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News Nuggets, 03.02.05
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Tulane, with an eye on ECU, faces Cincinnati

Cincinnati has no chance of winning its ninth Conference USA regular-season title in the last 10 years. But the 22nd-ranked Bearcats can move closer to securing a bye for the upcoming C-USA tournament with a win over struggling Tulane on Wednesday.

The Bearcats (22-6, 10-4), who have won four straight, can clinch a bye with a win and losses by Memphis and Houston on Wednesday. The top four teams get a bye in the tournament, which will be played in Memphis from March 9-12.

Tulane's sights are set much lower. In fact, merely getting into the tournament will suffice for the Green Wave, who are in a four-way scramble with East Carolina, Saint Louis and South Florida to avoid exclusion from the Mar. 9-12 extravaganza in Memphis.

The 14-team league issues only a dozen bids to the tournament and last-place Southern Mississippi is already out of contention for an invitation.

Conversely, Cincinnati is concerned with other end of the league standings, where ninth-ranked Louisville and No. 18 Charlotte are tied for first, two games ahead of the Bearcats.

The Cardinals host the 49ers on Thursday. On Saturday, the final day of the regular season, Louisville is at DePaul, Cincinnati visits Memphis and Charlotte travels to South Florida.

Jihad Muhammad scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting Saturday as the Bearcats beat Texas Christian 89-74 on Saturday.

Cincinnati boasts one of the nation's top defenses, holding opponents to 36 percent shooting and 64.3 points per game. The Bearcats are led on offense by Jason Maxiell, who averages 15.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.

Tulane (9-16, 3-11) has lost four straight and is a half-game behind East Carolina (4-11) for that coveted 12th and final spot in the tournament. The Green Wave will host the Pirates on Saturday, with the winner of that game gaining a head-to-head tiebreaker advantage in the jockeying for the lower seeds.

Tulane committed a season-high 29 turnovers in an 87-58 loss to UAB on Saturday. Quincy Davis, who scored 13 points, leads the team with 13.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

Cincinnati leads the Green Wave in the all-time series 19-13.

South Carolina rushing star gets the boot

COLUMBIA — South Carolina dismissed leading rusher Demetris Summers from the team Tuesday for violating athletics department policy.

``There are certain policies and rules that our student-athletes must follow and unfortunately, Demetris chose to violate those,'' coach Steve Spurrier said in a statement. ``That's where we are with this and we'll move on from here.''

Summers ran for 1,125 yards and four touchdowns over the past two seasons, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. The sophomore also had 23 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdown catches.

Summers' dismissal comes about a month after six South Carolina players were charged after a total of $18,000 worth of computer and video equipment and framed photographs were taken from South Carolina's stadium Nov. 22.

Summers, a highly touted in-state recruit, holds the state high school record with 9,076 career yards rushing and 127 touchdowns.

C-USA standings, scores, schedule & TV

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from Associated Press and other sources. Copyright 2005 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:21 PM