Exhibition games begin -

[Da Coach]

UMass lost a scrimmage to Carleton
and reportedly ex-BU recruit Luwane Pipkins was held out as he has NOT YET been cleared

Same for another ex-BU recruit Marcus LoVett
http://zagsblog.com/articles/mullin-frustrated-with-ncaa-over-looming-lovett-decision/

The NCAA has finally released a ruling on Marcus LoVett- he is ruled a partial qualifier, meaning he can practice with the St. John's team, but is not eligible to play this season.
https://twitter.com/jeffborzello/status/664561101288402944

Luwane Pipkins was not quite as fortunate. The NCAA ruled him a "non-qualifier". He is academically ineligible, and cannot play or practice with the team for the fall semester, and will need to work on his grades. The NCAA has an option for him to be granted partial qualifier status if his first semester grades qualify for that ruling-
http://www.masslive.com/umassbasketball/index.ssf/2015/11/umass_freshman_luwane_pipkins.html

 

[tornado]

yeah - predictions were right - both didn't have the academics---and fell for the recruiters' line that UMass or SJU were experts and had inside connections and could get them thru--
Hope they like it there- as they'll both be there another full year before even a chance of playing - and even then, that's not a sure thing- as many - like ex-BU recruit Daniel West, John Wilkins, and ex-ISU recruit Kenyon Smith have found out...

 

[tornado]

Loyola beats Lewis in exhibition play .....

Lewis won last night 99-95 over Northwood...but the story was guard Max Strus...

He went 14-18 overall and 12-14 from the arc for 52 points...he also had 12 rebounds
Lewis has a bunch of good shooters and they hit 44% from the arc as a team

 

[tornado]

The NCAA has finally released a ruling on Marcus LoVett- he is ruled a partial qualifier..

Lovett was pursuing legal appeals but has now decided to drop his appeals and not play this season - he is allowed to practice.
http://nypost.com/2015/12/31/marcus-lovett-jr-wont-play-for-st-johns-this-season/

Luwane Pipkins is still sitting out and can't even practice until he makes a GPA of 2.5 or better
http://www.masslive.com/umassbasketball/index.ssf/2015/12/umass_basketball_notebook_zach.html

 

[tornado]

...
Luwane Pipkins is still sitting out and can't even practice until he makes a GPA of 2.5 or better
http://www.masslive.com/umassbasketball/index.ssf/2015/12/umass_basketball_notebook_zach.html

had Pipkins made 2.5 in their 1st Semester at UMass, he'd be eligible to at least begin practicing with the team and possibly playing soon......
but now word comes that he did poorly and fell short of that so he is NOT eligible for 2nd Semester either and now must improve academics just to get eligible for next year.