TEMPE, Ariz. — Steve Lavin was tired. The UCLA coach, after weeks of answering questions about Rick Pitino's potential future involvement with the Bruins, had thought the worst was behind him. With Pitino having turned his attention to other schools, including Princeton, Lavin looked forward to getting back to the task at hand — keeping his team in contention for the Pac-10 title.
In short, he thought he had seen it all. He thought that the worst was behind him.
He was wrong.
In what was perhaps the first move of its kind in NCAA history, UCLA guard Spencer Gloger transferred in mid-game last night, enrolling at Arizona State during halftime of the Sun Devils' matchup with the Bruins. Then, adding insult to injury, Gloger scored 19 points in the second half, leading ASU to an 83-77 upset over a UCLA team still struggling to live up to expectations.
"Even when he arrived for tonight's game with the rest of the Bruins, he was still very undecided," ASU head coach Rob Evans said. "He stayed in touch with the admissions office and the coaching staff throughout the first half. It was a pleasant surprise."
Odyssey
This latest development represents yet another chapter in the Gloger saga. The six-foot, six-inch sharp-shooter originally accepted a grant-in-aid to UCLA in 1999, but decided to attend Princeton shortly before the school year began that fall. After one season with the Tigers, in which he averaged 12.0 points per game, Gloger transferred back to his home state in September, 2000, joining the Bruins.
It was assumed that he would be ineligible to play in any games until the 2001-02 season, due to the NCAA's rules regarding transfers. Throughout the first half of last night's game, Gloger assumed his usual position behind the UCLA bench in street clothes, cheering on his teammates. But then, when the second half began, he appeared in an ASU uniform and began picking apart the Bruins' zone defense.
Searching for answers
Gloger could not be reached for comment, quickly slipping out of the locker room after the game before the media arrived and indeed, before anyone even realized that he was gone. Still, while UCLA fans wondered aloud whether Gloger's latest episode of indecision would be allowed by the NCAA, the scramble was on within the Bruin athletic department to put a positive spin on the defection.
"Spencer wanted to go to a program where he could make a major, immediate impact — you know, like within a few minutes of arriving," Lavin said. "I understand his reasoning for going to Arizona State. I mean, our best days are behind us, but we still swept the Sun Devils last year."
Gloger's mother, however, had a different explanation.
"He thought it was an unstable situation at UCLA," she said. "He thought it was in his best interests to go somewhere else because of all the hoopla involving coach Lavin and the Pitino rumors. I don't think he had any interest in toughing it out through that."
The attention will now turn to college basketball's governing body, the NCAA, which is already under pressure to penalize ASU on the grounds that Gloger should not have been allowed to play just five minutes after officially transferring. Still, Evans maintained that his program is one of integrity, and the Sun Devil coach scoffed at the allegations of impropriety.
"Sit out a year after transferring? That's the biggest myth I've ever heard," Evans said. "That's like saying that schools like Princeton keep firm deadlines regarding when their basketball recruits must decide whether they want to enroll or not.
"With everything that's going on in this sport right now, this is about as frivolous as it gets," Evans continued. "Duke lets a William Avery slide into school, join with Corey Maggette — who is probably still living in a house paid for with his AAU coach's money — then take them to a final four. Then, both players leave. And we're the ones being treated like outlaws?"
Evans concluded his remarks by effectively daring the NCAA to come after his program.
"Come on," he said. "This is ASU, not MSU. What are they going to do, put an asterisk next to our seventh-place Pac-10 finish? Ban us from playing in the NIT?"
Still, while Arizona State may not be a mainstay in the AP Top 25, if last night is any indication, Gloger's arrival could help the Sun Devils exceed even their coach's expectations.
Read More
Tiger ties: Kaitlyn Chen transfers to UConn
Max HinesStar guard Kaitlyn Chen is off to one of the best programs in the country, where she will compete for a championship with title contender and Carla Berube’s alma mater, the UConn Huskies.
Star guard Kaitlyn Chen is off to one of the best programs in the country, where she will compete for a championship with title contender and Carla Berube's alma mater, the UConn Huskies.
Back to Back: No. 11 women’s water polo repeats as CWPA champions
JP OhlFor the second time in program history, the Princeton women’s water polo team repeated as CWPA Champions. The squad will open the NCAA tournament with a quarterfinal match against No.2 Hawaii.
For the second time in program history, the Princeton women’s water polo team repeated as CWPA Champions. The squad will open the NCAA tournament with a quarterfinal match against No.2 Hawaii.
Cornell’s Ben Syer to take the reins as new head coach of Princeton men’s ice hockey
Ava Seigel and Cole KellerAfter ten years, Princeton men’s hockey head coach Ron Fogarty will not be returning behind the bench next season. Instead, 25 year coaching veteran Ben Syer will be taking over as head coach. Bringing top-notch defensive acumen and an eye for recruiting, Syer hopes to lead the Tigers back to championship-level success.
After ten years, Princeton men’s hockey head coach Ron Fogarty will not be returning behind the bench next season. Instead, 25 year coaching veteran Ben Syer will be taking over as head coach. Bringing top-notch defensive acumen and an eye for recruiting, Syer hopes to lead the Tigers back to championship-level success.
