UI basketball takes big hit
The University of Idaho men’s basketball program is losing highly touted recruit Andre McFarland and the assistant coach primarily responsible for recruiting McFarland.
McFarland, a one-time USC commitment, has asked for and will be granted his release from the letter of intent he signed with Idaho in November. McFarland, a strong 6-foot-6 forward who was expected to make an immediate impact at Idaho, played last season at Brewster Academy, a prep school in New Hampshire.
Assistant coach DeMarlo Slocum, who coached McFarland on a Las Vegas-based AAU team several years ago, is joining new coach Tim Miles’ staff at Colorado State. Slocum, who was at Idaho for one season, was instrumental in the recruitment of McFarland, University of Washington transfer Harvey Perry and Michael Loyd Jr., who recently made an oral commitment to Idaho.
It wasn’t known if McFarland would join Slocum at Colorado State, but it appears likely. McFarland didn’t respond to several e-mails and attempts to reach him by telephone were unsuccessful. Slocum didn’t return a phone message.
Perry, who enrolled at Idaho in January, is staying at Idaho, according to athletic director Rob Spear. Loyd Jr. couldn’t be reached for comment.
“While we are disappointed in losing DeMarlo and Andre, it is a tremendous professional opportunity for DeMarlo at Colorado State and we are happy for him,” head coach George Pfeifer said in a statement released Thursday morning. “Our coaching staff has done a wonderful job of recruiting this past year and that success has not gone unnoticed among other Division I programs. We are excited about the recruits we have signed and the prospects for next year.”
Slocum’s replacement will be announced in a few weeks.
McFarland averaged 14.5 points and roughly seven rebounds, Brewster Academy coach Jason Smith said.
“He just informed me on Monday (that he was requesting to be released from his letter of intent),” Smith said. “I don’t know where he’s going. I don’t think Andre has an idea. He’s probably going to go through the (recruiting) process this spring and commit to a new school sometime next month.”
Pfeifer recently described McFarland as a powerful player, “kind of a snowplow with the ball.”
McFarland selected Idaho over Iowa State. He said in October that Slocum’s presence “played a part in it, but I felt it was a school I could have a successful career.”
Pfeifer and Spear declined further comment.
No ESPN for Idaho
The Western Athletic Conference announced a 10-game television football package with ESPN and ESPN2, but Idaho won’t make an appearance. Boise State games will be televised five times, Hawaii four and Nevada three.
Idaho, Louisiana Tech and Utah State weren’t selected.