Memphis’ Wiseman still eligible, for now
Tigers star scores 17 in win after getting restraining order
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — James Wiseman had 17 points and nine rebounds hours after getting a temporary restraining order to play amid an NCAA ineligibility ruling, leading No. 14 Memphis (2-0) past Illinois-Chicago 92-46 on Friday night.
Memphis said Wiseman — the potential No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA draft — was declared eligible by the NCAA in May but further details and investigation by the school and the NCAA found coach Penny Hardaway gave $11,500 in expenses to help Wiseman’s family move from Nashville to Memphis in the summer of 2017. The university said Wiseman didn’t know about the money.
At the time, Hardaway was the coach of East High School. Wiseman was a standout junior, helping Hardaway win his third straight Tennessee Class AAA title before being hired by Memphis as in March 2018. Wiseman committed to Memphis in November 2018.
There were several hours of drama prior to tipoff. Less than two hours before the game, Wiseman’s attorney, Leslie Ballin, announced that the NCAA had ruled Wiseman ineligible. The lower court ruling reinstated him a short time later. No. 4 DUKE 89, COLORADO STATE 55: In Durham, N.C., Tre Jones had 15 points and eight assists as Duke routed Colorado State.
Alex O’Connell had 14 points, while three freshmen also reached double figures — Cassius Stanley led the way with 19 points, Vernon Carey had 11 and Wendell Moore Jr. finished with 10. CSU is 1-1.
Wearing gray uniforms trimmed in gold to honor Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils (2-0) pulled away by closing the first half on a 10-0 run, then outscored the Rams 47-29 in the final 20 minutes.
Isaiah Stevens and David Roddy had 12 points apiece for the Rams (1-1).
No. 17 UTAH STATE 89, WEBER STATE 34:
In Logan, Utah, Justin Bean had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Sam Merrill added 14 points, six rebounds and six assists as Utah State beat rival Weber State.
Abel Porter added 10 points and 10 assists for his first career double-double. Diogo Brito scored 12 points. The Aggies (2-0) beat the Wildcats for the second straight season.
Weber State (0-1) scored the fewest points by an opponent in Logan since 2013. Donatas Kupsas scored 10 points to lead the Wildcats. No. 2 KENTUCKY 91, EASTERN KENTUCKY
49: In Lexington, Ky., Nick Richards had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Immanuel Quickley added 16 points as Kentucky scored the game’s first 14 points to cruise past Eastern Kentucky.
Seeking to follow up Tuesday’s victory over top-ranked Michigan State, the Wildcats (2-0) made six of their first 10 shots, including a couple of baskets by Richards. The Colonels, meanwhile, missed their first nine shots.
Women
No. 2 BAYLOR 120, GRAMBLING 46: In Waco, Texas, NaLyssa Smith and Lauren Cox had double-doubles again for Baylor in leading eight players in double figures for the defending national champion Lady Bears in a win over Grambling.
State
EASTERN NEW MEXICO 78, NEW MEXICO
HIGHLANDS 66: In Durango, Colo., the Greyhounds of the Lone Star Conference defeated the Cowgirls of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in the LSC/RMAC Challenge.
Natalie DeLonge had 16 points to lead Eastern. Jordyn Lewis had 18 for New Mexico Highlands. FORT LEWIS 62, WESTERN NEW MEXICO 59: Also in Durango, Fort Lewis beat the Mustangs of the Lone Star in another game in the LSC/RMAC Challenge. Alicia Mardis led the Mustangs with 17 points and seven rebounds.