NCAAbbs

Former Duke starting guard Elliott Williams is headed home to Memphis.

Williams, who decided to transfer to be closer to his father because his mother is battling cancer, made the decision on Saturday.

Williams moved into the starting lineup late in his freshman campaign and was expected to have an increased role this season with the departure of Gerald Henderson Jr. to the NBA.

Now it’s likely, despite the fact that the NCAA is tightening up on transfer waivers, that the athletic 6-foot-4 guard will be cleared to play this season for Josh Pastner and the Tigers.

This is a huge coup for Pastner – who may now still have a legitimate shot to win Conference USA in his first season at the helm with a roster that includes Williams, Wesley Witherspoon, Roburt Sallie, Doneal Mack, Pierre Niles, Willie Kemp, Angel Garcia and newcomers Will Coleman and Latavious Williams.

I expect they will be pretty salty. And, I expect they will win CUSA. However, I do think some of the others in that conference are beginning to upgrade their programs.

(06-28-2009 09:37 AM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ]Former Duke starting guard Elliott Williams is headed home to Memphis.

Williams, who decided to transfer to be closer to his father because his mother is battling cancer, made the decision on Saturday.

Williams moved into the starting lineup late in his freshman campaign and was expected to have an increased role this season with the departure of Gerald Henderson Jr. to the NBA.

Now it’s likely, despite the fact that the NCAA is tightening up on transfer waivers, that the athletic 6-foot-4 guard will be cleared to play this season for Josh Pastner and the Tigers.

This is a huge coup for Pastner – who may now still have a legitimate shot to win Conference USA in his first season at the helm with a roster that includes Williams, Wesley Witherspoon, Roburt Sallie, Doneal Mack, Pierre Niles, Willie Kemp, Angel Garcia and newcomers Will Coleman and Latavious Williams.

Their coach has connections. He is a younger version of Calipari.