What About Stephenson?

Will Noel Johnson’s apparent departure cause USC to re-enter the recruitment of highly touted guard Lance Stephenson?
USC stopped recruiting Stephenson last year because Johnson did not want to play with him. Of course, the 6-5 guard is currently awaiting judgment in a sexual-assault case. He and a teammate were charged with allegedly groping a 17-year-old female student outside their high school on Oct. 3.
That wouldn’t stop USC from being interested, but the administration might step in a la Renardo Sidney.
Stephenson is supposedly looking at Arizona and Memphis.

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Secret Poll

The coaches’ top 25 poll announced some changes today. As expected the coaches will not make their weekly ballots public and will not even release their final ballot anymore, although they will not implement that until 2010.
Here’s the other changes:
Continue reading “Secret Poll” »

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Quick Release

If Noel Johnson did indeed get his release from USC, it’s noteworthy just how quickly it happened. Schools usually resist when an athlete seeks a release from a letter-of-intent and at best, the process takes time.
But if USC acted this quickly, it says people are skittish about the on-going NCAA investigation and do not want any extra adverse publicity for the basketball program.

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Johnson Update

USC officials say they are currently unable to answer reports that guard Noel Johnson, the top incoming recruit, was released from his letter of intent and will attend another school.
However, Johnson’s father told scout.com that his son’s departure was “official.”
Lynbert Johnson also told scout, “”Anytime you have a kid that is starting his freshman year you want him to go into a calmer setting, rather than having a cloud over your head.”

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Kreuter Returns

USC baseball coach Chad Kreuter will return for the 2010 season. Kreuter is 83-85 in three seasons with no postseason appearances.

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