Recently there was some talk that the 2010-11 season would be Laval Lucas-Perry's last as a Michigan Wolverine. Based on when he joined the Michigan program, the expectation was for him to be around for two more seasons, but many signs pointed to him being gone by this time next year.
As it turns out, Lucas-Perry won't even be around next season, let alone two years from now, because he has been dismissed from the Michigan basketball program.
"The University of Michigan and our men's basketball program has established expectations essential to the success of all students and athletes," said Beilein. "These university and team standards have been clearly communicated to the team and Laval on numerous occasions through meetings, conferences and mentorship.
"Unfortunately, Laval has violated our team standards. Therefore, I have decided that he will no longer be a part of our basketball program. Given the fact that Laval is near the completion of his degree, he has been extended the offer to remain on scholarship for the 2010-11 academic year and graduate in May with our 2011 class."
I find it a bit odd that LLP will get to finish out his scholarship and go to school for free next year despite being kicked off the team. That just doesn't make sense to me. If whatever he did was bad enough to get kicked off the team, then why does he get to keep his scholarship? It seems to me that not getting kicked off the team should be one of the requirements for staying on scholarship, but I suppose we would need to hear more of the details of what happened to truly understand the situation.
In any case, the effect this will have on Michigan next season isn't necessarily that big on the court in a talent sense. LLP struggled mightily last season and really didn't impress me all that much, especially as a three-point shooter. Even so, there's no doubt that this is a blow for Michigan's depth, which has been a problem for the last few years. Michigan needs bodies just for practice, and losing yet another player won't help the depth problem that just doesn't seem to want to go away.