2008 BU commitment-Dodie Dunson

[tornado]

The Indiana Rivals site has gotten very interested in Dodie Dunson, since one of their 2008 recruits, guard Bud Mackey, just had some legal problems and may not be coming to IU.
If the Hoosiers suddenly lose out on Mackey, it will leave their program very thin at guard, especially PG in 2008 and beyond.
Plus it is getting late to start from scratch and start recruiting another 2008 kid, so IU is definitely looking at juco kids.

Dodie Dunson left Bloomington HS and verballed at first to Illinois State University, then reneged and went to Brewster prep, then went to Iowa State, then left and went to Vincennes junior college, where he will play this season.

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/942/550533.jpg


Here are some clips from the new premium article on Dodie.

"Vincennes Guard Gets IU Look
October 9, 2007

Likely down an expected guard signing due to the Bud Mackey saga, it should be of little surprise that some new guard names are popping up on the Hoosier recruiting scene. This weekend the Hoosier staff scouted one just down the road. Former Iowa State guard Dodie Dunson has surfaced at Vincennes University where he seems poised to become one of the most sought after junior college players in the country.
Last year at Iowa State, Dunson played in all 31 games for the Cyclones, averaging 5.2 points and 1.5 rebounds.
Dunson is originally out of Bloomington, Illinois. As a high school senior there he averaged 16 points, five assists and three steals a game for a team that went 24-4. Dunson was a full qualifier out of high school and signed with Illinois State. He ended up getting a release from that letter and made a one year stop at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire and impressed enough there to sign with Iowa State over offers from Minnesota and Tulsa.
"He is a point guard in the natural sense but he can play the off guard position...
The Vincennes coach indicates that Dunson is currently measuring in about 6-foot-3 and 195-pounds.
At this point the coach does not anticipate Dunson will sign in November.
"More than likely he is going to wait and then in the spring take some visits," said Sullivan. "He has had a lot of schools look at him but I don't want to start anything by throwing out names."
Sullivan did confirm that the Hoosiers are taking a look.
"Indiana was at the Jamboree," said Sullivan. "I believe it was Coach (Jeff) Meyer."

[FarmerClone]

I only wish Dodie was a point guard. He is a shooting guard that is a very streaky shooter. I loved his potential, but he showed me nothing while at ISU to believe he could ever be a high major point guard. He plays hard on defense and does not turn the ball over, but he cannot run a team from the point guard spot very effectively IMO.

Best of luck Dodie.

[scout4126]

I don't think Dodie was given the fair shot to play the point guard at ISU. All the schools that recruited him recruited him at the PG except ISU who recruited him as a combo. Midstatehoops.com also reports offers from Charlotte, Duquesne, Fordham, and Rhode Island.

http://midstatehoops.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/off-the-court-extras-3/

[scout4126]

This was also in the rivals article:

"Just a great all around kid both on and off the floor," said Sullivan. "You can't say enough about his work ethic. Great player and it is rare that you get a great player and a great kid and we are happy that he is here."

A lot of people give Dunson a bad wrap because he is well traveled but every coach has nothing but good things to say about the kid.

[DannyCooksey]

I don't think Dodie was given the fair shot to play the point guard at ISU. All the schools that recruited him recruited him at the PG except ISU who recruited him as a combo. Midstatehoops.com also reports offers from Charlotte, Duquesne, Fordham, and Rhode Island.

http://midstatehoops.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/off-the-court-extras-3/

Dodie never gave himself a fair shot to play PG at ISU. He opted out of his LOI in July of '05 1 month before he ever started taking classes at ISU.

[scout4126]

ISU=Iowa State not Illinois State

[tornado]

scout....I have a really tough question for you......

I don't know what goes on in the minds of the kids or the recruiters, but I have been following college ball long enough to notice a pretty strong correlation between
the "well-travelled kid" and the kids who turn out to flop and be seen as very overrated.

Look elsewhere, and see the ongoing talk about DeAaron Williams, he is a perfect example....never sticking very long anywhere, a little issue here and there, and then in the end....a big flop, a sad waste of talent...

Go back a few years and look at some of the names of the top kids in the rankings, and many of the ones who are "well travelled" and had a couple transfers, turned out to underproduce.

Here are a few other names (all hopped around to 2, 3, or more different schools -- and
all were in the TOP 10 in their class in Illinois as seniors and were heavily recruited)
....and the talent is there, but the end results aren't...
Class of 2001....Najeeb Echols
Class of 2002....Mike Thompson, Aaron Spears, Robert Faulkner
Class of 2003....Dameon Mason, Nick Brooks, Othyus Jeffers
Class of 2004....DeAaron Williams, Justin Cerasoli, Jeremy Fears, Brandon Lee, Chris Cornelius
Class of 2005....Nate Minnoy, Dodie, and the jury is still out on Josh Tabb, Sead Odzic, & Phillip Perry.
Class of 2006....( jury is still out somewhat, but the suspicions are there) Robert Eppinger, Manual Cass


Just about the ONLY exception to the "well travelled" rule is Jamarcus Ellis.
He seems set for a fine career, although it hasn't happened yet and the jury is still out.

Can you name any others who were talented but bounced around from one committment to another and one school to another,
and still turned out to have a fine & productive college career?
(also see my posts about the BTMA and DCS kids who in effect bounced around to and from those schools, and it's the same thing....lots of hype, little actual productivity)
This is why in Dodie's case, I have my suspicions that the issue is deeper than it appears.
I have never disputed the kid's talent, nor his work ethic......maybe the doubt I have is the committment and loyalty to a single school.
Seems that the loyalty of all these guys like Dodie, DeAaron, Fears, etc....is not to the school they play for but to themselves.

[DannyCooksey]

ISU=Iowa State not Illinois State

oooops


my bad

[tornado]

Here is an interesting followup on this Dodie Dunson topic.........

In a premium report on the Indiana Rivals site....the same place this whole story started
about Indiana interested in Dunson...............the lead writer has now issues a bit of a retraction.....

"We wrote a story here on Monday about Indiana being at Vincennes the day before to apparently scout Vincennes guard Dodie Dunson. Have since gotten some sourced info indicating that the Dunson interest may not be serious and that there may have been more interest in another prospect or two at this "Jamboree" event that featured prep schools as well as junior college players. One such player may have been Terrell Holloway from Harmony Prep in Cincinnati.

(pretty rare when a top writer writes a story about who they are NOT interested in...)



sooooo...........seems maybe IU isn't looking at Dodie at all and the story was one of those that exemplify the "internet chatter that does more harm than good", that they spoke of at the "Smoker" last might.

[scout4126]

I think Josh Tabb had a very successful rookie season at Tennessee. He's a key player for one of the nation's top 5 teams.

Justin Dentmon didn't honor his LOI w/ ISU and went prep then Washington and is having a tremendous career.

Dwayne Curtis (from Whitney Young) has been to a couple schools but is now the star player at Auburn and was a key element last season.

Aaron Spears has been to a few schools and was one of Rutgers big time players last season.

Dameon Mason has bounced around but has been very successful at LSU. He's a big time player there.

I guess what I'm saying is, there's a strong correlation both ways.

Dunson has only been to one college (Iowa State) and is now at a JC and will be headed somewhere else. A lot of players go through the same process. Despite the commitment to Illinois State, he has only been to ONE college and will end up at 3 like all players that transfer JC so I really don't see why such a big deal is made with him. He didn't honor his LOI with ISU went to prep school but many have done the same.

Looks like this whole conversation is out the window anyway since Sampson violated another recruiting rule and loss the scholarship.

[FarmerClone]

I don't think Dodie was given the fair shot to play the point guard at ISU. All the schools that recruited him recruited him at the PG except ISU who recruited him as a combo. Midstatehoops.com also reports offers from Charlotte, Duquesne, Fordham, and Rhode Island.

http://midstatehoops.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/off-the-court-extras-3/


Well, you may be right, but Iowa State had THREE scholarship guards on it's roster last year and desperately needed a point guard and Dunson could not show the coaches that he was the man. Instead, we played natural shooting guard Mike Taylor there as a backup to Cory McIntosh and Taylor proceeded to lead the nation in turnovers. If Dunson could play the point effectively at a high level, I would think he would have been given every chance to do just that last year.

He is a great kid and works very hard and every Cyclone fan wishes him the best, but I will be very surprised if he ever is a high major point guard.

[tornado]

Dodie has another mention..... I guess the kids that intrigue the scouting experts the most are the D-I kids who drop out and go to juco.
Dodie hasn't played a single game of juco ball yet, but there have already been several national recruiting stories about him.

http://jucojunction.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=730964

"Six Strong Sophomores at Vincennes"

They even state that Illinois State is pursuing Dodie....

Here are some clips......
"Head coach Everick Sullivan enters his 3rd year at the helm of the Vincennes University Blazers with a 51-14 record. Sullivan played his college ball at Louisville under the legendary Denny Crum. JucoJunction had a chance to see the Blazers earlier this month. The Blazers have six sophomores this season.

Devon Dumes: (SO) 6-foot-2 (185) from Indianapolis, IN. Dumes is a transfer from Eastern Michigan University where he averaged 8 ppg last season. Devon recently visited UTEP-offered the weekend of October 12-14.

"Devon can really get to the basket and shows great explosiveness off the floor," said JucoJunction staff member Bret Swanson.

UAB, Butler, Charlotte, Evansville, Indiana State, Georgia Southern, Wright State and Cleveland State are keeping tabs on him.

Dodie Dunson: (SO) 6-foot-3 (190) Bloomington, IL. Dunson transferred in from Iowa State University where he averaged 5 ppg last season. Dodie prepped at Brewster Academy (NH) coming out of high school.

"Dodie has huge hands for a guard and great knowledge of the game. Dunson is like having another coach on the floor at all times," said Swanson.

Nevada, Florida Atlantic-offered, Indiana State-offered, Illinois State, Charlotte have shown interest in Dunson this fall.

Patrick Posey: (SO) 6-foot-6 (205) from Greenville, SC.

"Patrick is a pogo stick who is really great in transition and loves to play up tempo. He needs to work on his perimeter skills for the next level," said Swanson.

Posey visited USC-Upstate back on October 12-14. USC-Upstate wasted no time and offered him while on his visit. Campbell, Murray State, South Carolina State and Georgia State have expressed interest in Posey this fall. Posey averaged 6.6 ppg and 3.9 rebounds last year.

Zvonko Buljan: (SO) 6-foot-9 (220) from Croatia.

"Buljan is a very skilled combo forward with a great touch from the perimeter," said Swanson.

Nicknamed "Z" by his teammates has been receiving a lot of looks this fall from DePaul, St. Johns, St. Bonaventure, Indiana State, Duquesne, Iowa State, George Mason and South Florida. Buljan averaged 8.2 ppg and 6 rebounds last season for the Blazers.

Rashad Reed: (SO) 6-foot-0 (185) from Mansfield, OH. Reed averaged 11.7 ppg and 3.6 assists last season for the Blazers. Rashad shot 44% (65-148) from three-point range.

"Rashad is a kid that could really benefit playing with Dumes and Dunson this season. I
really think he could go by unnoticed by a lot of teams this season. Rashad has a great stroke from the corner and can pull up and hit the midrange jumper," Swanson commented.

Mario Thomas: (SO) 6-foot-1 (170) from Indianapolis, IN. Thomas is a 3rd year point guard who played last at Shawnee Community College in Ullin, IL back in 2005-2006. Thomas redshirted last season at VU. Thomas has received some interest this fall from Montana State."

[Da Coach]

Here is an update on Dodie Dunson--

Rivals now lists Bradley as having offered a scholarship to Dodie, and BU is listed as the only school with high interest--
http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=72835

He is a sophomore at Vincennes Junior College.

[tornado]

Look for news soon on this.........

I have a brand new premium report that says this..........

"Dodie Dunson, (SO) 6-foot-3 (190) from Vincennes University, has committed to Missouri Valley Conference school Bradley University located in Peoria, IL. Dunson, a Bloomington, IL native, is currently in his first year with the VU Blazers. Dunson played his freshman season at Iowa State University where he averaged five ppg for the Cyclones.


"Dodie really liked the idea of only being 30 minutes from home attending Bradley and that Bradley will be losing there starting back court this season to graduation. Dodie has a great chance to go in and play a lot of minutes," said Vincennes University assistant coach Brian Davis.

Dunson on the season is averaging 10.4 ppg, 3.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the (24-4) Blazers. Florida Atlantic and Illinois State also showed interest in Dunson this season. Dodie attended Brewster Academy in New Hampshire after high school. He originally signed out of high school with Illinois State University with then head coach Porter Moser."
http://jucojunction.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=778599

[BradleyBrave]

I know we wanted him out of high school, but hasn't this kid been a head case everywhere he's gone? After this season weren't we going to try and start getting away from kids with 'baggage'? I can't say I am overly excited about this, although it certainly will add some fuel to the newly rekindled BU-ISU fire.

[scout4126]

this will be a controversial commitment for some...

Personally, I think it's a great pickup for BU to have a PG with a lot of Big XII experience and someone who is close to the area. Could be great for our Bloomington to Peoria connection...any comments?

[DUBulldog]

5th school in 5 years for Mr Dunson....

Regular high school
Prep school
Iowa State
Vincennes
Bradley

Nice player....I think he'll be a solid addition at BU.

[BUBraves06]

So he'll have two years left with us then?

[scout4126]

I know we wanted him out of high school, but hasn't this kid been a head case everywhere he's gone? After this season weren't we going to try and start getting away from kids with 'baggage'? I can't say I am overly excited about this, although it certainly will add some fuel to the newly rekindled BU-ISU fire.

From the outside looking in some people say he's a headcase but everything you read from the people that have coached him, even after he left, everyone praises him and lifts him up as a great kid. Bloomington, Brewster Academy, Iowa State, and Vincennes...transfers always get a bad wrap regardless of what the actual situation is.

[tornado]

I am looking forward to adding another somewhat local kid who clearly has a desire to come here....and we need to replace guards with experience!
Welcome aboard Dodie...............I wonder how many times Bradley has landed a recruit that we have once before played against??

--Curtis Stuckey (although he was a transfer)
--Mike Williams (also a transfer)

On 12/16/06 when BU went to Iowa City to play the Iowa State Cyclones, Dodie Dunson did not start but
played 26 minutes for the Cyclones, had 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and BU won 76-66.
http://admin.xosn.com//pdf3/55518.pdf?SPSID=46663&SPID=4252&DB_OEM_ID=10700

[BradleyBrave]

I am looking forward to adding another somewhat local kid who clearly has a desire to come here....and we need to replace guards with experience!
Welcome aboard Dodie...............I wonder how many times Bradley has landed a recruit that we have once before played against??

--Curtis Stuckey (although he was a transfer)
--Mike Williams (also a transfer)

Obviously I will give the kid a chance, it just wasn't what or who I expected our 3rd scholarship to go to. We always say that our arms are open for local kids who try to go big and end up wanting to come home. I guess that rules out Zach Novak ending up here, as we only have one scholarship left and have recruited 3 guards for next year's team.

[Lakeview Brave]

I am a little worried about him being so well traveled. A lot of times well traveled = dont live up to the hype. Hopefully not the case here, I know we really wanted him out of highschool and I like that he is 6'3. It would be great if at some point in his career he scored 40 on ISU

[scout4126]

http://www.midstatehoops.com/articles/2008/ddunson.html


He received a lot of attention from both high majors and mid majors and garnered scholarship offers from some well-to-do programs including University of Iowa. In the end, Dunson narrowed it to BU, Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Illinois State, Oral Roberts, SMU, SIU-Edwardsville, and VCU before choosing the Braves.

Dodie's relationship with Coach Jim Les, his familiarness with the campus, the campus' distance from home, and the basketball program's tradition and atmosphere are the things that laured Dunson to sign with the Braves, in addition to the academic disability services, which was the most important thing.

[tornado]

It would be great if at some point in his he scored 40 on ISU


ditto, and I wonder if Dodie will be up for that game??

[BradleyBrave]

I don't know if this has been posted elsewhere, but perhaps this article can partially explain Dunson's travels. It looks like he's had trouble conquering his dyslexia, which it sounds like caused his departure from Iowa St. Hopefully he has qualified to transfer from his JUCO and can cut it academically at BU.

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/05/15/sports/doc464a8274e00a4822344490.txt

[Beninator]

I know we wanted him out of high school, but hasn't this kid been a head case everywhere he's gone? After this season weren't we going to try and start getting away from kids with 'baggage'? I can't say I am overly excited about this, although it certainly will add some fuel to the newly rekindled BU-ISU fire.

I know where you are coming from Bradleybrave. From the looks of things, this is a risk that the program is taking. However this risk is one that can be hedged with SamM, Eddren, and TCS. With Dunson coming to BU, I think that it is very necessary that we get a High School kid with our last scholarship.

[BUBraves06]

I'm glad to hear some good news of a committment, hopefully he comes in and is ready to contribute right away . With one scholarship left I'd love to see us go after a high school big man.

[scout4126]

"Dodie really liked the coaching staff, proximity to home, the MVC, and the potential for early playing time with Ruffin and Crouch leaving. Dodie is a great character guy, does everything you would want on and off the court and was a great pickup for us this year. He should do good at Bradley with his basketball I.Q, and work ethic. Very athletic, can get to the basket or knock down shots. Dodie can now totally focus on leading us in postseason play as we try to make it back to the NJCAA Finals."

http://www.midstatehoops.com/articles/2008/ddunson.html

Looks like they doc'ed the article a little with quotes from the VU staff.

[Double D]

I think this likey provides a little insulation for Eddrin McCain as a true freshman next year.

I can't say that I am all that excited about it, but I trust that JL and staff looked at all options and found this to be the best one.

There are mixed feelings about DD and his family in the Bloomington-Normal basketball community. They are certainly engaging and friendly people. However I do know that there were some problems at BHS that they were involved in with their coaching staff that caused people to have some differeing opinions.

5 schools in 5 (6 if you include ISU) years certainly indicate that they become easily dissatisfied if things aren't just so.

I would feel a lot better if we sign a solid HS big this spring to go with Will E long term.

[ER3]

Can't say I'm overly thrilled with this announcement. I was holding out hope that we would have a shot at one of the four-year guards/wings that we were said to be involved with...Novak, Babb, Beckham, Anderson...
Oh well...Hopefully his experience will allow him to come in and help right away next year.

[Da Coach]

This may be the commitment that many of us had heard was imminent. ;)
I think Dodie is a great player for Coach Les' system.

From what I know, I can assure fans that DD is not a "head case". Nothing could be further from the truth. He is an intelligent, respectful, nice young man. He has made a couple choices that didn't work out for him, but it's a bit ridiculous to list the schools he's been at, and include high schools, and one college stop and try to make something of that.
He is exactly the type of player that thrives in Bradley's system that depends on all the guards having some point guard skills and able to handle the ball, create shots for themselves and others, and to shoot the ball well. Dodie does all those things well.

This is a great pickup, and fans will love Dodie's game.

[lake Camelot]

I hope I'm wrong. But I'm not exited by this.

I didn't want any more Juco's unless they were stupendous players.

[BradleyBrave]

Hopefully his experience will allow him to come in and help right away next year.

I can't see too many scenarios where Dodie doesn't start alongside Sam and Warren. He's big (for a guard), experienced, and talented. Baggage aside, that's one of the top backcourts in the MVC on paper.

[shaunguth]

Well, considering how excited we were with the recruits heading into this season, I think I'll hold judgement until we take the court against a regular season opponent.

That said, I do hope we find a solid four-year player to use for our last available scholarship.

[BradleyBrave]

This may be the commitment that many of us had heard was imminent. I think Dodie is a great player for Coach Les' system.

From what I know, I can assure fans that DD is not a "head case". Nothing could be further from the truth. He is an intelligent, respectful, nice young man. He has made a couple choices that didn't work out for him, but it's a bit ridiculous to list the schools he's been at, and include high schools, and one college stop and try to make something of that.
He is exactly the type of player that thrives in Bradley's system that depends on all the guards having some point guard skills and able to handle the ball, create shots for themselves and others, and to shoot the ball well. Dodie does all those things well.

This is a great pickup, and fans will love Dodie's game.

I think people are worried about all of the stops he's made because of our past failures with guys like Crawford, Fears, and Williams. It has even been expressed on this board by a moderator his feelings on people who make multiple stops like this. After reading about his dyslexia, and what his coaches have said about him, I tend to side with you DC. But, at the same time, I think it would be remiss to expect people to forget that he's been at so many different schools in so few years.

[BradleyBrave]

Well, considering how excited we were with the recruits heading into this season, I think I'll hold judgement until we take the court against a regular season opponent.

Agreed, but Dunson isn't an unknown commodity against DI like all of our newcomers were this year. Dunson was a top reserve at Iowa St as a freshman, and showed he can do it all from the big guard position. So, unlike our other newcomers this year and next year, I think it is fair to have certain expectations for him. I expect him to start and give us one of the league's top backcourts along with Sam and AW.

[Double D]

I can't see too many scenarios where Dodie doesn't start alongside Sam and Warren. He's big (for a guard), experienced, and talented. Baggage aside, that's one of the top backcourts in the MVC on paper.

I am with you there.

I think his "length" for a lead guard will help us defensively and maybe most importantly Sam Man. I love Sam's game and his competativeness, but the MVC (Drake) has developed a "drive and kick" style that make it tough on him.

Sam has struggled keeping his man out of the lane on defense and Dodie and Chris Roberts look like the kind of players that allow us to play defense that way we would like on the perimeter.

[thefish7]

Well, I hope the coaching staff is right on this... And as to that, welcome to BU, Dodie! I hope you and the Braves find success with you in the back court.

[dogsrus]

WELCOME DD.....Good pickup, the guy can play.

[Da Coach]

Dodie Dunson can accomplish something that is not very common.
He played against Bradley for Iowa State last season, and next season, in the same 3-game series between the 2 non-conference schools, he will play for Bradley against his old team.
I can't recall too many times I have seen that occur.

[Double D]

WELCOME DD.....Good pickup, the guy can play.

It looks like I will have to come up with a new "screen name!" :)

[Da Coach]

This may mean we would not have room for Matt Roth is he decommitted from IU.

[BUBraves06]

This may mean we would not have room for Matt Roth is he decommitted from IU.

Ya if he does decommitt I hope we don't even pursue him having already locked up three guards. It's time to finish off the class by signing a big man, hopefully one that will come in as a freshamn and not a juco.

[houstontxbrave]

Dodie Dunson can accomplish something that is not very common.
He played against Bradley for Iowa State last season, and next season, in the same 3-game series between the 2 non-conference schools, he will play for Bradley against his old team.
I can't recall too many times I have seen that occur.

Curtis Stuckey

[Beninator]

Ya if he does decommitt I hope we don't even pursue him having already locked up three guards. It's time to finish off the class by signing a big man, hopefully one that will come in as a freshamn and not a juco.

I would like to see us get a High School big man or forward.

[shaunguth]

Scholarship Grid has been updated.

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?p=66498#post66498

[Da Coach]

Note I said in a non-conf series. Yes, it has a few precedents in conference play, because they play each other every year making it easier for a transfer to play against his old team.

[dss03]

Maybe Kevin Clancy?

[mrcoachdude]

I can't see too many scenarios where Dodie doesn't start alongside Sam and Warren. He's big (for a guard), experienced, and talented. Baggage aside, that's one of the top backcourts in the MVC on paper.


I concur.....puts us in great guard shape.....

[amckillip]

This may mean we would not have room for Matt Roth is he decommitted from IU.

This makes me think MR isn't too interested in BU. I have to think JL would rather have MR. That being said I think I'm one of the few people on the board that is not all too thrilled with MR's game. I think IU is a perfect fit for MR as he can be a roleplayer on a team with NBA talent. BU does not have the luxury of career roleplayers. DA is one of the few exceptions. I think Dodie is much more suited, he will not be a guy who plays 10 minutes a game when we want to break a zone, etc. He seems like and all-around guard who can really help us out. I hope he is as nice a guy as most people say he is.

Now I hope we get a dominant big man, JUCO or HS I don't care. I don't have a particular aversion to JUCO guys, they're a way for BU to get great talent the 'Big Schools' ignore. I just hope someone we sign will have an impact by the end of next year.

[real fan]

This means we only have 1 scholarship left and we have not signed any forwards or centers , we need to get another high school player that is at least 6-8 .

[tornado]

At least one, and often two scholarships have opened up "unexpectedly" every single season since JL has been here...

2007-2008 - Fears, Brown
2006-2007 - Jassey
2005-2006 - Stemler, Rembert
2004-2005 - Paul, Suggs
2003-2004 - Granger, et al

it could happen again......

[amckillip]

At least one, and often two scholarships have opened up "unexpectedly" every single season since JL has been here...

2007-2008 - Fears, Brown
2006-2007 - Jassey
2005-2006 - Stemler, Rembert
2004-2005 - Paul, Suggs
2003-2004 - Granger, et al

it could happen again......

T, I'm pretty sure Saihou was just this year... he was on the roster last year.

[scout4126]

At least one, and often two scholarships have opened up "unexpectedly" every single season since JL has been here...

2007-2008 - Fears, Brown
2006-2007 - Jassey
2005-2006 - Stemler, Rembert
2004-2005 - Paul, Suggs
2003-2004 - Granger, et al

it could happen again......

Don't forget about DeAaron...

[amckillip]

Don't forget about DeAaron...

Thats a different story he was never actually here at BU. He's the same as Dwight Buycks for most purposes.

[mportsch]

Nice pickup for the Braves. Dunson had a pretty solid freshman year for Iowa State, and you'd have to figure he's improved at least somewhat with a year at Vincennes. Looking at his Iowa State numbers, here's what stands out:

POSITIVES:

Was 5th on the team in minutes.
Had the 2nd highest Offensive Rating among those playing at least 30% of team's minutes, behind only Wesley Johnson.
Shot 82% from FT line.
Low TO rate.


NEGATIVES:

Wasn't very involved in the offense.
Very weak rebounder - similar to Maniscalco and TCS in rebounding rate.
Didn't get to the foul line very often.
Extremely low assist rate for a guard.
Only 30% from 3-point range.


A lot of the negatives can easily be explained away by the fact that he was a freshman - you don't expect a freshman guard to be a focal point of the offense, especially when the team has Mike Taylor and Jiri Hubalek taking tons of shots. This could also partly explain his low assist rate and inability to get to the foul line.

Hopefully his 82% FT shooting is more of an indication of his shooting ability than the 30% from downtown. Indeed, he's shooting 35% from downtown this season at Vincennes, so he should be a decent outside threat for BU.

The thing I really like is the way he takes care of the ball. He had a low TO rate at Iowa State, and this season at Vincennes he has an assist/TO ratio of 3-to-1. Turnovers have been a major issue for Bradley this season, so it will be nice to add another guard that takes care of the ball.

Iowa State 2006-07 Stats (http://kenpom.com/sr.php?team=Iowa%20St.&y=2007)
Vincennes 2007-08 stats (http://www.vinu.edu/cms/opencms/athletics/statistics/mbasketball/2008/plyr0001.htm)

[brocks]

I've just googled this kid and read all kinds of info. I have not seen a SINGLE negative comment about him . . . it seems like everyone associated with him loves him. And it's quite clear that people who are better judges of talent than I am consider him a high-major player. So unless we're going to apply some pretty arbitrary standards (no one allowed who doesn't fit profile X, no matter how great a kid/talent you might be), I don't see the downside here. Sounds like a great young man who can really help immediately.

[scout4126]

If you look at all the Iowa State message boards, he certainly was and still is a fan favorite there...many people want him back and think that he'd easily be their starting PG this year.

[tornado]

T, I'm pretty sure Saihou was just this year... he was on the roster last year.

you're right, although he was pretty much MIA every year

and I have said all along that I thought Dodie would flourish in the right setting, a mid-major offense that is truly guard oriented.

[J Money]

Saihou had the weekend off at SIUE and was back in town to see the UWM game Saturday. He said he likes it down there and it's definitely a better fit for him. He didn't do much in uniform but he is still hilarious.

[BuBraves55]

sounds to me like next year we will have a lot of slashers and less shooting

[Big Mike]

I am excited to get Dodie in a Braves uniform!:mrgreen: He will be a good addition to the team and if I remember right....whenm he committed to porter moser with isu out of high school he said he would sign with moser but felt more comfortable with Jim Les! Now he will get to play for JL! And I would not be surprised to see at least one player from this years sqaud not return...it happens every year!:wink:

[amckillip]

I am excited to get Dodie in a Braves uniform!:mrgreen: He will be a good addition to the team and if I remember right....whenm he committed to porter moser with isu out of high school he said he would sign with moser but felt more comfortable with Jim Les! Now he will get to play for JL! And I would not be surprised to see at least one player from this years sqaud not return...it happens every year!:wink:

I know I can't ask but I'll put this out to ponder. Who would leave? I can't think of really anyone I'd want to leave.

As far as Dodie goes I'm also pretty excited. I do have a feeling were going to be far too guard heavy AGAIN, but I prefer that to being heavy at big guys and weak on guards (though being heavy at big men is next to impossible). Dodie seems like he has some awesome attributes to bring to the team and will be an elite guard in the MVC.

[BUBraves06]

I am excited to get Dodie in a Braves uniform!:mrgreen:

Me too! It seems like some here are apprehensive about him coming to BU because he's been at multiple schools, but it certainly seems like he has the talent and I have no doubt that he'll come to BU and find a home. Obviously the coaches like what they see in him and I would assume that the issue was discussed/researched by the staff. I can't wait to see him on the floor with Sam and Andrew next year.

[Big Mike]

The Braves will be very atheletic at guard next season with SM, AW, TCS, and incoming players EM,CR, and DD! We will end up being lightning quick @ guard!;D

[Da Coach]

This was posted earlier, but for those who didn't see it, there is a new article up on Rivals/Jucojunction about Dodie Dunson--
http://jucojunction.rivals.com/

Here is the link to the premium article--
http://jucojunction.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=778599

It says--
Talk about it in JUCOJunction.com Premium Board (http://jucojunction.rivals.com/forum.asp?SID=1090&FID=2066)


Dodie Dunson (http://jucojunction.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=72835), (SO) 6-foot-3 (190) from Vincennes University, has committed to Missouri Valley Conference school Bradley University located in Peoria, IL. Dunson, a Bloomington, IL native, is currently in his first year with the VU Blazers. Dunson played his freshman season at Iowa State University where he averaged five ppg for the Cyclones.
Dunson on the season is averaging 10.4 ppg, 3.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the (24-4) Blazers.

[Scouter]

At least one, and often two scholarships have opened up "unexpectedly" every single season since JL has been here...

2007-2008 - Fears, Brown
2006-2007 - Jassey
2005-2006 - Stemler, Rembert
2004-2005 - Paul, Suggs
2003-2004 - Granger, et al

it could happen again......

That's a pretty unpleasant list of surprise recruits if you ask me.

[BUBraves2006]

And with every one of those players mentioned, not a single one could have really been all that missed at the time when they left the program, other than Granger.

Fears and Brown did nothing good for the university/team, this has been very well documented.

Jassey played about as much as the walk-ons ...

Rembert and Stemler both had talent but never got a chance to show it ...

Paul didn't contribute much. Suggs had some good games ...

The point is, players leave many programs after not getting much of a chance to play. Obviously the coaches know more than we do, so if a current player was to leave after this season, they'd factor that into their recruiting plans.

Dunson seems like a good signing and it goes back to the "best available" recruiting mindset of the JL staff. I'm going to keep trusting in them!

[Da Coach]

Here is an aerticle from last fall that I thought fans might like to read. It was written by Mike Pegram, the head of Peegs.com, the Indiana University Rivals fan site. He knows what is happening at Indiana, and he reports that Kelvin Sampson took a long look at Dodie at Vincennes JC.

It also says some other nice things about Dodie, his skills, his basketball IQ, and his work ethic. It also reprots that he was 6'3", 195 pounds last fall.


October 9, 2007
Vincennes guard gets IU look

Mike Pegram
Peegs.com & Inside Indiana (http://indiana.rivals.com/)
Talk about it in the Message Boards (http://fiu.rivals.com/forum.asp?SID=1183)


Likely down an expected guard signing due to the Bud Mackey saga, it should be of little surprise that some new guard names are popping up on the Hoosier recruiting scene. This weekend the Hoosier staff scouted one just down the road. Former Iowa State guard Dodie Dunson (http://fiu.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=72835) has surfaced at Vincennes University where he seems poised to become one of the most sought after junior college players in the country.
Last year at Iowa State, Dunson played in all 31 games for the Cyclones, averaging 5.2 points and 1.5 rebounds. He had a career high 19 points at Missouri, was second on the team in three-pointers (30) and led the team in free throw percentage (81.6%).
Dunson is originally out of Bloomington, Illinois. As a high school senior there he averaged 16 points, five assists and three steals a game for a team that went 24-4. Dunson was a full qualifier out of high school and signed with Illinois State. He ended up getting a release from that letter and made a one year stop at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire and impressed enough there to sign with Iowa State over offers from Minnesota and Tulsa. At Brewster he averaged 17.2 points, 4.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game for a team that went 20-9 against the nation's best prep school competition.
Vincennes University head coach Everick Sullivan spoke to us last night about his starting guard.
"Just a great all around kid both on and off the floor," said Sullivan. "You can't say enough about his work ethic. Great player and it is rare that you get a great player and a great kid and we are happy that he is here."
Dodie's father Dodie, Sr. is a former player himself who coaches the Team Illinois AAU basketball team. That could be one reason that Dunson has most often been described as a lead or point guard.
"He is a point guard in the natural sense but he can play the off guard position," said Sullivan. "I run a three guard offense and any one of the guards can handle the ball and must be able to shoot and score. He is very physical and extremely athletic. High basketball IQ but his toughness and aggressiveness is what stands out. He can defend anybody and has the ability go over people and get a rebound inside."
The Vincennes coach indicates that Dunson is currently measuring in about 6-foot-3 and 195-pounds. He also reiterated that Dunson is really more of a true point guard and not in a transition to that role from the two guard spot.
"As we looked at him in the offseason he was really a facilitator and a glue guy that does all the things necessary to make sure the five out there are playing together," said Sullivan.
Vincennes hosted their annual October Jamboree this past weekend.
"He played extremely well," said Sullivan. "With out team being so talented a majority of our points come in transition or we try to get that done with good defense and that is where he becomes extremely important to us."
At this point the coach does not anticipate Dunson will sign in November.
"More than likely he is going to wait and then in the spring take some visits," said Sullivan. "He has had a lot of schools look at him but I don't want to start anything by throwing out names."
Sullivan did confirm that the Hoosiers are taking a look.
"Indiana was at the Jamboree," said Sullivan. "I believe it was Coach (Jeff) Meyer."
This may not have been the Hoosiers first look at Dunson.
"There was a showcase up in Indianapolis and they may have been up there, I am not sure," said Sullivan. "I know that he played out in Tulsa in that Mullins event (late July) and Indiana was out there."
Vincennes has a roster with some familiar names on it. Former Franklin Central guard Devin Dumes had some big moments last year as a freshman for Eastern Michigan before his return back to the Hoosier state.
"Devin will be a one year guy for us as well and he had a very good summer for us," said Sullivan. "He, Dodie and Rashad Reed who played almost every minute for us last year---that is like a three headed monster for us. They all get along great. Dodie is probably the most verbal but they are all unselfish with good chemistry."
Then there is big 6-foot-9, 290-pound Aaron Pogue (http://fiu.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=29341) from Dayton Dunbar. He has been the subject of some past Indiana recruiting interest. He was a member of the Spiece Indy Heat summer team that featured Greg Oden, Eric Gordon, Mike Conley and company.
"He (pogue) really played well yesterday," said Sullivan. "That is a kid that if he gets a clue is a big time player. He is in that transition from high school to college but I think he really has a chance. I think he is figuring 'hey, let me start working here.'"
The coach indicate he believes they have Pogue for two seasons but there could be some pending paperwork that could make him Division One eligible earlier than that.
While the coach said he was unaware of any upcoming visit plans to Indiana for Dunson or his teammates, it looks like all will get the chance to see the Hoosier campus soon.
"We have plans on taking our whole team over there (Bloomington) and watching them work out," said Sullivan.

[tornado]

[from the article on Vincennes players]



Zvonko Buljan: (SO) 6-foot-9 (220) from Croatia.

"Buljan is a very skilled combo forward with a great touch from the perimeter," said Swanson.

Nicknamed "Z" by his teammates has been receiving a lot of looks this fall from DePaul, St. Johns, St. Bonaventure, Indiana State, Duquesne, Iowa State, George Mason and South Florida. Buljan averaged 8.2 ppg and 6 rebounds last season for the Blazers.


Regardless of what happens with Dunson, this big guy they have is really picking up interest also.......

Buljan has a new premium story about him by Van Coleman saying this.......

"February 26, 2008
Skilled juco big man has schools looking...


One of the top available big men in the junior college ranks, 6-foot-9 Zvonko Buljan is still pretty open schoolwise...

We caught up yesterday with Vincennes University Assistant Coach David Ragland, and he filled us in on where things currently stand with 6-foot-9 230-pound Croatian big man Zvonko Buljan.

Zvonko has had lots of schools come in and take a look this winter.......He sometimes thinks high major is best, other times mid-major. But, he really wants to find a system where he can fit in right away."

"He's an extremely skilled big man, he can face up and take you off the dribble, pop open jumper , or roll to the blocks and score with jump hook or turn around jumper."

"He's a very tough kid, who doesn't back down from any level of competition, and he's really aggressive on the glass."

He is currently averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds for Vincennes this winter, and according to Ragland doesn't have many weaknesses.

"If he has a weakness," Ragland continued. "Its that he tries to do too much. That's not totally a bad thing just part of his desire to succeed."

According to Coach Ragland, Zvonko's current list of schools include St. John's, George Mason, Indiana State, South Florida, St. Louis, DePaul, Colorado State, Northern Illinois, and Illinois."





BY the way.Van Coleman is solid in his confirmation that Dodie Dunson is committed to Bradley.