Monday, October 20, 2008

Injuries, Eligibility and UConn

What the hell is going on in Storrs?
It's been a hectic past few months for Connecticut. They were bounced early from the NCAA Tournament. AJ Price tore his ACL, another point among a roller coaster like pattern of failures for the point guard at his time with the Huskies. Now the last few weeks have dealt an even bigger blow to the Big East Power.
Just as Price was finally allowed to workout no holds barred, UConn lost another player for 2008.
Freshman Nate Miles was expelled from the school after he violated a restraining order. The recruit who originally committed to the school in fall of 2006, passed academic requirements in June, looked to be a starter on a team decimated by player losses.
Miles was supposed to start in place of Stanley Robinson. Robinson lost his job and his place on the team and in the school as he became academically ineligible, and according to ESPN's Andy Katz, is currently working at a sheet metal factory in Willimantic, Ct.
Compounded with that is news that freshman Ater Majok, a 6'10" forward, is sitting at home in Australia waiting to be cleared by the NCAA.
It's going to be an interesting year for coach Jim Calhoun as he also had guard Doug Wiggins leave the program, currently deciding on a school to transfer to. And Jerome Dyson is one failed drug test away from missing an entire season after already getting caught once.

EXTRA ORANGE
Syracuse guard Eric Devendorf received an extra year of eligibility after winning a hardship waiver. After playing 10 games last year and averaging 17 ppg and 3.9 apg, Devendorf tore his ACL and missed the rest of the season. He will be a junior this year.

Outside the Big East
Kenny George, the 7'7" center from UNC-Asheville had a fraction of his right foot amputated three weeks ago. It was a reactionary move in an attempt to help George overcome a potentially deadly staph infection named MRSA.

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