On paper, it looks like the Bulldogs may be loaded up front in 2009. Forward Jarvis Varnado, the nation's leading shot-blocker for the past two seasons, has decided to return for his senior season. Last week, the program added a commitment from Renardo Sidney, one of the top power forwards in the 2009 recruiting class. Plus, John Riek, a 7-foot-1 center, has signed a letter of intent with Mississippi State instead of Cincinnati. Mississippi State has size and talent up front that compares favorably with Kentucky and anyone in the nation.
That is, if they all make it on to the court.
Sidney is under heavy NCAA scrutiny for his academics and his family's connections with a Reebok shoe representative, something the Bulldogs are acutely aware of, as they have already retained the services of attorney Mike Glazier, who has represented Oklahoma, Louisville, Villanova and others in the past (including Mississippi State's football program) when dealing with NCAA investigations.
Glazier was specifically retained for dealing with Sidney, suggesting that, at the very least, Sidney may not be a lock to make it out to the court for his expected single season at MSU.
As for Riek, he's at the IMG Academy in Florida still recovering from knee surgery that kept him from signing with Cinci after attending prep school in Massachusetts in 2007. He spent last year at the IMG Basketball Academy on scholarship while rehabbing from knee ligament surgery. Oh, and the NCAA has kept tabs on Riek as well, after actually putting his name in the NBA Draft last year.
Ultimately the Bulldogs could have one of the deepest, biggest, and defensively dominating frontcourt in the country in 2009. Or it could just be Jarvis Varnardo trying to do it all. There may be no team harder to predict before the season begins all because of eligibility issues.
