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Illinois State loses a player

S

smitty

New member
Eric Vianney, a deep sub as a freshman last year has left the team. There is a discussion on the Redbird board about it. There is disagreement whether he left on his own or was kicked off the team. I suspect Porter Moser saw a chance to upgrade his roster and yanked the scholarship. There are a couple transfers still looking for new schools (like Ryan Amoroso) and Moser would like to go after him.

http://www.redbirdfan.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4685&sid=d753f2fcd6d2a1c78ae9efcea8316b26
 
What little I saw of Vianney, he looked lost on the floor. Maybe it was because he was a freshman, but he just didn't look like he had Div 1 talent. With all the better guards ISU has, he would not have played much the next few years anyway.
 
It doesn't look like it'll be much of a loss on the court for the Birds. However, anytime one of your own recruits leaves (Porter's in this case), it does raise some questions. If they do show promise this year, nobody will remember. If they don't and more leave, then this will be another strike against Porter.
 
Ha--this is really funny and really ironic!

First, only one message board around actually keeps the posts from over a year ago, and it's BradleyFans.com.
That allows us a chance to see what was said about Vianney way back when he was being recruited to ISU.

Guess what, the very first post on earth that mentions Vianney is titled:
"ISU loses a player"
http://www.bradleyfans.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=794&highlight=vianney
(discussion about Vianney is highlighted)

And look at the third post in that discussion. It is almost as if our poster named "hoops guru" had a crystal ball when he says:
"Vianney won't likely play much next year.......unless Lorenzo Gordon averages 30 ppg, ISU could have a tough time scoring next year."

Porter Moser was quoted after signing Vianney, as saying he was really pleased (almost giddy with joy!!) and that Vianney would give the Redbirds all kinds of options at point guard!!
Here is what he said:
"Vianney, who speaks five languages, joins fellow recruit Dodie Dunson and sophomore Khalif Ford to give Moser the most depth the Redbirds have had at the point guard spot during his tenure.

???‚¬?“With Eric, Dodie and Khalif it gives us so many options,???‚¬?? Moser said. ???‚¬?“All three are bigger guards and if the situation calls for two of them to be on the floor ???‚¬??? we can do that. It will also open up the opportunity to push the ball more. I???‚¬?„?m really excited about these young guards.???‚¬??

So what happened??

Did Porter Moser totally and thoroughly misjudge the talent that Vianney had? I think so.
Hasn't this exact question been brought up before??
YES IT HAS when we were discussing the recruitment and the subsequent leaving of Mark kruse, who was also highlu touted but then found to be talentless.
http://www.bradleyfans.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=18820#18820
http://www.bradleyfans.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=18833#18833
http://www.bradleyfans.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=18843#18843

When will the ISU people begin to get worried, that PM is repeatedly misjudging talent and bringing in players who can't even get off the bench?
Are we to just accept that this next round of recruits are so much different? Time will tell.
 
But ISU was so incredibly weak at guard, and so shallow in experienced players, that if there was any place in America the kid would have a chance of playing, he should stay at ISU.
Has PM made it clear at this early point that he is going with the incoming recruits? Has he already guaranteed playing time to people who aren't yet enrolled, or implied it?
Has he not learned from Lorenzo Gordon, Justin Dentmon, Dodie Dunson? Experience should tell us you can't count your chickens before they hatch.
 
When will the ISU people begin to get worried, that PM is repeatedly misjudging talent and bringing in players who can't even get off the bench?
Are we to just accept that this next round of recruits are so much different? Time will tell.
Click to expand...

Good point, as an ISU fan, I can't help but be worried. However, I am encouraged, because the experts didn't have Vianney rated very highly, like they do Osiris Eldridge.

http://jucojunction.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=42723

Juco Junction didn't have Mark Kruse ranked like they do with Dom Johnson, Anthonly Slack, or Boo Richardson.

http://jucojunction.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=1199

Scout didn't have an article last year at this time saying that Vianney or Kruse were ranked as the 1st and 3rd or 4th best incoming recruits like they did with Eldridge and Hill this year (and yes I understand that since that article came out Creighton signed a higher ranked player).

I'm still worried, but am also encouraged with what the experts have to say about Porter's recruits for this year.

Regardless, this team had better take major steps forward this year or Porter will be losing my support.
 
I agree vbird. At least there seems to be more reason for optimism with the incoming players. They definitely seem to be better than the past few years. Just the fact that Bradley was involved with Hill, Eldridge, Richardson, Johnson, and Slack, tells me they are actualy Div I talents. If they stay around and perform to expectations, it could save PM's job.
 
Kruse was noted to be the top scorer at the NJCAA Finals in 2005, and First Team All Region and led his team to 7th place, remarkably similar things to what's being said about Slack.

Here's what they said in the release about Vianney:
"led his team to the State Championship, 5A (31-4)"
"Eric is unbelievably, physically strong. He is a strong combo guard," Moser said. "When Trey (Guidry) saw him on Eric's visit, Trey asked `What junior college is he from?'
"He has a great work ethic and he will be able to be in the mix right away. He is just a powerful, explosive guard."
"honorable mention all-state selection, chose Illinois State over New Orleans, Tulane and Kansas State."
 
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