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Crews transfers to Bowie State; Jones says playing right away was key

By Mike Griffith (Contact)
Originally published 12:10 p.m., July 15, 2008
Updated 06:09 p.m., July 15, 2008

Former Tennessee men’s basketball players Duke Crews and Ramar Smith will be back on the floor this season after transferring to schools where they can play right away.

Division II Bowie (Md.) State announced Tuesday that Crews has enrolled, while Smith enrolled at NAIA Oklahoma City University last week.

Oklahoma City has won two consecutive NAIA Division I championships; Bowie State finished second in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association last season.

“They’ve both made solid choices, and I think they’ll try to make the best out of the situation,’’ said UT associate head coach Tony Jones, who served as the primary recruiter for both players. “It’s disappointing that they didn’t continue at Tennessee, but what matters now is how they handle the situation. They both want to continue playing without sitting out a year.’’

Jones said he appreciates the players’ contributions with Vols over the past two seasons.

“Obviously, last season was the best in UT history in some respects,’’ Jones said. “We won an unprecedented amount of games (31) and ascended to the No. 1-ranking for the first time in school history, and Duke and Ramar were important parts of that.’’

Crews was considering Charlotte and Pittsburgh but elected to stay closer to home and play immediately.

“We’ve had three All-Americans to play at BSU and we expect (Crews) to be the fourth,’’ Bowie State coach Luke D’Alessio said in a release.

Bowie State athletic director Derek Carter is a former assistant director for student life at UT who earned a master’s degree in sport management on the Knoxville campus.

Crews and Smith were decorated recruits who earned SEC All-Freshman team honors two seasons ago. Last year, however, both saw a slight dropoff in playing time and production, and at the end of the season parted ways with UT.

Crews, a 6-foot-7, 233-pound power forward from Bethel, Va., started two of the 26 games he played last season, averaging 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds. Crews missed nine games after being diagnosed with a heart condition on Dec. 14, 2007, before being cleared to finish out the season.

Crews led the Vols with 32 blocked shots and field-goal percentage (51.8) as a freshman, finishing second on the team with 5.1 rebounds per game including a Tennessee NCAA tournament-record performance with eight offensive rebounds against Long Beach State.

Crews was rated the No. 26 overall player in 2006 by Rivals and No. 27 by Scout.com.

Smith, a 6-2, 200-pound guard, was rated the No. 20 overall player by Rivals and No. 47 by Scout.com coming out of Detroit’s King High School.

Smith started 17 of 36 games last season, averaging 7.4 points while finishing second among the Vols with 3.2 assists per game.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       53 Comments

Posted by ctownvol on July 15, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good luck in everything you do Duke!

Posted by TurboFan on July 15, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What's their mascot? A knife?

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on July 15, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bowie State? Never even heard of it. Where is it?

Good luck anyways Duke. I hated to see you go and I hope you are very successful over there.

Posted by alfrizzle097 on July 15, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like they will win their conference now.

Posted by LiveFaith on July 15, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where have I been? Never heard of them. Not bad if Duke gets a degree and gets to play some hoops too. Never expected a professional career for him, so the league is no big deal.

Thanks for the memories Duke.

Posted by volmattna on July 15, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good luck Duke vol fans still love you! just thought you would go somewhere other than bowie st

Posted by jlovevols on July 15, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's in Maryland, outside of DC.

Posted by Michael1204 on July 15, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

good luck duke. please make good choices in your future.

Posted by stroker on July 15, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bowie State University is a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, an NCAA Division II conference of 12 historically African American institutions. The Bulldogs compete in five men's sports-------

Good luck Duke.

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on July 15, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bowie State is in the Dope Capital of the Middle East Coast!

Duke I hope you can work thru it. Best Wishes.

Posted by AlpharettaVol on July 15, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know the article says Crews "left Tennessee in May after playing two seasons" but that is not entirely accurate. Sounds like he just decided one day to transfer to another school. No sense beating a dead horse but the KNS should at least tell what really happened.

Posted by BSweet on July 15, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Duke has loads of undeveloped talent. If he can stop the weed, maybe he can finally realize his potential. This is my hope for him. To me, he always reminded me of Ron Slay. I think they both have a tremendous passion for the game. I certainly wish him the very best. Thank you Duke for your time as a volunteer.

Posted by bobbarbilly on July 15, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why? Let Duke go in peace.He is getting a second chance and let's hope that he makes the best of it. First with his life choices and then with BB.
GOOD LUCK DUKE. BE WISE.

Posted by supersmo18 on July 15, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think their arch-rival is Davy Crockett U.

Posted by supersmo18 on July 15, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And yes, I do realize we have a Davy Crockett as a mascot... I didn't think about that until I had already posted it... ::open mouth, insert foot::

Posted by jfg1980 on July 15, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Loser. Hope that was some good weed that you smoked, and got kicked out of school for. What a moron. By the way, why do I care where Duke or Ramar are playing now? They aren't wearing the ORANGE anymore so I'm done with them. They disrespected the University of Tennessee and us, the fans by repeatedly making dumb a** mistakes. Good riddance.

Posted by pdhuff on July 15, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Best of luck, son.

Posted by WVVOLFAN on July 15, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

man jfg, lighten up. some day you'll need a second chance for an error you made. hopefully the person you need it from doesn't have your attitude.

Posted by ChuckG on July 15, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jfg1980 I do not suppose that you have ever made a mistake. You obvioulsy are perfect and we should all strive to live up to you being the pillar of virtuosity that you must be. Man give the guys a break they screwed up and are paying a heavy price, not unjustified, but still heavy price. In spite of your hyper-critical opinion most people care about them because they were vols and put it on the line for the big orange for two years.

Posted by tenncorncob on July 15, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought Boise State was in Idaho?

Posted by brownsvillevol on July 15, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

idaho? isn't that where potatoes are from?

Posted by TommyJack on July 15, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm guessing Crews evaluated things and concluded Bowie was right for him. Luck to him.

BSweet: Slay had much more pure talent, IMO.

Posted by BAMABLOWS on July 15, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dean fulmer switched duke and ramars marlboros with wacky grass cigarettes when they werent looking, and he also switched their test scores while their professors were out of the room, its all fulmers fault . fire dean fulmer for this awful wretched deed sincerely , bammer fan

Posted by jlovevols on July 15, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bluetick ??????

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 15, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack - totally agree with you on Slay (who was at an all other level) having more talent, but Duke was a good player with a lot of potential. I for one was very sorry to see him go. I wish him the best and I hope he gets things turned around as he will look back someday at missed opportunitites if he doesn't.

Posted by Smallmike4pres on July 15, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hear they grow the best, uh, plants there.

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 15, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JFG1980....

Take it easy on him brother, we should all be "dancing in the street" for Duke and his second chance.
Let's just hope he can still perform "under pressure"

Help me out here Kingsport :)

Posted by jfg1980 on July 15, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Dancing in the streets"? Are you serious? He took the opportunity of a lifetime and smoked it away. He disgraced the school, fans and himself. I have no sympathy for these student athletes who make "repeated" mistakes and lose their scholarship or role in the program. It's absurd! And yes, I have also made mistakes, but I have learned from them and therefor do not repeat them. Duke had several chances to right the ship and refused to do so. For that, I have no respect. He no longer plays for Tennessee because he was hurting our program. Why should I show him any support. Represent the University of Tennessee with honor and respect, and if you make a mistake don't do it again. It's my opinion and if you can't handle it dont't read it.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on July 15, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Can we get a cup of the jfg1980 Decaf instead of that wired-up high octane Special Blend? Maybe just some Luzianne Authentic Southern Iced Tea insted. Josh maybe you should just relax with a nice glass of warm milk. Do you feel the same way about Bernard; just curious?

Posted by BigOrangeVol on July 15, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Aside from thinking a that every Caucasian that ever played for UT was a "wasted scholarship", 'slov really does love the Vols. Except for his petty jealousy, racism and ignorance he's a great guy otherwise…blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda!

Posted by BigOrangeVol on July 15, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ooops, that last one was for the Manning article.

Posted by ubershamu311 on July 15, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Since nobody else has, I wish best of luck to Ramar.

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 15, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JFG...
Yes, I was serious about "dancing in the street, and so was David Bowie...

But well done on the diatribe sir, I feel much more enlightened and reformed. I guess I just thought it was o.k to continually make the same, illegal mistake over and over. Thank you sincerely for showing me the light.

Posted by ChuckG on July 15, 2008 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jfg - I hope that you don't have any children if you do I fell really sorry for them. We have no idea if they have learned from their mistakes as of yet, because they have just recently suffered the consequences of their actions. Scholarship athletes are humans just like everyone else. Clearly, they took their scholarships for granted, made mistakes, and are now suffering the consequences. Unfortunetly that is what life is about it is called growing up. We all have to go through that process. Grow-learn-change! Why should these guys be held up to higher standards because they can shoot or dribble a basketball or jump high. Give me a break. You are dillusional at best. People like you, hypocritical judgemental moroons need to take their balls and go home.

Posted by IPOrange on July 15, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TurboFan (12:15 p.m.) - good one!

Good luck fellas. Fly the straight and narrow, earn your degree, and enjoy the rest of your b-ball career. Enjoyed watching you in orange.

Posted by jfg1980 on July 15, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ChuckG...who are you calling a moron? You can't even spell it right.

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 15, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In this corner, with a record of 0-12 with 12 knockouts and 11 hospital stays, we have the 120 lb. aides victem Chuck G. G!!!! And in this corner, with a record of 0-21, 10 against the retard Dupree, we have the spelling B Champion from coffee land, jfg1980.....jfggggggg!!!! Now let's have a real dirty fight with lots of punches below the belt.

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on July 15, 2008 at 11:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll say it one more time....DDDDOOOOOOOOOKK CWWWWWUUUUUUUZZZEE

Posted by itsme53792 on July 16, 2008 at 12:31 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on July 16, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by jfg1980 on July 15, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way, why do I care where Duke or Ramar are playing now? They aren't wearing the ORANGE anymore so I'm done with them.
***********************************************
You may not care where they are playing, but you need to care if they are playing in a College somewhere that is part of teh NCAA. If they had elected to go to Europe or elsewhere and play ball, it would have trashed our APR and hurt our available Scholleys. Which are already in bad shape.

Posted by DandyVol on July 16, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LVET: That is an excellent point which I had not thought of. Good luck to the two boys and let's all hope they both straighten up and do something good with their lives.

Posted by eb502us on July 16, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Goes to show you how these ranking services are way off. Nether of these guys would be a top 200 talent if they were re-ranked this year.

Posted by WVVOLFAN on July 16, 2008 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jfg, i'll help out chuck g, you're both a moron and a moroooon. if you don't like that. then deal with it.

Posted by mparker on July 16, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not so certain it's just weed hurting these guys. yeah, yeah, I know it's illegal, and getting them in trouble that way.

Some people smoke weed to relieve pressure, or ease nerves. My point is that people who do that would find another way to ease the nevers if weed weren't available, such as prescriptions (why drug companies hate weed; think about it), booze, beting up skinny white english majors, whatever.

Posted by marc_ash on July 16, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Checked out the web site for Duke's new school...no information on him joining the basketball team. Probably not quite as big a deal for them, but just found it interesting they had articles about their lady softball team, but nothing on Crews coming in. I would think a story would have been warranted.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on July 19, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's the Bowie State link to the Willard Crews article:
http://www.bowiestate.edu/about/News/...

Posted by itsme53792 on July 19, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How interesting that the utenn transfers...are not finding themselves at Ohio ST, Marquette, Gonzaga, S. Alabama, Ark ST...but rather at "Oklahoma City" and "Bowie State". Reading these posts would lead one to believe that utenn fans think their players were ready for UCLA, UNC, Memphis, Louisville or other elite programs. Just ain't so. Talent or misbehavior, or both? But ol' Bruce sure does know how to pick'em, doesn't he? uthug U.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on July 21, 2008 at 1:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone with half a brain knows that they went to those schools so that they didn't have to sit out a year.

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on July 21, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigOrange is so very Correct. Drop down a Division and you don't have to ride the Pine a year.

Posted by itsme53792 on July 24, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well smallorange: Let's DO talk about "brain size". Transfers to D-1 programs DO sit out a year. Okla City is D-1 and he WILL sit out a year. So your little argument went up in the air with the force of your normal intellectual flatulence. You orangenecks (even your women apparently) are illiterate, uneducated and uninformed. All will look forward to your progression to 1/2 a brain. Or perhaps you should try for Courage instead.

Posted by jgarrettvol on July 30, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

itsme53792, you are a moron and unfortunately, everyone here has been subjected to your stupidity. Oklahoma City University is D-1, in NAIA. So, Ramar Smith doesn't have to sit out a year. Get a f***ing clue.

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