The difference between Rhode Island and the SEC

Much has been made the last couple of days about the trials and tribulations of players transferring between schools.

You will likely find nary a writer arguing that the process fair for the players.

Both Matt Norlander and Eamonn Brennan (twice!) have stood on their respective pedestals over the last couple of weeks to rail against the NCAA for issues involving the transfer of Justin Knox out of Alabama and Murphy Holloway out of Ole Miss.

To be honest, both players are getting a bit of a raw deal. Knox will have graduated from Alabama in three years at summer's end, and wanted to transfer to a different school to pursue a graduate degree and finish out his playing days. Alabama told him that was fine, but that he would not be allowed to go to another SEC school (pretty standard), any school on the 2010-2011 basketball schedule (not uncommon), or any school within the University of Alabama school system. That includes UAB, the school most believed that Know wanted to go to.

Alabama believes that UAB pursued Knox before he received his release, so they but the kibash on his attempts to be a Blazer.

Holloway is in a similar situation. Holloway has a daughter in South Carolina that he wants to be closer to while continuing his basketball career. He was looking at Clemson, South Carolina, Winthrop, and the College of Charleston as possible destinations.

Few expected Holloway to be allowed to transfer to South Carolina, as the Gamecocks are also a member of the SEC. But Ole Miss also nixed Clemson, meaning that Holloway is going to have to make a choice -- play basketball at a high major school in a different state than his family (the reason that he is leaving Ole Miss, mind you), or head to a low-major program, where becoming a pro is a much more difficult task.

Ole Miss claims that Clemson tampered with Holloway, contacting him before he he was officially released. In reality, Ole Miss comes off as bitter as a spurned ex-girlfriend.

On the one hand, there needs to be some measure in place to avoid schools recruiting players that are enrolled at another institution. Giving the first school -- the ex-girlfriend, if you will -- the authority to limit where that player can continue his career is a fairly effective incentive. You can recruit this kid from my team if you want to, but if I find out, rest assured he won't be going to your school.

But these are two cases of players looking to transfer for reasons outside of sports. Knox for a graduate degree. Holloway to help raise his daughter. You would think that a school that truly cared about the well being of their student-athletes would try to make things easier for these kids, not do everything in their power to hinder their personal growth.

As much as my fellow bloggers and I like to rail against the problems with the NCAA and its member institutions, we also need to highlight when a program gets it right.

Kyle Cain had signed a letter of intent to go to Rhode Island, but he told Adam Zagoria that "there were some things that were supposed to happen that wasn’t going to happen so I was kind of unhappy", eventually asking for his release from the LOI.

Now, Cain has since drawn interest from schools all over the country, including Kentucky, and it could have been very easy for Rhode Island not to grant him that release. Cain is a hot commodity right now, and regardless of whether that is a result of his talent or the late date, it isn't hard to imagine that Cain would have had an instant impact with the Rams.

Instead, coach Jimmy Baron allowed Cain out of his LOI, and Cain is now choosing between Alabama, Arizona State, West Virginia, and his home-state Fighting Illini.

So go ahead and rail against the NCAA for having too much authority and rip all the schools that abuse their ability to assert control over the student-athletes that represent them. I'll be right there next to you.

But while you sling as much mud as possible, be sure to give credit when credit is due.

Rhode Island did the right thing by Kyle Cain, and they deserve to be acknowledged for it.

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Ole Miss has had a tough month

This season didn't exactly go as well as many hoped for Ole Miss, but things looked fairly promising for next season.

Their talented back court of Chris Warren, Terrico White, and Eniel Polynice all had eligibility remaining. In fact, the Rebels were scheduled to return their top eight scorers from last season, with 6'9" DeAundre Cranston -- who started 21 games -- the only senior on the roster in 2010. They also got news that leading scorer Warren would not be putting his name in the NBA Draft pool.

Chris Warren looks to be the only starter that is returning for Ole Miss.
(photo credit: GulfLive)

Things were looking promising in Starkville.

But that is when the defections started.

First, it was Eniel Polynice. Polynice was a junior in terms of eligibility, but as a result of redshirting his first season at Ole Miss, Polynice will graduate at the end of this semester and decided to pursue a professional career. Polynice didn't travel the smoothest path at Ole Miss. He was one of three players that missed the 2008-2009 season due to injury, and this season he saw his numbers drop across the board. He seemed to be permanently in Andy Kennedy's dog house, as well. He was benched for the first half of a game early in the season and was suspended for the finale at Arkansas before coming off the bench during the postseason.

Polynice will likely go undrafted.

Next in line was Murphy Holloway. The third leading scorer, leading rebounder, and most consistent post presence for the Rebels, Holloway has decided to transfer for to a school closer to his South Carolina home to help raise his daughter.

"This is a very difficult decision for me," Holloway said in a statement. "I've had a great two years here at Ole Miss. I'm sad to be leaving my Ole Miss family here, but I have to be a mature adult and take responsibility for my daughter and my family in South Carolina."

He's looking at Clemson, South Carolina, College of Charleston, and Winthrop, although Ole Miss may not allow him to transfer to the Gamecocks.

Its impossible to bash Holloway on this decision, but there is no question that it is going to hurt Ole Miss next season. With the graduation of Cranston, the Rebels are left with just Terrance Henry and Reggie Buckner in their front court, and Henry is more comfortable playing on the perimeter.

The latest blow comes in the form of Terrico White. White declared for the NBA Draft a while back, but has yet to sign an agent. He's an intriguing prospect, an athletic and strong 6'5" guard that has shown the ability to play both back court spots, but right now it appears he's in that group of players that could go in the 20-45 range.

There was hope that White could return to school for his junior season, but according to Draft Express, that isn't likely. Via Twitter:

Ole Miss sophomore Terrico White will stay in the NBA draft, a source close to the situation tells DraftExpress.

All told, Ole Miss looks like they are going to lose three of their top five scorers and four starters.

That isn't easy to overcome.
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