As reported everywhere yesterday, expelled Xavier Forward Dezmine Wells announced that he will be transferring to the University of Maryland.

ESPN reported last week (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/katz_andy/id/8318346/dez-wells-try-immediate-eligibility-mens-college-basketball) that Wells was expelled for a “serious violation of the Code of Student Conduct.”

From the ESPN story, “Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski told ESPN that the athletic department had nothing to do with the decision and that this was the university’s call. The Xavier conduct board ruled on the matter, which involved allegations of a sexual assault. The ruling was upheld by an appeals board at the university, but a county grand jury declined to charge Wells on Tuesday, and Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters and Wells attorney Merlyn Shiverdecker issued strong statements about the way in which Xavier handled the case.”

While Wells will attempt to gain eligibility for this 2012-13 season, that currently seems unlikely.

Rule 14.5.1.2 in the NCAA rulebook details disciplinary suspension:

A student who transfers to any NCAA institution from a collegiate institution while the student is disqualified or suspended from the previous institution for disciplinary reasons (as opposed to academic reasons) must complete one calendar year of residence at the certifying institution. (Revised: 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97)

Wells (6’5, 215 lbs) started 32 games for Xavier last year, and was on the All A-10 Rookie team. He scored in double figures 16 times. He shot 50% on 7.4 FG attempts per game, including 38% from 3 point land (1.7 attempts per). Overall he averaged 9.8 ppg, and 4.9 boards.

If Wells was immediately eligible, the 2012-13 Terps would look like:

Guards: Faust (Soph) Howard (Jr), Aronhalt (Sr), Allen (Freshman), Cassell Jr. (Freshman)
Wings: Wells (Soph), Layman (Freshman)
Bigs: Padgett (Sr), Len (Soph), Cleare (Freshman), Mitchell (Freshman)

If he were available, he would greatly increase MD’s chances of really pushing NCST, FSU, Miami, Duke, and UNC within the ACC.

If he is not available until 2013-14, his first Maryland team would currently look like*:

Guards: Faust (Jr) Howard (Sr), Allen (Soph), Cassell Jr. (Soph)
Wings: Wells (Jr), Layman (Soph)
Bigs: Len (Jr), Cleare (Soph), Mitchell (Soph), Smotrycz (Sr), Dodd (Freshman)

*With 2 remaining scholarships available.

Happy days are here again Terps fans, as it really looks like Maryland is on the verge of again being a factor on the National level.

Here are some Youtube highlights, showcasing the athleticism of Wells:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAwJqf1Xgz8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBvYCPQFO4c

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

X