Good news for Richard Pitino and the Golden Gophers men’s basketball team Tuesday as it seems Florida International transfer Malik Smith will likely be allowed to play without delay this season.
The NCAA has banned Florida International from postseason play in 2013 for failure to meet the Academic Progress Rate.
According to the Pioneer Press, NCAA rules allows a player to transfer without sitting out a season if their remaining eligibility is equal to, or less than, the ban length.
Smith will be a senior this fall.
The University of Minnesota still needs to receive a waiver allowing Smith to play next season.
Smith was named All-Sun Belt Conference as a junior. He averaged 14.1 points per game and set an FIU record by hitting 96 three-pointers.
