Well, count UAPB out of the BB race also. I guess well be getting beat by 12 more points a game this year.
Jefferson ruled ineligible
The Arkansas-Pine Bluff men's basketball team received a big blow Monday when the school officially announced that senior forward Jeremy Jefferson's career at the school is over.
"Jeremy Jefferson will not play basketball for UAPB," UAPB sports information director Carl Whimper said. "The NCAA has ruled he has used up his eligibly and will not be able to play this season."
Jefferson, who averaged 12 points and 11 rebounds a game last season, which was No. 7 in Division I, was the one hope for a Golden Lions' team that finished 2-23 last year. Jefferson, a 6-foot-7, 190-pound forward, dedicated himself in the offseason to get stronger and to possibly average more rebounds this season.
"Losing Jeremy really hurts our basketball program," Whimper said. "He has been a major part of it, and was expected to have a great season this year. He is on target to graduate and will this year.
"He will stay in school. Pro scouts already know what he can do. Maybe not the NBA, but he has a chance in Europe. Losing this year shouldn't hurt those chances."
Jefferson was ruled ineligible because he did not meet the NCAA qualifications of a non-qualifier. The Pine Bluff High School alum enrolled at UAPB in the fall of 1997 as a part-time student because he did not have the required 17 score on the ACT or a 2.0 in the core curriculum. He became a full-time student during the "98-'99 season and played the second semester of that year. Jefferson then played during the "99-2000 year and last season.
Jefferson needed to graduate during the second semester of summer school to be granted another year of eligibility. Even though Jefferson did not graduate last summer, UAPB petitioned the NCAA for another season. The paperwork traveled through the Southwestern Athletic Conference office and was forwarded on to the NCAA in September.
Whimper said UAPB heard back from the NCAA late last week and received confirmation Monday of Jefferson's status.
Neither Blevins or Jefferson could be reached for comment on Monday, but Whimper said Blevins believed Jefferson was going to play.
Jefferson competed in an exhibition game two weeks ago and participated in media day as well.