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Zek enters the portal
- Thread starter BU freak
- Start date
Nashville Cat
Member
Those guys left pre-NIL. There were tangible circumstances that influenced them. Today's players are leaving for money.
There is no way to know that, and most kids will tell you "yes" if you asked them. I'll bet prior to today, even Zek would have said he was committed to Bradley if he was asked.
There is tampering going on all over the place. Much of it involves promises of NIL money, but not always.
Complete disappointment that 20 some year old kids are making life decisions on the all mighty dollar.
Influenced by promises of money and possible playing time at Power 6 school. I am sure they are not thinking
about what will happen when they recruit over you and there you sit with no more money and no where to go after.
Influenced by promises of money and possible playing time at Power 6 school. I am sure they are not thinking
about what will happen when they recruit over you and there you sit with no more money and no where to go after.
Nashville Cat
Member
Well said
Tommy
Well-known member
I agree. I think in time this will all work itself out one way or another. Still, this paying players with no contractual agreement along with what seems to be a wide open portal has seemingly created a monster that may be too big to reel in. Time will tell.
Zek will be interesting to watch his market and subsequent career develop. Who will be interested? Will he play much? He will have to take a BIG step forward to do so. I certainly can't see big things on a high major winner. He developed a lot last year, but will still just average at this point. He is replaceable.
I now 100% want to restate we desperately need to find AT LEAST one shooter and a point guard. We are incredibly thin at guard/wing. Hickman, Deen, and zero other guards with experience. Burch will hopefully be here as well, but I'm sure will have a learning curve on both sides of the ball in D1.
I now 100% want to restate we desperately need to find AT LEAST one shooter and a point guard. We are incredibly thin at guard/wing. Hickman, Deen, and zero other guards with experience. Burch will hopefully be here as well, but I'm sure will have a learning curve on both sides of the ball in D1.
tomahawk chop
Member
Zek is a good player at Bradley but not sure if he will fit in at a bigger school because most of them makes promises and then the players end up being role type of players. I can see him and Mast getting less minutes somewhere else plus not the same fan fare that they got at Bradley. I also remember that coach took Zek as a late recruitment player because no one else was offering him a full ride.
tomahawk chop
Member
Not so sure about this evening out since you are dealing with young kids that obviously are more into money then loyalty.
I've heard from a couple very knowledgeable college basketball guys that they believe this as well.
Tommy
Well-known member
You nailed it, bro. I have a bad feeling we are going to lose out on Burch, though.
Tommy
Well-known member
Negative Nelly!
haha! Guilty as charged! It's definitely the mood I'm in right now after this news about Zek. I just don't like losing players I've grown to love. This was tough news for me today, but I know BW will find a way to deal with it.
Thanks for keeping me in check.
haha! Guilty as charged! It's definitely the mood I'm in right now after this news about Zek. I just don't like losing players I've grown to love. This was tough news for me today, but I know BW will find a way to deal with it.
Thanks for keeping me in check.
Well, I wish I could reassure you that Burch will sign with Bradley in 2 weeks when the signing period starts. But this NIL stuff has turned the recruiting game into the wild west, kind of like recruiting was in the 1960's and earlier when there were few rules, and no enforcement of what rules there were.
It reminds me of this recruiting story that has been told for many years about Joe Stowell's recruiting of Chet Walker to Bradley-
‘Hijacked’ to Peoria: How Chet Walker became a Brave
https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/...w/41973225007/
This NLI money now also reminds me of the University of Illinois "Slush Fund" scandal from the 1960's that resulted in Steve Kuberski transferring to Bradley.
https://ussporthistory.com/2014/10/2...al-of-1966-67/
tomahawk chop
Member
They will want Burch after he proves he is a good player at Bradley.
BradleyBiz
New member
If anything, Zek's departure may firm up Burch's commitment. There are more minutes available now and he can seize the opportunity if he works hard over the summer and early season.
LittleBrave
Active member
Those guys didn’t have the athleticism and potential that Zek has. Zek also a very good defender. He was one of my favorites last season.
Ouch
bigjimmy
Active member
Have to say I’m a little surprised to see Zek go elsewhere after his 2nd year, (unless there are circumstances we just don’t know about). He needs another year to get better as a player and an athlete and he’d have been one of the main focuses at BU. I just don’t think he’s a starter at a Power 5 school next season. Hopefully he finds what he’s looking for. Just have to trust Wardle and the coaching staff have been ready for all of the possibilities and that we’ll have a team that contends for another championship.