transfers

Marcus Johnson informed head coach Jim Calhoun earlier today that he would be transferring from UConn in search of more playing time, as well as a school closer to home. Johnson sat out the Huskies' exhibition game against Bryant on Sunday due to an elbow injury suffered in the opening night slam dunk competition.

According to the Monroe News Star, LSU sophomore forward Magnum Rolle has decided to transfer to Louisiana Tech. “I’m excited about the style of play that will help me develop personally and individually to help the team,” Rolle said. “[Freshman] D.J. [Wright] and I can create mismatch opportunities for the opponents along with the other guys on the team. I look forward to helping other guys get better in practice and develop team chemistry.” Coach Kerry Rupp is excited about the addition. “Magnum Rolle is a very versatile big man who has the skill and ability to play both inside and outside,” Rupp said. “He will be what I call a ‘mismatch basketball player.’ We are very excited about Magnum and feel that he will not only be an excellent player, but also a tremendous asset as a person both on and off the court for our basketball team.” Rolle averaged 4.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season.

According to Jeff Goodman of FOXSports.com, Michigan State sophomore guard Maurice Joseph has announced that he will transfer to Vermont. "They are a good program and have been to the NCAA tournament three of the last four years," Joseph said. "My goal was to be somewhere I can be more of a focal point and win." Joseph chose the Catamounts over Rhode Island. He liked the coaches and the proximity of Burlington to his family in Montreal. "That was part of it," Joseph said. "I also like the staff at Vermont. They are young guys who have fire in their eyes. They want to take the program to another level." He averaged 5.9 points per game last season.

According to Jeff Goodman of FOXSports.com, Purdue sophomore guard Chris Lutz has announced that he will transfer to Marshall. "I was thinking about leaving Purdue after my freshman year," Lutz said. "I just wasn't getting acquainted and initially I wanted to be closer to home. But through the process, I realized that I still wanted to play somewhere I could make the NCAA tournament." The Big Ten’s leading three-point shooter chose the Boilermakers over Xavier and Rhode Island. "Coach Jones and the rest of the staff made me feel comfortable and I just felt like I couldn't get a better person to play for," Lutz said. "His whole vision about the program is tremendous and his style of play is something I've always wanted to play." Lutz averaged 6.1 points per game this past season

According to Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline.com, Memphis sophomore Kareem Cooper and freshman Tre’von Willis are going to transfer from the Tigers. Sources close to the situation said that both players want more playing time after getting lost in the deep Memphis rotation under coach John Calipari. One source said neither player has chosen a destination, adding Cooper is "wide open" while stating Willis will "likely transfer out west." Cooper, who has had multiple off-court problems during his stint with the Tigers, averaged 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season, while Willis averaged 2.6 points and 1.0 rebound per contest.

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According to Jeff Goodman of FOXSports.com, Tulsa freshman forward Jamel McLean has announced that he will transfer to Xavier. “For me, it was the competition and the ability to develop and get better," McLean said. "They have been really good and I can see myself improving a lot." He averaged 6.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season.

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According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas sophomore forward Cyrus McGowan has announced that he will transfer from the Razorbacks. He is leaving to find more playing time, but is not upset with the Arkansas program. “It’s not anything negative,” Florence McGowan said. “There’s no animosity.” Cyrus would have stayed if he could have redshirted, but new coach John Pelphrey said that was not an option. McGowan, who averaged less than three minutes per game last season, is the third Arkansas player to transfer since Pelphrey was hired.

According to FOXSports.com's Jeff Goodman, Tennessee freshman Tyler Smith is trying to get a waiver of the NCAA’s transfer rule so that he can play this season. Smith transferred from Iowa after last season because his father has cancer. "We’ve got to let it run its course,” Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said. “But I think it’s got a real good chance.” He also said that Iowa coach Todd Lickliter did a classy thing by letting Smith move closer to home. "This is a very competitive business and Tyler Smith is probably his best returning player,” Pearl added. “I really respect what Todd did. He did right by this young man.” Smith averaged 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game this past season.

According to his former AAU coach, Miami (Fl.) sophomore guard Denis Clemente has transferred to Kansas State. Al Alvarez, who founded the Miami Tropics AAU team that Clemente once played for, said that Clemente enrolled at KSU for two summer sessions. "He's probably the kid with the biggest upside we've ever had," Alvarez said. "He'll definitely be an impact player there at K-State." Clemente chose Kansas State over Clemson, Seton Hall, and Arizona. Clemente averaged 9.8 points per game last season before being suspended for an undisclosed violation of team rules late in the season.

According to the Daily Press, Arkansas sophomore guard Sean McCurdy has transferred to William & Mary. "He's very excited about it," said McCurdy's father, Bob, who played at Richmond in the mid-1970s. "It's a great school and Tony (Shaver) is a great coach. He didn't get as much playing time as he hoped as a freshman and sophomore (at Arkansas). Most players think they deserve more playing time, and he wanted to make sure to get that opportunity. It really couldn't have worked out any better." McCurdy averaged 1.7 points in 9.3 minutes per game last season.

Four UTEP basketball players will not return to the program next fall, including three part-time starters. Freshmen Malik Alvin and Dale Vanwright, redshirt freshman Franklin Jones, and sophomore Maurice Thomas will all transfer from the Miners, according to UTEP officials. "I want all my players to share my vision of what a student-athlete should be -- academically, athletically and socially,” said coach Tony Barnee, who is bringing in six new recruits next season. “I wish them all the best in their future endeavors." Barnee is bringing in six new recruits next season. Alvin averaged 8.0 points and 4.4 assists per game; Vanwright averaged 6.0 points per game; and Thomas averaged 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Iowa freshman forward Tyler Smith, who asked for his release from the Hawkeyes in April, has been admitted to Tennessee. "It feels great to get everything situated," said Smith, who is originally from Tennessee. "It has been kind of crazy since I announced I was leaving Iowa. It is great to be back home.” Coach Bruce Pearl was looking forward to the addition. "I am really excited about Tyler Smith coming back to Tennessee," Pearl said. "Our program and Tyler's situations have changed and it is clear to me that this has a chance to work out for Tyler and the University of Tennessee.” Smith wanted to transfer from Iowa to move closer to home and his family. The All-Big Ten selection averaged 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds last season.