2008 BU commitment-Dodie Dunson

[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.