2007 BU commitment- David Collins

[Da Coach]

Now this thread has almost 1000 views in less than 3 1/2 hours. I am sure that's some kind of record. Some threads take weeks to get to 1000 views, and of course, some never get there.
It shows the resurgent interest in this team, and in next year.

[bugregshu]

David Collins is number 4.

[Big Mike]

nice find greg!

[thefish7]

God I can't wait for November! The signing has me very excited about the better team balance now that we have close to a regular number of bigs on the team.

[BU Bill]

I saw a post on the Valleytalk board about David Collins having broken his leg last summer. That slowed him and limited his playing time, especially early in the season.

[romar]

Just looking ahead a little & in 2008-09 if everything pans out BU will have 3 guys 6'10-7' tall (Collins, Thomspon & XC) and two more @ 6'9 (Egolf & SS). You have to admit that JL has brought alot of excitement back to BU. On Valleytalk there are posts from a couple of guys who have actually seen Collins play and they are fairly complimentary.

[oilerpimp]

This guy is seven foot tall and appears to have some bulk on him. This alone makes him a slightly better-than-average addition to our '07-'08 Braves. Throw in the word athletic, as he's been described, and I think he becomes a GREAT pick up for us. We don't need a scoring center right now. We need somone to stand in that colored rectangle and be an intimidating presence. He also needs to be somone who can rebound. I think we have both in Mr. Collins.

Now...bring on Mr. Coley!!!

[Da Coach]

Another mention on CSTV site--

http://slog.cstv.com/hodgereport_bb/2007/04/70_center_headed_to_bradley.html

Here is the CSTV list of new incoming recruits for Bradley. Add Jeremy Fears to this list (and subtract Dwight Butcks), and it could take a bit of time to get everyone adjusted to playing with each other.

http://interact.cstv.com/recruiting/searchrecruit.cfm?sport=basketball&dbyear=06&school_name=brad

[BradleyBrave]

Another mention on CSTV site--

http://slog.cstv.com/hodgereport_bb/2007/04/70_center_headed_to_bradley.html

Here is the CSTV list of new incoming recruits for Bradley. Add Jeremy Fears to this list (and subtract Dwight Butcks), and it could take a bit of time to get everyone adjusted to playing with each other.

http://interact.cstv.com/recruiting/...hool_name=brad

Very true. What is a positive though is that our core is for the most part intact from last year. Ruffin, Crouch, and Salley all started and played major minutes. Warren played all year. Fears and Brown practiced with the team all season, so they aren't starting from scratch either. That is a solid base. Bringing in a couple guys to fill holes hopefully won't be too difficult. It could take a bit to get used to each other, but hopefully it won't take too long.

[IheartBU]

Biggest thing to hit BU basketball since the NIT and I sleep through it ... go figure ...

OK, me being a girl, the thing that strikes me most about this guy is the big grin he's got on his face in all the posed shots you guys dug up. This kid looks like he loves to play basketball, and I think JL and his crew (LF or not) can work with him.

[One rabid squirrel]

Jumping back a bit in the conversation, if he can shoot out to 17 feet, I'd consider that a bonus as long as he doesn't think of himself as a jump shooter. Force the opponent's center to step outside with him and free up the lane occasionally.

Granted this without knowing who would likely be gone beyond the DW grade questions, but if Bradley were to still get Knapp or Coley, that would have to signal the death knell to the four guard offense being a regular feature, right? Especially if Egolf is ready to contribute at least a few minutes. Although I guess I could see Les occasionally still going small with Brown at the 4 if Collins is playing.

Looks like this could be a really good get. If he can play interior defense and rebound, it will go a long way toward Bradley being successful next year.

[Big Mike]

Todays PJS on David collins and the official press from JL that SJ will not be back.

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/040507/BRA_BCRIMAKG.071.php

[Dallas Brave]

It's amazing the interest the signing of a big man generates. This thread has been going for just 2 1/2 hours and has 56 replies and almost 700 views. Unbelieveable!

Here is an article from ChicagoHoops.com, usually the first site in the Illinois region to pick up on Bradley and other college commitments--
Head Coach Jim Les And The Bradley Braves Land 7-0 Juco Center David Collins From Missouri State-West Plains
http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles...nsbradley.html

If Chicgo Hoops is not stretching it too much in saying, "The 7-0 Collins is a long and highly active player on both ends of the basketball court. His length, athleticism and ability to run the floor make him an ideal fit for the Bradley system" then this signing is fantastic.

DB....perhaps we will be watching him together with a few other Brave fans at the San Padre Shootout then discussing a BU win over a couple cold ones and victory cigars at a local Texas golf course.

Don't forget the sailboat!

[it's boogie time]

Thanks for the pictures. I'm warming up to this recruit. I'm thinking a summer with Ronnie Wright will help this kid. I'm trying to figure out how Collins doesn't have more blocks.

Jumping back a bit in the conversation, if he can shoot out to 17 feet, I'd consider that a bonus as long as he doesn't think of himself as a jump shooter. Force the opponent's center to step outside with him and free up the lane occasionally.

Big men that can shoot from the outside tend to gravitate to the perimeter and shy away from contact. Plus, it's hard to get rebounds when roaming the perimeter. I like having that one or two low post player that the only shot over eight feet is a free throw.

When considering all options, I'm usually happy when the other team's center shoots a mid-range jumper. The center has to be a really good shooter to draw the defender out consistantly.

[tornado]

An active 7-footer can definitely change the game, and neutralize players like Eric Coleman, Randall Falker, etc.

Several recruiting sites have premium articles already posted on Collins' committment, and I expect a few others will soon also.

I can let some of you know by PM or e mail what the subscription articles say, let me know..........