Dwaun Anderson Looking Elsewhere Instead of MSU

by intrpdtrvlr on Oct 11, 2011 9:51 AM CDT

Jeff Goodman posted a blog today on his CBS site that gave added weight to the speculation of many pessimistic Spartan fans since August – that Dwaun Anderson is not returning to Michigan State. Writing from a unnamed source, Goodman mentions teams courting Dwaun (Drexel, CMU, Georgetown, etc.) with no space devoted to the notion that Anderson might be coming back to MSU. In fact, it is instead suggested that he could be playing elsewhere as early as January. If the primary plan was to navigate Dwaun back to East Lansing as he continues counseling, I have to imagine that little of this exploration would be happening.

Though you can’t close the door 100%, it looks increasingly like the original statement released by MSU was a placeholder to give Anderson some space and time to plan his course without making any final decisions. Already, the loss of Anderson has added pressure to a perimeter group heavy with newcomers and made the possible redshirting of freshman guard Brandan Kearney less likely. Going forward, whether we're talking about roster roles, scholarships for recruiting, etc., it's fair to start having those discussions without factoring in the highlight-dunking guard from Suttons Bay. For everyone excited about Dwaun going from Youtube to the Breslin Center, that's a sad transition.

Of course, all our best goes out to Dwaun Anderson in his future on the court and beyond. We hope this is just an opportunity for Dwaun to grow on his quest through a long, successful life in basketball.

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Major sad face

I must say, I did not see this coming (though I am not plugged into recruiting or hs ball at all).

Sooooooo, I’ll put it out there: does this help us land Gary Harris??

by MSUDersh on Oct 11, 2011 10:05 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

I don't think it makes much difference at all

We already have an open spot and who knows – it depends whether Harris was excited about playing with Anderson in a deep backcourt or whether he’s more satisfied that one of his biggest competitors to start as a freshman is now gone. But really, little to no impact is my guess.

"And how much are intangibles worth? 10%? 20%?" - kj@theonlycolors

by intrpdtrvlr on Oct 11, 2011 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Open spot

Did we already have an open spot? I thought Wood had Sherm’s scholly (or is it Lucious’s?), and Roe still on scholly.

Thanks for the clarification, you are definitely the TOC recruiting guru!

by MSUDersh on Oct 11, 2011 10:21 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Harris plays next year

Wood will be gone

by Maceo Baston on Oct 11, 2011 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Yep

Without Anderson, we actually have two spots in 2012 and three in 2013. Harris would cut both down by one if he goes Green, obviously.

"And how much are intangibles worth? 10%? 20%?" - kj@theonlycolors

by intrpdtrvlr on Oct 11, 2011 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions

DSR. DSR. DSR.

Any updates on the likelihood of who we’ll fill all these attrition fueled spots with?

by Loneytunes on Oct 11, 2011 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think MSU is recruiting DSR seriously at all anymore

Still Harris or bust ’12.

"And how much are intangibles worth? 10%? 20%?" - kj@theonlycolors

by intrpdtrvlr on Oct 11, 2011 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Oops my bad

I guess I was getting a little ahead of myself.

by MSUDersh on Oct 11, 2011 10:43 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

How would he be available in January? I assume he’s technically under scholarship right now since he signed a LOI, but I could be wrong.

by SpartanBoiler on Oct 11, 2011 10:15 AM CDT reply actions

I'm sure MSU would release him from his LOI?

by MooTheKow on Oct 11, 2011 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Release

Right after I put this up, Alex Kline’s Recruit Scoop stated that Dwaun has already been released. I don’t think there was a hold-up on MSU’s end. New start and best for both.

"And how much are intangibles worth? 10%? 20%?" - kj@theonlycolors

by intrpdtrvlr on Oct 11, 2011 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions

That makes sense. Otherwise, he would have to sit out a year before playing.

by SpartanBoiler on Oct 11, 2011 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Why

Why is he leaving? Do we have any real idea?

by spartan02 on Oct 11, 2011 11:14 AM CDT reply actions

Good luck to Anderson

But the reality is, if he doesn’t want to be here, it’s better for both sides to find that out now rather than after wasting a year of eligibility.

by JimmyB! on Oct 11, 2011 11:26 AM CDT reply actions

Am I the only one who is pissed off by this?

It drives me nuts that a kid signs a contract, bails at the last minute because of emotional issues and when the school holds a spot open for him and publicly supports a decision that, lets be honest I would never let my kid make, and then he decides he wants to go elsewhere.

Two Things
I guess now it makes sense why we’re going so hard after Smith-Riveria and Harris. Now we have room. Any updates intrpdtvlr or anyone else?

Also, I happen to have a job that allows me to be in contact with some well connected MSU sports journalists, I was talking to one of them (I don’t want to misquote or put words in his mouth) and he was telling me about the team practices. Apparently Kearney is ready to play. He says that although he’s not as strong as he needs to be his shots much improved, his point skill are developing very well (incredible handle) and he’s done a very good job getting to the rim in scrimmages. Defense may be suspect since he’s not strong. So there’s an unofficial scouting report that should provide a silver lining, I think Kearney will surprise people.

by Loneytunes on Oct 11, 2011 12:10 PM CDT reply actions

Don't assume you know what happened

The spot was not going to be held for him,

by Maceo Baston on Oct 11, 2011 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions

I think if he wanted to come back

next year then Izzo would have held his spot. You don’t often see Izzo strand a player.

by Loneytunes on Oct 12, 2011 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions

I think..

….a ‘his mom died’ get out of jail free card is warranted. I don’t get why he’d want to go elsewhere rather than MSU because of it, but, hey, fare thee well.

Maceo, do you mean that MSU said he would have a scholarship this year, but not next year? Where does that info come from?

by witless chum on Oct 11, 2011 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Im saying theres more

to the story than his Mom died. Both parties (not just Dwuan) decided to move in different directions after this summer.

by Maceo Baston on Oct 11, 2011 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep

And it’s probably best to just wish everyone the best and leave it at that.

"And how much are intangibles worth? 10%? 20%?" - kj@theonlycolors

by intrpdtrvlr on Oct 11, 2011 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

well put

this is not something we should all be speculating about, IMHO

by one23 on Oct 11, 2011 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

That's the most any of us can do

Just like with the Chris Allen and Korie Lucious situations, all we’re really doing is speculating, which is productive for no one. Unfortunate he never donned the Green and White, but time marches on.

"It was worth it. Every needle, every dose of medicine that I've taken. That's why you play the game. A chance to be on a Final Four team, a chance to win championships." Delvon Roe

by Ducking Delvon on Oct 11, 2011 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions

We're demanding full clarity and contract awareness...

…from an emotionally distressed 18 year old? Wow.

Would have been great to have an IQ and disposition like Draymond in the perimeter. But if Izzo helped him even a little by taking that of pressure of his life, he’s done his job. Best of luck to DA.

by DP99 on Oct 11, 2011 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yes, you are.

…and comments like that really shouldn’t be made here.

Best of luck to Dwaun as he deals with life issues that are far more important than most recruits.

by Stuka on Oct 11, 2011 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Well first of all

I can make whatever comments and form whatever opinions I want to. All this recent attrition is a frustrating element to MSU basketball lately. And I can tell you that although I understand the need for emotional safety, now that he’s officially looking elsewhere the whole situation smells a little bit to me. You can disagree, that’s your prerogative, but I’m allowed to bring up some legitimate issues with the situation, as it seems to have happened.

by Loneytunes on Oct 12, 2011 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Not a total shock

Mature adults can have their lives turned upside down by such a devastating loss and it usually takes at least 12 months before you can recover and make rational decisions about where to live, work, go to school, etc. Dwaun’s a kid so obviously his time frame is a lot different. I don’t buy him going to an east coast school for one bit though. Does he have family in Philly or something?
I’d say he ends up at Central Michigan sooner than later, the other “visits” are a smokescreen.

This does create a bit of a problem for next year if Harris is in KY though. It’s too late to find a replacement player for ‘12 and the DSR rumors were just that. The scouting report on BK is encouraging but the real key is Byrd’s foot. We really need him to be healed. However, if Harris is open to playing more than one year of college ball this does free a schollie without changing the numbers for ’13 and beyond.

Thanks for the basketball post btw.
It’s been nothing but crickets chirping on TOC when it comes to basketball for a while. Now I’ll get greedy and ask for new recruiting hotlist update as I know player and team previews will be arriving shortly… Right???

"the game is out there, and it's play or get played. That simple" - Omar

by spartyball on Oct 11, 2011 3:09 PM CDT reply actions

+1 Pleeeeease!

by spartanbballfan on Oct 11, 2011 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Midnight Madness Recruits on Campus?

Josh,

I was wondering if you had a list of recruits that will be on campus this weekend?

by MSUinMD on Oct 11, 2011 3:28 PM CDT reply actions

I'm still trying to nail down all the bigger names

The list isn’t terribly long that I’ve seen so far. There’s a USA mini-camp this weekend that’s taking a lot of elite guys who might otherwise be attractive attendees, guys like Tyus Jones, Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor, etc. Even local star Cha Cha Tucker will have to miss Midnight Madness to go.

"And how much are intangibles worth? 10%? 20%?" - kj@theonlycolors

by intrpdtrvlr on Oct 11, 2011 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm with spartyball

The thing I look forward to most on TOC is the recruiting hotlist

by Mjay413 on Oct 11, 2011 3:55 PM CDT reply actions

Hotlists

The urge is to make them earlier every year, it seems. There isn’t any formal rule but I try to wait until the summer after players’ sophomore year. It’s worth noting that MSU hasn’t had a commit by that time in quite a few years. Could Drake Harris break that streak for 2014? We’ll have to wait and see.

"And how much are intangibles worth? 10%? 20%?" - kj@theonlycolors

by intrpdtrvlr on Oct 11, 2011 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions