Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

RoadRage · 08-19-2003, 05:18 PM

From ESPN's Andy Katz:

Quote:

Baylor's chances of putting a competitive team on the court for the coming season continue to diminish, as sophomore guard Kenny Taylor announced Tuesday that he would transfer to Texas. This news comes on the heels of Monday's transfer of leading scorer and Wooden All-American Lawrence Roberts to Mississippi State.

Taylor, a junior guard, decided on Texas on Tuesday even though he doesn't know if he can play next season. Taylor's situation is a bit more precarious than Roberts' or incoming freshman Tyrone Nelson, who left for Prairie View A&M, since Taylor is transferring to a team within the Big 12.

Taylor, who was third on the team in scoring with 11.8 points per game last season, would have to sit out one year and lose a season of eligibility under normal transfer rules within the conference. That would leave him with only one season of eligibility. Texas is waiting for a ruling from the Big 12 office to waive the one-year eligibility loss penalty. The Longhorns have a scholarship available for Taylor and will appeal on his behalf.

An NCAA spokesperson said Monday afternoon that the NCAA is waiting for Baylor's final report before ruling on the waiver, but that they want to act as quickly as possible. The spokesperson said the NCAA is aware of the sensitivity and immediacy needed in this case.

Baylor also expects to lose second-leading scorer John Lucas III, who is expected to visit Memphis, Georgia and Rutgers in the coming week. If Lucas III leaves, Baylor would be left with eight scholarship players, although more defections could occur.

Roberts told ESPN.com Monday night that he expects a number of players to leave.

"The seniors will probably stay but it's going to be tough,'' Roberts said. "It's going to be tough on them to make it through the season. I feel sorry for those seniors and anyone who does stay. It's going to be tough on them to make it through the first year.''

…

Incoming freshman Carl Marshall has not yet indicated that he would not come to Baylor. Baylor and the Big 12 are adamant that the Bears will field a team for the 2003-04 season. They are pursuing a new coach, with Sam Houston State's Bob Marlin, Samford's Jimmy Tillette and Indiana assistant John Treloar as some who have expressed interest in the job. The committee conducting the search was supposed to meet late Monday or early Tuesday.

What happens if Baylor fails to field a basketball team? Eight of the Big XII schools (5 in the South and 3 in the North) have Baylor at home, and if Baylor doesn't field a team then the revenue that would have been generated at that game won't be there. Eight is just one short of the three-quarters necessary to boot Baylor. If they vote on the ejection soon enough, they can withhold Baylor's share of the BCS money as well.