Anchor Of Gold - Vanderbilt Permanently Dismisses Eric McClellanThe Unofficial Vanderbilt Commodores Blog * Now With Fewer Law Degrees!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46811/anchor-fave.png2014-01-10T10:32:47-05:00http://www.anchorofgold.com/rss/stream/50592472014-01-10T10:32:47-05:002014-01-10T10:32:47-05:00McClellan Dismissal Now Permanent
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<p>Earlier this morning, Vanderbilt released a statement on its website regarding the permanent dismissal of Sophomore guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146294/eric-mcclellan">Eric McClellan</a>:</p>
<p>Eric McClellan was dismissed from the Vanderbilt basketball team today by Coach Kevin Stallings. McClellan will not be a part of the program in the future, based upon newly discovered information that came to light Wednesday evening.</p>
<p>Presumably the disclosure of a misdemeanor theft charge, as was reported by the Tennessean in an article that has since been deleted.</p>
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<p>Vandy's leading scorer Eric McClellan suspended for rest of season over academic issue, also faces theft charge. <a href="http://t.co/3Oa5KyE5j8">http://t.co/3Oa5KyE5j8</a></p>
— tnsports (@tnsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/tnsports/statuses/421114347587268608">January 9, 2014</a>
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https://www.anchorofgold.com/2014/1/10/5295216/eric-mcclellan-permanently-dismissed-from-vanderbilt-basketball-teamKingJamesIV2014-01-08T17:51:47-05:002014-01-08T17:51:47-05:00Eric McClellan Suspended for 2013-2014 Season
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<img alt="Dammit." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Lppr4uZp73423zihnUw24qQvCp0=/0x448:3033x2470/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26505789/20131115_lbm_ab2_664.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dammit. | Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Things went from bad to worse for Vanderbilt basketball on Wednesday. Point guard Eric McClellan, who had led the team in scoring in his first year as a Commodore, won't suit up for the team for the rest of the season due to a violation of academic policies.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146294/eric-mcclellan">Eric McClellan</a> won't be returning to the hardcourt for Vanderbilt this season. The team's leading scorer has been suspended by the university for violating academic policy. He will have an opportunity to rejoin the team next fall.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">McClellan was scoring 14.3 points per game as a Commodore, and his offensively-focused game gave the 'Dores the firepower they needed after losing a handful of scorers from the 2012-2013 squad. Without him, the team will have just seven scholarship players available for the rest of the season. That includes only two players who primarily handle duties at the guard positions - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146426/dai-jon-parker">Dai-Jon Parker</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124602/kyle-fuller">Kyle Fuller</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Here's the McClellan's statement on the issue, <a href="http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/010814aab.html" target="_blank">courtesy of VUCommodores.com</a>:</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;"><span>I want to apologize to my family, coaches, teammates, and the entire Vanderbilt community for my actions that have led to this suspension. I take full responsibility for what has happened. I look forward to returning to school this summer and of continuing my goal of earning a degree at Vanderbilt and playing basketball for this coaching staff and with these players.</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">The news is another blow in this trying rebuilding year. The 'Dores had lost four players heading into this season due to transfers (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176031/sheldon-jeter">Sheldon Jeter</a>, AJ Astroth), personal issues (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176027/kevin-bright">Kevin Bright</a>), or undisclosed suspensions (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146425/kedren-johnson">Kedren Johnson</a>). It is the second time in eight months that the team will have to deal with losing their leading scorer as well. Fuller, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124605/rod-odom">Rod Odom</a>, and true freshman Damian Jones stepped up to fill McClellan's absence admirably against Alabama on Tuesday, <a href="http://www.anchorofgold.com/2014/1/7/5286684/undermanned-vanderbilt-cant-keep-up-loses-to-alabama-68-63-in-sec" target="_blank">but their efforts fell short in a 68-63 loss</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Vanderbilt will either have to turn to walk-ons <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176025/carter-josephs">Carter Josephs</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176023/nathan-watkins">Nathan Watkins</a> in his absence, or hire a separate conditioning coach to ensure that Fuller and Parker can give this team a combined 80 minutes per game in the backcourt. Like Kedren Johnson, McClellan will aim to return to the team in good standing to begin the 2014-2015 season.</p>
https://www.anchorofgold.com/2014/1/8/5289524/leading-scorer-eric-mcclellan-suspended-for-the-rest-of-the-vanderbilt-seasonChristian D'Andrea2014-01-07T20:22:24-05:002014-01-07T20:22:24-05:00PG Eric McClellan Not with Team, Return Uncertain
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<figcaption>"F--- it, we're going ALL BIG MEN tonight." | Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Breaking: Recent renovations to Vandy MBB's locker room were apparently done on top of an ancient Indian burial ground. </p> <p>Vanderbilt will be without leading scorer <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146294/eric-mcclellan" class="sbn-auto-link">Eric McClellan</a> for tonight's SEC opener against Alabama. The sophomore point guard did not travel with the team, and his status as a Commodore may be up in the air. <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennessean.com%2Farticle%2F20140107%2FSPORTS0602%2F301070121%2FVanderbilt-s-top-scorer-doesn-t-make-trip-Alabama&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anchorofgold.com%2F2014%2F1%2F7%2F5286214%2Feric-mcclellan-to-miss-alabama-game-status-uncertain-vanderbilt-basketball" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">From the university, via the Tennessean</a>:</p>
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<p>Vanderbilt sophomore guard Eric McClellan did not make the trip to Tuscaloosa with the team, and the timetable for his return is unknown at this time. Vanderbilt coaches and staff will not be able to elaborate.</p>
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<p>This is terrible news for a rebuilding team that had already lost five players from its 2012-2013 squad over the course of the year. If McClellan does not return to the program, he'll join a list that includes <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176027/kevin-bright" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Bright</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176029/a-j-astroth" class="sbn-auto-link">A.J. Astroth</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176031/sheldon-jeter" class="sbn-auto-link">Sheldon Jeter</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146425/kedren-johnson" class="sbn-auto-link">Kedren Johnson</a>, and Josh Henderson. Only Henderson (injury) and Johnson (undisclosed suspension) are expected to suit up again for the Commodores in the future.</p>
<p>McClellan's absence could be related to a disciplinary action or personal reasons, but we won't know anything until either the player or the university makes an official statement. Losing him will have a significant effect on Kevin Stallings's already depleted team. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124602/kyle-fuller" class="sbn-auto-link">Kyle Fuller</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146426/dai-jon-parker" class="sbn-auto-link">Dai-Jon Parker</a> are now the only scholarship guards who will see the court in Tuscaloosa tonight. In all, the 'Dores will have seven scholarship players available to start their SEC schedule.</p>
<p>McClellan, who leads the team with 14.3 points per game, will be missed. Vanderbilt fans will have to hope that he'll return to the Commodores before their schedule heats up with a rivalry game matchup with Kentucky this weekend.</p>
https://www.anchorofgold.com/2014/1/7/5286214/eric-mcclellan-to-miss-alabama-game-status-uncertain-vanderbilt-basketballChristian D'Andrea