I know it is tough to recruit. Plus I would believe that it is even tougher to recruit to a team like Bradley, a non-elite "mid-major". If a kid is popular on the AAU circuit or great on his H.S. team he turns his attention to the "major" schools. Even if he isn't tall enough, quick enough, a good enough shooter, the kid still thinks big things because that is what he is told by his peers and family. Unfortunately, with the instant media there are fewer and fewer kids that go unnoticed. Most kids see a bottom level BCS school as greater than a Bradley or ISU. Other kids think they are going to go to an Illinois or maybe even Wichita State and beat someone out. I think that as unpopular as it can be, JUCOs and transfers may be the new wave to build teams. Those kids may have not made grades (JUCO) or learned that they would always get recruited over (transfer) and never get their chance. Its unfortunate that some of the kids don't understand that they could come in to a place like Bradley, and maybe not start right away but walk away like Andrew Warren or Walt Lemon, with the admiration of tons of Bradley fans.
I get tired of reading the back and forth between JL supporters and GF supporters as to which is the better recruiter. I personally wouldn't care who was in charge if we got to the point of Creighton, Gonzaga or Wichita State. I support the Bradley Braves, coaches come and go. I wish I was old enough to have seen the glory years that many of you speak of because I have great pride regarding it, and I didn't get to experience.
Sorry for the long winded message, but my original point was going to be roster composition. A. I think ideally you want class balance so that you never have to bring in a ton of players; its hard enough to find 3 good players in a class 5-6 is impossible. I would love to see a roster that had 6-7 high IQ or shooters, and 5-6 athletic/size players who may not be skilled. If you have high IQ players on the team (Sammy, J Les) they can run the show even if they aren't as athletic or skilled. The shooters are obvious as in today's game threes and ft are critical. JC was not a lights out shooter as freshman, but look how he developed. They athletes add a critical component as they can be game changers with timely dunks, steals or blocks. The size guys follow the old adage regarding you can't teach height. You are going to fail developing these guys from time-to-time, but when you hit (POB) you have something special.
As I lead with, I do not envy recruiting these kids who get hyped into believing they are each going to the NBA. Bradley (no matter how much I wish it was) is not an athletics school. Students don't go to the games, the atmosphere at the games is not exciting, and we aren't winning. If you were a top 150 kid what would you think (those that go)?
I am supportive of Bradley. I think its good be a critical fan, but in the end we all want a winning program.
