Jamal Coombs-McDaniel transferring; Luke Hancock as well?

On the same day that he appeared in court due to an arrest for possession of marijuana, it was announced that UConn's Jamal Coombs-McDaniel was transferring out of the program.

JCM, who won high school and AAU national titles with UConn teammates Alex Oriakhi, never was able to figure out a way to get along with Husky head coach Jim Calhoun. He played sparingly during his freshman season, and his sophomore season was following that same trajectory. Until mid-February, that is, when JCM exploded for 64 points over a three-game stretch. While he never was able to defend the way that is required by Calhoun, the 6'7" Dorchester, MA, native proved that his offensive versatility was an asset for the Huskies.

After playing 38 minutes and scoring 23 points in a win over Georgetown on February 16th, JCM's minutes tailed off again down the stretch of the season. He played just 22 minutes in UConn's final three games and scored 12 points in the NCAA Tournament, ten of which came in UConn's win over Cincinnati.

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In what is probably bigger news, George Mason granted NCAA Tournament hero Luke Hancock his release to allow him to look into a transfer.

"He requested permission to explore his options and it was granted to him," a Mason team spokesman told Patrick Stevens of the Washington Times. "At this point, all he is doing is looking. In no way, shape or form has he decided to leave."

It makes sense for him to look. As you know, George Mason underwent a coaching change in the past few weeks, with longtime head coach Jim Larrananga taking his staff with him to Miami. Former Georgia Tech head coach Paul Hewitt took over, and according to Brian Mull of the Wilmington Star, Hancock does not believe he fits into Paul Hewitt's system.

If Hancock does decide to leave, it would be a major loss for the Patriots. George Mason's point guard by definition is Andre Cornelius, but Hancock is their playmaker in the half court. The 6'5" wing averaged 4.2 apg to go along with 10.9 ppg and 4.3 rpg as a sophomore, which includes an 18-point, five assist performance against Villanova in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in which Hancock hit the game-winning jumper.

Mason will still be a favorite in the CAA without Hancock.

But they won't be a preseason top 25 team if they lose Hancock and Cam Long, who graduated.