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If you were coach- What would you do with open scholarship

Da Coach

Da Coach

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I don't pretend to tell Coach Les what he should do, as if he cares what I think anyway.

But what would you do if you were the coach of the Bradley team, and you had the extra scholarship open up this late?
Some have said we should hold onto the ride until next year's class (Class of 2008). Maybe that is the best idea, but rather than let it go idle for the next year, if there was a player who could help Bradley, why not use it for a 2-year kid that could help.

My thoughts--
If there is still a chance to get a player like Demetrius Young, I'd like to see a player with his skills here. Bradley should be a better rebounding team with Collins, Austin, Theron Wilson, and a healthy Sam Singh, but they are unproven, and another rebounder whom could score wouldn't hurt.

Because of the injury to Jeremy Crouch, maybe if there is another solid shooter among remaining juco players, it would be a good idea to have another one off the bench. I doubt there are any great shooters left out there, but if there is, Jim Les probably knows about them. Some of the top 3-point shooting guards from juco are still available--
http://njcaa.org/sports.cfm?menu=3&...nselect=347&report_id=2268&requesttimeout=500 (ignore the top kid who is listed as shooting 78.75%- his stats are erroneous)

And 1 other kid that might be a player that Bradley could use--
DeAndre Miranda is still available--
Story on front page of Jucojunction-- http://jucojunction.rivals.com/

Article (premium)--
http://jucojunction.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=673676

I recall watching DeAandre in high school at Peoria Central, and he was a very skilled player. It sounds like his only offers are from Stony Brook and Wyoming.
http://jucojunction.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=67510

Stats- DeAndre actually lead his team in scoring, though he averaged a modest 10.2 ppg and 5.5 rpg.--
http://www.cfcc.cc.fl.us/departments/sa/athletics/mensbb/0607seasonstats.htm

http://www.cfcc.cc.fl.us/departments/sa/athletics/mbasket.htm

Any other opinions?
 
For me, at this point, I'd hold it open. Seems like we have some good prospects for 2008, and not a lot of 08 scholarships to go around.

I also don't really want another JUCO because our program will get savaged by graduation in 2 years at this point, and another would only "make it worse." If there was a very good 4-year player left out there, that would be the only thing I personally would consider.
 
Personally, I don't want to give one just to give one. If there's a guy out there who we think could contribute immediately (preferably in the backcourt), then I would say use it. If not, I would say bank it and go for broke with next year's class.
 
I tell D. Williams that there is an open ride that will not be filled. If he can some how get his credits at ICC over the summer its there for him. If not I leave it open unless I can get a Jr College kid that is good enough to make a difference on next years team.
 
mexicobufan said:
I tell D. Williams that there is an open ride that will not be filled. If he can some how get his credits at ICC over the summer its there for him. If not I leave it open unless I can get a Jr College kid that is good enough to make a difference on next years team.
Click to expand...

Interesting thought. If DW did somehow qualify, do you think Jim would invite him back? If he could get his grades in order, I would certainly take him.
 
But I heard that the courses ICC steered him into are not ones that will transfer to Bradley with any credit. Even if he does complete coursework and graduate, I don't think he'll be eligible at Bradley. ICC has failed him.

I think a scholarship is too valuable to let sit idle. And there is no guarantee we will get the kids we're after for 2008 anyway. Some have already committed elsewhere like Freundt, and others are now above Bradley. I'd use the scholarship now for a juco who will help.
 
I would leave it open for next seasons class because we should have enough good players for 2007-2008 and if Williams had any chance their would not have been an announcement so he will not be coming to Bradley.
 
smitty said:
But I heard that the courses ICC steered him into are not ones that will transfer to Bradley with any credit. Even if he does complete coursework and graduate, I don't think he'll be eligible at Bradley. ICC has failed him.

I think a scholarship is too valuable to let sit idle. And there is no guarantee we will get the kids we're after for 2008 anyway. Some have already committed elsewhere like Freundt, and others are now above Bradley. I'd use the scholarship now for a juco who will help.
Click to expand...

I also have experienced this all too well, and had to make up for it when I got to Bradley. Fortunately I will still graduate on time!
 
Great job Stryker, congratulations!!! Now when you graduate you need to get a high paying job and donate a good percentage of it to Bradley Basketball.........
 
There seems to be some good prospects that BU is in on in '08. I say bank the scholarship. I know no coach likes to do this, but it may work out better in the long run.
 
I think it's pretty simple. If coach Les finds an "impact player" available, either juco or 4 year, he will use the schollie....I doubt very seriously that JL is going to give away a scholorship to a "middle of the road player" at this point. I think we have a chance to be successful with the players we have. Their is no point in giving a scholorship to someone just because it is available now. Take your chances on using it next year on a player that can come in and be a difference maker.
 
I would give it to one of the walk ons for a year and make sure they know it is for just one year....... maybe even Thorton...
 
catpkt said:
I would give it to one of the walk ons for a year and make sure they know it is for just one year....... maybe even Thorton...
Click to expand...

If we're not going to use it on another guy, I would have no problem with this.
 
thefish7 said:
I don't really think it's appropriate to give it to a player for just one year...
Click to expand...

Why?

If it is going unused and can be used to provide a years worth of free education for one of the athletes on the team, then there really should be no reason to not give the one year ride to a walk on.
 
houstontxbrave said:
thefish7 said:
I don't really think it's appropriate to give it to a player for just one year...
Click to expand...

Why?

If it is going unused and can be used to provide a years worth of free education for one of the athletes on the team, then there really should be no reason to not give the one year ride to a walk on.
Click to expand...

I agree... Why not do this?????
 
If I were coach?

If I were coach?

I'd hold the scholarship for the next class (08) - hopefully for an incoming freshman or best available student athlete (juco, transfer or whatever)! How it's focused would obviously depend heavily on how this current incoming class pans out! Remember we only have 200 minutes per game to meter out so you all do the math - somebody(s) in this incoming class is not going to be happy - figure Crouch and Ruff are going to get 65 - 75 minutes of that per game total. Salley and Warren are going to take another 50+ minutes. That leaves 75-85 minutes for the remaining 8 players, who if they all live up to their billing, as so many posters on this blog project they will - well if I'm coach I'm going to red shirt somebody or somebodies next year!

And - if the 3 point line moves back as predicted you may be looking for a pure shooting specialist - not the greatest athelete (can't defend well, can't rebound with the bigs, can't run the floor well - but when you need a 3 from long range he's our man!) He won't play many minutes but when the chips are down and we need points he's coming in for offense only! Maybe plays 75% of the games and never for more than 5 mpg! Maybe that's Thornton but we will need somebody that's got that 21 foot range - w/ 40+% accuracy - RT didn't do that @ UWM - but maybe he'll progress!

As to DW - look, this young man has had 3 yrs (+ 4 summer sessions) to accumulate enough credited courses to certainly be an incoming junior - anywhere! Offering a scholarship would at best be a risk to my program - the best I could do for him is offer a 'walk-on' - with conditions! Otherwise I think he'd be better served somewhere else that's willing to take risks to get players!

Just my opinion!
 
houstontxbrave said:
thefish7 said:
I don't really think it's appropriate to give it to a player for just one year...
Click to expand...

Why?

If it is going unused and can be used to provide a years worth of free education for one of the athletes on the team, then there really should be no reason to not give the one year ride to a walk on.
Click to expand...

One of the current walk-ons has a daddy who makes a ton and a half of cash at Cat. I say if we're giving it to anyone, give it to Thorton. Otherwise bank it.
 
catpkt said:
I would give it to one of the walk ons for a year and make sure they know it is for just one year....... maybe even Thorton...
Click to expand...

It would seem a little odd to give a one-year scholarship to just one of the walk ons, unless one of them was contributing a lot more than the other walk ons. I say bank it unless Les can get an impact juco or a 4-year.
 
If yoy find someone out there worth it (not just someone to fill it) then use it. I'm sure there may be a few out there. If you can't get someone worth it, pocket it until next year.... 8)
 
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