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This week

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tomahawk chop

Well-known member
Hoping for news that at least 2 or more recruits commit by the end of next weekend. Need to get them early before the good ones are gone and we end up with the leftovers.
 
That may be true for some schools where NIL money is the biggest factor they use to lure recruits. And I know you are being somewhat sarcastic. But for mid-majors and low-majors, recruiting skills are just as important as ever, since they have much less NIL money to use to attract recruits. Bradley coaches spent time at junior college events last fall, and it has paid off with getting 2 of the top juco forwards in the country, and they are still involved with other jucos. And now the focus will also be on portal kids
 
Seems like JUCO’s and International players may be sweet spots for Wardle. He’s had really good success with the International kids, and a good rate on JUCO’s. Crazy world of recruiting these days.
 
The international players we have gotten in the past were not ready to play at this level for years. We need guys that can contribute now.
 
tomahawk chop said:
The international players we have gotten in the past were not ready to play at this level for years. We need guys that can contribute now.
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Rienk started 19 games his freshman year and averaged 9 pts / 6 rebounds. Plenty good coming right in from overseas.
 
Stryker said:
Rienk started 19 games his freshman year and averaged 9 pts / 6 rebounds. Plenty good coming right in from overseas.
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To clarify, Rienk sat out his true freshman year (2019-20) recovering from knee surgery. His redshirt freshman year (2020-21) was the first year he played at Bradley.
 
tomahawk chop said:
The international players we have gotten in the past were not ready to play at this level for years. We need guys that can contribute now.
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That is extremely subjective. What do you consider contributing for instance Almar averaged 4.6 pts and nearly 2 rebs as a freshman, Ville was 6.6 and 2.5. I think those numbers aren't bad for a freshman at the mm level.
 
egib52 said:
That is extremely subjective. What do you consider contributing for instance Almar averaged 4.6 pts and nearly 2 rebs as a freshman, Ville was 6.6 and 2.5. I think those numbers aren't bad for a freshman at the mm level.
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Those numbers stink if you want to win championships. Thing is if you train them for 2 seasons and they get much better they will leave for more money. We have to bring in players now that can actually contribute immediately because of NIL. JUCOS and transfers that have proven themselves are the way to go now if you ever expect to win many games. I would take the player from Illinois Wesleyan that is in the portal before any high school player with size.
 
You guys are crazy!!!! Money talks and we don’t have the money. You have to have a mix of high school, juco and overseas players. We are shopping the portal like we are getting a knock off pair of shoes. The state of college mid major basketball is in major jeopardy. I would just go after the best high school players and tell them after two year contract you can leave.
 
Landof10thcoaches said:
You guys are crazy!!!! Money talks and we don’t have the money. You have to have a mix of high school, juco and overseas players. We are shopping the portal like we are getting a knock off pair of shoes. The state of college mid major basketball is in major jeopardy. I would just go after the best high school players and tell them after two year contract you can leave.
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I disagree, in this mixed up basketball economy. There are very few freshmen that can come in and seriously help you win a Valley tournament championship…which is all that matters, assuming that the goal remains the same: Advance to the NCAA tournament and win games.

You are better off with mature-bodied guys who fell out of high major lineups with a chip on their shoulder, strong JUCO guys with something more to prove, overseas guys, etc. Investing floor time in promising freshmen looking to jump out of your program as soon as they can catch someone’s eye is a recipe for getting zero return on investment.

If winning games in NCAA tournament is no longer the goal, then it’s a different conversation.

I really think we just need to hang on until they change this for the better. Limits on transfer, multi year contracts, etc. something has to give here.
 
Landof10thcoaches said:
You guys are crazy!!!! Money talks and we don’t have the money. You have to have a mix of high school, juco and overseas players. We are shopping the portal like we are getting a knock off pair of shoes. The state of college mid major basketball is in major jeopardy. I would just go after the best high school players and tell them after two year contract you can leave.
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Since when are there contracts?Contracts are made to be broken.
 
tomahawk chop said:
Those numbers stink if you want to win championships. Thing is if you train them for 2 seasons and they get much better they will leave for more money. We have to bring in players now that can actually contribute immediately because of NIL. JUCOS and transfers that have proven themselves are the way to go now if you ever expect to win many games. I would take the player from Illinois Wesleyan that is in the portal before any high school player with size.
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You have seriously unrealistic expectations. First of all most teams only play 7 or 8. Second you aren't going to get 6 transfers who averages double figures. Those numbers are very respectable for role players. Not everyone will be all Valley.
 
Watching tonight’s NCAA final I learned that the starting 5 players for Michigan are all transferring players. Therefore, that is the formula for successful programs. I don’t know what each player is paid, but it appears to be relevant is to how politics works. 😁
 
I think we should reevaluate what goals to have as fans for a season in this new era.

After this season, big whoop if you make the Big Dance if you're just gonna fall flat on your face like UNI. That made winning Arch Madness not such a big deal in my mind. I mean really - UNI didn't have a very good season and they underachieved despite a long weekend in early March. Maybe I don't have the same lens as most, and I'm fine with that! Would rather have ended the season doing what ISU-red did (making NIT Final 4) than what UNI did (win Arch Madness but get poached in the Big Dance).

I feel differently and can't explain why. I just don't personally think making the NCAA tourney anymore is that much bigger than other goals, as it's contingent as a mid major to win 3 straight games. There's just so much more that makes a season a great one. Plus the tourney and system is now set up to minimize upsets of mid majors and keep the big name schools alive. It was different when mid majors had a legit shot to win and advance to the Sweet 16.

With the challenges BU is faced, I think winning 20+ games and making a run in St. Lou is darn good. We did that last season - may be tougher to do it again next season.

What I also want is to get guys who are committed to staying for at least 2 seasons, which JaQuan did. As much as we didn't want or think he should go, he gave us the most of his 2 seasons.
Sucks to have Kai Yu and Wheeler depart after only giving 1 season. But it's hard to entice these kids to stay even with the culture that Wardle has built.
 
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