Connor Hickman at Cincinnati

[LukeBob]

This is probably outside thinking, but would he consider returning to Bradley, and would the players/Coach Wardle take him back?

They probably would take him back if he wanted it / the roster construction made sense. Too many guards that will want minutes next year though, and with the rumors of a Birch transfer, we don't want to push that situation even more.

Plus, Connor made his bed. I understand chasing the bag from the players perspective, but they're going to have to start seeing it from the fans'. College fandom is deeply personal on a level not oft-seen in the pros. Zek was welcomed back with open arms more or less, but I'm willing to bet it's because we had a glaring zek-sized hole in the starting lineup. With a roster stocked with guards next year, Connor coming back the year after he was our only major transfer would not be taken as well.

 

[tomahawk chop]

This is probably outside thinking, but would he consider returning to Bradley, and would the players/Coach Wardle take him back?

No because he left for the money and we will not pay that much plus his injury problems are a red flag.

 

[Dubl R 1]

I was thinking about that too Tommy, but we have Wheeler coming in and I'd love for him to come in and make an impact like JaQuan did this season. Would be great to have our 3 freshmen rise together. I have a feeling we will only have DR for 1 or 2 seasons before lured away by bigger schools. Hope I'm wrong!

Having Duke for another season would be awesome as he's been the engine for the last 2-3 seasons that we owe a lot of our success to. Thinking maybe it's time tho to hand over the torch to 2 promising PGs, and his senior compadres will no longer be wearing the Bradley jersey next season. Don't get me wrong - I would NOT be opposed to him returning!!!

Rumors of a Burch Transfer?

 

[Da Coach]

No because he left for the money and we will not pay that much plus his injury problems are a red flag.

I've had the opportunity to talk with a family member of Connor Hickman a few times, both before and after his decision was announced. He did not leave for money. I don't think he was getting much different NIL money at Cincinnati than he was at Bradley. And he did not leave because of any issues with the coaches or players. They all remain on good terms with each other. He simply wanted to challenge himself at a higher level in his final year to prepare himself to play professionally if he decided to do so. And, he chose Cincinnati over other offers (including Indiana) partly because of his closeness to Drew Adams.

And you mentioned the injury issue. Connor stood out in their preseason practices and at times was the best player on the court. He was a starter and major contributor to the team for the first three weeks of the season. In their first five games before he injured his foot, Cincinnati was 5-0, and Connor was averaging 25 minutes per game, 8.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 0.8 turnovers per game. He was shooting 56% overall, and 39% from three. The injury affected his mobility and his shooting, and his numbers suffered. He tried to play through it, but it only got worse and it was decided to shut him down.

The injury was eventually diagnosed as a fracture in a bone in his foot. Last month, he underwent surgery to fix the broken bone. That kind of fracture is often difficult to diagnose early. It is frequently is slow to heal, and often needs surgery. He and his family are terrific people, and I wish him the best
>> https://x.com/Knickoson42/status/1892743651823886566

 

[egib52]

Rumors of a Burch Transfer?

Wouldn't surprise me. I thought based on his playing time this year that it was very possible. I was hoping he'd come back next year and start on the wing.

 

[Dub]

I've had the opportunity to talk with a family member of Connor Hickman a few times, both before and after his decision was announced. He did not leave for money. I don't think he was getting much different NIL money at Cincinnati than he was at Bradley. And he did not leave because of any issues with the coaches or players. They all remain on good terms with each other. He simply wanted to challenge himself at a higher level in his final year to prepare himself to play professionally if he decided to do so. And, he chose Cincinnati over other offers (including Indiana) partly because of his closeness to Drew Adams.

And you mentioned the injury issue. Connor stood out in their preseason practices and at times was the best player on the court. He was a starter and major contributor to the team for the first three weeks of the season. In their first five games before he injured his foot, Cincinnati was 5-0, and Connor was averaging 25 minutes per game, 8.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 0.8 turnovers per game. He was shooting 56% overall, and 39% from three. The injury affected his mobility and his shooting, and his numbers suffered. He tried to play through it, but it only got worse and it was decided to shut him down.

The injury was eventually diagnosed as a fracture in a bone in his foot. Last month, he underwent surgery to fix the broken bone. That kind of fracture is often difficult to diagnose early. It is frequently is slow to heal, and often needs surgery. He and his family are terrific people, and I wish him the best
>> https://x.com/Knickoson42/status/1892743651823886566

Out of respect for DC I will take his word for it and reengage my respect for Connor Hickman. It still seemed like Connor was being challenged in Valley play as well, however. Perhaps more properly stated, this move was a “resume builder.” That being the case, he will want to try to stay in a PC and try for a health comeback. I’ll also extend the benefit of the doubt that maybe it was a tough call for him to choose between building his resume and staying to make the NCAA’s with his brothers in the 309.

 

[egib52]

Out of respect for DC I will take his word for it and reengage my respect for Connor Hickman. It still seemed like Connor was being challenged in Valley play as well, however. Perhaps more properly stated, this move was a “resume builder.” That being the case, he will want to try to stay in a PC and try for a health comeback. I’ll also extend the benefit of the doubt that maybe it was a tough call for him to choose between building his resume and staying to make the NCAA’s with his brothers in the 309.

I am sure every player wants to play at the highest levels. Likely most kids in D1 think they are better than the kids in front of them. Plus you have nicer facilities, perks, trips, accommodations at the high major level. Ultimately it comes down to self awareness and how much individual/ realistic team success you want to have.

 

[BUfan14]

We seem to be stacked at guard. Would we even have a spot for him? I'd rather get Duke back for another year!

It doesn’t have to be Hickman, but I’ll be highly disappointed if we don’t land another starting caliber veteran guard.

One returning (presumed) starter in Johnson and three unproven freshmen along with an inconsistent and unproven as a starter (if still here) junior in Burch is not enough for me to label us stacked. Even Johnson will be in his first year as a starter, and as we’ve seen sophomores can sometimes take big steps back. Not that I expect that, but it’d be nice to have at least one proven guard starter I think.

 

[Da Coach]

Btw, Division I schools can now have as many as 15 scholarship players.

 

[BengalFan14]

Btw, Division I schools can now have as many as 15 scholarship players.

Does that equate to 15 on roster or you can still have walk-ons?

 

[yoda]

it's always been allowable to have as many walk-ons as you want.

 

[Tommy]

It doesn’t have to be Hickman, but I’ll be highly disappointed if we don’t land another starting caliber veteran guard.

One returning (presumed) starter in Johnson and three unproven freshmen along with an inconsistent and unproven as a starter (if still here) junior in Burch is not enough for me to label us stacked. Even Johnson will be in his first year as a starter, and as we’ve seen sophomores can sometimes take big steps back. Not that I expect that, but it’d be nice to have at least one proven guard starter I think.

I'd agree with you if the 3 incoming freshman weren't 4 star recruits, and some of the highest rated freshman we've ever had come to BU.

 

[BUfan14]

I'd agree with you if the 3 incoming freshman weren't 4 star recruits, and some of the highest rated freshman we've ever had come to BU.

Even if we assume a 3-4 star rating means they all three will be starting caliber or big minute caliber right away (which hasn’t always proven to be true), and Burch comes back, we have 5 guards. We will need more than that on the roster. I can’t imagine we’d only try to get bench caliber guards from here and not try to add a good player if there was a fit. To me you get as many good players as possible. Why limit yourself when recruits are only one year commits anyway? To me, until your program is so good and/or so filled with talent it can’t possibly go up, why not keep trying to get better? We’ve also been incredibly lucky on the injury front of late. One guard goes down for the year, you don’t want that to be the end of your season.

 

[Tommy]

Even if we assume a 3-4 star rating means they all three will be starting caliber or big minute caliber right away (which hasn’t always proven to be true), and Burch comes back, we have 5 guards. We will need more than that on the roster. I can’t imagine we’d only try to get bench caliber guards from here and not try to add a good player if there was a fit. To me you get as many good players as possible. Why limit yourself when recruits are only one year commits anyway? To me, until your program is so good and/or so filled with talent it can’t possibly go up, why not keep trying to get better? We’ve also been incredibly lucky on the injury front of late. One guard goes down for the year, you don’t want that to be the end of your season.

How many starting caliber guards do we have this year? My only point is that we seem to have an incoming roster with an orgy of talent at guard and a dearth of talent at forward. If we can find another great guard, sure, bring him in, but I’m much more concerned with who will replace Davis and Hannah, and I don’t know that picking up a 6th guard outweighs that need. We all hope Atlason takes another step forward and Timoty can provide some strong minutes next year, but that’s not enough. I think most anyone avid fan would agree that guard is the least of our concerns at this point in time for next year’s roster.

 

[BUfan14]

How many starting caliber guards do we have this year? My only point is that we seem to have an incoming roster with an orgy of talent at guard and a dearth of talent at forward. If we can find another great guard, sure, bring him in, but I’m much more concerned with who will replace Davis and Hannah, and I don’t know that picking up a 6th guard outweighs that need. We all hope Atlason takes another step forward and Timoty can provide some strong minutes next year, but that’s not enough. I think most anyone avid fan would agree that guard is the least of our concerns at this point in time for next year’s roster.

I don’t disagree the 4-5 spots are big concerns and certainly need addressed, and I didn’t say guard was more of a concern than that. But there are going to need to be many needs addressed this recruiting cycle and I’m not quite ready to anoint three freshmen, and a sophomore and junior with no starting experience as enough to not focus on recruiting guards too. Those 5 guards have started a combined 2 college basketball games and none in 24-25.

We should still be recruiting everything at this point in my opinion. Also Davis mostly played the three spot for us, which I would consider a guard spot at most mid-major college basketball teams. I would think Brian would want a taller veteran three spot kind of guard like Davis as we will need a new primary defender on the perimeter again this year. So I agree replacing him is a big need. Has it been confirmed he can’t come back? I know some people mentioned he might be able to.