Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl announced that Daniel West, who signed with the Vols in March of 2008, will not play for the team next season.
West was ruled academically ineligible before the start of what would have been his freshman season as a result of a standardized testing agency flagging his qualifying score.
UT basketball also is under the NCAA’s mandated APR (Academic Progress Rating) of 925 and stands to lose a scholarship. UT has an appeal pending to get the full allotment of 13 scholarships, but right now the number stands at 12.
“The NCAA removed Daniel from our roster at the beginning of October,’’ Pearl said Friday. “Daniel chose to stay in school and complete his first year. We never told Daniel he had a scholarship for next season.’’
West, a point guard from Saginaw, Mich., will transfer to a junior college or another four-year school following the completion of the spring semester.
“Not having Daniel this year really hurt our team and our depth in the backcourt,’’ Pearl said. “We were already thin at the position.’’
West’s unforeseen ineligibility — the test was taken in the summer prior to his enrollment at UT — forced Pearl to move small forward Josh Tabb to point guard and was a factor in the team’s inability to press.
If the Vols don’t win their appeal on the APR rating and junior Tyler Smith elects to return for his senior season, UT will be over its limit on scholarship players.
“If that’s the case, we would have to make a decision,’’ Pearl said.
While Pearl wouldn’t elaborate on which player would lose his scholarship, freshman center Philip Jurick has let it be known he is not encouraged with his projected playing time next season.
Pearl said he has met with Jurick, a 6-foot-10 center from Chattanooga’s East Ridge High School, on that issue this week.
Smith has said if he’s not “comfortably’’ projected to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft in June, he will return to the Vols.
Smith is a projected mid-second round pick on most draft sites heading into his workouts. He declared himself eligible for the draft last week but has not hired an agent, so he is eligible to return to UT.
Pearl would not disclose the Vols’ new APR number — that will be released in the fall — but he said it is the highest it has been since he took the job four years ago.
“When I got here, we were below 900, and it was not in good shape,’’ Pearl said. “We’ve improved every year, but not to the point where we could overcome the penalty.
“The great challenge is when you combine discipline with academic performance.’’
Pearl has dismissed five scholarship players from the program over the course of four seasons.
Jemere Hendrix was cut before he ever suited up for Pearl. Major Wingate and Tony Passley were dismissed Pearl’s second season, and last year Duke Crews and Ramar Smith didn’t have their scholarships renewed.
“We’re going to have six or seven VOLScholars this season,’’ Pearl said, referring to UT’s athletic award for academic excellence and diligence. “We’ve turned the corner but not fast enough.’’
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Comments » 101
bcbobcat82 writes:
good luck danny boy
govolsxtra writes:
HhHhhhAAAA Jurik is not encouraged by his playing tme
jfg1980 writes:
Philip must no be that good
govolsxtra writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
TommyJack writes:
No way for me to judge this move. Have to trust Bruce.
On the Jurick deal, many predicted from the get-go that he was a long shot.
Agee_Vols_82 writes:
This blows
HonoluluVol writes:
It's simple, release Jurick and give the Scholly to West.
smitbo7 writes:
Let them both go. Neither will play any role in the Vols future success. We'll need the scholarships for 2009 and 2010.
golfballs03 writes:
We saw this coming
golfballs03 writes:
HonoluluVol writes:
It's simple, release Jurick and give the Scholly to West.
------------
I agree
b_neas writes:
It is clear now why he went and got Goins signed! Agree on Jurick how does a big slow kid fit into the Pearl style of play anyway? Especially when we already have Brian Williams.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Oh well, probably better for these kids. Now they can go somewhere where they can win.
b_neas writes:
yeah he can block the shot if they come right at him.....if he has to move more than 3 feet its an easy shot because of his sloth like quickness
vol4gzus writes:
Bluegrass state fodder for thot huh? Do ewe have proof ? Of course not! If he didn't care at all why even discipline/cut players? He does care ewe are just doing your usual pot stirring job.
On topic, we saw this coming for Mr. West. I do think more highly of him though for paying his own way and working on his academics. Mr. Juric was a project that apparently hasn't played out.
T on helmet stands for TENNESSEE sir!!!
b_neas writes:
Does not care if they go to class? I guess that is why one of the first actions when Pearl arrived was making C-Lo get up at 5 in the morning to run for 2 hours because he missed a class? Going to class does not always mean good grades. Pearl in no way is on Fulmer's level as far as having players that do not behave (thugs). Pearl quickly gets rid of the kids that do not know how to act. Even if they are important to his teams success. This is one thing he should actually be commended for.
NO_DIGGITY writes:
He could take "Drive By" Evans scholly at Kitty High since he hired an agent. With all the mass defections the Kittens have you should have 10 to 11 schollys available. Good luck against Tulsa and UAB next year.
murrayvol writes:
You never know. He's got a boatload of handles.
murrayvol writes:
Mr. Jurick will be happier and more productive in another program.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Pearl has announced that Knoxville community college is after him. He says they are ready to make him an offer. He also mentioned that what he really needs is a new boat. He says if he somehow got a new boat he couldn't see leaving UT.
b_neas writes:
Wanna see thugs? wait and see what kind of kids Coach Cal has on the court, Adolph will be flipping in his grave when he sees the kids wearing the KY blue.
murrayvol writes:
Congratulations troops. Approaching 10 posts with no response to the zzmaster. It's gotta be gnawing at his entrails. Keep up the good work.
Ironcity writes:
Its my understanding he is pretty athletic. I don't think he has any hands. So he can't shot or rebound. Not much use for him if he cant do either of those things. He would be better suited for Belmont where he could be a defensive force down low.
golfballs03 writes:
Remember when Jemere Hendrix walked around Thompson Boling for that entire game with a t-shirt that he had writting "I'm sorry, please forgive me" all over it?
Vol_Jokes writes:
Well, just heard Pearl on the radio. Seems Chattanoga Bible college has expressed a strong interest in Pearl, according to bruce himself. He's saying he really doesn't want to go but they've offered him several new tanning beds. He says the bulbs in his are too dim now due to overuse. Says if he could just get 3 new tanning beds and a really official looking fake id for his gf showing that she was 21, he'd stay at UT.
chrisw2967 writes:
tiger high will be about the 3rd best team in conf. USA and about the 4th best in memphis.
I still think when those tigers takes the court this year,they should run out to the music from the brady bunch. after all you do have peter brady as a coach.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
How many days, Ashley?
KCHS63 writes:
I don't even stop to take a p--s when I'm passing through Gainesville on my way to the REAL Florida. It seems so strange that a Gator gets so much pleasure out of living in Knoxville. Of course I understand getting out of that little s--thole, but why experience such emotional frustration by acting like you don't like something, when clearly you made the life decision to cast your lot with God's Country. Welcome aboard, Gatorbait.
3ballvol writes:
I am a Bruce fan but this thing is classless(given that West made the grades)! Why sign these kids in the first place. Bruce may be a winner but I dont buy the spin he is putting out right now on the academic progress of the program. I think the eithics concerning the coaching staff is about one star and should be called into question! This isn't the first time we have seen this! How many kids will we take to just tell them you aren't going to make it here. The problem is with signing them in the beginning. I am well aware that scholarships are on a yearly basis but something doesn't feel right about this deal. You don't sign kids , have them stay (paying there on way) then cut them. What the heck is this becoming! I love the winning but I am started to question the morality and talent evaluation of the coaches. It is kinda a sad day when coaches no longer stand for anything but winning. I like Bruce Pearl but he is not beyond criticism. Bottom line at first glance this appears to be pretty low rent but if you are going to get somebody in here for crying out loud get someone that can hit a freaking three!
informedintennessee writes:
Why do you say "it's costing us scholarships"? You are not one of "us"!
Agee_Vols_82 writes:
poonjabby
ORANGE SWARM!!!!
Let 'em Go!!!
CoverOrange writes:
The NCAA needs to work on this timing thing with the APR. Find out in the Fall that one of the guys that just walked in the door has to turn around and walk back out? Hard for any coach to build a program when he can't plan on who will be there.
wonder how much Ramar and Duke hurt this APR.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Bruce is on the radio saying he needs a new pool for his dog. Wants it to be a small pool beside his large million dollar pool. When the univ. hesitated Pearl mentioned that he sometimes wonders if he made a mistake with not looking more into the Memphis opening recently. I hear UT is having his dog a pool built that's in the shape of that droopy eyed coon dog you guys have over there.
Orangeblood13 writes:
maybe you can goto another website where people actualy give a rats arse about what you have to say.
You sir have phooey for brains
Orangeblood13 writes:
NIT
NashvillePreds writes:
Hit your head into the wall.
You might fix something.
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
Forfeit??? then again a gator fan is looking for any way to get a win over the vols!
volhallathunder writes:
We could try to wh*re you out since youre here so much but then again we'd be responsible for
penicillin for the clients. Probably break even at best.
abnermc writes:
Fla. has offered to hire Pearl many times @ double his salary. He's refused because he couldn't have Fla. on his schedule.
tennrich1 writes:
Noticed this ole boys not mentioning his UM Tigers when he's spitting at the Vols now...my my have things change.
yeavols#228407 writes:
It's just been a week since the Florida Football players been arrested...and 5 days since the Interlopers have had their comments removed...Dang..Florida wins again..
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Yeah, right. This from the guy who always uses "we" when referring to the Vols in his posts. Give it up, dude. We true Vol fans have been on to you all along. Just run along now. Your departure is WAY overdue. I still haven't figured out why you even care.
NobodyCares (Inactive) writes:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/37...
http://chaddscott.com/cfb/urbanblight...
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/12...
volhallathunder writes:
http://www.canesrising.com/2008/08/ca...
TommyJack writes:
Let's just hope this ugly summitch doesn't procreate.
gohawks1 writes:
Huh? Wait - I'm confused. The second paragraph says that he was ruled academically eligible after his qualifying score was flagged.
Is he is or is he ain't eligible?
volhallathunder writes:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008...
duck before you listen to the audio Gators are using their standard issue AK 47s
NobodyCares (Inactive) writes:
Yup, that's certainly you lil' zzgatorboy -- Blog-A-Bull-Sh_t. Very appropriate!
gohawks1 writes:
What the hail?
murrayvol writes:
Has Pastner demanded a wading pool for his gerbil yet?
SmokyMTNVol writes:
Now that is funny! I love it.
That is a good one heel.
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