Ramar Smith and Duke Crews Dismissed From Team

Tennessee Coach, Bruce Pearl, announced today that Ramar Smith and Duke Crews have been dismissed from the team.

Here is the press release.

“I am disappointed to announce that neither Duke Crews nor Ramar Smith will be a part of the 2008-09 University of Tennessee basketball program,” Pearl said. “Both were provided every opportunity to succeed here but have not met our expectations. With both Ramar and Duke, we came to the conclusion that it was in their best interest to transfer to another institution in order to continue their academic and basketball careers.”

At this point I’m not sure anybody knows why Coach Pearl decided to dismiss the two former 5 star prospects from the team, but its safe to say they haven’t been model student athletes since arriving on campus. With that said, the only thing that matters right now is that they are no longer on the team, and its time to move on without them.

Neither Duke or Ramar were guaranteed a starting spot on the roster next season. Ramar Smith looked to be competing with J.P. Prince, who shockingly moved to the point guard position in the NCAA tournament. However, now that Ramar is no longer a factor, Prince looks like he will be the starting point guard next year, that is unless Daniel West, an incoming 3 star freshman, doesn’t take his spot. Plus, now that Pearl has two more scholarships to use, he might be looking to sign another point guard in this class. However, I think most people expect Prince to be the leader in the clubhouse, which means that Cameron Tatum and Scotty Hopson will get their chance to shine early and often, now that they don’t have to compete with Prince at the two and three spots.

The most memorable play in Ramar Smith’s career.

As for Duke Crews, he looked to be the odd man out with the emergence of Brian Williams, and the continued development of Wayne Chism. Pearl has recently said that he expects Williams to be a starter this upcoming season, and if he continues to get stronger in the weight room he could be a big part of this team’s success. Also with Duke Crews no longer on the bench, incoming freshmen Renaldo Woolridge and Phillip Jurick should get a chance to show what they can do to help this team next season.

Woolridge just got a boost in playing time. The big time prospect is not only taller than Duke Crews, he can also drive the lane and shoot from the outside.

Duke Crews and Ramar Smith obviously weren’t very dedicated to the program, and their play is evidence of that as they haven’t improved very much since they arrived on campus. Every program is going to hit a bump in the road, but I don’t think this is one that will cripple this team from reaching their goal of becoming an elite basketball program. We may struggle early on in the season because of the inexperience at multiple positions, but this team has the talent to do anything they want.

If Coach Pearl thinks our team is better off without Ramar and Duke then thats a good enough reason for me. Ramar Smith and Duke Crews have a lot of talent and its sad to see that talent go somewhere else, but as Chris Lofton proved throughout his college career, it takes more than talent to become great.

Ryan Mallett denied by NCAA

One of these things is not like the other.

In news that should surprise absolutely nobody, the NCAA has denied Ryan Mallett’s request for immediate eligibility at Arkansas.  Mallett’s argument was that he had no choice but to transfer as his style of play did not fit in with the offense that new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez wanted to run.

Seeing as I have no idea how the NCAA actually works, I’m going to say this is exactly what happened:

NCAA Petition Clerk #1:  We’ve got a petition from Ryan Mallett who transferred from Michigan to Arkansas.  He’s claiming his style of play no longer fit with the offense there.

NCAA Petition Clerk #2:  Ryan Mallett?  That name sounds familiar…isn’t he that kid that only threw 7 TDs and 5 picks in 11 games even though he had Arrington and Manningham to throw to and Mike Hart behind him?

Clerk #1:  Yeah, that’s the kid.

Clerk #2:  And he wants to take that game to Arkansas?

Clerk #1:  That’s what he says.

Clerk #2:  Does Arkansas even have receivers?

Clerk #1:  I’m sure they do…I just can’t name any.

Clerk #2:  And who is there running back?

Clerk #1:  I see where you’re going with this…can’t we just stamp this ‘Denied’ and move on to that kid from Cincinnati?

Clerk #2:  Oh, come on.  I haven’t even gotten to the Petrino stuff yet.

Perriloux……..out………..again

LSU, for the fourth? time, has kicked the self proclaimed “Next 60-million-dollar Man” off the team. Anyone surprised? Anyone?

Some Bama notes……

Tight end/offensive tackle Charles Hoke has been placed on medical scholarship. See, Brian Cook, if you’d have just waited….

Alonzo Gee has put his name in for the NBA draft. He, like Hendrix and Steele, hasn’t signed with an agent, so he can possibly return to the Tide next season if he doesn’t like his draft status.