Perspective

[Clock_Tower]

The animosity on this Board has hit a new peak. What a shame. Even worse, how boring are your posts. Do many of you have nothing else to do in your lives but to continually post the same things as if you're fighting yourselves! Contradicting what you said last week or even last month.

Last time I checked, SLU has a winning season and is lead by 2 promising sophomores. New facilities are underway and we have a promising AD at the helm. Of course we need more recruits and, sure, it is quite debateable whether or not Brad is best to continuing leading SLU especially as we get set to for new era in the new arena. But why go off the deep and act like lunatics?

By that I mean:

1. Ask yourself if SLU really is a guy's first choice if he verbally commits to another school 6 months prior to his early signing period? Facts please and not rumors and second hand gossip.

2. Just because Brad has not been able to land a few guys (Stemler, legit PF,etc.), do you really think Brad doesn't make the effort? is not smart enough to evaluate talent? shows no interest or not enough interest? Again, facts and not opinions.

3. If TL flat out tells a respected poster/insider that SLU made no offer to him just prior to committing to SLU, why should we abandon logic and believe anything recruits (especially those on the day they are announcing their decision in favor of another school) say with the pressure and spotlight on them. These recruits have had coaches express interest in them dating back to Jr. High if not before. Could they not be trying to intentionally mislead people because the pressure on them is so great? Could a 16 or 17 year kids not express his thoughts as well as a middle-aged alumni fan? Could he even be misquoted or taken out of context?

4. Is Brad supposed to express interest and offer a scholarship generally to an underclassmen or is he to hold and guarantee a scholarship to a guy most seem to confirm is only a "second tier" recruit who may or may not turn into something special. Have not most on this Board already given their thoughts on how Brad should recruit but now, when faced with a mild disappointment, not follow their own comments or what that just yesterday's dribble?

5. Does Brad truly offer scholarships to HS Juniors and make promises to them not to recruit other shooting guards (DM) or does he ignore HS Juniors (Roundtree) except for guys like his son and SUGGS?

6. Could grades and SAT/ACT scores be a major factor with Leon Powell? No first hand or inside info but those who apparently do have indicated prior academic problems at Vashon. Hopefully those are in the past but can anyone state, with facts, that Powell has met all academic standards to date and that he will not be another Nick Kern? Sounds like extensive interest from many schools but not many "offers." Guess if we don't land him, Brad cannot evaluate talent and waited too long to "offer" him just like Stemler. "If only Brad offered him in the fall...."

7. This team needs immediate help next year. Are not most JUCOs signed in the spring instead of the fall? Waiting on freshmen, such as the Western IL kid, to develop project is not the answer for next year. Remember, immediate playing time and lack of competition, is not a sign of good program but may be what some JUCOs want to hear.

8. Traditionally, The Valley has been full of guys who got picked over for one reason or another. Now, Western IL, and all the other B and C level schools are taking fliers on some St. Louis kids. Speaking of low expectations. Not too long ago SLU was competing and on the level of Mizzou and Illinois or are those days over. Now, Indiana State is our competition?

Powell and 2 JUCOs would sure change the discussions on this Board. If no Powell, then 2-3 JUCOs or transfers would be nice as well. Once again, my faith, possibly blind faith, is in the hands of Brad and Jamaal Walker who obviously was brought in for his JUCO connections.

[slu72]

I'm going to leave it up to others to answer your very detailed questions that only someone really on the inside could answer. But here's some factual answers to some very general questions that might put some perspective to the last 5 years:

1.) In UB's 4.5+ years at SLU what's he really accomplished?

(A) Not much.

2.) Does the future look bright for the Billikens under UB?

(A)Impossible to say right now since we have no fall recruits to speculate about, and his Spring recruiting record has proved to be spotty at best.

3.) In his almost six years (1 AC 4.5 HC) at SLU can you point to specific players that he has not recruited into SLU that might have taken this team dancing?

(A)Yes, Shaw, Ahern, Stemler to name 3.

4.) Is it fair for Billiken fans to compare and judge UB's performance to other HC's who have turned programs around in a similar time frame?

(A)Of course it is. Some examples: Bennet at WSU, Behlien at WVU, Gillespie at TxA&M, Theuss at New Mexico State, the guy at AF, the guy at Butler. None of these guys have violated NCAA regs in the rebuilding process and none were "Big Name Coaches" when they took their jobs.

5.) Are Billiken fans and Savannah State fans the only fans in the country who should not expect better results from their basketball programs?

(A)Obviously.

6.) Is it fair to question why the farm school down in Carbondale, better known as SIU, has been to five straight NCAA tournaments and headed for their sixth, while in the last six years we have gone to two NIT's and four to the Barcolounger Jam?

(A)Yes.

7.) Has SIU accomplished the above with mostly local second tier area players?

(A) Yes.

8.) Will every mid major/BCS school that gets into the dance this year have a bigger recruiting budget than SLU?

(A) No.

9.) Was it reasonable to expect a team returning an all conference player, two first team conference rookies, and five veterans to improve on last year's results?

(A) Yes.

The above should help clear things up for you.

[Canadian]

How boring? I think its been fun.

I think it gets boring rehashing the same arguments on whether Brad should stay or go, IV not living up to his potential, the budget, etc. I think some dissent is good. If not, jihad.com wants you as someone so eloquently stated earlier.