Smith Transfers to UC Riverside

Guard Tron Smith, who started 10 games as a freshman at Arizona State last season, has transferred to UC Riverside, Highlander Coach John Masi announced Monday.

A 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, Smith left Arizona State before the start of this regular season. He began classes at Riverside on Monday and will be eligible to play for the Highlanders at the end of the 2005 fall quarter. He will have two years of eligibility left.

As a freshman at Arizona State in 2003-04, Smith appeared in 17 games and averaged 3.9 points and 1.5 rebounds a game. Injuries limited his playing time.

Smith was a standout at nearby Moreno Valley Canyon Springs High.

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Lou Henson will return to coaching but will be in a wheelchair when New Mexico State plays North Texas on Saturday.

Henson, 22 victories short of becoming only the fifth Division I basketball coach with 800, was stricken with viral encephalitis three months ago. The disease -- an acute inflammation of the brain -- caused paralysis in Henson’s right leg.

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Duke forward Reggie Love will sit out six to eight weeks after breaking a bone in his right foot.

Love, a senior who made his first career start Sunday against Clemson, was injured in the first half. He will have surgery today at Duke University Medical Center.

Love averaged 2.0 points and 2.4 rebounds for sixth-ranked Duke.

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St. John’s will not participate in the Big East Conference postseason tournament because of the penalties the basketball program imposed on itself this season.

Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese confirmed that St. John’s will not be eligible for the field and there will be one fewer game in completing the 11-team tournament. The fifth-seeded team also will receive a bye into the quarterfinals.