Eye on the U

Reports: UM hoops to add Texas guard Sheldon McClellan

According to a couple of published reports the Miami Hurricanes basketball program has another talented guard transferring in from the Big 12 conference.

Texas' Sheldon McClellan, a 6-4 slasher who averaged 13.5 points a game for the Longhorns last season, told UM coaches late Sunday night he's headed to Coral Gables, choosing the Canes over LSU and Oregon.

Former Cane guard Shane Larkin, expected to be drafted in the NBA's first round next week, had a hand in McClennan ending up at Miami according to Canesport.com.

"Shane was the first person I called when I found out I was transferring," McCellan told Canesport. "I talked to Shane and he told me what type of guy Coach [Jim Larranaga] is and how he coaches. I like his style of coaching."

McClellan, who will have to sit out next season per NCAA transfer rules but will have two years of eligibility left, joins Kansas State transfer Angel Rodriguez as new arrivals. UM is still waiting to hear if Rodriguez will be eligible to play next season.

Canes CB Thomas Finnie released from jail; hearing set for Jan. 10

Suspended Hurricanes cornerback Thomas Finnie was released from jail Wednesday and is scheduled to go to court for an arraignment hearing at 9 a.m. on Jan 10, Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts records show.

The 21-year old sophomore, charged with a pair of felonies (burglary and third degree grand theft) after admitting to police he stole a laptop computer from a former teammate on campus last week, was released under a pretrial service program court records show. His bond was originally set at $17,500, but he didn't have to pay it per the pretrial service program.

The arrest was Finnie's second as an adult. He was arrested this past July with misdemeanor marijuana possession. He completed a pre-trial diversion program on Nov. 30. 

Finnie's high school coach Telly Lockette said Tuesday night he was disappointed to hear his former cornerback had run into trouble.

"He has a mother and a father he didn't need to do what he did," Lockette said. "I don't know if he was pressed. But I know he has a mom and a dad that love him. He's young, but you have to know right from wrong. Sometimes kids think they are invincible and it catches up with you. I try to tell them all the time one mistake can cost you everything. I hope that isn't the case for him."