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Post by thebsukid on Mar 28, 2023 8:35:17 GMT -6
A lot of people have underestimated Sparks even before he arrived at Ball State. His work ethic and passion for the game just may put him on the court in Bloomington more than some may think
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sparks
Mar 28, 2023 8:49:15 GMT -6
Post by BSU Card Fan in AZ on Mar 28, 2023 8:49:15 GMT -6
Sparks will see limited time on court at IU under Woodson. I saw Jones play against Arizona in Tucson & that game he was just as good as Arizona's big men. No doubt he was playing his best. I was there as well. He looked good most of the game. We had them and then went cold for several minutes. All we needed was a little to take that game. |
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Post by chirpsquared on Mar 28, 2023 9:14:15 GMT -6
A lot of people have underestimated Sparks even before he arrived at Ball State. His work ethic and passion for the game just may put him on the court in Bloomington more than some may think Totally agree with this. He came in underestimated, learned how to really work, developed and looks to have upside potential. I think he's tight with Whit. Was he 17 when he came in? I think Jihad was. It will be interesting to see the comments from IU fans halfway through the season. I wish him well wherever he ends up, but damn, I wish he was going to be a Card next year! |
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Post by cardfan on Mar 28, 2023 9:55:50 GMT -6
Seems to me in comments Sparks has made he gives Whitford more credit than Lewis. Sparks is a great kid and player with a strong work ethic but reading between the lines it appears he preferred the softer touch of Whitford over Lewis's style. I get it, Whitford recruited him. I wish he had stayed with BSU, but, to each his own.
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Post by sdacardinal on Mar 28, 2023 10:17:45 GMT -6
Many of the players today do not take criticism well. Too many indulgent parents and too many participation trophies clouding reality. Lewis is tough but I also saw some softness in his sideline conversation.
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sparks
Mar 28, 2023 10:20:53 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by coastalcard on Mar 28, 2023 10:20:53 GMT -6
Most people do not like to be challenged to improve themselves.
Moving away from Lewis to an IU or Big10 school is not going to be a Whitford experience.
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Post by cardfan on Mar 28, 2023 10:35:12 GMT -6
He visited Dayton. Is Dayton considered the highest level? Are they 'that' much better than BSU/MAC? It's a good program for sure, but it doesn't fit the "I always wanted to play at the highest level" thing. I definitely think Sparks can play at IU. Whether he can be a starter or not is what's not sure. I can't see him playing over a 5 star recruit, but he'd definitely get some court time. If he can develop a more well rounded game and get a little quicker on D he can certainly contribute. He'll get pounded on in that league so he's gotta hit FTS. What I don't want to see happen is he trades being a record setting starter for BSU for 4 years for a couple years of being a backup in the Big 10 and lost in the shuffle. Will that type of experience truly take him to whatever level he's aiming for?
I do hope the kid makes it big.
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Post by williamtsherman on Mar 28, 2023 10:54:01 GMT -6
I think that there is actually some overlap between the group "players who are tough", and the group "players who don't really like to have obscenities screamed in their face".
Whether or not this is relevant to this thread, I have no way of knowing.
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Post by cardfan on Mar 28, 2023 11:22:31 GMT -6
I personally think Sparks is the toughest dude we had and Lewis always spoke very highly of Spark’s “want to.” But I also personally think Sparks would not be leaving if Whitford was still the coach.
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Post by reevo on Mar 28, 2023 11:39:19 GMT -6
I personally think Sparks is the toughest dude we had and Lewis always spoke very highly of Spark’s “want to.” But I also personally think Sparks would not be leaving if Whitford was still the coach. I just 🤮! |
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Post by prestonp on Mar 28, 2023 12:41:23 GMT -6
I do not get the argument he "preferred the softer touch." I think Lewis spoke highly of his efforts all season and beyond. After the season the team had, how could the demands of Lewis be doubted? Just don't see there is any evidence other than the kid wants to move up. Hope the door is still open for him to return if it's available.
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Post by cardfan on Mar 28, 2023 13:12:29 GMT -6
I do not get the argument he "preferred the softer touch." I think Lewis spoke highly of his efforts all season and beyond. After the season the team had, how could the demands of Lewis be doubted? Just don't see there is any evidence other than the kid wants to move up. Hope the door is still open for him to return if it's available. Sparks has already said this time he’s “definitely making a change.” Making a change. He flat doesn’t want to stay at BSU so there’s no going back. (I’m sure Lewis would welcome him back, though). I’m just basing my opinion on reading between the lines. I don’t for a minute think sparks is soft. But I do think things wore on him. He’s said Bsu was the school he’s always wanted to play for and that morphed into Iu is the school he’s always wanted to play for. He credited Whit for teaching him how to work hard but I guarantee Lewis had him working much harder overall. He almost left last year after whit was fired. He’s definitely leaving now. I know he’s betting on himself; I just am not sure walking away from sure stardom at Bsu and a chance to prove he could lead us to a championship to maybe just be a rotational guy in the big 10 makes all that much sense. But, he may turn himself into a freaking all big 10 or similar level conference player. I don’t doubt his will and work ethic. Now, if he ends up at a school in a conference similar to or maybe just a notch above the MAC that to me says he just wanted to “make a change.” If that ends up being the case you have to wonder why. Now, overall we're seeing guys leaving schools that are considered the "highest level." Starters, even. What are they seeking? More NIL? Getting away from a coach? Burnt out at their current school? Just transferring because the rule says they can and everybody is doing it? Hopefully the rule restricting players to one one time transfer with very few waivers will settle things in a bit, but Lewis is right, you don't build rosters anymore, you put together a team year by year and be ready to adapt on the fly. |
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Post by universityjim on Mar 28, 2023 13:17:28 GMT -6
I personally think Sparks is the toughest dude we had and Lewis always spoke very highly of Spark’s “want to.” But I also personally think Sparks would not be leaving if Whitford was still the coach. Sparks didn't cry when he got knocked down like some of Whitford's recruits did but he's no Bill Gillis, Steve Payne, Paris McCurdy. Toughest dude we had? It's sad but you may be right. Who was tougher than Sparks? That's what Whitford recruited. Lewis will recruit a different kind of player. |
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sparks
Mar 28, 2023 13:36:53 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by redfeather on Mar 28, 2023 13:36:53 GMT -6
Seriously I could see Sparks playing for Micah Shrewsberry the new coach at Notre Dame. If Sparks was close to Whitford then I see Shrewsberry having more of buddy relationship with his players than possibly Lewis. He stays close to home and gets to play in the ACC and probably starts right away!
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Post by universityjim on Mar 28, 2023 13:39:12 GMT -6
Seriously I could see Sparks playing for Micah Shrewsberry the new coach at Notre Dame. If Sparks was close to Whitford then I see Shrewsberry having more of buddy relationship with his players than possibly Lewis. He stays close to home and gets to play in the ACC and probably starts right away! If I were Sparks that is where's I'd be going. Penn State's players looked like they had a hell of a lot of fun and you can't beat a degree from ND. Actually if I were Sparks I'd be staying at BSU. |
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