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Riek expected to commit to MSU

mstateglfr

mstateglfr

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http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/goodmanonfox

RIEK EXPECTED TO COMMIT MISSISSIPPI STATE

Less than a week after landing Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State has received another eye-opening commitment - this time from well-traveled big man John Riek.

According to sources, the 7-foot-2 native of the Sudan chose the Bulldogs over Cincinnati and Providence.

Riek, who had committed to Cincinnati - but never signed with the Bearcats - was one of the most highly regarded players two years ago in the summer.

He dominated at the LeBron James Skills Academy and many in attendance pegged him as a future lottery pick.

However, Riek has suffered from a nagging knee injury since attending the Winchendon School (Mass.) about 18 months ago. He has been at IMG Academy (Fla.) since leaving Winchendon and declared for the NBA Draft a year ago, but withdrew because of knee problems.

Sources indicate that Riek has achieved the necessary academic requirements to play next season. However, the NCAA is investigating whether Riek received improper benefits and will have to re-pay them in order to play college basketball.

Sidney was also a questionable pickup for the Bulldogs - after both UCLA and USC backed off recruiting the Mississippi native due to off-the-court concerns. Sidney was set to commit to the Bruins back in Feb. and then committed to USC and was set to sign before the Trojans elected to pass on the talented 6-foot-9 forward.
 
mstateglfr

mstateglfr

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Feb 24, 2008
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http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/goodmanonfox

RIEK EXPECTED TO COMMIT MISSISSIPPI STATE

Less than a week after landing Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State has received another eye-opening commitment - this time from well-traveled big man John Riek.

According to sources, the 7-foot-2 native of the Sudan chose the Bulldogs over Cincinnati and Providence.

Riek, who had committed to Cincinnati - but never signed with the Bearcats - was one of the most highly regarded players two years ago in the summer.

He dominated at the LeBron James Skills Academy and many in attendance pegged him as a future lottery pick.

However, Riek has suffered from a nagging knee injury since attending the Winchendon School (Mass.) about 18 months ago. He has been at IMG Academy (Fla.) since leaving Winchendon and declared for the NBA Draft a year ago, but withdrew because of knee problems.

Sources indicate that Riek has achieved the necessary academic requirements to play next season. However, the NCAA is investigating whether Riek received improper benefits and will have to re-pay them in order to play college basketball.

Sidney was also a questionable pickup for the Bulldogs - after both UCLA and USC backed off recruiting the Mississippi native due to off-the-court concerns. Sidney was set to commit to the Bruins back in Feb. and then committed to USC and was set to sign before the Trojans elected to pass on the talented 6-foot-9 forward.
 
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MSU124

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Top 5 player before "The Scout.com Top 5 welcomes a newcomer in John Riek. The 7-foot-2 big man dominated at the Hoop Jamboree and earned himself one of the prestigious 5 slots. Veterans Xavier Henry, Derrick Favors and DeMarcus Cousins round out the first five." http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/655968.html
 
Tractorman

Tractorman

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i assume wendell will go prep for a year, and someone will lose a scolly, if not that will be two schollies, which two do you yank?
 
Seinfeld

Seinfeld

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After doing a little research, I see that Riek chose Cincinatti after receiving offers from UConn, Florida, Duke, and Georgetown. He was only rated as the 13th best center in 2008 by Rivals, but a lot of big time programs obviously saw a lot that they liked about him. If he has healed from his knee probelms, I'd say that this is a huge pick up for Stansbury.

It makes me wonder about the scholarship situation though. This really makes me think that Jarvis is gone while I find that hard to believe at the same time. Also, I really can't imagine Stansbury just yanking two scholarships from people this year.
 
JacksonDevilDog

JacksonDevilDog

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Holcombe will be gone and you might see Benock sent somewhere else. I know he's from Stansbury's hometown/homestate, but he won't see the floor much next year. I am also not 100% sold on Augustus coming back. I know we're expecting it and I know he said he's coming back, but I don't completely believe what he says.
 
C

Columbus Dawg

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Holcombe and Benock. But I imagine either Augustus is transferring, Lewis to prep, or Varnado to NBA.
 
Seinfeld

Seinfeld

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Does not run well and can't hold position on the block ... On the rare occasions that he does establish position, Riek struggles to catch the ball and even if he is able to do that, he has absolutely zero back-to-the-basket game ... Physically, he is extremely weak and is boxed out easily. Lacks the strength and agility re-gain position after being boxed out...Has terrible hands and often fumbles rebounds and drops passes. Really, really struggles to dribble the ball Doesn't jump very well and possesses very little athleticism Will have trouble doing anything offensively against major college or NBA competition Lacks fire and intensity in his play.
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I understand that he may not be the next Hakeem Olajuwon, but damn...
 
B

basedog

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I don't think Kodi will be leaving, why should he as he proved his value and I believe will be a key player next year.
The thing is with the Ncaa and us being Msu you never know if Sidney will be allowed to play for us next year.
Before everyone jumps off the Ms River bridge lets see how this all plays out, regardless things are really looking good for Msu basketball and we shouldn't be negative about gaining two more players.
 
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Todd4State

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Twany is supposed to be a really good student isn't he? Maybe he could get an academic scholarship.

Now the other scholarship, maybe Benock can get an academic scholarship?
 
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wpnetdawg

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but I think academic scholarships count against the total.

I think for a player to remain on a basketball roster and not count against the scholarship total, they have to pay out of pocket.
 
H

Henry Kissinger

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i think i heard about someone doing that with football a couple of years ago, but i have no idea if 1) i heard right 2) it's the same in basketball 3)they've changed the rule
 
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RonnyAtmosphere

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Todd4State

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I know this sounds stupid, at least at first, but Sidney could certainly pay out of pocket. Think about it. USC and UCLA left him high and dry, and he can't go to the NBA because of the rules. His choices are MSU and Europe.

Especially if his Dad is getting all of that Reebok money and especially if they think that Sidney could be one and done. They probably figure he's going to get a few million from the NBA about this time next year. If he paid to go to State, his debt to State could very easily be paid off in a month.

And if you walk-on, can the NCAA stop you?

And I bet the Benock's could be talked into paying his way. We kind of are doing him a favor by letting him on the team anyway.

I don't know the financial situations of our player's families, except for maybe the Sidney's, but I'm pretty sure that at least two of them are capable of paying their way.

And as far as the guy from Africa, what about some kind of scholarship for International students?

And can players split a scholarship? We could split Ravern, and Shaungnessy's scholarships in three, and then get them MTAG. Or maybe split Romero's in half.
 
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jamdawg96

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after that, the interest builds, and guys like riek who are in limbo with their decision making process will listen to the rick stansbury's of the world. and if rick can get em to listen, he can usually get em to sign...
 
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topbulldawg

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Jan 27, 2008
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wpnetdawg said:
but I think academic scholarships count against the total.

I think for a player to remain on a basketball roster and not count against the scholarship total, they have to pay out of pocket.
Click to expand...
I heard a rumor from a source I didn't consider very reliable at the time, but I guess it fits with these events. The rumor was that we were giving up JV scholarship if he declared for the draft and that if he declared, he could only come back if he paid is own way. The Varnado's said this was not a problem and they would be willing to pay his way back if he declared and wanted to come back. It would make sense as to why it took JV so long to declare. I am still not sure I believe this though....
 
josebrown

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I heard a rumor that we may be losing two due to academic reasons.
 
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rugbdawg

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No way we would essentially threaten the Varnado's by taking away his scholly if he declared. That's ridiculous. Cut Benock or Beckham, they suck.
 
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topbulldawg

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rugbdawg said:
No way we would essentially threaten the Varnado's by taking away his scholly if he declared. That's ridiculous. Cut Benock or Beckham, they suck.
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I don't disagree....just saying what I heard.
 
S

Sutterkane

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maybe it is a lot worse than originally estimated and he will have to sit out a full year.
 
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Bulldog Backer

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topbulldawg said:
wpnetdawg said:
but I think academic scholarships count against the total.

I think for a player to remain on a basketball roster and not count against the scholarship total, they have to pay out of pocket.
Click to expand...
I heard a rumor from a source I didn't consider very reliable at the time, but I guess it fits with these events. The rumor was that we were giving up JV scholarship if he declared for the draft and that if he declared, he could only come back if he paid is own way. The Varnado's said this was not a problem and they would be willing to pay his way back if he declared and wanted to come back. It would make sense as to why it took JV so long to declare. I am still not sure I believe this though....
Click to expand...
...and Jarvis will be back. We will most likely have two who will leave the program for greener PT pastures to make way for Sidney and Riek.
 
mstateglfr

mstateglfr

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Todd4State said:
I know this sounds stupid, at least at first, but Sidney could certainly pay out of pocket. Think about it. USC and UCLA left him high and dry, and he can't go to the NBA because of the rules. His choices are MSU and Europe.

Especially if his Dad is getting all of that Reebok money and especially if they think that Sidney could be one and done. They probably figure he's going to get a few million from the NBA about this time next year. If he paid to go to State, his debt to State could very easily be paid off in a month.

And if you walk-on, can the NCAA stop you?

And I bet the Benock's could be talked into paying his way. We kind of are doing him a favor by letting him on the team anyway.

I don't know the financial situations of our player's families, except for maybe the Sidney's, but I'm pretty sure that at least two of them are capable of paying their way.

And as far as the guy from Africa, what about some kind of scholarship for International students?

And can players split a scholarship? We could split Ravern, and Shaungnessy's scholarships in three, and then get them MTAG. Or maybe split Romero's in half.
Click to expand...

No to Renardo paying out of pocket. We werent the only school that would have accepted him. Also, his dad was getting only 20K per year from Reebok and that ended over a year ago. That is the only verified amount of money known that he has received from them...none of us have any idea of their financial situation.
Regardless, he isnt paying his own way, nor should he.
He had more choice than just go to MSU...and apparently Europe wasnt an option in the end per Sonny Vaccaro.

We didnt do the Benock's any favor by 'allowing' their son to play...he had committed to William and Mary already. He was going to have an incredible education paid for while playing D1 basketball...us recruiting him didnt do him a favor.

Riek cant get a scholarship and not have it count towards the total. In fact, none of them can. ANY scholarship that is given to a player that was recruited counts towards the total allowed in basketball. Otherwise, UNC and UK would just load up 20 scholarship players per team with all these suggested loopholes.
If MSU recruits a player, they count towards the total allowed scholarships, even if its an academic scholarship or some International scholarship(whatever that is?).

And why the hell would Romero or Smith agree to being dropped? Romero was offered by friggin KU, UT, Memphis, UK, OU...telling him to decline those programs and go to MSU where you will have to pay your way after a year is nuts. That right there would KILL future recruiting. Other coaches would use that to KILL us with potential prospects.

We are over on scholarships and will have to let player(s) go...there just isnt any way around it.
 
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Ol Blue.sixpack

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Todd4State said:
Twany is supposed to be a really good student isn't he? Maybe he could get an academic scholarship.

Now the other scholarship, maybe Benock can get an academic scholarship?
Click to expand...

The folks at Ballard will be glad to know Twanny finally came out of his shell. And I'm just guessing here, but are we putting putting Benock on academic scholarship because he's the white guy?
 
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Ol Blue.sixpack

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May 1, 2006
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Todd4State said:
I know this sounds stupid, at least at first, but Sidney could certainly pay out of pocket. Think about it. USC and UCLA left him high and dry, and he can't go to the NBA because of the rules. His choices are MSU and Europe.

Especially if his Dad is getting all of that Reebok money and especially if they think that Sidney could be one and done. They probably figure he's going to get a few million from the NBA about this time next year. If he paid to go to State, his debt to State could very easily be paid off in a month.

And if you walk-on, can the NCAA stop you?

And I bet the Benock's could be talked into paying his way. We kind of are doing him a favor by letting him on the team anyway.

I don't know the financial situations of our player's families, except for maybe the Sidney's, but I'm pretty sure that at least two of them are capable of paying their way.

And as far as the guy from Africa, what about some kind of scholarship for International students?

And can players split a scholarship? We could split Ravern, and Shaungnessy's scholarships in three, and then get them MTAG. Or maybe split Romero's in half.
Click to expand...

When that little voice is going off in your head telling you that something sounds stupid, next time listen to it. Because your post started out stupid and got worse.
 
O

Ol Blue.sixpack

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JacksonDevilDog said:
Holcombe will be gone and you might see Benock sent somewhere else. I know he's from Stansbury's hometown/homestate, but he won't see the floor much next year. I am also not 100% sold on Augustus coming back. I know we're expecting it and I know he said he's coming back, but I don't completely believe what he says.
Click to expand...

I'm with you. I think there is a good possibility that he doesn't come back. And his departure will be blown way our of proportion.
 
PBRME

PBRME

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Seinfeld said:
Does not run well and can't hold position on the block ... On the rare occasions that he does establish position, Riek struggles to catch the ball and even if he is able to do that, he has absolutely zero back-to-the-basket game ... Physically, he is extremely weak and is boxed out easily. Lacks the strength and agility re-gain position after being boxed out...Has terrible hands and often fumbles rebounds and drops passes. Really, really struggles to dribble the ball Doesn't jump very well and possesses very little athleticism Will have trouble doing anything offensively against major college or NBA competition Lacks fire and intensity in his play.
Click to expand...
Big Feces II?
Click to expand...
 
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