BU recruit- class of 2014- Tyler Wideman

[Da Coach]

A recruiting expert from Chicago is reporting that Bradley has offered a scholarship to 2014 6'6", 240 pound power forward Tyler Wideman of Lake Central High School in St. John, Indiana. He also plays for the Meanstreets AAU program and was watched this past weekend by our staff at an AAU event in South Carolina. He is being followed by a number of Big Ten schools.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Tyler-Wideman-127430

http://247sports.com/Player/Tyler-Wideman-16748

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=5594426

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/18236167-556/boys-basketball-lake-centrals-tyler-wideman-stepping-up-as-a-leader-this-season.html

Video-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK647936rhQ

[wily coyote]

That's the kind of size we need . With his size and agility we need to go after him real hard. Put a full court press on this young man.

[Da Coach]

I agree. We could really use a kid with his bulk. His last name is very appropriate.

[LongTimeFan]

Have we had much luck in recruiting IN? I wonder which assistant recruits that area. Did I miss a reference to his AAU team?

[Da Coach]

Have we had much luck in recruiting IN? I wonder which assistant recruits that area. Did I miss a reference to his AAU team?

He plays for the Meanstreets AAU team.

[Da Coach]

I have heard that Tyler Wideman verballed to Butler.

[Indy_BB]

That's the kind of size we need . With his size and agility we need to go after him real hard. Put a full court press on this young man.

He's closer to 280 than 240, he's enormous - like NFL right tackle enormous.

Butler sees him in a similar capacity as Davante Gardner of Marquette. The weight/strength is essential for holding up for 18 games in the Big East.

[Da Coach]

He's closer to 280 than 240, he's enormous - like NFL right tackle enormous.

Butler sees him in a similar capacity as Davante Gardner of Marquette. The weight/strength is essential for holding up for 18 games in the Big East.

280 pounders hold up better than 240 pounders?

A lot of recruiting people think he isn't quite a Big East caliber player, and more of a mid-major. He has had a good AAU season, but AAU teams usually don't play much defense. He is a little undersized for a power forward (6-6), doesn't jump well at all, and plays below the rim. I think he could have been a force in the Horizon or Atlantic-10, but I'm not so sure he'll be as effective in the Big East.

[Indy_BB]

Butler isn't exactly in a position where they have to reach for players. They can kind of get who they want to target. Wideman is the only post player that Butler has offered in the entire 2014 class other than Trey Lyles who is deciding in the fall and is down to UK, UL, UF, and Butler. (probably UL), after eliminating Duke and UCLA.

They offered him because he fills a very specific need that requires addressing and there aren't stronger players than him ANYWHERE - and thats what they need him for.

And of course 280 pounders hold up better against other monsters, like 320+ lb Josh Smith of Georgetown.

Butler means to finish out the class with 2 or 3 of 4-star Trevon Bluiett (Michigan or Butler), 4-star JP Macura (Butler or Minnesota), 4-star Kelan Martin (Butler clear leader), and 3-star Avery Patterson (Butler & K State)