-
Welcome to BradleyFans.com! Visitors are welcome, but we encourage you to sign up and register as a member. It's free and takes only a few seconds. Just click on the link to Register at the top right of the page, and follow instructions. If you have any problems or questions, click on the link at the bottom right of the page to Contact Us.
Max Bielfeldt
- Thread starter wizard1
- Start date
He is a 22 year old choosing a grad school... He doesn't owe anyone a thing, the landscape around him is changing dramatically, and he just found out he might get a free year of grad school at Stanford. Give the kid a chance to think things through... :roll:
I agree with you Wiz. When Max mentioned ISU it was like a slap in the face. What ever happened to "it would be fun to play for BU, in front of all my friends and family and at a university i grew up watching". Would love to see Max i a BU uniform. Just hope we are not wasting are valuable recruiting time on him. If I had a choice i'd rather have a four year player like Torres.
tornado
New member
I think Max is the ultimate in loyalty & class...
-he pledged to Michigan
-he gave up a year and sat out a year on instructions from the coach
-he sat the bench forever and played little even when he put up better numbers than plenty of the guys playing ahead of him
-he took the slap-in-the-face that his scholarship would be yanked and given to someone else very graciously
-he still even remained loyal and optimistic he might be able to stay on scholarship until the last minute
-he only now is realizing he will transfer so he hasn't had any time to talk with other coaches or visit other campuses - so he deserves some time to do so
-he is only attempting to transfer because it is one of his few remaining options
-he hasn't called any press conferences or gone high-profile in order to toot his own horn
-he's released an amazingly classy statement thanking Michigan & Coach B
-he's got only one year left and wants to play ball and be part of something special
I say give the kid all the time he needs and honor his decision even if it isn't what we want..
but, having said that, if I were advising Max, I'd say choose Bradley for the very best chance to play in front of family & friends, to play in front of big adoring crowds that will greatly appreciate your play, it's the best degree you could get, you will be part of something special and strongly on the way UP with other great players joining - instead of part of something mediocre that's headed DOWN with the best players bolting every season, and lastly - if your plan might be to play pro ball - note that more past BU played in the past 3 decades have gone on to play pro ball than any other MVC program.
Lastly - we have the best B-Dubs & steakhouses close to campus!
-he pledged to Michigan
-he gave up a year and sat out a year on instructions from the coach
-he sat the bench forever and played little even when he put up better numbers than plenty of the guys playing ahead of him
-he took the slap-in-the-face that his scholarship would be yanked and given to someone else very graciously
-he still even remained loyal and optimistic he might be able to stay on scholarship until the last minute
-he only now is realizing he will transfer so he hasn't had any time to talk with other coaches or visit other campuses - so he deserves some time to do so
-he is only attempting to transfer because it is one of his few remaining options
-he hasn't called any press conferences or gone high-profile in order to toot his own horn
-he's released an amazingly classy statement thanking Michigan & Coach B
-he's got only one year left and wants to play ball and be part of something special
I say give the kid all the time he needs and honor his decision even if it isn't what we want..
but, having said that, if I were advising Max, I'd say choose Bradley for the very best chance to play in front of family & friends, to play in front of big adoring crowds that will greatly appreciate your play, it's the best degree you could get, you will be part of something special and strongly on the way UP with other great players joining - instead of part of something mediocre that's headed DOWN with the best players bolting every season, and lastly - if your plan might be to play pro ball - note that more past BU played in the past 3 decades have gone on to play pro ball than any other MVC program.
Lastly - we have the best B-Dubs & steakhouses close to campus!
Max B.
Max B.
t....I don't really disagree with you regarding Max's loyalty or class....I just think he's taking a little too long to make up his mind and this is a situation where a lot of other people are going to be affected by what he decides. I do feel the ISU thing was not good on MBs part and the laundry list of schools he is considering is just a little too long and drawn out.
Max is a good guy and I hope he comes to Bradley but this process is taking too long IMO.
Wiz
Max B.
t....I don't really disagree with you regarding Max's loyalty or class....I just think he's taking a little too long to make up his mind and this is a situation where a lot of other people are going to be affected by what he decides. I do feel the ISU thing was not good on MBs part and the laundry list of schools he is considering is just a little too long and drawn out.
Max is a good guy and I hope he comes to Bradley but this process is taking too long IMO.
Wiz
tornado
New member
wiz- the terms of the scholarship agreement that he's still under until classes end - say he CANNOT talk to or pursue any other school until granted permission...
and he JUST received that permission Tuesday -- thus he's had less than 48 hours to actually talk to other coaches or see other campuses...
I sure didn't make my college or grad school choice in 48 hours - so I'd give Max a few more days...
and he JUST received that permission Tuesday -- thus he's had less than 48 hours to actually talk to other coaches or see other campuses...
I sure didn't make my college or grad school choice in 48 hours - so I'd give Max a few more days...
Max B.
Max B.
t....OKay....But that doesn't explain the Ill. St. thing or the long laundry list of schools. It seems to me that he could narrow things down if he wanted to. Also, its hard to believe that he didn't do a great deal of his homework on schools prior to getting the release from Mich. Do you know if he is going to come home and do any kind of visit to BU and talk to BW and CR?
Wiz
Max B.
t....OKay....But that doesn't explain the Ill. St. thing or the long laundry list of schools. It seems to me that he could narrow things down if he wanted to. Also, its hard to believe that he didn't do a great deal of his homework on schools prior to getting the release from Mich. Do you know if he is going to come home and do any kind of visit to BU and talk to BW and CR?
Wiz
tornado
New member
like all kids - he's probably enjoying the limelight & attention - and I am sure he is getting lots of calls from coaches wanting to talk & know his interests..
as is always the case - we will know when he signs the paperwork and none of the rumors is a guarantee - but...
the talk of Bradley started way, way before the talk of any other schools...
and it is the logical fit for his needs, for playing time, for how much he is wanted by the coaching staff (and not just because a school unexpectedly loses a starter and suddenly finds themselves sitting on an open scholarship like ISU), and..for a great degree, for family, & for a few other reasons as well.
If I were Max, I'd sure pick Bradley - let's see what he chooses...
Plus Max already likes playing at Carver Arena
as is always the case - we will know when he signs the paperwork and none of the rumors is a guarantee - but...
the talk of Bradley started way, way before the talk of any other schools...
and it is the logical fit for his needs, for playing time, for how much he is wanted by the coaching staff (and not just because a school unexpectedly loses a starter and suddenly finds themselves sitting on an open scholarship like ISU), and..for a great degree, for family, & for a few other reasons as well.
If I were Max, I'd sure pick Bradley - let's see what he chooses...
Plus Max already likes playing at Carver Arena
Max is in the rare situation of using this rule for the reason that it was put in place. He didn't necessarily want to leave Michigan but is going to use his time to make the right decision. I am a little confused as to why everyone here thinks he owes it to Bradley to finish up there. With Gilfillan on staff at ISU you could argue that there is more of a connection there. Danny Adam sat behind the ISU bench this year for a game and I am sure it had something to do with Gilfillan. Bradley or the other universities he is looking at are owed nothing by Max. Bradley will not contend next year. That is not a slam just a reality of a team with a new coach rebuilding. They're schools in the mix that are legit tourney contenders and can offer Max similar playing time as Bradley.
Mikovio
New member
Hey I don't blame him at all. He just got his release so he's been flooded with offers the last 48 hours and I'd certainly be hearing them out if I were in his shoes.
It's obviously fair to say Bradley won't be in at large contention but I think it remains to be seen how many wins Bradley might be capable of, and if I were in his shoes I'd be waiting to see how Wardle's recruiting efforts play out to see what I'd have around me. There's still a few more scholarships to give but he's stocked up on good players (ex-Mizzou commit, an all-state Indiana PG). It looks like the team will be young but we've seen young players do good things in the Valley. I think they at least have a shot of finishing in the top 6 and when that happens you never know at Arch Madness. Plus he can be part of a legitimate rebuild and play in front of the hometown crowd. But I'm an optimist.
If he goes somewhere else I'll wish him well, except ISU of course. No self respecting Peoria kid would choose I Screwed Up
It's obviously fair to say Bradley won't be in at large contention but I think it remains to be seen how many wins Bradley might be capable of, and if I were in his shoes I'd be waiting to see how Wardle's recruiting efforts play out to see what I'd have around me. There's still a few more scholarships to give but he's stocked up on good players (ex-Mizzou commit, an all-state Indiana PG). It looks like the team will be young but we've seen young players do good things in the Valley. I think they at least have a shot of finishing in the top 6 and when that happens you never know at Arch Madness. Plus he can be part of a legitimate rebuild and play in front of the hometown crowd. But I'm an optimist.
If he goes somewhere else I'll wish him well, except ISU of course. No self respecting Peoria kid would choose I Screwed Up
Redbird Recon
New member
He is planning a visit to Illinois State.
If he goes somewhere else I'll wish him well, except ISU of course. No self respecting Peoria kid would choose I Screwed Up
My thoughts exactly, great post Mikovio!
I may have missed it, but I have not seen a single Bradley fan, let alone "everyone here" who thinks Max "owes it to Bradley to finish up there".
Maybe you can understand why Bradley fans are anxious for him to make a decision, since Bradley has a lot of rebuilding to do, and Coach Wardle has a limited number of scholarships, but can you point out anyone who thinks Max owes anything to Bradley?
And this claim I am curious about-
I am not disputing you, but Mitch Gilfillan joined ISU 10 months ago in a non-coaching position. He graduated from Peoria Notre Dame in 2002, 9 years before Max graduated. And as far as I can see, he's spent the last 13 years away from Peoria. So just how close are they and what constitutes the connection?
I agree that ISU would be an appealing option for any 5th year grad transfer that wants playing time in the post position. But I am not seeing the advantage Gilfillan gives them.
The Bielfeldt family seems to be a lot closer connected to Bradley than ISU. Max's grandmother is a past member of the Bradley Board of trustees, and they've donated millions to Bradley.
https://campaign.bradley.edu/updates/bielfeldts.shtml
Like others here, I would like to see Max transfer to Bradley, but IMO, he owes Bradley nothing, and I'd wish him well wherever he goes.
Redbird Recon
New member
Mitch and Max have known each other for years. His brother played with Max on a really good team at PND.
This "long laundry list of schools" that you speak of isn't any different from other recruits. It's normal.
bradleyfan124
Active member
Mitch does not have a younger brother!!
and boom goes the dynamite! good call bradleyfan124, typical ISU fan has no idea what he is talking about.