Staff and wire reportsRALEIGH ó N.C. State basketball coach Sidney Lowe has announced that redshirt juniors Brandon Costner and Trevor Ferguson will forego their final year of eligibility and not return to the Wolfpack for the 2009-10 season.
Costner will earn a degree in communications in May, and Ferguson plans to earn a degree in science, technology and society in the summer.
“Brandon has enjoyed a great career at N.C. State and now is going to prepare himself to go through the NBA Draft process,” Lowe said in a statement. “Trevor feels like it was his time to move on.”
Costner sat out most of the 2005-06 season with a stress fracture. He played in 110 games, averaging 12.6 points and 5.9 rebounds, and ended his career with 1,273 points, the 27th-best mark in school history. In 2008-09, Costner led the Wolfpack in scoring average (13.6) and was second in both rebounding average (6.1) and total assists (71).
“So many people have helped me while I was a member of the Wolfpack,” Costner said. “I just feel like it is time to move on and pursue my dreams of playing professionally.”
Ferguson transferred to N.C. State after signing with Pittsburgh, and he sat out the 2005-06 season.
“Playing in the ACC was something I enjoyed,” he said, “and now I look forward to moving on in my life.”
MINNESOTA
MINNEAPOLIS ó Tubby Smith said he’s planning on coaching Minnesota next season.The resignation of Dave Leitao at Virginia prompted speculation the Cavaliers would pursue Smith.
MISSOURI
COLUMBIA, Mo. ó Missouri coach Mike Anderson sidestepped questions of his possible interest in going to Alabama or Georgia.His only response: “We’re in the Sweet 16. We’re talking about the Memphis Tigers today.”