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View Full Version : UC loses recruting battle, Mic reeling


Nocalmuskie
05-03-2009, 07:31 PM
http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/goodmanonfox/2009/05/03/PARROM_TO_ARIZONA_MISSISSIPPI_STATE_EXPECTED_TO_GE T_RIEK

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.
XUglow
05-03-2009, 08:12 PM
If Jarvis Varnado withdraws from the NBA draft, that will be one loaded basketball team. They played a 4-guard line-up this past year because the 4 guards were all pretty good, and Varnado did a good job of backing them up by himself. Kodi Augustus, a freshman headcase, finally got his act together and led MSU to the SEC tourney title. Stansbury is going to have to find a place for him as well as for Sidney. That is going to leave a couple of good guards wondering how they got squeezed out. All of that is not even figuring Riek into the mix.

I am guessing that Riek is guessing that Varnado is going to stay in the draft. That would leave the center spot as an option.
Juice
05-03-2009, 08:12 PM
I heard USC and UCLA did not want Sidney because of his poor academics. Riek also doesn't have the best record at passing standardized tests so his move to Miss. St. doesn't suprise me.
XUglow
05-03-2009, 08:40 PM
I heard USC and UCLA did not want Sidney because of his poor academics. Riek also doesn't have the best record at passing standardized tests so his move to Miss. St. doesn't surprise me.

Sidney has already passed his SATs. The Sidney side of the story is that he didn't want to get involved in USC's potential problems with the NCAA.
Juice
05-03-2009, 09:24 PM
Sidney has already passed his SATs. The Sidney side of the story is that he didn't want to get involved in USC's potential problems with the NCAA.

You are correct in that USC and UCLA did not want him because of his and his dad's possible infractions with the NCAA because of their relationship with Reebok. With those concerns coming right after the Bush and Mayo problems, it was a wise decision.

I knew Sydney had some concerns surrounding him but I misremembered what they were.

Gary Parrish had a blog post about it. Article (http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6271764/14794048)
Juice
05-04-2009, 03:46 PM
No one from the Enquirer has covered this, but they were all over it when he "committed."
Cincy Muskie
05-04-2009, 03:52 PM
Right on Juice. The bigger news is they just hired a new women's coach from UCONN.

I doubt this guy ever plays college basketball.
XUglow
05-04-2009, 04:30 PM
I doubt this guy ever plays college basketball.

I don't see it. Looks like he has to pay money back for some workouts that he did, and he played a year of ball that the NCAA might consider pro. With a 7'8.5" wingspan, I can see why college coaches want him to be eligible, but it just doesn't look likely.
sirthought
05-04-2009, 04:53 PM
Rumor now is that UC coaches were going to try to make it work, but school administrators didn't want him. Thought his ability to handle freshmen level required courses was suspect.

But there were a lot of questions about his health still. I don't blame UC for trying to bring him in...or for letting him go. They did have a LOI, but never turned it in to the NCAA.

Mick's going to have a hard time recruiting until he can turn the corner with a few more wins in the Big East. Those last few losses really hurt his progress with the team.
XUglow
05-04-2009, 04:57 PM
Riek is an interesting character. He is one of the "lost boys" from Sudan. Those kids had a super awful young life. Whatever happens with him, I only wish him the best of luck from this point on.
kyxu
05-04-2009, 05:00 PM
Riek is an interesting character. He is one of the "lost boys" from Sudan. Those kids had a super awful young life. Whatever happens with him, I only wish him the best of luck from this point on.

Absolutely. I'm with you on that one, glow.
XUglow
05-04-2009, 06:25 PM
OK, I was wrong on MSU signing the kid. He apparently has signed. They are waiting on his guardian to sign the papers as well before they send them in. It seems all set.

http://www.draftexpress.com/gallery/JohnRiek/1201489735.jpg
MADXSTER
05-04-2009, 06:56 PM
http://www.draftexpress.com/gallery/JohnRiek/1201489735.jpg

But can he touch the rim with one foot?
XUglow
05-05-2009, 07:59 AM
But can he touch the rim with one foot?

He is clearly cheating. You can see that he has lifted his heels off of the ground.
Masterofreality
05-06-2009, 07:12 AM
Who cares about a SucKS never was?

I care more about the new Glow avatar.

Which fine lady might this be Mr. Glow?
xeus
05-06-2009, 10:15 AM
OK, I was wrong on MSU signing the kid. He apparently has signed. They are waiting on his guardian to sign the papers as well before they send them in. It seems all set.

http://www.draftexpress.com/gallery/JohnRiek/1201489735.jpg

That's fine, but why is he wearing my pants?
XUglow
05-06-2009, 10:46 AM
That's fine, but why is he wearing my pants?

Obviously, they gave the Lost Boys some clothes when they arrived in Nashville, and no one has told him that it is OK to update his wardrobe. I think he is taller now than when he arrived.

As for MSU, they hired a lawyer and a PI to dig through Sidney's background. They want to know now what the NCAA is going to know sooner or later. It is unfortunate, but with the Sonny Vacaro's of the world getting their hands on the top kids well before they get to college, it is probably just how things are going to be from now on.