The Morning Dish – Tuesday, September 2nd
Gamecock Ineligible?: South Carolina is investigating whether Tampa recruit Renaldo Balkman will be academically eligible to enroll in time for the deadline next week. Balkman, a 6-7 forward, took the SAT and received a qualifying score and was approved by the NCAA clearinghouse. However, the university has focused on his handwriting not matching the test sample, which has started an inquiry into Balkman’s academic records. Balkman, 20, last season attended both IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and Laurinburg (North Carolina) Institute, and was to attend South Carolina summer session, but the investigation delayed his enrollment and has now spilled into the fall semester. The Gamecocks are also without senior forward Rolando Howell, suspended last month after a confrontation with his girlfriend, and is currently charged with criminal domestic violence. Howell faces a court hearing on the case September 17th.
Razorbacks Back: The four-game Labor Day Mexico trip is over for the Arkansas Razorbacks, and they left Cancun yesterday with a 3-1 record. On Sunday, the Hogs downed Belize Teane 80-51, the day after losing to them 73-69. Billy Pharis had 13 points and Charles Tatum had 10 steals. On Monday, Arkansas downed La Salle (Mexico) 101-62, after having beaten them 108-56 Saturday night. Jonathon Modica led the Razorbacks with 14 points and freshman Vincent Hunter had a 13/10 double-double.
