Cedric Russell Portals out to Ohio State

[Hatch]

One more theory on Russell that is just my own thoughts. It was mentioned in the article the steady increase in production he showed year after year while here. It is possible he didn’t want a decrease in minutes/scoring on his resume in a fifth year in the same program. I’m not saying he would have been riding the bench here next year by any means but with Williams, Harper, and Jones all competing for minutes at the guard spots a slight decrease in production would not have been out of the question, and for a scout simply looking at numbers that may raise an eyebrow. Cedric was practicing against those guys for 3 weeks so he knew what he was up against. For his numbers to go down moving from the mid major level to a national championship contender would be expected, and of course he gets the experience of playing on that kind of stage. I may get some flack for that opinion but I don’t care.

[Cajunsmike]

One more theory on Russell that is just my own thoughts. It was mentioned in the article the steady increase in production he showed year after year while here. It is possible he didn’t want a decrease in minutes/scoring on his resume in a fifth year in the same program. I’m not saying he would have been riding the bench here next year by any means but with Williams, Harper, and Jones all competing for minutes at the guard spots a slight decrease in production would not have been out of the question, and for a scout simply looking at numbers that may raise an eyebrow. Cedric was practicing against those guys for 3 weeks so he knew what he was up against. For his numbers to go down moving from the mid major level to a national championship contender would be expected, and of course he gets the experience of playing on that kind of stage. I may get some flack for that opinion but I don’t care.

The staff was definitely not expecting a decrease in production from Cedric. They WERE expecting his statistical numbers to go down however due to Williams and Jones coming on board. Part of that would be due to him simply playing fewer minutes. That would not have been a bad thing however as he was forced to play too many minutes here the last two years. Going forward the staff still has to deal with keeping 14 scholarship players and two scholarship worthy walkons engaged. That will be a challenge. Once the rotation starts to be pared down (at conference play time), how those who have time lessened respond may determine what type of year they have.

[cajun4life]

Administration and fans.

Bro the fans quit on Lil Big Guppy 5 years ago.

[Hatch]

That’s the point I was trying to make. To have minutes and scoring numbers consistently go up and then decrease a bit in a 5th year in the same program might not be the best look. It was mentioned before he was influenced by an agent, that might have been part of the agent’s advice, just speculating.

[CajunVic]

He may also want exposure in the big dance.

[Turbine]

As returning leading scorer, Cedric was primed to be Levi Lewis' counterpart as leader of the basketball team.

Elfrid Payton says Louisiana provides plenty of necessary exposure.

[Hudsheen#Fired]

As returning leading scorer, Cedric was primed to be Levi Lewis' counterpart as leader of the basketball team.

Elfrid Payton says Louisiana provides plenty of necessary exposure.

To be fair. Elfrid got put on the map playing and starting on team usa U19 squad with a bunch of future pros

[Turbine]

To be fair. Elfrid got put on the map playing and starting on team usa U19 squad with a bunch of future pros

Fair enough.

To be extra fair it was Elfrid's play at Louisiana that provided enough exposure to get him noticed for the U19 squad.

[zephyr]

That’s the point I was trying to make. To have minutes and scoring numbers consistently go up and then decrease a bit in a 5th year in the same program might not be the best look. It was mentioned before he was influenced by an agent, that might have been part of the agent’s advice, just speculating.

I agree with you Hatch but it seems that Russell is leaving mainly due to exposure which he felt he could get at OSU. He's going to a team that may be ranked in the top 10 to start the year so there is obviously going to be talent on that team at his position. I'm just saying, how are you going to perform for the scouts and team executives if you are playing 8 minutes a game on a loaded team? Or at least how are you going to outperform what you did here I guess is my question.

[CajunSaint08]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E55Z4vmX...jpg&name=large

Cedric's goodbye / hello speech to UL / Ohio State