[lynchburgwildcats]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... ls-in-mind

Rice star Arsalan Kazemi told CBSSports.com he is leaving the Owls and has a wish list of six schools.

Kazemi, a native of Iran who averaged 12.1 points and 10.3 rebounds last season, told CBSSports.com that he received his release Monday and has requested it be sent to the following six schools: Kentucky, Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, Florida and Cincinnati.

"I'm trying to go to a high-major program for my final season," Kazemi said. "Those are the schools I'm interested in, but I'll also consider other schools."

The 6-foot-7 senior becomes the latest to leave Ben Braun's program, joining Omar Oraby (USC), Dylan Ennis (Villanova), Jarelle Reischel (Rhode Island), David Chadwick (Valparaiso) and Ahmad Ibrahim (overseas).

But Kazemi's departure is a huge blow.

Kazemi averaged a double-double last season for the second consecutive year and helped Rice finish with a 19-6 overall mark and a 8-8 record in league play.

Big blow to Rice hoops but The Beast of the Middle East will be one heck of a pickup for wherever he goes for his senior year. I'm confused as to why he would want to go to Oregon though, this ain't football!

[Purple Haize]

Ben Braun again

[Sly Fox]

I wonder whether the Owls would give him a release if he chose the Horns. The last thing want is to become a developmental program for the big school down the highway.

[lynchburgwildcats]

I wonder whether the Owls would give him a release if he chose the Horns. The last thing want is to become a developmental program for the big school down the highway.

He has already gotten his release. Don't know if there were any conditions put on it, but all the schools he is interested in were not barred. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up at Kentucky - there was talk last year of him transferring there but it never materialized, obviously.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Well unless schools get to working quick, looks like it will be either Oregon or Kentucky

Former Rice star Arsalan Kazemi told SI.com that he's likely to decide on a transfer destination by the end of the week, and that while he's considering a number of options, Oregon and Kentucky are his "early leaders."

The senior power forward said he intends to petition the NCAA for a hardship waiver to play in 2012-13 rather than sitting out a transfer year, but declined to specify the grounds of the waiver request.

Oregon is the lone school on Kazemi's list that has yet to start fall classes -- its first day is Sept. 24 -- and thus may be his most attractive option if he pursues a hardship waiver to play immediately.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/b ... z26wAFB7zr

With the way the NCAA is handing out hardship waivers these days like they are 1 cent pieces of candy, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets it

[lynchburgwildcats]

Ends up at Oregon. Apparently academic schedule was the dealbreaker as every school on his list but Oregon was several weeks into its fall semester. Oregon starts their fall semester tomorrow.