UConnReport.com - Three guards ineligible to face AIC

November 4, 2009

Zac Boyer
UConnReport.com Editor

HARTFORD, Conn. - Guards Jerome Dyson, Donnell Beverly and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel were ineligible to play in UConn's 106-67 victory over American International on Wednesday.

Dyson and Beverly "are not participating pending routine educational document review for eligibility certification," a press release issued by the UConn athletic department said.

The two are not ineligible due to grades or amateurism issues, according to UConn spokesman Kyle Muncy, though no more specific reason has been given.

Coombs-McDaniel has not yet passed through the NCAA clearinghouse, which would qualify him academically to participate in athletics.

UConn head coach Jim Calhoun said he found out about Coombs-McDaniel's eligibility issue Tuesday night. The news about Dyson and Beverly came at approximately 4:45 p.m.

"We had already been through our shootaround ? and my major concern, obviously, was foul situations," Calhoun said. "I was worried we'd get into a foul game like we did last year against AIC, but we just shot the ball so well and I think we got the first 12, 14 rebounds and just really rebounded the heck out of the ball."

Muncy said the situation involving all three players is a short-term issue. Calhoun said he expects Dyson and Beverly to be able to play in UConn's next exhibition, which takes place Sunday.

Only seven scholarship players were available for the game, with freshman Jamaal Trice earning the start in Dyson's absence.

STANLEY STEADY

Forward Stanley Robinson, who averaged 17 points per game in the 2009 postseason, didn't appear to trail off much after scoring 25 points and grabbing seven rebounds against AIC.

"I'm just trying to be more consistent with myself, trying to satisfy myself as well as the team too," Robinson said. "Nobody else."

Robinson had four dunks and made a 3-pointer, finishing 12-for-16 from the floor.

OKWANDU STRUGGLES

Center Charles Okwandu scored two points and grabbed one rebound in 18 minutes - a performance that won't hold up when the Huskies enter Big East play. Okwandu was pegged by Calhoun as being the potential starter, and if not the primary back-up, to Alex Oriakhi this season. "We need Charles to get a lot better," Calhoun said. "I shouldn't even say that. We need Charles to play a lot better. He's better than what he showed." Okwandu, a junior, missed most of last season due to academics after transferring from Harcum (Pa.) Junior College. ? There were 10,770 tickets sold for the game, but the XL Center appeared half-full at best. It holds 16,294. ? UConn also defeated AIC in exhibition games in 2006 and 2008. ? AIC has four Division I transfers on its roster: Allen Aragbaye (Northeastern), Adrian Hynes-Guery (Drexel), Denzel Jackson (Maryland Eastern Shore) and Anthony Thomas (Howard).

	Zac Boyer, the editor and publisher of UConnReport.com, covers UConn sports on the Rivals network. He can be reached by e-mail at zacboyer@rivals.com.
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