Henson has been disappointed in the lack of due process for two of his alma mater’s players, P.J. Hairston and Leslie McDonald, who remain in NCAA limbo as the organization looks into eligibility issues for both players.
Hairston was found twice this past summer to have driven rental cars linked to a convicted felon, raising concerns of an improper benefit. North Carolina has not said what is at issue with McDonald, but it may be concerning a letter the school sent that ordered a company making designer mouth guards to stop using McDonald on its website over the summer.
Henson’s frustration with the lack of speedy justice for these players first came to light last month on Twitter. "Love how the NCAA picks and chooses which cases to drag their feet on … #TERRIBLE" and "NCAA dangles kids collegiate careers over their heads with no sense of urgency .. #ItsGottaStop."
There remains no word on when a decision regarding Hairston and McDonald may come down. North Carolina plays vs. No. 11 Kentucky this Saturday.
“I still have the same (amount of optimism that they'll return)," Williams said, per comments from InsideCarolina.com. "Just trying not to waste my time thinking about that either. I’m sure that the NCAA would like for it to be over with too. There’s no update. There’s nothing else. We’re just staying the course and I’m sure they’re trying to do everything they can too.”
Meanwhile, an enterprising fan decided to pay for billboard space in Durham, N.C. with a simple message: #FreePJ.
HARRIS' STATUS STILL UNCLEAR
Michigan State's 10-day break ends Saturday when it plays against Oakland in suburban Detroit.
We know that Adreian Payne (plantar fasciitis) and Keith Appling (hip) will be playing, Matt Costello (mononucleosis) is out 2-3 weeks, and Gary Harris (ankle) is doubtful for the contest, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Of the four ailments, Harris' is easily the most concerning, given that his injury is one that he originally sustained in August. Harris tweaked the right ankle in the Spartans' loss to North Carolina, and has been wearing a cast on the foot the past week to help the healing process.
"He's pretty mad about it, but stuff happens," Harris' roommate, Denzel Valentine, told MLive.com. "When things like this happen, you can never be down and things. He's good at saying, 'Forget this. I'm going to work even harder to get back.' When he gets back, he's going to come back I think even stronger."
Including the Oakland game, Michigan State has four contests before Big Ten play opens Dec. 31 at Penn State. Three of them are against non-BCS level opponents, while the fourth is against Texas, a team that is rebuilding after Rick Barnes' worst season in Austin.
It wouldn't be the worst time for Harris to sit and get as close to 100 percent as possible for the conference stretch run. As the team's leading scorer and a SN second-team preseason All-American, the Spartans need him and the rest of his teammates healthy if they harbor hopes at a national title run.
PASTNER OPENS HIS WALLET
Memphis gave coach Josh Pastner a pay raise last spring, and now he's giving back to the university with a donation to the Tigers' fundraising campaign to improve athletic facilities.
University officials announced Thursday that Pastner has donated $250,000. Athletic director Tom Bowen says it's the largest gift ever made by a Memphis coach.
Pastner has a rooting interest since part of the money will help build a new men's basketball practice and training facility for his 16th-ranked Tigers. Memphis increased his compensation to $2.65 million a year last spring.
Memphis is raising $40 million also for an indoor practice complex for football and a softball clubhouse including indoor batting cages with improvements to other areas.
Contributors: Roger Kuznia, The Associated Press
