First Marcus, then Felton, now Sparks.

[UNT96]

And he is headed to Murray St of all places. I think this is a bad precedent to set. Kids should have to sit out a year while paying their own way.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University head men's basketball coach Darrin Horn announced Tuesday that Patrick Sparks has been granted his release, a decision that comes based on consideration that began prior to the end of the 2002-03 season.

"Patrick Sparks contributed to the success of Western Kentucky basketball the last two years," said Horn, who was hired April 15. "He has informed me that he wants to explore other options. It is obvious that this is a decision that Patrick has not rushed into, but has considered over a long period of time. I wish Patrick and his family all the best in their future endeavors."

Sparks was selected first-team all-Sun Belt Conference last year after leading the Hilltoppers with 13.3 points and the SBC with 5.9 assists per contest. He also set a school season record with 84 three-point field goals and topped the squad with 73 steals. The Central City, Ky., resident ranked in the top five in the Sun Belt assists, assist-to-turnover ratio, steals and three-point field goals per game.

Sparks was twice named the league's Player of the Week, and he was also the Most Outstanding Player at the Aéropostale Sun Belt Conference Tournament after helping lead Western to the title - and the automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament that goes with it - with a 64-52 victory over Middle Tennessee March 11.

In his first year on the Hill, Sparks set school freshman records with 117 assists, a team-best 71 threes and 46 steals while averaging 10.7 points per game. He shot 45.6 percent from the field, including hitting 43 percent from behind the three-point arc. Sparks was selected to the SBC all-tournament squad as he keyed the Toppers' run to the championship with a last-second field goal in a one-point victory over New Mexico State in the semifinals.

He ends his career ranked second all-time with 155 three-pointers and 10th with 119 steals. His 39.3 three-point field-goal percentage stands third in the career record books.

The Hilltoppers concluded last season 24-9, with a 12-2 record in the Sun Belt Conference East Division. Western has appeared in three straight NCAA Tournaments, won the last three SBC Tournaments and claimed three consecutive East Division titles while posting a 76-20 (79.2%) mark during that time.

[CMJ]

Murray State has been in the tourney before. It's not a bad school by any stretch.

I doubt the Toppers will be down for too long, they have alot of tradition there.

[NT80]

I believe he will have to sit out a year after he transfers, Murray St. is D-1. It's not like football where a 1-A can go to 1-AA and not sit out.

[UNT96]

That is correct, he would have to sit out a year either way. My point was that since WKU granted him a release, he will be able to sit out on scholarship rather than pay his own way. I think that if you screw over the school that you committed to that you should have to pay for at least one year of your own school. Teaches integrity. I respect RV for refusing to give Jason Miller a release because of this.

[NT80]

I agree that a committment should have some penalty if it is broken, and for the coach too if he leaves. Too many coaches can just walk away from their contracts and now players are wanting to do the same thing.

[UNT96]

Coaches do have a penalty in their contract if the school has a lawyer on staff. Just like players, coaches are asked to pay to get out of their contracts. Most of the time the school that they are going to will buy it out but either way there is a check and balance.

[Metroplex Topper]

Diamond Eagle-If Patrick Sparks is going to Murray State it is because his Dad will be on the coaching staff. It is more likely that Patrick will transfer to the University of Kentucky or the University of Louisville. He may also follow Felton to UGA but not likely. As far as the Toppers go, they will still be the team to beat in the Sun Belt conference. Tudor Pandov (who will be playing in the NBA someday) will return after sitting out last season with knee injury. Nigel Dixon-Big Jelly (6'11"- 300+ a transfer from Fla ST) who averaged 13 pts a game in the ACC, will become eligible. Mike Wells, the Defensive Player of the Year in the conference and Anthony Winchester, the Freshman of the Year in the conference will be returning. Also, WKU's new coach (Darrin Horn) may be one of the brightest young coaches in the nation. Much like the UNT football team, WKU will likely continue to dominate the SBC conference in basketball for many years to come.

I think Patrick will eventually regret his decesion to transfer. He was treated like a king in Bowling Green. If you went to a game in Diddle Arena, you would see at least 50 kids wearing #22 Sparks jerseys. His hometown (Mulenberg County) leased a luxury box in Diddle ($25,000 per year) just to watch the kid play. WKU will miss Sparks greatly; however, the program will continue to grow under Horn's leadership.

GO MEAN GREEN _GO TOPS

[GreenEggs&Ham™]

I went to Grad School at Murray State (50% complete). Great basketball tradition. They lost to Michigan State about ten years ago in OT that would have sent the Racers to the final 8.

Very isolated location. Don't recomend living there, however it did boast one of the very lowest crime rates in the nation at one time.

[MICHAELSPAPPY]

I would not say they are really bad yet. Pandov will be back next year, as will Mike Wells. Still, losing Sparks will be a hard blow. The East should be wide open next year.