The Morning Dish – Saturday, January 8th
Henson Remains Hospitalized: Just as New Mexico coach Lou Henson was ready to rebound from viral encephalitis and coach his first game of the season, he fell ill with pneumonia. The veteran coach is expected to make a full recovery, but it is unknown when he’ll return to the bench. Viral encephalitis is an acute inflammatory disease of the brain, and it has left Henson’s right leg paralyzed. The Lobo coach is enduring significant rehab to regain the use of that leg. Henson turns 73 on Monday.
A Puncher’s Chance: Texas center Jason Klotz has been suspended for one game by coach Rick Barnes for throwing a punch in the Longhorns’ victory against Memphis Thursday night. Although officials and Barnes missed the punch during real-time action, video cameras picked up the transgression, and Barnes felt it necessary to punish Klotz. Texas hosts Baylor on Sunday.
Three Strikes and You’re Out: Auburn’s Ronny LeMelle will be sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering his third leg injury in an eight month period. LeMelle has averaged six points and 2.3 rebounds in four games this season. The Tigers and LeMelle are petitioning the NCAA for a medical hardship redshirt season. If granted, LeMelle will have one full year of eligibility remaining.
Bye Bye Banks: Cincinnati freshman Vincent Banks has been ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA. Banks has not played in a game this season but is enrolled at the university. If he gets his academics in order, he will be able to play next season. Banks arrived at Cincinnati as ineligible, but he was hoping that he’d be able to earn eligibility once he arrived. Banks was named Georgia’s top player in high school last season after averaging 31.4 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game.
The Law Has Spoken: Two Southern Illinois University basketball players were placed on one-year of court supervision after being involved in a fist-fight at an off-campus apartment complex. Stetson Harrison and Mike Dale also were ordered to do 100 hours of community service and attend anger management classes. Additionally, the duo has a 1 a.m. curfew and has to pay a $100 fine along with court costs. The charges stem from a July 17, 2004, altercation at the Lewis Park apartment complex. The pair used the old “we were attacked first” excuse. The two guards, both from Fairview Heights, plead guilty Dec. 6 to misdemeanor battery. In exchange, prosecutors dropped felony charges of mob action and criminal trespass. Under the terms of the players’ court supervision, the convictions will be vacated if they stay out of trouble for the next 12 months. Hairston tied with another player for a team-high 18 points Wednesday in a 63-61 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette. Despite the loss, Hairston reached a personal milestone by surpassing 1,000 points as a Saluki. He has 1,003. Hairston, a senior, is averaging 10 points and 2.7 rebounds a game this season, while Dale, a sophomore, is averaging 4.5 points and 1.6 rebounds.
Floyd or no Floyd?: USC is in ongoing negotiations with Tim Floyd to become their next men’s basketball coach. The former Iowa State coach has been on the forefront of the search ever since Rick Majerus backed out of the job. USC fired Henry Bibby Dec. 6 — just four games into the season. Assistant Jim Saia was promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the season, and Majerus hadn’t planned on taking over until after the season before reneging on accepting the post.
Floyd’s most recent work has been as an NBA coach, for both the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets. He was considered a failure at that level, but it is his outstanding college record (81-49 in four seasons at Iowa State) that has intrigued USC. Floyd coached Iowa State to the Sweet 16 in 1996-97, finishing the season 22-9. He also posted a 127-58 record at New Orleans, where he won at least 20 games in six of his eight seasons.
Pepperdine Cruises in Opener: It took some time for the Pepperdine Waves to get going, but when they did, it was over for San Diego. Pepperdine was trailing by 12 late in the first half before reeling off a 23-2 run. Led by Glen McGowan and Yakhouba Diawara, who each scored 22 points, the Waves prevailed 83-67.
