[McDunkin]

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20101018/SPORTS02/310180066

Former Wake Forest basketball player Tony Woods hopes to enroll at the University of Louisville in January.

However, Woods’ former AAU coach, Norman Parker, said his transfer has not yet been approved by U of L coach Rick Pitino, pending a background check. Woods left Wake Forest after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assaulting his girlfriend on Labor Day in their apartment.

Police said that Woods pushed down Courtney Lorel Barbour, causing a spinal injury, according to media reports in North Carolina. Woods was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and 24 months of probation. He was also given a suspended 60-day jail sentence and was ordered to undergo anger-management training and alcohol- and drug-abuse screening.

Woods was suspended by the Wake Forest basketball program and later granted a release. He is free to enroll in another school during the spring semester.

“He knows he made a mistake,” Parker said. “He’s a humble and quiet person, like a big baby giant. He’s paying for his mistake, and he’s hoping for a second chance.”

Woods visited Louisville over the weekend, and Parker said he “really likes Louisville a lot.”

“He wants to be there,” Parker said. “But coach (Rick) Pitino is doing a lot of background checks on him right now. Tony is just going to worry about fulfilling his community service (punishment) and getting that in order.

“If Louisville wants him, I would imagine that he’ll be there in January. Coach Pitino is talking to a lot of people.”

Louisville spokesman Kenny Klein said that — as in the case of high school recruits — NCAA rules prohibit Pitino from talking to the media about potential transfer prospects until they are enrolled in school.

Parker said Woods also isn’t speaking to the media. Barbour, who is a former student at Wake Forest, could not be reached for comment.

A 6-foot-11 center originally from Rome, Ga., Woods averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds as a sophomore last season at Wake Forest.

He’s a former top-50 high school prospect. If he enrolls in January, he would be eligible at the semester break of the 2011-12 season.

Parker said more than 30 schools called to inquire about Woods’ availability, including Georgetown, Kentucky, Xavier, Cincinnati, Auburn and West Virginia.

Parker noted that Woods has an uncle who lives in Louisville.

Parker said Woods and Barbour are still together. They also have a young son.

He said that Pitino has talked not only with the current and former Wake Forest coaches but has “several times talked with his girlfriend.”

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

That priest who follows Pittino around has done such a good job with Rick that I’m sure he’ll work wonders with this guy. Of course, it was probably all Derrick Caracter’s fault.

In all seriousness, Pitino is operating like a desperate man. This season for him could get ugly, and he probably will need to avoid 2011-12 from being bad as well.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

That priest who follows Pittino around has done such a good job with Rick that I’m sure he’ll work wonders with this guy. Of course, it was probably all Derrick Caracter’s fault.

In all seriousness, Pitino is operating like a desperate man. This season for him could get ugly, and he probably will need to avoid 2011-12 from being bad as well.

[JNixonParticipant]

I agree, I think Coach Pitino is starting to get desperate too. I think Louisville will be a relatively bad team next year, and I think that Pitino’s only OK recruiting over the past year or 2 will haunt him in 2011-2012 possibly too.

He needs better players, as the only glimmer of hope on their roster right now is Peyton Siva, who for all of his flashy play and great athleticism and talent, is mostly a raw player who defense was so bad last year that he couldn’t see extended time most nights. And then Terrence Jennings, who some people foolishly compared to Amare Stoudemire coming into college, excusing the fact that he isn’t nearly as good. Louisville might be at a crossroads in the short term.

[JNixonParticipant]

I agree, I think Coach Pitino is starting to get desperate too. I think Louisville will be a relatively bad team next year, and I think that Pitino’s only OK recruiting over the past year or 2 will haunt him in 2011-2012 possibly too.

He needs better players, as the only glimmer of hope on their roster right now is Peyton Siva, who for all of his flashy play and great athleticism and talent, is mostly a raw player who defense was so bad last year that he couldn’t see extended time most nights. And then Terrence Jennings, who some people foolishly compared to Amare Stoudemire coming into college, excusing the fact that he isn’t nearly as good. Louisville might be at a crossroads in the short term.

[McDunkin]

Hold up

You guys must have forgotten that he still has "The Beast From The East" Stephan Van Treese on the roster

[McDunkin]

Hold up

You guys must have forgotten that he still has "The Beast From The East" Stephan Van Treese on the roster

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

So instead of a 16-loss season, you think it will only be 15?

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

So instead of a 16-loss season, you think it will only be 15?

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