Orsini statement re: roster turnover

[PonyPride]

“Upon his hiring, Coach (Larry) Brown conducted an evaluation of the current men’s basketball roster and then held timely individual meetings with members of the team. During each meeting, there was honest, straight-forward discussion about the future of the program. No player was told his scholarship would not be renewed. Per NCAA men’s basketball rules, each student-athlete has the opportunity to remain at SMU as a student and retain his scholarship. If a student-athlete wishes to continue his playing career elsewhere, Coach Brown and his staff will help him find another institution. These are decisions that will be made by the individual student-athletes, though, and not the Athletic Department. We wish these young men the best in their future endeavors.” – Steve Orsini

[PonySnob]

Does that mean we'll end up with 4 JUCO's on the team for the upcoming season? Hopefully Jones and Cunningham don't decide to go elsewhere on their own or that's about 50% roster turnover.

[S....M....U]

Wow we are a link on the front page of espn mobile right now and im guessing the main site as well. It discusses this along with jankovich

[S....M....U]

The amount of publicity for our program and school we have seen is unprecedented.

Ps samarrippas is listed among those who won't be returning

[Junior]

Please explain to me how you can say no scholarships were not renewed but three players are not on the team any longer. It seems like Orsini is blurring the facts somewhat.

[S....M....U]

Here is the mobile link...not sure if that's different if you aren't using a phone to look at it. http://m.espn.go.com/ncb/story?storyId=7864558

[Digetydog]

Please explain to me how you can say no scholarships were not renewed but three players are not on the team any longer. It seems like Orsini is blurring the facts somewhat.

Easy. The player is told that his scholarship will be honored; however, he will not be a member of the team. Teams do it for injured players all the time.

If a player decided to stick it out as a student, they would have that option. (not sure if it would count against our scholarship limits).

[GRGB]

Of course it would

But we all know the likelihood is that the player will transfer

[S....M....U]

Not if they are offered a hardship or academic scholarship...I am sure it won't affect out limit.

[RyanSMU98]

Please explain to me how you can say no scholarships were not renewed but three players are not on the team any longer. It seems like Orsini is blurring the facts somewhat.

The same way we got turned down by several coaches while only making one offer. It all comes down to semantics, and SO knows how to play the game. Fortunately, so do LB and his crew, so I think these guys will be replaced with some significant upgrades.

[Junior]

Of course it would

But we all know the likelihood is that the player will transfer

See, that's the part I don't understand.

"All schollies will be honored"? It would seem to me that a basketball schollie has not been renewed and another type of scholarship has been offered.

[Junior]

Please explain to me how you can say no scholarships were not renewed but three players are not on the team any longer. It seems like Orsini is blurring the facts somewhat.

Easy. The player is told that his scholarship will be honored; however, he will not be a member of the team. Teams do it for injured players all the time.

If a player decided to stick it out as a student, they would have that option. (not sure if it would count against our scholarship limits).

So, theoretically, are you saying you could have 150 players on football scholarship at one time if 65 get hurt? That doesn't seem possible. Why would they not count against the limit?

[SMU 86]

Does that mean we'll end up with 4 JUCO's on the team for the upcoming season? Hopefully Jones and Cunningham don't decide to go elsewhere on their own or that's about 50% roster turnover.

I know Howard was going after some highly regarded freshmen. They may also save a couple of ships for next year.

[leopold]

Please explain to me how you can say no scholarships were not renewed but three players are not on the team any longer. It seems like Orsini is blurring the facts somewhat.

Easy. The player is told that his scholarship will be honored; however, he will not be a member of the team. Teams do it for injured players all the time.

If a player decided to stick it out as a student, they would have that option. (not sure if it would count against our scholarship limits).

So, theoretically, are you saying you could have 150 players on football scholarship at one time if 65 get hurt? That doesn't seem possible. Why would they not count against the limit?

If the kid isn't actually on the team, and has absolutely no chance of playing and contributing, then it doesn't matter where the scholly comes from. It's a case of the school itself, not the team, taking over the scholly.

I mean, heck, let a team give out those 150 free educations to guys who never see the field - it never helps them - the school is simply doing the honorable thing, so the NCAA doesn't care.

[goldenstang]

Please explain to me how you can say no scholarships were not renewed but three players are not on the team any longer. It seems like Orsini is blurring the facts somewhat.

Easy. The player is told that his scholarship will be honored; however, he will not be a member of the team. Teams do it for injured players all the time.

If a player decided to stick it out as a student, they would have that option. (not sure if it would count against our scholarship limits).

So, theoretically, are you saying you could have 150 players on football scholarship at one time if 65 get hurt? That doesn't seem possible. Why would they not count against the limit?

It doesn't count against the limit because once that player is off the athletic scholarship he cannot for any reason come back to the team. Bama and the rest of the SEC does this all the time. They abuse the hell out of it. They basically tell the kid that if he stays he is hurt or he can find another school to go to. I forget the name of the rule but theoretically you could have 65 hurt players, they just could never play football for your school again.