Memphis sophomore guard Joe Jackson won’t play in Saturday’s game against Charlotte and could transfer, according to a report by Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal quoted Memphis coach Josh Pastner as saying Jackson would sit out the game because of a “personal matter,” but apparently Jackson’s days at Memphis could be numbered.

“My opinion is he might not wear a uniform in Memphis again,” Eric Robinson, Jackson’s former summer coach, told CBS. “It’s nobody’s fault. Josh has a system [but] I don’t know where Joe fits in it, and Joe said he’s confused, unhappy and not having fun. And I always say if you’re not happy you need to do something about it.

“They’re trying to work things out, and I hope they can work things out,” Robinson added. “But if not, Joe and the Tigers might have to part ways.”

The 6-foot-1 Jackson started Memphis’ first 11 games of the season, but came off the bench in Thursday’s win over Robert Morris and went scoreless in 21 minutes.

The former McDonald’s All-American is averaging 11.9 points and 3.1 assists on the season.

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After initially saying he would not sign until the spring period, Shaq Goodwin signed with Memphis on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-8 Goodwin joins AAU teammate Damien Wilson in the Tigers’ 2012 signing class.

Memphis had previously missed out on power forward Alex Poythress, who chose Kentucky. The Tigers are also involved with 6-8 Jarnell Stokes of Memphis, who may end up signing in the late period.

Goodwin is rated as the No. 19 prospect in the nation by ESPNU, and the best prospect in the state of Georgia. (more…)

Shaq Goodwin, the No. 10 power forward in the Class of 2012, has picked his school.

“memphisbound,” he tweeted.

The 6-foot-8, 245-pound Goodwin out of Decatur (Ga.) Southwest Dekalb High also considered Florida, Arizona, UCLA and Georgia. He joins Damien Wilson, a 6-6 small forward from Oak Hill Academy, in Memphis’ 2012 class.

Goodwin’s stock rose dramatically over the summer when he helped the Memphis YOMCA AAU team reach the finals of the prestigious Peach Jam event with a 29-point, 12-rebound performance in the semifinals against the Georgia Stars.

Goodwin teamed with fellow 6-8 big man Jarnell Stokes to form a powerful one-two punch down low. (more…)

The Big East Conference will “aggressively pursue [expansion] discussions,” but Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino says Memphis is not ready to join the league.

“Memphis, it’s a shame because their football program is so down right now,” Pitino told SNY.tv last week in an exclusive interview at Hudson Catholic High School. “I don’t know why it’s down, but it is down and that’s what probably’s taking away from it.”

The Memphis football team is 1-3, 0-1 in Conference USA after Saturday’s 38-31 loss to Middle Tennessee.

Memphis has made no secret of its desire to join a BCS conference. Tigers AD R.C. Johnson told SNY.tv last year, “I don’t want to lie to you. In the ideal world, the SEC would call and we’d go tomorrow.” (more…)

You think Memphis coach Josh Pastner wants to keep 6-foot-9, 245-pound power forward Jarnell Stokes at home?

Pastner arrived at Stokes’ home at 12:01 a.m. and stayed until about 2, according to Jevonte Holmes of Memphis YOMCA.

“Great midnight meeting w. Memphis coaching staff! Very productive!” Stokes tweeted.

Friday is the first day college coaches can meet with 2012 prospects.

“He [Pastner] concentrated on the city, the school and life after basketball here in Memphis as the kid is from Memphis,” Holmes said by text. (more…)

If this isn’t evidence that the NBA lockout is going to last for a little while, I’m not sure what is.

Luke Walton, who has two years left on his contract with the Lakers, will become an assistant coach under Josh Pastner at the University of Memphis until the lockout ends.

Once the lockout ends — whether that’s in October, December, February or before next season — Walton can return immediately to the Lakers.

That, of course, is pending approval from the university and the Tennessee State Board of Regents. (more…)

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — There was perhaps no bigger winner at the Peach Jam than the city of Memphis.

The YOMCA Memphis 17U team reached the finals before losing to BABC, while the 16U team won the championship, 74-73, over the CP3 All-Stars on a last-second alley-oop layup by Nick King.

“The prep basketball in the city of Memphis is as good as any prep basketball in the country,” Memphis head coach Josh Pastner told SNY.tv. (more…)

Stan Simpson, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound power forward from John A. Logan College in Carterville, Ill., has committed to Memphis over Kentucky, UConn and Kansas.

“Yep, I’m signing Wednesday,” Simpson, who will have two years of eligibility remaining, said Sunday by phone.

After visiting this weekend, Simpson said he liked “Coach [Josh] Pastner, the coaches and the atmosphere at Tiger Nation. They treated me like a brother down there.” (more…)

As reported here yesterday and earlier today on Twitter, King Rice is the new head coach at Monmouth.

The former Vanderbilt assistant and North Carolina point guard will be introduced at a Wednesday press conference.

A native of Binghamton, N.Y., Rice spent the last five seasons under Kevin Stallings at Vanderbilt, where the Commodores made the NCAA Tournament four times.

Rice, 42, also served as an assistant at Illinois State, Oregon and Providence, where he worked under current SNY analyst Tim Welsh. (more…)

Memphis native Ferrakohn Hall is returning home.

The former Seton Hall forward has decided to transfer to his hometown Memphis Tigers. He was eligible to practice Thursday, but can’t play until Dec. 15, 2011.

“I’m a Memphis Tiger,” he said by text.

The 6-foot-7 Hall considered visiting Auburn and Alabama but ultimately decided that wasn’t necessary.

“We are welcoming home one of the city’s products in Ferrakohn to the Tigers program,” head coach Josh Pastner said. “Although he can’t suit up for a game until the end of the 2011 fall semester, I expect the addition of Ferrakohn to the squad to provide an impact for our team at every practice, starting Thursday and moving forward.” (more…)