McClelland leaves USD men's basketball program

VERMILLION -- University of South Dakota point guard Shy McClelland, who started 21 games for the men's basketball team, announced via Twitter Tuesday afternoon that he is no longer on the squad.

The junior guard, a junior college transfer from Mesa Community College in Arizona, was averaging 11.5 points, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 28.8 minutes a game for the Coyotes in his first season with the team..

"I will no longer be apart (sic) of the coyotes men's basketball team." McClelland tweeted on Tuesday afternoon. He also tweeted "I wish them luck for the remainder of the year!"

McClelland, a Milwaukee native, did not play in last Thursday's loss to Fort Wayne or Saturday's win over Oral Roberts. He was not on the bench for either game. USD coach Craig Smith said after the loss on Thursday that the guard had been placed on indefinite suspension, the details of which would remain private.

On Tuesday, Smith had nothing to add to the circumstances precipitating the McClelland's suspension. He made clear the junior's decision to leave the team permanently was his own, however.

"Shy's decided to leave the program," Smith said Tuesday. "We wish him the best of luck with whatever direction he decides to go. We'll support him and help him any way we can."

McClelland had been the high scorer for the Coyotes five different times this season. He hit 100-of-203  from the field, 12-of-32 on 3-pointers and was 52-of-102 from the line. His spot in the starting lineup was taken by 6-foot senior Trey Norris in games last week.

Norris, averaging 27.9 minutes and 6.6 points, was already seeing ample playing time, but those times where both Norris and McClelland were on the court will now be taken by somebody else.

"We're really thin in the backcourt but it's next man up," Smith said. "Tre Burnette is going to be more of a three man now than a four man. Casey Kasperbauer, Trey Norris and D.J. Davis are all going to have to play heavy, heavy minutes. And who knows, with foul trouble -- last week we had foul trouble with Davis and Burnette -- we might have to play (Tyler) Hagedorn at some three."

USD (11-14, 3-8) broke up a four-game losing streak with a 91-79 victory over Oral Roberts on Saturday at the DakotaDome. The Coyotes face North Dakota State at the Dome on Thursday and travel to South Dakota State this coming Saturday.

"It's all about team -- basketball is a funny game that way," Smith said. "It's about chemistry and sharing the ball and figuring things out that way. We'll find out who rises to the top."