Ragin' Cajuns pick up basketball pledge

[CajunRed]

_ Josh, 7-22 is not shutting some one down, thats more like the guy had an off night. a shutdown would be more like 2-8, i shooter gets that many attempts up (22), hes not getting shut down he was just off...

I guy that averages 2 ppg in JUCO should not get signed for a D1 scholarship. If he would ball this year, then look into signing him. Hope this kid develops into a player... Only time will tell!!! _

Nope... 7 of 22 can be because of the defender taking any open looks away from him, forcing him to take off balance shots or shots further out than he is used to.

[Parrott]

Exactly right, CajunRed. Sure, the guy got off 22 shots, but that's probably because Dodson was three inches taller than Reese.

Brad, based on your experience you should know better than to jump to the conclusion that the guy just had a bad shooting night. Sometimes that does happen. But sometimes a good defenders MAKES it happen by putting an elbow in his gut, a hand in his face or by doing anything to mess up the shooting rhythm without getting whistled for it. That includes forcing him away from where he wants to shoot on the floor and making him use the dribble when he really wants to just catch and shoot. Reese has a tremendous wingspan and is dedicated to playing defense - something the Cajuns could use on the perimeter right now! Surprised that you're not happy that the team is looking for better defenders given how much that was a sore spot last season.

Again, the 2 points per game average is low. No arguing against that. To understand why he averaged that you just need to look at who was in front of him and what his role was last season. The guy still has to play as a true sophomore this season. Other coaches in the region are talking about him being a steal if the Cajuns sign him early because he will get more and more looks in the spring since he plays for a good team with talented big guys. Sometimes taking a late bloomer pays off, sometimes it doesn't. That's the nature of recruiting. But don't allow your frustration with the program to make you write off this recruit before you even see him play or before he even gets a chance to step into a new role one season before he joins the team.

[zephyr]

_ So did we sign him? or is he a committment? I am just saying that I haven't seen many kids that average 2PPG no matter what team they are on, develop into a good player for a D1 School, hope he works out... _

He is a verbal commit but can't sign until later in November. That is why people think this is a poor signing but what if he comes out and averages 20 points per game and starts getting some serious looks from bigger schools and we have him signed already? Then, we've gotten a steal.

[BeauCajun]

Hmmm. Defensive gems from the Matador. Just a thought.

[Turbine]

Why would Robert Lee go after a defensive gem when what he really wants is scorers who can play defense he won't play defenders who can't score.

I say this because last year Colby Batiste was one such defensive gem, opponents had trouble scoring on him under the basket (to me that is worth points) but his playing time was limited more and more as the season progressed with the stated reason being he didn't possess enough offensive skills.

[HoustonCajun]

_ He is a verbal commit but can't sign until later in November. That is why people think this is a poor signing but what if he comes out and averages 20 points per game and starts getting some serious looks from bigger schools and we have him signed already? Then, we've gotten a steal. _

Did I read that only Jacksonville has shown interest in him other than UL. What should we read into that?

[Parrott]

Actually, Jacksonville offered him out of high school. Troy and Alabama State wanted him to visit and would have likely offered on those trips. Other schools were sniffing around. The program is taking a chance on the guy, but it could pay off big. Isn't that what some people are asking for in football recruiting?