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Ahmad Starks to come home

amckillip said:
Wake Forest is no where near a premier program either, why do we expect Fields to be so good? And are we saying a Florida Atlantic transfer who didn't regularly start (3 games total) has a better pedigree that an Oregon State starter? Being on BU already doesn't make these guys backgrounds better. And honestly the Pac-12, despite being weak, was still far superior to the MVC...

Why do I think we're going to start 3 guards? Mainly because we barely have 1 starting "big man" let alone two (JP). The only center we have on our team is NW and he hasn't seen any meaningful time so far. Our best "big man" recruit decomitted/didn't qualify. We have Pickett, but he is smaller than many BCS guards, so I think we going to be playing 3 guards, because we don't have any big men.
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I expect fields and Grier to be better because they are bigger, and have already been in the program for an entire year. the Pac-12 was no where near "far superior" to the Valley last year, and especially the year before. I am not trying to be negative towards this kid, but Bradley likely would have had 4, if not more than 4 wins in the Pac 12 this last year.

Tyshon being "smaller" than many BCS guards is quite the statement. He might be an inch shorter than some, but when it comes to build, Tyshon is twice the man of many BCS forwards. We could start 3 guards, but with these tall athletic wing men we have recruited, I would be surprised if one doesn't start for us. Between Austin, Blake, and Swopshire, I think one of them will break out and start for us.

Prosser, although he might not be fantastic, has to start. If not just simply for a big body in the paint on D, and some rebounds. Why? Because a line-up with 3 guards, a forward, and Tyshon at the 5 will result in teams getting 2nd and 3rd chances on a constant basis on the boards.
 
I'm not doubting the impact people say Starks would have, but if he is only 5'8", shoots below 40%, rarely gets to the line, and does not average many assists, and isn't a defensive star, what exactly is the major strength he provides?

Someone who takes 9+ shots to get a little over 10 point a game and shoots below 40% doesn't sound like a star offensive player to me at 5'8". What am I missing?
 
tornado said:
wow - Groce loves those midmajor transfers - but if you're gonna be among the elite in the Big Ten I just don't think a lineup of Ekey's, McLaurin's, Paul, Starks are gonna do it
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Thankfully for Illinois, they only two of those guys could ever play together.

McLaurin was nothing special, but he inherited a roster void of bigs and needed something. He's already bringing in a top 15 class of 5 freshman next year, to go along with Rice, so it makes sense to take Ekey and Starks as reserves to fill holes more than bringing in 7 freshman.

I think next year will likely be the worst of Groce's tenure, the roster he inherited, with the seniors leaving was poised to not be that great next year, but after that when Freshman become sophomore's along with Abrams, Cosby and Egwu and they should be in a solid place. Maybe not top 10 without another difference maker, but pretty solid top 20.
 
BUfan14 said:
I'm not doubting the impact people say Starks would have, but if he is only 5'8", shoots below 40%, rarely gets to the line, and does not average many assists, and isn't a defensive star, what exactly is the major strength he provides?

Someone who takes 9+ shots to get a little over 10 point a game and shoots below 40% doesn't sound like a star offensive player to me at 5'8". What am I missing?
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He shoots nearly 40% from 3 against BCS competition, that's a skill that is somewhat rare.
 
alczervik75 said:
He shoots nearly 40% from 3 against BCS competition, that's a skill that is somewhat rare.
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Hes a shooter! For sure! With enough arc on his shot that its not a easy run out blocked shot!


Considering playing alongside Walt who will get the fastest/best defender and also Grier, just a couple more reasons why his best play would be as a brave!
 
one of my generally reliable Illini friends tells me that Starks has chosen Illinois and it is known among the players but can't be made public since they have to complete the paperwork and hopefully get a quick ruling on a waiver to play immed
 
aslong as Delaney is uncommitted I like leaving the ride open Like " Hey Deshawn we REALLY love you :) Whats the last day to commit?
 
you can commit any time - there is no last day but the
Spring Signing Peroid ends at midnight May 15.....most coaches will want to have all their scholarships locked up with LOI's by then,
but it is still ok to commit after that if someone has a scholarship open..
logically, though, Delaney will decide before May 15
 
Any see the Illinois Strength and Conditioning coach's tweet yesterday?

something like "Welcome Ahmad Starks to the Illini Family!!!! #illini"

then he deleted it and said sorry "false alarm"

since this IS a violation but the coach think anything bad will happen to Illinois?

I can sure bet he is getting a stern talking to by the admins and other coaches....



@illinistrong is his twitter handle I believe.
 
LongTimeFan said:
Since two transfers put the Illini one over on scholarships, I wonder how that will be solved?
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Good question, It will definitely be interesting to see how this shakes out for the Illini and what it could possibly mean for BU's last scholarship.

Come to Bradley Ahmad! Walt, Ahmad, Omari, Anthony, KaDarryl (if healthy, hope he is) would give us a VERY impressive group of guards.
 
Oregon State head coach Craig Robinson words his comments about Starks interestingly...the emphasis is mine...

"Robinson learned of Starks' desire to transfer in late March during an end of
the season review.
Starks averaged 10.4 points per game and struggled late in the season with
his shot and his minutes declined."


"Starks .. wants to return to his home state of Illinois to be closer to his
ailing grandmother, who helped raise him."


"I told him if that??™s really the case, then we support you
on that,??? Robinson said. ???Then I hit the road recruiting, so there wasn??™t much
discussion after that.???

The "if" seems to hint that Robinson is not sure it's true..
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/art...-confirms-departure-senior-guard-Ahmad-Starks
 
Bradleyfan1 said:
DR Tweeted...AS will not be coming to BU! Twitter is killing me today! F"""" Mondays
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maybe there were two separate tweets - but the tweet that Dave Reynolds just posted was that transfer - Miami's Allen Roberts is the one who is not coming to Bradley
 
a friend who is a sure Illini source of info says Ahmad Starks is already enrolled and going to start taking classes at Illinois..but I cannot confirm...
he is hoping for a favorable ruling to get a waiver to play right away - but even if not, he has reportedly no plans to even visit anywhere else.
 
and now that Myke Henry is officially released it solves the scholarship problem.

word is that Starks' scholarship is safe for the next 2 years if he doesn't get the waiver.
 
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