Two Bradley Freshmen to redshirt

[AZ BU Fan]

Not a lot of risk having JP start off as a potential RS.

If AT/SS/WE don't pan out as planned, someone gets hurt, or JP becomes a TB like monster in practice, JP could come off RS, couldn't he, and only miss some garbage time in FH games of the season?

If AT/SS/WE pan out this year, what a bonus to have JP for another 4 years since AT/WE will be gone after another 2 years....Locks up center position at BU for 5 years! Sweet....

 

[ghunt]

I agree with you lefty. To be honest I think most of the poster's on here was thinking there could/would be a couple RS's this year. The surprised was JP with out a doubt! I think everyone was thinking guards (JE & SED) was the best bet. But some may of been thinking MK as one. Myself I thought there was a chance because of the depth that there would be 3 and JP was not one of them. But after Sunday's game with JP only jogging 3 minutes at the end, with both AT and MK getting more playing time, it was a red flag to me! Not saying I was thinking RS but there was a message there! Well it was close to 3 with a last minute change of mine by JL and the coaching staff on SED. Not sure why not RS him because we have so many guards with 3 having point guard experience. Also as I found out you can bring a player out of RS at any time.
I never started a thread or post about RSing because there is at least one who have in the past when the subject of RSing was posted would go nuts :lol:

Could there also be surprise and disappointment of some fans' parts due to expectations? This is an honest question since I have not liven in Peoria for years and only have posts here from the past couple of years as well as reading what is apparently everyone's here favorite newpaper (online). All that I had read really seemed to have billed Prosser as a stud--area player of the year and all that. Given Central IL being a baskeball breadbasket/Hoosierland varient, the top player would seem to be pretty good (and likely is).

So, I guess I am honestly asking for the latest assessments of folks here who likely have seen him in live action--where does he stand skill-wise--strenghts, weaknesses, etc.? Unlike AT, we know it isn't size. Thanks in advance for any descrptions, I'm curious.

 

[thefish7]

Umm, I am not sure how to respond to this--Marcellus was a stud a in terms of build and was 6'7" but he had dreams of playing a perimiter and face up game in the NBA, but at the college level with his athleticism he needed to establsih himself in the post then move to the outside game as a gem progressed--down the stretch in '06 he did that and flourished. Salley was a 4 who was on record thinking he was more suited as a three (realistically, no, but he sais as much) but forced to play a 5. Zach was a 5 who was athletic enough to go 4 in those instances when we needed to go big. I am not sure how you can call a 6'6' guy (TB) an undersized college 3.

I've met cellus several times and he's 6'5 max and while he's a great athlete he's not a "big man." in college he's a perfect 3. In traditional thinking he's undersized at the 4 position. Most college programs don't have a good sized skilled 4 so it was no big deal. Don't misunderstand me. He was great for us and is one of my favorite braves ever but he didn't have a lot of low post game on either end of the floor and for that reason he's not a good example of a traditional 4. Not sure why you think I think tb is an undersized 3... I thik he's an undersized 4.

 

[Out of Balance]

Could there also be surprise and disappointment of some fans' parts due to expectations? This is an honest question since I have not liven in Peoria for years and only have posts here from the past couple of years as well as reading what is apparently everyone's here favorite newpaper (online). All that I had read really seemed to have billed Prosser as a stud--area player of the year and all that. Given Central IL being a baskeball breadbasket/Hoosierland varient, the top player would seem to be pretty good (and likely is).

So, I guess I am honestly asking for the latest assessments of folks here who likely have seen him in live action--where does he stand skill-wise--strenghts, weaknesses, etc.? Unlike AT, we know it isn't size. Thanks in advance for any descrptions, I'm curious.

Without a doubt the expectations were very high and for some fans they had him as the second coming to BU BB. That being said, I don't think any of the fans think less of the kid and view it as the best chance for JP to develop into that stud in the MVC. JL and the coach's view this as a positive move and who better to know. I am sure the kid wanted to play this year but if he looks deep inside and puts trust in the coach's, someday he will look back and say, best move I ever made. I said it before about JP and its true for all kids, its one hell of a jump from HS BB to D1 college! Just because you are a stud in HS does not mean you will be one in college, where the playing field and players are at a much higher level. JP has all the tools, and I think the future will be very big for him if he works hard at it!

 

[lefty]

Without a doubt the expectations were very high and for some fans they had him as the second coming to BU BB. That being said, I don't think any of the fans think less of the kid and view it as the best chance for JP to develop into that stud in the MVC. JL and the coach's view this as a positive move and who better to know. I am sure the kid wanted to play this year but if he looks deep inside and puts trust in the coach's, someday he will look back and say, best move I ever made. I said it before about JP and its true for all kids, its one hell of a jump from HS BB to D1 college! Just because you are a stud in HS does not mean you will be one in college, where the playing field and players are at a much higher level. JP has all the tools, and I think the future will be very big for him if he works hard at it![/quote

I agree....also it seems to me it's easier for a freshman guard to contribute to a D-1 program than a freshman big. Guards don't typically get quicker as they get older but big guys can get quicker and for sure stronger. Maybe JP's position will be defined during the year to know if he'll be a 4 or 5 . This gives him a chance to really work on that aspect. Going against guys 3-4 years older as a big man is not an easy task for a freshman. Look at POB, he was 7' and it wasn't until the latter part of soph year before he really came into his own. This will be great for JP and while it would have been fun to him play this year it will be more fun to see him play significant minutes for 4 years

 

[thefish7]

Could there also be surprise and disappointment of some fans' parts due to expectations? This is an honest question since I have not liven in Peoria for years and only have posts here from the past couple of years as well as reading what is apparently everyone's here favorite newpaper (online). All that I had read really seemed to have billed Prosser as a stud--area player of the year and all that. Given Central IL being a baskeball breadbasket/Hoosierland varient, the top player would seem to be pretty good (and likely is).

So, I guess I am honestly asking for the latest assessments of folks here who likely have seen him in live action--where does he stand skill-wise--strenghts, weaknesses, etc.? Unlike AT, we know it isn't size. Thanks in advance for any descrptions, I'm curious.

I'm a fan who thought jp had a chance to make a splash as a freshman but I'm not disappointed. Through my admittedly rose colored glasses it says more about the status of we and at than it says about jp.

 

[real fan]

It is my understanding that details of how many minutes you think these players are going to get this season is laid out and the players make their own choice on whether to redshirt or not, there is no doubt that the extra year on the backside is huge when you look at the overall picture, it also is good from the scholastic side as it gives them more time to work on their studies their freshman year and also gives them 5 years to get their degree.

 

[Braves4Life]

It is my understanding that details of how many minutes you think these players are going to get this season is laid out and the players make their own choice on whether to redshirt or not, there is no doubt that the extra year on the backside is huge when you look at the overall picture, it also is good from the scholastic side as it gives them more time to work on their studies their freshman year and also gives them 5 years to get their degree.

Yes! I agree. College basketball was a lot "cleaner" and more pure back when there was the "freshman ineligible" rule.

http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/2009/06/15/0615sptcol.html

 

[runninfiend]

Mistake. Prosser could well have been the best big on this team by season's end and made an immediate impact. Egolf, Thompson, and Singh just aren't that impressive. It's not like JP is immature or has a body that isn't strong enough; he's ready physically and skill-wise to play now and has far more talent than any of the other bigs.

 

[mrcoachdude]

I probably know JP's game as good as most who post...and he could have played an intregal part this season...but sometimes the wise thing to do is the BEST thing to do

I don't think I hyped him beyond his abilities...in fact I think most of what I said regarded him as a person and how he would make a GREAT Brave and make BU....Eureka/Goodfield proud....he is well on his way

I am looking forward to what the future has for him....

 

[ph]

Mistake. Prosser could well have been the best big on this team by season's end and made an immediate impact. Egolf, Thompson, and Singh just aren't that impressive. It's not like JP is immature or has a body that isn't strong enough; he's ready physically and skill-wise to play now and has far more talent than any of the other bigs.

Even if your immediate impact statement is true, Prosser will be even better his 5th year than he'd be this year. Redshirting is not a mistake if you would like to have another great year in college before getting into the "real world"
Much like Andrew Warren will be much, much better next year than he was as a frosh..

 

[tornado]

The misleading headline does hurt, I think, because it gives a false impression....

absolutely right...it hurts recruiting efforts if someone can pull that headline out against you...
thankfully the correction appeared today...

Page 3 of the Sports section, but inconspicuous and at the extreme bottom left..

"CORRECTION
Redshirt was Prosser's choice:
Jordan Prosser, a Bradley bas-
ketball freshman from Eureka,
decided to accept the coaches'
suggestion that he redshirt this
season. A secondary headline
in Thursday editions of the
Journal Star incorrectly stated
Bradley made Prosser redshirt."

 

[Double D]

Mistake. Prosser could well have been the best big on this team by season's end and made an immediate impact. Egolf, Thompson, and Singh just aren't that impressive. It's not like JP is immature or has a body that isn't strong enough; he's ready physically and skill-wise to play now and has far more talent than any of the other bigs.

I am a big JP fan and while I appreciate your enthusiasm...you haven't been paying attention to Will Egolf. 6-9 232 lb players with his type of athleticism don't come around very often. It hasn't been a coincidence that the moment he was moved to the 5 spot our team was immediately better. His quickness in the post (esp. on defense) is a rarity. JP is going to be good one for BU, but right now Will is the obvious starter.

 

[SaintLouBrave22]

I am a big JP fan and while I appreciate your enthusiasm...you haven't been paying attentions to Will Egolf. 6-9 232 lb players with his type of athleticism don't come around very often. It hasn't been a coincidence that the moment he was moved to the 5 spot our team was immediately better. His quickness in the post (esp. on defense) is a rarity. JP is going to be good one for BU, but right now Will is the obvious starter.

Thank you for stating what SHOULD be obvious to most people by now...

 

[Da Coach]

Indiana State will redshirt all 4 of their incoming freshmen-
http://www.gosycamores.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15200&ATCLID=204832741

 

[runninfiend]

I am a big JP fan and while I appreciate your enthusiasm...you haven't been paying attention to Will Egolf. 6-9 232 lb players with his type of athleticism don't come around very often. It hasn't been a coincidence that the moment he was moved to the 5 spot our team was immediately better. His quickness in the post (esp. on defense) is a rarity. JP is going to be good one for BU, but right now Will is the obvious starter.

I'm going to take issue with you a bit here. The main weakness of this team is going to be the frontcourt, particularly scoring. SS is a just a body, fair defensive player but can't score the ball to save his life. WE really has yet to prove himself offensively--he's a plodder type in my eyes, and is also an injury risk. AT is soft, until otherwise proven.

The reason you redshirt freshmen is to give them an extra year to grown, physically mature, develop. I don't think JP needed that this year. He already has D-1 physicality and has something the other BU bigs don't--the ability to score from anywhere inside the arc. He's also a beast on the boards. JP would have made a great addition in the rotation and, I think, even challenged for a starting role. Carlton Fay stepped right in and was an immediate factor for SIU, JP is better than CF.

What's done is done, and ultimately it might work out, I just think for the '09-10 season, BU is going to lose a lot of games due to front court shortcomings, something you can't afford in this physical league. It's a mistake to leave out a puzzle piece that would have helped shore up those shortcomings.

 

[dogsrus]

The reason you redshirt freshmen is to give them an extra year to grown, physically mature, develop. I don't think JP needed that this year. He already has D-1 physicality and has something the other BU bigs don't--the ability to score from anywhere inside the arc. He's also a beast on the boards. JP would have made a great addition in the rotation and, I think, even challenged for a starting role.

IF Prosser was all that right now they would have never r/s'd him....he was a "beast" in HS because MOST kids are 6'3" and below. He's playing with men now...not boys.

He'll be fine and even better now that he's sitting a year.

 

[amckillip]

I'm going to take issue with you a bit here. The main weakness of this team is going to be the frontcourt, particularly scoring. SS is a just a body, fair defensive player but can't score the ball to save his life. WE really has yet to prove himself offensively--he's a plodder type in my eyes, and is also an injury risk. AT is soft, until otherwise proven.

The reason you redshirt freshmen is to give them an extra year to grown, physically mature, develop. I don't think JP needed that this year. He already has D-1 physicality and has something the other BU bigs don't--the ability to score from anywhere inside the arc. He's also a beast on the boards. JP would have made a great addition in the rotation and, I think, even challenged for a starting role. Carlton Fay stepped right in and was an immediate factor for SIU, JP is better than CF.

What's done is done, and ultimately it might work out, I just think for the '09-10 season, BU is going to lose a lot of games due to front court shortcomings, something you can't afford in this physical league. It's a mistake to leave out a puzzle piece that would have helped shore up those shortcomings.

IF Prosser was all that right now they would have never r/s'd him....he was a "beast" in HS because MOST kids are 6'3" and below. He's playing with men now...not boys.

He'll be fine and even better now that he's sitting a year.

I agree with Dogs here. JL's no fool. If Prosser was ANYWHERE close to challenging for a starting position he wouldn't be redshirted. Last year I was hoping JP would be instant impact, but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen. I'm glad he's redshirting now, the long term effects will be great.

 

[runninfiend]

IF Prosser was all that right now they would have never r/s'd him....he was a "beast" in HS because MOST kids are 6'3" and below. He's playing with men now...not boys.

Bull. The kid has played at camps all over with blue chip big men, and he can hold his own with anybody. The high school competition argument is weak.

Hey, in a few years it will be a good move, but this year BU is going to hurt down low. The three bigs aren't that great and you're just not going to rebound all that effectively out of four guard sets.

 

[tornado]

My guess is that most of the flamers who are trashing JP for redshirting have no clue what the situation is and what college sports are all about..
In the end Prosser even gets an extra full year of college/grad school paid for!
The same people ripping on JP for redshirting were probably the ones ripping on Egolf for not doing it as a freshman.