Cotton, Smith dismissed

Nov. 16, 2007

Detroit, Mich. - Senior guard Brandon Cotton has left the University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team, Titans' head coach Perry Watson announced today.

"Brandon remains in school and he is on schedule to graduate in December," Watson said. "We wish him well in the future."

Cotton had been suspended on Nov. 1 by coach Watson for "conduct detrimental to the team," and was then reinstated to the roster on Nov. 9. However, Cotton did not play in either of the Titans' first two regular-season games.

Cotton transferred to Detroit from Michigan State midway through his freshman season. He has been named second-team All-Horizon League in each of his three years at UDM, and departs ranking 13th on the all-time Titan scoring list with 1,464 points.

Milwaukee, Wis. - Avery Smith has been dismissed from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball team for a violation of team rules and conduct detrimental to the team, head coach Rob Jeter announced.

Smith had been suspended indefinitely prior to UWM's exhibition win over UW-Parkside on Nov. 1.

"It has become clear we need to move forward as a team and a program without Avery," Jeter said. "We have talked a lot during the preseason about guys needing to be on the same page working toward the same goals. I've focused a lot on team chemistry and togetherness and now it is time to move into the season with a group that is committed to those ideas."

Smith, who was UWM's leading scorer a season ago at 15.5 points per game, will remain on athletic aid.

Stories contributed by Detroit and Milwaukee offices of Sports Information