Bradley3342
New member
Ditto Tommy! Roger Phegley came to Bradley on a baseball scholarship and turned into a great basketball player and a career in the NBA.
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Emarion Ellis has left the Bradley program, and is "pursuing other opportunities".
- Thread starter Da Coach
- Start date
Terry Roberts? Yeah, no. He used Bradley to the next level - Georgia. Then used Georgia to (attempt to) jump to the NBA. Goes undrafted (no surprise) and was in basketball exile until recently picked up by a G League team. No way he would have stayed at Bradley. So let’s not lament his loss.
Mast left for a grad degree is my understanding. He wasn’t going to stay either.
Zek? Didn’t want to play the level of defense Wardle demanded - and NIL money. He could have been a “maybe” but I don’t think so.
The past is the past. Let’s leave it be.
tomahawk chop
Member
My comment would be that both sides are at fault here, the players coming here without the understanding that coach is more of an old style type that pushes his players to be the best they can be on defense and offense and runs tough practices. The coaches because he has brought in players that do not fit well with the way he coaches. Transfers that did not play much at all are hard to figure as far as what they can really contribute now. I would rather recruit D-2 players that have shown a lot of success at that level and are ready to move up.
Now we are in a mess and hopefully the players that are here can continue to play good and win many games. They all need our support.
Now we are in a mess and hopefully the players that are here can continue to play good and win many games. They all need our support.
BUBraves2006
New member
I've had the opportunity to read this entire thread after today's game, not before it. Here are my thoughts:
- It's completely unquestionable that we have been playing better since Ellis was buried on the bench. Yes, Hickman has been the biggest factor, but we have played much better since he hasn't been playing. We just absolutely spanked a decent Missouri State team and made them look awful even with our so called terrible depth.
- His play, which I'm on record was encouraging to start the season, completely fell off the table. Go back and watch the games - he couldn't be trusted to do much of anything other than turn the ball over when he was in the game.
- Count me in the group that YES, playing a walkon gives us a much better chance to win than a guy who was a net negative when out there. Your scholarship status is irrelevant when it comes to the fact of how you do or don't contribute to the team's success.
- It's a complete crapshoot with everyone in the portal. That is sort of why it is what it is. The best guys are generally going to stay at their programs. Has our success in finding good players been underwhelming? Yes, but I just don't know what the expectation level really is supposed to be.
- Bradley basketball has been in such a better place since Wardle got here, it's crazy to read such negativity coming off a conference title and while still having a good season so far this year. I want a team that plays the right way that never packs it in. And if some people aren't pulling on the chain in that way, I don't really care about their pedigree, last school, how much NIL money they got, etc. Either they are a fit or they are not.
10-5 and you'd think we were 5-10 the way some people complain on here.
- It's completely unquestionable that we have been playing better since Ellis was buried on the bench. Yes, Hickman has been the biggest factor, but we have played much better since he hasn't been playing. We just absolutely spanked a decent Missouri State team and made them look awful even with our so called terrible depth.
- His play, which I'm on record was encouraging to start the season, completely fell off the table. Go back and watch the games - he couldn't be trusted to do much of anything other than turn the ball over when he was in the game.
- Count me in the group that YES, playing a walkon gives us a much better chance to win than a guy who was a net negative when out there. Your scholarship status is irrelevant when it comes to the fact of how you do or don't contribute to the team's success.
- It's a complete crapshoot with everyone in the portal. That is sort of why it is what it is. The best guys are generally going to stay at their programs. Has our success in finding good players been underwhelming? Yes, but I just don't know what the expectation level really is supposed to be.
- Bradley basketball has been in such a better place since Wardle got here, it's crazy to read such negativity coming off a conference title and while still having a good season so far this year. I want a team that plays the right way that never packs it in. And if some people aren't pulling on the chain in that way, I don't really care about their pedigree, last school, how much NIL money they got, etc. Either they are a fit or they are not.
10-5 and you'd think we were 5-10 the way some people complain on here.
bigjimmy
Active member
In the portal era that we are living in for teams at the mid major level it's frankly a crap shoot. Thankfully Brian has done an outstanding job in bringing in freshman who are hard workers who also understand what Brian expects from them. They also have had at least a year or two of getting to know Brian and his staff through being recruited so they kind of know what to expect when they get here. Whereas the portal kids have maybe a couple of weeks and just don't understand what they are getting into. Both sides are trying to hit a bullseye while blindfolded and unfortunately it didn't work out in those 2 instances. In Brian's time here it seems like he ends up with a core 8 players by the end of the season that he trusts to play. Having reached that point now the margin of error and injury is smaller but from where I'm sitting I really like where our team is. A very cohesive, talented and committed unit ready to roll.
Why do you say the coaches paid them NIL money? What do you mean we are in over our heads in the portal?
I agree with you coach
Dub
New member
Still stoked after last night’s beat down. nice to see Hannah get a chance to build another windmill…
Portal: 20 years ago all of college bball was quite suspicious of any “transfer player” unless it was from JUCO. Of course there were exceptions, but as general pool of candidates, transfers were sus. Some folks even used the phrase “damaged goods.”
Now like 1/2 of all college players are essentially in that category. I think this might self regulate again as kids see what it does to their reputation and overall stock.
i barely know anyone on the other valley teams, which takes so much fun out of the game.
Portal: 20 years ago all of college bball was quite suspicious of any “transfer player” unless it was from JUCO. Of course there were exceptions, but as general pool of candidates, transfers were sus. Some folks even used the phrase “damaged goods.”
Now like 1/2 of all college players are essentially in that category. I think this might self regulate again as kids see what it does to their reputation and overall stock.
i barely know anyone on the other valley teams, which takes so much fun out of the game.
There are going to be missing in recruiting. I get that. This year was a complete wiff in the portal in a year we needed a starting caliber guard to maximize the roster. Atlason and Burch I like a lot for the future and they’re already solid contributors this year.
My biggest problem with this class was roster construction. Thomas wasn’t needed this year and with Deen, Hannah, and Leons all only guaranteed for this year (and really Hick for that matter in today’s world) we needed to go for it this year. Several of us saw the glaringly obvious need for a point guard and a wing and Ellis and Pettigrew were the staff’s answer. Several were excited about these additions, but I never was. Neither were a point guard, nor a shooter. When you start with you only real skill being athleticism, I’m not a fan. I prefer basketball skills over athleticism. I’ll take a chance on a guy like Davis and Atlason, who are not overly athletic, over an Ellis any day. Jonovic I’ve complained about being too unathletic, but even he has come around because he had some actual basketball skills. Burch is athletic, but was also a big time scorer at the rim and has a shot that isn’t too bad, on top of solid passing and ball handling skills. I don’t remember the exact stats, but I remember when we signed Pettigrew I saw his assist and turnover numbers last year and was confused that this was our choice.
Hannah has been the exception in a guy who started as just an athlete mostly, but he works exceptionally hard to improve and it took him three years to become good enough at the skills part to play consistently.
Brian does best with the “underdog” type recruits. Undersized guys like Deen, or chip on their shoulder like Hick. Keep going after those guys. Overall Brian has been a good recruiter to me, but the areas for improvement are transfer portal and overall roster construction. This year’s team still has 8 solid to good players. Let’s hope they hold up for two plus more months.
My biggest problem with this class was roster construction. Thomas wasn’t needed this year and with Deen, Hannah, and Leons all only guaranteed for this year (and really Hick for that matter in today’s world) we needed to go for it this year. Several of us saw the glaringly obvious need for a point guard and a wing and Ellis and Pettigrew were the staff’s answer. Several were excited about these additions, but I never was. Neither were a point guard, nor a shooter. When you start with you only real skill being athleticism, I’m not a fan. I prefer basketball skills over athleticism. I’ll take a chance on a guy like Davis and Atlason, who are not overly athletic, over an Ellis any day. Jonovic I’ve complained about being too unathletic, but even he has come around because he had some actual basketball skills. Burch is athletic, but was also a big time scorer at the rim and has a shot that isn’t too bad, on top of solid passing and ball handling skills. I don’t remember the exact stats, but I remember when we signed Pettigrew I saw his assist and turnover numbers last year and was confused that this was our choice.
Hannah has been the exception in a guy who started as just an athlete mostly, but he works exceptionally hard to improve and it took him three years to become good enough at the skills part to play consistently.
Brian does best with the “underdog” type recruits. Undersized guys like Deen, or chip on their shoulder like Hick. Keep going after those guys. Overall Brian has been a good recruiter to me, but the areas for improvement are transfer portal and overall roster construction. This year’s team still has 8 solid to good players. Let’s hope they hold up for two plus more months.
bradleyfan124
Active member
I felt Ellis didnt give himself a chance. It is hard to come back after being injured for quite awhile. It doesn't happen over night. One has to work at it. I think his skills would always be there. Generally the work ethics of American kids is terrible. They dont want to work at it. Everything's given to them. That is why foreign kids work well . They have better work ethic
LongTimeFan
Active member
Regardless of how you feel on the current team's makeup, I think most of will agree that Wardle needs to hit on the 2024 class. Johnson looks like he could be a good recruit, I know nothing about the Italian kid. Both of them are unsigned at this time.
I hope Deen and Hannah come back next year but it will be their covid year and they could transfer. Hannah may want to play with his brother? Linke and Biliew both will graduate this year but have a covid year left. Thomas is an unknown at this time. This leaves a lot of possible spots to fill and multiple positions.
I could use some help. Deen and Davis have been successful portal transfers. Have there been others? Howell was a fifth year transfer. I am not counting JC players like Leons and I think Roberts. On the down side of that is Kingsby, Nolan, East, Weathers , Ellis, and Pettigrew.
This is recent history pulled from our scholarship grid. However, I may have missed someone.
I hope Deen and Hannah come back next year but it will be their covid year and they could transfer. Hannah may want to play with his brother? Linke and Biliew both will graduate this year but have a covid year left. Thomas is an unknown at this time. This leaves a lot of possible spots to fill and multiple positions.
I could use some help. Deen and Davis have been successful portal transfers. Have there been others? Howell was a fifth year transfer. I am not counting JC players like Leons and I think Roberts. On the down side of that is Kingsby, Nolan, East, Weathers , Ellis, and Pettigrew.
This is recent history pulled from our scholarship grid. However, I may have missed someone.
houstonbrave
Member
Davion Hannah does not graduate until 2025 unless something has changed and Weathers was a JUCO transfer.
Bballjunkie
New member
Watched mason and zobrist from metamora last night. Zobrist can really shoot. Good size 6-5. Lefty. Mason is a very good athlete and great feel for the game. 6-2 and jumps well and he is a winning player.. I know he committed to d2 but both would be great gets for bu. Zobrist is a junior.
PhiAlphaBoy
Member
Like Indiana State.
PhiAlphaBoy
Member
I really like Thomas's upside. IMO he has the most quickness and best footwork of (arguably) any big Wardle has ever recruited at Bradley. I'd like to see him continue to get 5-8 mpg this year.
PhiAlphaBoy
Member
I could see this coming for a while now....regardless of the excuses this falls on the staff...something in the recruiting process is failing...period. Bradley is now one starters injury away from a dismal season, there is no depth to this team now and you cannot keep blaming the players all the time. The staff is held accountable in my world!
Best post of this thread.
speaking of Roger Phegley...
Did you know...
.. he appears on one of the most highly sought after photo basketball pocket schedules in the collectibles market.
It's actually a Larry Bird item- but Phegley is prominently featured.
Some people consider this Bird's true "PRE-rookie card"
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/yAwAAOSwtr1k02~x/s-l1600.jpg
if anyone's interested, I have one for sale..
Stevezall@yahoo.com
Member
I am worried we lost 2 potential portal players...now we have little depth. Coach Wardle will have to find another scholarship player this year to add depth.Otherwise, we are 1 injury away from being able to compete in the Valley. However, you never know as the season progresses...Birch, Atlason, Thomas, and our 7 foot 1 center could turn out to be enough to win the MVC tourney! That's really what it's all about anyway!
PhiAlphaBoy
Member
Really sweet yoda! Phegley, Robert Jenkins and Alex Mazeika?
Yes, Deen, Hannah, Linke, and Biliew are all seniors, and have the option to play an extra year. Of yes, they could transfer, but they could have transferred at any time in the past, as well. I think the chances are good that Deen and Hannah will be back, but as the song says, yajusneverno.
And Howell, Nolan, Deen, and Davis were arguably the most successful portal transfers. A couple others- Terry Nolan started every game and averaged 11.2 ppg in the 2020-21 season, and was the second-leading scorer on the team. Sean East had a pretty good season in 2020-21, too. He started and averaged 9.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 3.7 apg.
Howell was a portal transfer, but Pop Weathers was not. He came from juco.