Academics

Tennessee Freshman White Ruled Ineligible

Matthew Ryter — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:44:26 -0800

The Story: Tennessee freshman point guard Daniel West has been ruled academically ineligible for this season. He had not practiced with the team since workouts began on October 17 due to his eligibility clearance issue. Coach Bruce Pearl insisted that West had done well in summer courses and that he did not expect this problem to arise. "The frustration is he passed many checks and balances and was in summer school and did very well," Pearl said. "To get the rug pulled out from underneath you is certainly disappointing." West was expected to share time at the point this season with junior college transfer Bobby Maze and junior J.P. Prince. Prince hurt his shoulder in a fall practice and will be evaluated later this week to see if he can go in their opener against Chattanooga. Maze will start and will most likely receive the bulk of the point duties with help from Prince and junior Josh Tabb.

Ryter's Block: Tennessee will be fine without West this year. They lose some depth in their backcourt but it won't be a factor. The Tennessee freshman to keep your eye on this year is Scotty Hopson, not Daniel West. With the entire year to focus on school West will bounce back next year and bring his speed and quickness that will fit right into Pearl's up-tempo offense. Playing a sport in college is a full-time job. For freshman athletes there is an adjustment period of balancing school work and their respective sport.

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Illinois State's Kenyon Smith Ineligible

Press Release — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:11:21 -0700

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State freshman Kenyon Smith failed to meet the NCAA's minimum academic eligibility standards and won't be allowed to play on the Redbird men’s basketball team this season.

“Obviously, we have known about this situation for some time, but we were hopeful that his two appeals would be heard and be ruled in his favor,” said ISU head coach Tim Jankovich. “The NCAA originally ruled him eligible and later placed one of his marks in question. I feel badly for Keynon, as he cannot be a member of our team nor on scholarship for at least a year.”

Under NCAA rules, Smith, who is still enrolled at Illinois State, will not be allowed to practice with the team or receive athletic aid during the 2008-09 season, and will lose a year of eligibility. He can regain that lost year of eligibility, however. To do that, the Chicago Simeon High School product must complete 80 percent of his designated degree program by the beginning of his fifth academic year.

Patrick Beverley Ruled Ineligible for Arkansas

Press Release — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:23:31 -0700

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Junior guard Patrick Beverley will not compete for the Razorbacks in the 2008-09 basketball season.

The University of Arkansas, including its administrators and coaches, will have no further comment due to student privacy laws.

-www.arkansasrazorbacks.com