http://espn.go.com/ncb/no...kweeklywatch0915/week-15
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Let's get this straight: When a player says he is withdrawing from
the NBA draft because he wants to return to school, most of the time
it's because he wouldn't be a first-round pick. </p>
That wasn't the case with Jarvis Varnado.
Someone would have taken a chance on him because of his size and
shot-blocking ability. NBA teams don't pass up on size the way they do
with guards and wings who aren't special talents at the next level.
</p>
Varnado didn't stay in the draft because he didn't think
he was ready for the challenge. So he pulled out quickly, signed up to
play for USA Basketball and won bronze with the World University Games
team in Serbia in July.</p>
</p>
He continued to be an unselfish player by giving up his scholarship so
the Bulldogs could add another player. (It turned out to be Renardo Sidney, who never was eligible this season.) But karma would reward Varnado.</p>
</p>
Know this about Varnado: He has a knack for blocking shots that you
can't teach. He understands how to play the angles, keep shots in play
and ensure he plays the team game defensively. His nickname, "Swat," is
perfect. </p>
Varnado set the NCAA record for blocked shots this past week against
Alabama with his 536th block. (Wojciech Mydra had set the previous mark
at Louisiana-Monroe from 1998 to 2002.) Varnado also scored 17 points
and had 10 rebounds to give the Bulldogs their 20th win of the season.
</p>
He never got the help inside he was promised in the form
of Sidney, but he has kept plodding along and putting the Bulldogs in
position to possibly earn a bid. </p>
Varnado finished with eight blocks in that Alabama game, one more than
the seven he swatted at LSU on Feb. 20. He finished up the week with a
19-point, 12-rebound, 1-block effort in a win at South Carolina on
Saturday.
</p>
</p>
Places to be this week</p>Starkville, Miss., Saturday: Tennessee is safely in the field now, but Mississippi State might need to win this game to earn a bid.</div></div></div>
<div class="mod-content"><div class="gradient-container"><div class="col-full">
Let's get this straight: When a player says he is withdrawing from
the NBA draft because he wants to return to school, most of the time
it's because he wouldn't be a first-round pick. </p>
That wasn't the case with Jarvis Varnado.
Someone would have taken a chance on him because of his size and
shot-blocking ability. NBA teams don't pass up on size the way they do
with guards and wings who aren't special talents at the next level.
</p>
Varnado didn't stay in the draft because he didn't think
he was ready for the challenge. So he pulled out quickly, signed up to
play for USA Basketball and won bronze with the World University Games
team in Serbia in July.</p>
</p>
He continued to be an unselfish player by giving up his scholarship so
the Bulldogs could add another player. (It turned out to be Renardo Sidney, who never was eligible this season.) But karma would reward Varnado.</p>
</p>
Know this about Varnado: He has a knack for blocking shots that you
can't teach. He understands how to play the angles, keep shots in play
and ensure he plays the team game defensively. His nickname, "Swat," is
perfect. </p>
Varnado set the NCAA record for blocked shots this past week against
Alabama with his 536th block. (Wojciech Mydra had set the previous mark
at Louisiana-Monroe from 1998 to 2002.) Varnado also scored 17 points
and had 10 rebounds to give the Bulldogs their 20th win of the season.
</p>
He never got the help inside he was promised in the form
of Sidney, but he has kept plodding along and putting the Bulldogs in
position to possibly earn a bid. </p>
Varnado finished with eight blocks in that Alabama game, one more than
the seven he swatted at LSU on Feb. 20. He finished up the week with a
19-point, 12-rebound, 1-block effort in a win at South Carolina on
Saturday.
</p>
</p>
Places to be this week</p>Starkville, Miss., Saturday: Tennessee is safely in the field now, but Mississippi State might need to win this game to earn a bid.</div></div></div>
