No, I am not surprised nor do I really blame Darius Washington & Shawne Williams for testing the NBA draft waters. Do I think the two Tigers standouts need at least another year in the college ranks? Absolutely.

So there reignites the debate: if the opportunity is there, do you take the money & run or do you further improve your skills to better you draft chances in the future?

That's tough to answer & we can debate it all day long. I'm a proponent of a kid staying in college as long as possible & my reasons are numerous. However, I cannot judge a young man for taking a chance to immediately change his family's life.

The date to withdraw is June 18, 10 days before the draft. A player is then eligible to return to his college team if he didn't hire an agent or do anything to taint his amateur status.

My prediction: Darius is gone, but Shawne will be back in a Memphis uniform next season.

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Grizzlies in the playoffs:

Memphis has a not-to-do list for Game 2

Jones' team dinner suggests a cohesion that subdue Dallas

Win tonight is crucial for Griz's future

Business Pulse results: Cost of Grizzlies games keeping some fans away


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Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s no. 8 Budweiser Chevy will sport a black paint scheme, reminiscent of his late father's famous no. 3, this weekend in Talledega. It's to honor his father's induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

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Texas & Arkansas will resume their football rivalry in 2008, according to several reports.

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I feel sorry for sportstalk show hosts across the country... why? It appears Brett Favre will return to the Green Bay Packers, according to the team's website. As a now-former sports host, I always found there were two topics that could stir the pot: should Pete Rose be in the Hall & should Favre retire. You could stir heated emotions on both sides of the issue.

The 36-year old QB is going to give it at least one more try. Last season he threw a career-high 29 interceptions. His fault? Sure, some of them. But he needs more tools around him to win again. Brett may not be in his prime, but he should have another playoff run in him. He just needs some help.

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Remember the Whizzinator, a device used to beat drug tests? Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith was busted with one a year ago, then failed a drug test later in the spring which resulted in a one-year suspension.

A source close to Smith says the NFL has informed him he will NOT be reinstated next month, which could mean he didn't fulfill all mandatory obligations under the NFL's treatment plan.

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Ricky Williams has let down his teammates again. Are you surprised? The Dolphins running back lost his appeal yesterday over his fourth violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. He will miss the entire 2006 season, including the playoffs.

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The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville asked 50 questions of Matt Leinart, Vince Young & Jay Cutler. Click here & you will know more about these guys than you really wanted.

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