Andrew Warren

[georgethedog]

George, I respect your opinion, but I have been around a long time, too, and many times people have told me that players from the Big Ten and other higher conferences would have dominated the MVC.
However, there have been numerous players who transferred to the MVC from the Big Ten and other higher conferences, and they rarely stood out.

I don't mean to denigrate Tony Bennett, but he played his college career in the Mid-Continent Conference at Wisconsin-Green Bay. That is not exactly the highest level of competetion, in fact, it is well below the level of the MVC. Yes, he had a very good career there, and I think if he played at Bradley he would have been a very good player. But there is no way you will convince any Bradley fans here that he would have been in the same league as Hersey Hawkins or Anthony Parker. I think he might have been a player similar to Jim Les, but who knows?

I did not say he was in the same league as Hawkins and Parker because I stated he would have been the best "point guard" not shooting guard. Agreed, he is in no way as good as Parker or The Hawk. I think he was better than Les, however, and without his foot injury he would have proven that point. During the time he played that conference was really not not too bad. It had couple teams win some big games in the NCAA and UWGB took out Cal with the "great" Jason Kidd. Anyway, my whole point is that stress fractures can really linger and potentially hurt a player's future in a significant way. Tony Bennett was just one example that I used to help prove my point. Thanks for the nice discussion.

[KillerB]

I did not say he was in the same league as Hawkins and Parker because I stated he would have been the best "point guard" not shooting guard. Agreed, he is in no way as good as Parker or The Hawk. I think he was better than Les, however, and without his foot injury he would have proven that point. During the time he played that conference was really not not too bad. It had couple teams win some big games in the NCAA and UWGB took out Cal with the "great" Jason Kidd. Anyway, my whole point is that stress fractures can really linger and potentially hurt a player's future in a significant way. Tony Bennett was just one example that I used to help prove my point. Thanks for the nice discussion.

As far as comparing point guards...
I lived in Green Bay while Tony Bennett was at UWGB. Those were probably the best years for UWGB basketball. But Les and Bennett had different jobs on their respective teams.. so it's hard to compare them. Les' job was to push the ball and distribute it. Bennett was more of a scorer from the point. Also.. unless my memory is failing.. there was no three point shot when Les played. Both were very good point guards.. both undersized.

[thefish7]

Why? He did what about 99% of the BCS coaches refuse to do, and that's come to Peoria and play a game. I really don't think anyone should be surprised - Carver Arena is a darn tough place to play, and last time I checked, every team in America tries to avoid places where they 'can't win'. Izzo knows they escaped with a quality road win, and likely wouldn't be so lucky their next visit. You won't find another coach of a Top 10 program who would have come to Peoria, and I think for that the respect for Izzo should be going way up, rather than diminishing.

I understand it is a compliment, and I don't mind him saying it's a tough place to play. The part that bothers me is that because he thinks he might lose, he won't play here. It's a bit of the cowardice that I can't respect. If it's a tough place to play he should want to come here again. Izzo's still my favorite coach out of all of the "big time" programs, but I can't respect somebody who won't go somewhere because he might not win. That argument doesn't work for us, and we have to seek out tough non-conference road games... so should the big boys.

[georgethedog]

As far as comparing point guards...
I lived in Green Bay while Tony Bennett was at UWGB. Those were probably the best years for UWGB basketball. But Les and Bennett had different jobs on their respective teams.. so it's hard to compare them. Les' job was to push the ball and distribute it. Bennett was more of a scorer from the point. Also.. unless my memory is failing.. there was no three point shot when Les played. Both were very good point guards.. both undersized.

Those were great years for UWGB basketball. I graduated right before Bennett got on campus. I played a lot of ball and played against him in a couple pick-up games before his freshman year-wow. I agree with your assessment. Very well put.

OK, do you remember the superstar HS player that was ruined by the coach that proceeded Dick Bennett at UWGB? He was my roomate and best friend through college. He was an ALL-American out of Providence St. Mel HS and was recruited to put UWGB on the map when they moved to DI his freshman year. This guy was amazing, but the coach that recruited him was fired his freshman year and the new coach hated him because he wasn't "his" player, so his career didn't turn out too well because... well the coach had all the power. He should of transfered (another story). He was also recruited strongly by BU and many Big 10 and BCS type schools. Can you name him??? He is still arguably the best player UWGB has ever had, and with the right coaching could have played in the NBA. A drink of your choice at the first game to whoever can recall this player and super human being. I apologize for hijacking this thread, but I loved my days at UWGB!

[georgethedog]

Are we talking Tom Brown?

Yes, Tom Brown is the right answer. That was quick! Ever see him play? I think he could have been a Globe Trotter with the way he could fake people out and move the ball around. There were three things that were lacking in his college game. A consistent long range shot, desire after the coach that recruited him was fired after his freshman year, and the way he was treated by the incoming coach (which ultimately lead to his lack of desire). He really just seemed to quit caring. He actually ended up getting a Masters degree and is doing quite well. Nice job Tornado. PM me sometime and I will payoff with the drink I promised. Thanks for remembering my good friend Tommy B. I sure wish Bradley would schedule a home and home series with UW-Green Bay. Heck, they seem to schedule all the other Hroizon league teams. I asked Coach Mo (when he was at BU) why he would not schedule Green Bay and he said he did not want to play against Coach Bennett when he was there. I wonder what is keeping BU from doing it now??? Probably nothing to gain from it... I only know one other UW-Green Bay graduate that lives in the Peoria area. Can you name him??? (Hint: he also played basketball)

[georgethedog]

Chicago Heights Bloom's head coach Frank Nardi I believe is a UW-GB grad, but I suspect you are referring to Pekin great Pat Taphorn.

Yes, the giant from Pekin, Pat Taphorn. He was a freshman when I was a senior. Can't stump you!!! I don't think Frank is there any longer, but I could be wrong.