Post by elp525 on Aug 18, 2011 5:43:22 GMT -5
August 17, 2011
By Staff reports
The Charleston Gazette
There was good news and bad Wednesday in regard to a pair of West Virginia's freshmen basketball players.
The good news is that point guard Gary Browne has been cleared by the NCAA's Initial Eligibility Center and will be eligible to play this season.
The bad is that Tommie McCune, who is now on tour with the team in Italy, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing today in his hometown of Saginaw, Mich., on a misdemeanor shoplifting charge.
Because it is a preliminary hearing, McCune is not required to attend.
WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins issued a statement Wednesday from Italy saying he "was just made aware of the [McCune] situation and the matter will be handled internally" as far as any team discipline is concerned.
The charge was filed in relation to an incident on June 21 at a Wal-Mart in Saginaw. McCune and former high school teammate Malcolm Shaw are charged with third-degree retail fraud, which is shoplifting merchandise valued at less than $200.
As for Browne, his eligibility did not seem in question until just before the team embarked on its European tour Aug. 8. The Puerto Rico native, who played his senior season of high school in Florida, had been enrolled in school and practicing with the team right up until departure.
Then the NCAA stepped in and said there were questions regarding his eligibility. So he did not make the trip.
The Mountaineer basketball team spent Wednesday at Aviano Air Base, providing entertainment to the members of the military.
WVU and the University of Illinois began the day with a one-hour clinic for 40 children. The Mountaineers also played a 10-minute scrimmage against the Aviano military team. WVU won 27-8 and Kevin Noreen led the way with eight points.
After Illinois' 10 minute scrimmage with Aviano, the Mountaineers and Illini played two 10-minute halves, with the Illini winning 47-26. Kevin Jones and Darryl Bryant each scored eight points for WVU.
WVU concludes its European tour with games on Friday and Saturday.
By Staff reports
The Charleston Gazette
There was good news and bad Wednesday in regard to a pair of West Virginia's freshmen basketball players.
The good news is that point guard Gary Browne has been cleared by the NCAA's Initial Eligibility Center and will be eligible to play this season.
The bad is that Tommie McCune, who is now on tour with the team in Italy, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing today in his hometown of Saginaw, Mich., on a misdemeanor shoplifting charge.
Because it is a preliminary hearing, McCune is not required to attend.
WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins issued a statement Wednesday from Italy saying he "was just made aware of the [McCune] situation and the matter will be handled internally" as far as any team discipline is concerned.
The charge was filed in relation to an incident on June 21 at a Wal-Mart in Saginaw. McCune and former high school teammate Malcolm Shaw are charged with third-degree retail fraud, which is shoplifting merchandise valued at less than $200.
As for Browne, his eligibility did not seem in question until just before the team embarked on its European tour Aug. 8. The Puerto Rico native, who played his senior season of high school in Florida, had been enrolled in school and practicing with the team right up until departure.
Then the NCAA stepped in and said there were questions regarding his eligibility. So he did not make the trip.
The Mountaineer basketball team spent Wednesday at Aviano Air Base, providing entertainment to the members of the military.
WVU and the University of Illinois began the day with a one-hour clinic for 40 children. The Mountaineers also played a 10-minute scrimmage against the Aviano military team. WVU won 27-8 and Kevin Noreen led the way with eight points.
After Illinois' 10 minute scrimmage with Aviano, the Mountaineers and Illini played two 10-minute halves, with the Illini winning 47-26. Kevin Jones and Darryl Bryant each scored eight points for WVU.
WVU concludes its European tour with games on Friday and Saturday.
