VMI transfer Conley reports to Missouri

Columbia, Mo. — When Jason Conley was considering transferring from Virginia Military Institute, he turned on his TV to watch basketball. Missouri, which was playing Iowa on ESPN, ended up the beneficiary.

Conley, who became the first freshman to lead the nation in scoring last season with a 29.3-point average, registered for classes Thursday at Missouri.

“They just so happened to be on TV,” Conley said. “The next thing you know, I get my release and I get a call from them. I really did like the way they played and I loved the place when I visited.”

Conley attended Missouri’s practice Thursday, but coach Quin Snyder said Conley wouldn’t participate until he gets medical clearance.

On Sunday, sophomore Najeeb Echols decided to transfer from MU and has since enrolled at Illinois State.

The loss of Echols leaves Snyder with just nine scholarship players, including former walk-on Ryan Kiernan.

Conley will be eligible the second semester of the 2003-04 season.

SLU coach hospitalized with flu-like symptoms

St. Louis — Saint Louis coach Brad Soderberg has been hospitalized because of flu-like symptoms, and his availability for Saturday’s game at Houston is in doubt.

Soderberg was hospitalized before Wednesday night’s loss to Cincinnati and was undergoing routine tests. He remained in the hospital Thursday.

“They’ll keep him hospitalized as long as necessary, but they’re not telling us how long that’ll be right now,” said Doug McIlhagga, the school’s sports information director.

Assistant coach Anthony Beane, a Kansas State product, was the acting head coach in the 66-56 loss to Cincinnati. If necessary, Beane again would be in charge at Houston.

Hofstra starters back after suspensions

Hempstead, N.Y. — Rick Apodaca and Wendell Gibson got to wear blue shirts at practice Thursday.

That may not sound like much, but it was the first time this season the two players had a chance at wearing the color the starters have on during a Hofstra basketball practice.

For the first time this season, the two were at practice getting ready for a game. Their 14-game suspensions for testing positive for marijuana have ended and they will be in the starting lineup Saturday against Old Dominion.

When the suspensions — set by Hofstra at half the season — were announced the school only said it was an unspecified violation of university policy. Hofstra still has given no more details than that.

The players, however, released their own statement to the media to let people know the reason and end any speculation that might have surfaced.

Phelan to retire after 49th season

Emmitsburg, Md. — The man who has coached more college basketball games than anyone in the history of the sport will end his stellar career in March.

Jim Phelan then will throw his trademark bow ties into the back of the closet and say farewell to the profession that has dominated his life for 49 years.

Phelan, who has coached in 1,312 games and amassed 824 wins since taking over as the head coach at Mount Saint Mary’s in 1954, announced Thursday that he would retire at the end of the season.

Although the 73-year-old coach battled prostate cancer in 2000, he said his decision had nothing to with his health. Rather, Phelan was simply tired of year-round recruiting, lengthy road trips and spending far too much time away from home.

Phelan’s 824 career wins is the most among active coaches and fourth on the career list behind Dean Smith (879), Adolph Rupp (876) and Clarence “Big House” Gaines (828). He will probably pass Gaines on the career list next month.

UMass’ Lasme out

Amherst, Mass. — Massachusetts guard Michael Lasme will miss at least three weeks because of a wrist injury. Lasme, a 6-foot-1 freshman from Ivory Coast, broke a bone in his wrist when he fell to the floor in Wednesday’s 60-53 loss to Rhode Island. Coach Steve Lappas said Lasme would have surgery today.

Eagles center bolts

Hattiesburg, Miss. — Southern Mississippi senior center Ben Lambert left the team for personal reasons. Lambert averaged 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12 games this season, starting in nine. He did not dress for the Golden Eagles game against Memphis on Saturday, and didn’t travel with the team for its game at South Florida on Tuesday.