect by earning it. It might be completely unfair (which it is) that players get instantly downgraded by going to "lower" level school than Big Televen/Big East/ACC/SEC/etc...but until we start stepping up and being a consistent winner, we won't get the respect.

And it can be gained. SIU and Gonzaga have gotten it on a national level. But, their consistent winning allows for that. BU needs to become a great program, not just a good one, to get the respect.

I'm tired of excuses (oh this guy got suspended, this guy got hurt, etc.). I just really want us to succeed because I love this program so much. I hope we continue to build upon that this season.

Go BU!

[Da Coach]

Bradley has never recruited any players rated higher than 3 stars, so I am not sure who you are referring to with the question.
To beat good teams consistently, you need a balance of an inside game and an outside game. The only year we actually had both was 2006, and that team evolved into a Sweet 16 team. Since then we have had very good guards, and a great outside game, but have lacked the inside players. IMO, the next couple years we will see more success because the team is better balanced.
You can blame the coaching and recruiting if you want, but some of the reasons were beyond the coaches' control, such as POB leaving after his soph year, and injuries to key players. If Ruffin had not been injured last season, Bradley might have been contending for the MVC title.
I also think the depth of talent is getting better, something that it uncommon for a midmajor school. That will also help the team's success in the next couple years.
And outside of SIU and Gonzaga, it is hard to find any other examples of midmajors getting to the NCAA consistently. So it is a difficult thing for any midmajor to accomplish. But I think this program is headed in the right direction.

[Majik45]

Question: If all of our recruits are so spectacular and underrated, why haven't we won the Valley title yet?

Recruiting websites and star rankings and recruiting hype are way over-rated. There are a lot more factors that go into how well a recruit does that are not related to talent alone. Being a nebraska football fan and watching Bill Callahan bring in multiple top 10 to top 20 national recruiting classes, then watching him lose, lose, and lose some more tells me we give too much hype to recruits and recruiting.

[BUBraves2006]

I definitely think the program is going in the right direction, too. As I look back at what I said, it probably sounded a little more harsh than I intended. I'm happy with the progress that is being made. I just am greedy and want more, maybe? I don't have a problem saying that my perspective is a bit jaded and different, since I only started following the program heavily when Jim Les was hired. I wasn't around for the Mo or Versace years so I can't look back to that time. I just feel like we haven't lived up to the potential or hype that I expected going into most recent seasons. Even in the magical '06 season, we didn't really start playing all that well until mid-February.

I think that's why last year in particular was so frustrating. When you have so called "under the radar" players that play up to their competition it is exciting and a blast. When you have what many thought was the most talented team and you don't do what people predicted, it is a letdown. Look at the Yankees this year. They had a huge payroll loaded with talent and even though they've had a winning season (similar to BU in '07-'08 ), it has been perceived as a disappointment because they didn't live up to the hype.

I just want us to live up to our hype. Is that unreasonable?

[real fan]

I agree that ranking recruits is overated as it is up to the coaches to get the most out of their recruits ; and it is the players responsibility to put in the extra time to make himself better if he is to be a good or very good college player. Just because he was a star in high school does not translate into being one in college as the competition is so much greater.

[Rusty 54]

As for injuries, lets see how the New England Patriots do without Brady this year. IMO injuries play a huge role on how teams paly.

[Out of Bounce]

I definitely think the program is going in the right direction, too. As I look back at what I said, it probably sounded a little more harsh than I intended. I'm happy with the progress that is being made. I just am greedy and want more, maybe? I don't have a problem saying that my perspective is a bit jaded and different, since I only started following the program heavily when Jim Les was hired. I wasn't around for the Mo or Versace years so I can't look back to that time. I just feel like we haven't lived up to the potential or hype that I expected going into most recent seasons. Even in the magical '06 season, we didn't really start playing all that well until mid-February.

I think that's why last year in particular was so frustrating. When you have so called "under the radar" players that play up to their competition it is exciting and a blast. When you have what many thought was the most talented team and you don't do what people predicted, it is a letdown. Look at the Yankees this year. They had a huge payroll loaded with talent and even though they've had a winning season (similar to BU in '07-'08 ), it has been perceived as a disappointment because they didn't live up to the hype.

I just want us to live up to our hype. Is that unreasonable?

NO,NO,NO it is not unreasonable nor is it unreasonable to want to win each time we go out! Show me a team that says we played pretty good in a lost or hear them say we should of won or if that and if this hadn't happen we would of won and the result is you are looking at a loser. I guess thats why I like JL because not once have I ever hear him look for reasons or excuses. You play the game to win, period. And BB you are right, we need to start winning the MVC and Tournament and go to the Big Dance regularly like SIU has and we will get our hype. Your right finishing 4-6 in the valley and making first round exits isn't going to do. Everyone wants to win and no one more than the coach's and players. T posted about the lack of bigs or their lack of play to go along with good guards as some of the problems. JL is moving in the right direction to correct that. We have both this year.
You know what I have been saying about this year (Its at the bottom of this post). I really believe it.
Just because you have the most talented players does not mean you will be a winner! Its all about Team Chemistry and Total Effort by All. Thats what happen in Feb. when JJ became a starter and the team started winning. Look at Drake last year. Is there anyone in their right mind that would say they had the best talented players in the MVC. Hell No, but they won and they won. Now with that one year, a lot of people know and mention Drake. Same will happen to us starting this year if (Read Below Happens) Your not wrong, alone or out of place for wanting the most out of BU's BB program!

[oilerpimp]

Only one team can win the ACC (or whatever BCS conference) each year. Every one of the teams that didn't win is still loaded with 3, 4, 5 star guys. Quality of recruits is one factor of many in determining a conference champion each year.

[supportingthebraves]

Recruting Sites

There is no doubt that recruiting sites are overrated, and any coach that hangs his or her hat on the rankings, won't be a coach very long.

However, they are an effective tool if used the right way. They at least give the coach a reference point. If a player is not ranked at all, then a coach may not want to waste their time and money going to see that player. Occasionally, there is a diamond in the ruff in this group, but very few.

Coaches make their money when they are able to find that 2 or 3 star recruit that has been ignored by the recruiting sites for whatever reason. The sites don't measure heart, and usually only look at a player’s upside if he is a big, or has some other intangible (dad played in the NBA).

If you compare the players in the top 150, to those ranked 150-300, you will be surprised when you compare the success rates of the players. Streets & Smiths have done articles on this in the past. Many players ranked 250-350 coming out of high school have had very long-lasting successful professional careers. These are the players that usually continue to work hard on their game.

It is easy to spot those 5 star studs that we just know are more than likely going to be good, and those players that we recognize probably have no chance at all.

Good coaches are able to forecast those 2-3 star player that they believe have ability, and fit their system. I like that the BU staff takes its stab at the higher ranked/rated players, but also believe they have become more efficient at evaluating the 2-3 star player. Lastly, the 2-3 star players usually handle constructive criticism better, which makes for a healthier team environment. I believe the BU coaching staff's recruiting will pay off sooner than later.

[Dallas Brave]

If POB had stayed through his senior year, the last two years would have been much different as I think the the combination of O'Bryant, Ruffin and Crouch would have been dynamite. The team would have gotten tons of national pre-season press building off of POB's performance in the Sweet 16 run. Bradley would have had their best combination of inside / outside play since I've been following the team beginning in 1980. How does a coach control it when a kid goes pro early? Florida failed to make the NCAA last year for that reason, but I doubt anyone questions Billy Donovan's recruiting. It is plainly clear that Bradley is signing much deeper teams and the average recruit quality is higher. Bradley has landed stud recruits in the past but sometime failed to land good supporting players. What I like about the last year's class, this year's class, and next year's class is that it the quality across the board is much, much better.

This year's team is a bit of question mark. They could be a top 3 team in the MVC. They will be fun to watch and have an outside shot of making the NCAA tournament. Beginning with the 2009-10 season, watch out because the Braves are going to be very, very good.