SEMO likely to be without Reese for a while

It's looking more and more likely that the SEMO men's basketball team will be without freshman point guard C.J. Reese for at least the first semester.

Reese has still not been approved academically by the NCAA Clearinghouse and can't attend SEMO on an athletic scholarship until he is cleared.

I've been told it's not looking good for Reese to be cleared, although there is still an outside chance that could happen. SEMO coach Dickey Nutt should soon find out one way or the other.

Even if Reese isn't cleared to immediately play for SEMO, he should be able to become eligible after the first semester that ends Dec. 14.

Reese, who played high school basketball in Chattanooga, Tenn., is the most touted among SEMO's three freshmen for this season. He was expected to play key minutes backing up Lucas Nutt.