2 players to transfer from UT men’s hoops

12/12/2012

Discontent over scant playing time, guard AJ Mathew and center Delino Dear are leaving the University of Toledo men’s basketball program.

Their departures mean the Rockets are down to seven available scholarship players, not counting freshman forward Aubrey Williams, who is redshirting.

"I’m disappointed with the timing but certainly understand their rationale," coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "They wanted to go some place where they could get more playing time, and I respect that. They’re truly two of the best guys I’ve ever had a chance to be around. They’re terrific people, great students, and I’m sorry to see them go."

Mathew, a sophomore, appeared in all but one of the team’s nine games this season, averaging 0.5 points and 4.6 minutes. He played in 31 contests last season, averaging 0.5 points.

Dear, a junior, has saw his playing time decrease every season after starting 31 games as a freshman. Exiled to fourth on the depth chart at center, he appeared in just two games, logging three minutes.

Because Mathew and Dear are expected to leave in good academic standing, and because both are expected to transfer to a four-year institution, their departures should not adversely affect Toledo’s Academic Progress Rate score, Kowalcyzk said. The Rockets, who have struggled on the road throughout a 3-6 start, are banned from the postseason this year because of unsatisfactory APR marks.

Mathew, of Ypsilanti, Mich., will pursue options in the Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Kowalczyk said.

With Mathew gone, only point guard Julius Brown is left from the four-player freshman class that signed with the Rockets in 2010-11.

Golf

The PGA of America is introducing its next Ryder Cup captain during a segment of the Today show Thursday.

Adding to the intrigue is whether the PGA of America will stick to its prototype of a former major champion who still plays on the PGA Tour, or whether it will look farther into its past.

David Toms fits the former category, while there has been sentiment for Tom Watson or Larry Nelson.