Could Jamar Smith return for Big 10 Season?

There is a theory that Jamar Smith may be cleared to rejoin the Illini basketball team for the Big 10 season starting in January or February. Basically, Jamar was given a 1 year suspension, and while the plan was to redshirt him for the season, he has served his time, and the Illini need help at shooting guard. Also, they don't need as much shooting help in 2009 due to the incoming group of freshmen and Alex Legion.

Given the Illini shooting and scoring woes this season, I think this could make sense for the team. And if Jamar has sat out the appointed timeframe, why not? This kind of move would be controversial, but could help the Illini make the NCAAs this year.

Jamar Smith's Redshirt Year

In an recent announcement, Jamar Smith will be redshirting this basketball season. Typically the redshirt rule applies to freshmen and injured players and allows the student athlete to sit out a season and not lose a year of eligibility. In Jamar Smith's case, it seems like the redshirt designation was a compromise between the various parties involved to come up with a solution to retain Jamar Smith on the basketball team, yet keep him from playing this season. Earlier, I had posted my opinion that he should not be on the team. My concern was that someone who drinks as heavily as Smith cannot be expected to shoot straight. Let's hope the time off can help Smith get his act together. The punishment is unusual, but I guess it works for me. Time to move on, since this story has really gone stale.

Jamar Smith is Out of Jail

News Flash! Jamar Smith is now out of jail, having served his brief sentence for his DUI conviction. The big question remains, will he play again for the Illini basketball team? Thus far, no comment from Coach Bruce Weber or AD Ron Guenther.

While they need his scoring they don't need his kind of trouble. What turned me negative about Smith is when it was revealed that the car accident was not an isolated drinking incident. Anyone who drinks like Smith has big problems playing a competitive sport like Big Ten basketball. In my opinion, his scholarship should be used to recruit someone else from the Class of 2008.

Go Directly To Jail

Jamar Smith is now in jail, having pled guilty to a felony DUI. He is expected to serve a two week sentence for his crime. Coach Weber had little to say about his future prospects, but the stories do shed light on his shooting slump last year. While the popular theory was that he couldn't hit shots because of his bad ankle sprain, a better theory is his diet of "A pint of Jose Cuervo tequila three times a week and marijuana." It is amazing he was able to get out of bed to go to practice, let alone shoot a basketball. And this alcohol consumption is going into a thin body without much weight. Not to mention free throw shooting with the shakes. Articles on this story:

Daily Illini

ESPN

I have been of the opinion that Weber should try to keep Smith on the team, but given these revelations of his addictions to alcohol and drugs, I would let him go. He might have a chance to resurface at Bradley or some other mid-major.