DUKE CREWS AND RAMAR SMITH DISMISSED FROM TEAM

by Joel on May 2, 2008 9:51 PM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Basketball Comment 8 comments

From GVX:

A feel-good day for Tennessee men's basketball program was suddenly interrupted Friday when coach Bruce Pearl announced that sophomore forward Duke Crews and sophomore point guard Ramar Smith will not be returning for the 2008-09 season.

Violations of UT's substance abuse policy and academic shortcomings contributed to both departures, sources within the program told the News Sentinel.

"I am disappointed that Duke and Ramar did not meet the mark and did not succeed to the level of our expectations," Pearl said just moments before UT's annual basketball banquet.

Nice.

Of course, on a day when we're reminded that we don't always know everything that's going on in a player's life, I'm a bit hesitant to hurl any rash criticisms. So I'll just say . . . nice.

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Still, I'm Glad Bruce Took Action

Nice to have a coach unafraid to lead. Actually, kind of refreshing.

Does that make me a suicidal optimist who drank the Kool-Aid?

More thoughts over on my rag, Gate21.net...

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lawvol: Gate 21.net - Life, the Universe, & the Bounce of the Ball

by lawvol98 on May 3, 2008 12:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Honestly,

Duke and Ramar, while semi-integral this season, would probably have been buried on the bench the next 2 years with the recruiting class we have coming in and the progression of Brian Williams, JP Prince, and a stud like Cameron Tatum on the bench. I appreciate what they did and would have liked to see what they could've done in 2 years, but rules are rules and Bruce is not shy about enforcing them.

And while I hate to see these types of incidents, it makes me appreciate Coach Pearl even more.

Proudly returning to the EBMCC (Eric Berry Man Crush Club)!

by Volorado on May 3, 2008 10:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

BAD APPLES

Get rid of the Bad Apples now before they spoil the whole barrel. I hate to see it happen to any player, but you can't have players like this on your team. When they won't follow the rules, it's time to get rid of them. Coach Pearl did the right thing. In their condition I doubt they would have done much good for the team any way. You can't do Drugs and play ball and even see the goal. GO VOLS !!!!!

OLD SMOKEY

by old smokey on May 3, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Crews

Wasnt he the one with some sort of heart issue?

by kentuckygirl0724 on May 5, 2008 9:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

The guy had a serious scare, thinking maybe that his career was over. It turned out to be not as serious (or nothing -- can't remember), and he promptly took his second chance and blew it.

Go Vols!

by Joel on May 5, 2008 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thats what I thought.

What a shame.

by kentuckygirl0724 on May 5, 2008 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aarrgghh!!!

Well, I'm a ot less concerned about losing Ramar than I am about Duke.

I think Ramar can be at least somewhat easily replaced but you always hate to lose a big guy who makes a difference down low. Especially when we are lacking in said position. We need a big forward/center who can dominate in the paint and I though Duke might be that guy. Hate to lose that possibility.

I've got something for you young man. Oh! It's Thaa Claawww!! Oh, you're afraid of The Claw...

by XRayVol on May 5, 2008 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs