The Morning Dish – Thursday, December 30th
La Salle’s Larkai to Stand Trial: Former La Salle basketball player Dzaflo Larkai has been ordered to stand trial on charges of raping a former member of the La Salle’s women’s team. Larkai, who was arrested this past summer based on allegations that he raped the woman in 2003. The scandal led to the resignations of both men’s head coach Billy Hahn, and women’s head coach John Miller after it was alleged they downplayed the claim when reported. Former players Gary Neal and Michael Cleaves were also implicated in a separate sexual assault case this past summer as well. Larkai will be arraigned January 18th.
Orange Center Out: Even though Syracuse won on the scoreboard over Albany Tuesday, they lost some depth, as backup center Darryl Watkins suffered an injury to his right (shooting) hand. Watkins, who had been coming on strong, notching a double-double against Drexel last week, will have surgery later today, and will miss at least six weeks with the injury, and potentially the rest of the season. The 6-11 sophomore had been averaging 5.3 points and 3.6 boards per contest so far this season.
Dolphin Released: Jacksonville announced that new starting center Joey Robinson has been dismissed from the Dophins squad for violating team rules. Robinson, a 6-6 junior who transferred from Redlands (Oklahoma) Community College this offseason, had been averaging 5.4 points and 4.9 rebounds so far this season. Head coach Hugh Durham did not release details of the dismissal.
BC Stays Unbeaten: Boston College needed a Craig Smith jump shot as the clock wound down to ensure their undefeated 10-0 record against Kent State last night, winning 67-65. The Eagles, who at one point were down 18 points, stormed back in the second half with a 14-0 run. Kent State was led by Jay Youngblood with 16 points, while BC was led by Sean Williams, who notched 15 points.
Indiana Downs Ball State: While Indiana handled Ball State 71-59 on Tuesday night, rumors spread around Bloomington yesterday that Mike Davis’ future for the Hoosiers had depended on the victory. WISH-TV in Indianapolis reported that Davis would be ousted if the Hoosiers lost to their cross-state rival, and that boosters were organizing a buyout of Davis’ contract following the Hoosiers’ six-game losing streak against top non-conference competition. In a statement, Indiana athletic director Rick Greenspan vehemently denied the report, stating “I don’t like dignifying B.S. I’m not dodging anybody. I don’t like to dignify crap.”
Colonials Fall: The suddenly-hot West Virginia Mountaineers downed the No. 20 George Washington Colonials 71-65 in Morgantown last night. West Virginia is now off to their best start (9-0) since 1959 (with Jerry West), while snapping the eight-game win streak of the Colonials. The Mountaineers were led by Mike Gansey’s 19 points and D’or Fischer’s 14, while GW was led by T.J. Thompson and J.R. Pinnock, each of whom had 14 points. West Virginia has won the last seven games against George Washington in Morgantown.
Badgers Turn Back Tide: Wisconsin upset the high-flying offense of No. 18 Alabama 76-62 in Madison last night, extending the Badgers’ home win streak to 36 games – currently the nation’s longest. Wisconsin was led by Alando Tucker, who notched 21 points, while the Tide was led by Chuck Davis and Kennedy Winston, who each had 18 points in the loss. Tucker had missed last season’s match with Alabama due to a foot injury. Three other Badgers finished with double-digit points – Mike Wilkinson (15), Zach Morley (13) and Sharif Chambliss (11). Wisconsin last lost at home in December of 2002, when they lost to Wake Forest in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, 90-80.
Pitt Survives Scare: The always-dangerous South Carolina Gamecocks let No. 10 Pittsburgh escape their clutches, allowing the Panthers to come back and win 72-68 to secure their unbeaten streak at 10-0. Pitt, who won its 48th consecutive non-conference home game, was led by Chevon Troutman’s 20 points. South Carolina was led by Carlos Powell and Josh Gonner, who each scored 15 points. The Gamecocks may have had the upset if they weren’t ice cold from three-point land, going 2-of-11 from downtown. South Carolina did hold a 5-0 series lead, though the last game was in 1976. Pitt has not lost a non-conference game at home since losing to Virginia Commonwealth in December, 1999.
Tubby Gets No. 200: No. 8 Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith notched his 200th win as a head coach of the Wildcats as they downed Campbell 82-50. Campbell, who have lost 39 of their last 40 road contests, was led by Anthony Atkinson, who had 14 points in the loss. Kentucky was led by freshman center Randolph Morris, who had a career-high 25 points, and Kelenna Azubuike, who added 14 points. Campbell made only two of its first 21 shots and shot sixteen percent from the field in the first half. Smith is the fourth head coach to reach 200 victories for the Wildcats, joining Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall and Smith’s predecessor, Rick Pitino. Smith is 200-53 at Lexington, and is 324-115 overall, including his Georgia and Tulsa gigs.
Boilermaker Back: Purdue junior forward Matt Kiefer will rejoin his teammates tonight against Baylor. Kiefer, who had torn the meniscus in his left knee during practice three weeks ago, had averaged 12.5 points per game in the team’s first six games prior to the injury. Head coach Gene Keady indicated that Kiefer will come off the bench for the next few games until he’s sure Kiefer’s knee is 100%. Also joining the Boilers will be Purdue football’s Charles Davis, who will join the team after Friday’s Sun Bowl against Arizona State. Davis, a 6-6 tight end, scrimmaged with the hoops team this summer.
