Friday, August 23, 2013

Embattled big man Aaric Murray picks Texas Southern

Aaric Murray #24 Transfers to Texas Southern.
The 6'-10" 249lbs Center is from Philadephia, Pennsylvania.
HOUSTON, Texas -- Former West Virginia big man Aaric Murray will join the Texas Southern University basketball program, his third school, Tigers coach Mike Davis revealed to USA TODAY Sports Thursday.

Murray, who graduated last spring and is immediately eligible for the Tigers in 2013-14, was dismissed from the West Virginia team in July. He was arrested in December 2011 and charged with marijuana possession while sitting out as a transfer from La Salle and he was also suspended in 2012 by WVU coach Bob Huggins for a disciplinary violation.

"Aaric Murray will be a big addition to our team and he will give us a chance to compete at the highest level of the SWAC," said Davis, the former Indiana coach who took over a Texas Southern team hit hard by the NCAA for lying about imposing sanctions among other violations. The Tigers went 16-2 in conference play but were barred from the postseason.

Murray, in a statement to USA TODAY Sports, said, "First, I want to thank my mom, family and team for all of their support. "I am very fortunate to be afforded the opportunity to ...



Aaric Murray
HOUSTON, Texas -- Before the 2012-13 season began there were high expectations for then-West Virginia center Aaric Murray. Murray was coming off of a season away from game action after transferring in from La Salle, and the expectation was that the talented forward would help the Mountaineers successfully handle the switch from the Big East to the Big 12.

Unfortunately things didn’t work out that way as both Murray and the program at large struggled throughout the season. Murray averaged 8.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while also dealing with nagging disciplinary issues. Ultimately he was dismissed from the program, and with a college degree in tow the 6-10 Murray began looking for a school where he could play his final season.

He’s found a new home, as according to Dan Wolken of USA Today Murray has joined Mike Davis’ program at Texas Southern. Murray joins a program that missed out on postseason play last year due to low APR numbers, but it should be noted that the Tigers were the best team in the SWAC (16-2; 17-14 overall). With the loss of two of their top three scorers (Omar Strong and Fred Sturdivant), Texas Southern can use the talent to go along with fifth-year seniors Ray Penn and Lawrence Johnson-Danner.

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