The Morning Dish – Thursday, June 26th
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Charges Dropped: Texas-El Paso first-year coach Billy Gillispie had drunken-driving charges against him dropped yesterday. Gillispie, who was arrested early on the morning of January 26th, had refused a breathalyzer test and was initially released. He was later arrested on DWI charges at the urging of El Paso police chief Carlos Leon. Gillispie who had 4-5 drinks over a three-hour period, and had entered an innocent plea in April, and the case was scheduled for trial in August.
Missing: Baylor head coach Dave Bliss stated that 6-10 center Patrick Dennehy has not been heard from in the past two weeks. Dennehy, who transferred to Baylor from New Mexico, had sat out the past season under NCAA transfer rules, and averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 boards his last season in 2001-02. The Waco Police Department is asking for anyone with information regarding Dennehy’s whereabouts to contact them.
The Cousy: College and NBA legend Bob Cousy wants to give a piece of postseason hardware. In association with the Basketball Hall of Fame, an award will be given to the nation’s top point guard. Cousy created the mission statement and will sit on the selection panel for the award. Coaches, SIDs, Hall of Famers and Cousy will nominate players, and the panel will vote on 30 finalists – with at least 10 from D-II and D-III.
More ACC/Big East: The Big East will continue its lawsuit against the ACC, even though it seems co-plaintiff Virginia Tech has switched to being a co-defendant. Miami, who had hoped that BC and Syracuse would be joining them, is now a bit hesitant to accept. An ACC plan to just add Miami didn’t have enough votes (Virginia held out for cross-state rival Virginia Tech). Virginia Tech, suddenly with a date to the prom, immediately dropped out of the lawsuit, and is moving towards accepting the invitation. And there’s some up-front money, as any school that leaves the Big East must pay a $1 million fine, which doubles after June 30th.
Commitments: Florida announced that they have received a verbal commitment from guard Taurean Green, the son of former NBA forward and Florida Atlantic coach Sidney Green. Green averaged 22 points per contest last season and chose Florida over Georgia, NC State, and Ohio State. Meanwhile, Clarkston, Washington, prepster Josh Heytvelt has verballed to Gonzaga. Heytvelt got Washington assistant Cameron Dollar in trouble last fall for illegal contact to a recruit. Dollar was suspended without pay for a month for improper recruiting methods, including scouting, phone calls and in-person meetings. The 6-9 forward Heytvelt chose the Bulldogs over Kansas, Arizona, and Oregon.
