Marquette sophomore wing Jerel McNeal, who is second on the team in scoring, didn't make the trip to Providence for Thursday night's game against the Friars.

The 6-foot-3 McNeal banged heads with fellow sophomore Wesley Matthews in a rebounding drill in practice on New Year's Day and hasn't been cleared to play.

Freshman David Cubillan is expected to take McNeal's place in the starting lineup.

Both McNeal and Matthews were taken to the hospital after the incident for precautionary measures. Matthews appeared to be 100 percent in a shootaround on Thursday afternoon and is expected to start against the Friars.

McNeal is day-to-day and Golden Eagles coach Tom Crean told FOXSports.com that he was uncertain whether he will play in Sunday night's home game against Syracuse.

Providence coach Tim Welsh will be without his leading scorer, sophomore point guard Sharaud Curry. Curry will sit his third straight game after an academic-related suspension, according to a source close to the situation. Curry has been unable to practice with the team since the suspension.

Notre Dame coach Mike Brey is still uncertain of when sophomore point guard Kyle McAlarney will return after a suspension for marijuana possession. However, he had to be pleased with McAlarney's replacement on Wednesday night.

Freshman Tory Jackson scored 14 points and had 4 assists for the Irish in the victory against Louisville.

``To step in on a ranked team with older guys and run the show, it's a lot of pressure," Brey said on Thursday. "Guys like (Russell) Carter and (Colin) Falls have really helped."

McAlarney missed his second straight game against Louisville.

``Kyle's process is ongoing and there's no update," Brey said. "He's still suspended, but will practice and travel with the team because we're trying to be supportive."

FORMER SEMINOLE REMAINS IN STATE

According to a source close to Aaron Holmes, the former Florida State freshman, who didn't log a single minute with the Seminoles, has transferred to South Florida.

The 6-foot-5 Holmes is talented, but unfortunately is a product of the current environment in which kids nowadays are looking for instant gratification.

PRINCE HEADED HOME

Former Arizona guard J.P. Prince will transfer back close to home and play at Vanderbilt next year, according to the Nashville Tennessean.

Prince, who grew up in Tennessee, barely played for the Wildcats in his year and a half in the program.

There is still no word as of this morning about Providence sophomore guard Sharaud Curry's status for tonight's home game against Marquette.

The Friars leading scorer has been suspended for the last two games - a loss to Florida State and an easy home victory against Longwood.

Marquette won't be at full strength, either.

Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal bumped heads during a rebounding drill on New Year's Day and both players were taken to the hospital. Neither practiced on Tuesday and their status is also up in the air.

YELLOW JACKETS FRESHMAN IMPROVING

Granted, it hasn't been against high-level competition. However, when you put up 27 assists and have just one turnover in a three-game stretch, it's still impressive.

That's exactly what Georgia Tech freshman point guard Javaris Crittenton has done in the last three victories against Troy, St. Francis (Pa.) and Winston Salem State.

``He's starting to understand the value of moving the ball in our halfcourt offense," Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt said. "He's always been a guy that when you score on him, he's trying to rush back and score. He's gotten off the mindset, but it still pushing the ball. It speaks to his development."

Entering the three-game stretch, Crittenton had 57 assists and 50 turnovers.

Syracuse freshman Mike Jones is leaving after just one semester.

The South Carolina native, who had logged a total of 68 minutes in 11 games this season, was homesick and will likely look to return to somewhere in the southeast. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim announced that Jones has decided to transfer after Wednesday's practice.

The 6-foot-7 Jones barely qualified to play academically this season and averaged 2.1 points this season playing behind senior Demetris Nichols.

Look for Charlotte, South Carolina and Miami - all of which that were involved with Jones - to make a run at Jones.

NOLES LOSE GUARD

One transfer that was overlooked a while ago: Aaron Holmes, a 6-foot-5 freshman shooting guard at Florida State, has left the program.

Holmes did not play this season and was behind guards Jason Rich, Isaiah Swann, Jerel Allen and Toney Douglas.

Look for Stanford coach Trent Johnson to put the Lopez Twins on the court at the same time more as the season progresses.

``We're going to do that a lot more in the future," Johnson said. ``Brook is still trying to find his rhythm."

Just look at what the freshman 7-footers did against Arizona.

Brook and Robin combined for 31 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks.

Robin has been healthy all season, but Brook is finally nearing 100 percent after missing the entire summer and the early part of the year with back problems.

Brook is the more skilled of the pair and Johnson had him guarding Arizona wing Marcus Williams for a portion of the team's 89-75 loss to Arizona.

With the pair in the lineup, that means Lawrence Hill moves to small forward, Fred Washington to the two and Anthony Goods or Mitch Johnson will run the team.

HARDIN DONE?

Things were shaping up nicely for Ben Braun and the California Golden Bears.

Freshman forward Ryan Anderson came out of nowhere, Ayinde Ubaka had finally begun to realize his potential and freshmen Patrick Christopher and Jerome Randle were starting to making an impact.

Then DeVon Hardin went down with what appears to be a season-ending knee injury.

The ultra-athletic 6-foot-11 junior was averaging 10.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and nearly two blocks per game.

``We're holding out hope (he can return)," Braun said. "But it's unlikely. Eight to 12 weeks would be the very end of the season, but it's just a matter of his health."

Without Hardin in the lineup, Cal has lost a pair of lopsided road games to DePaul and Arizona and barely got past Arizona State.