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Johnson, Thomas dismissed from MTSU; Dixon requests transfer




MTSU's Antwain Johnson, the team's leading returning scorer, is one of four Blue Raider players who said they are transferring from the program. MTSU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

MTSU’s Antwain Johnson, the team’s leading returning scorer, is one of four Blue Raider players who said they are transferring from the program. MTSU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Within the span of four days, the MTSU men’s basketball team has lost four returning players who were looked to be stabilizing forces for the program this season.

On Tuesday, David Simmons announced his intention to transfer following the coaching change that saw long-time fixture Kermit Davis leave Murfreesboro for Ole Miss and former UNC-Asheville coach Nick McDevitt take the reins of the Blue Raider program.

Simmons stated McDeavitt plans to “bring in some of his guys from UNC-Asheville” and that his intentions are to go to another school where he can find more playing time.

Then, on Friday, Antwain Johnson, Tyrik Dixon and Davion Thomas all announced they were also leaving MTSU. McDeavitt later addressed the situation, stating Johnson and Thomas were dismissed from the program and Dixon was granted his release. 

“A series of decisions over an extended period of time, in which university, athletic department and team policies were violated, led to these dismissals,” McDeavitt said in a release. “I wish these players the best of luck in their future endeavors.

“Tyrik requested a transfer, and in our meeting, we all agreed this was the best course of action.”

“Today, I made a difficult decision to request my release from Middle Tennessee,” Dixon said via Twitter. “I will be looking to explore my options elsewhere. Thank you to all the fans for the great two years you have given me.”

Dixon, a sophomore, averaged 4.8 points, three rebounds and 3.1 assists per game for the Blue Raiders last year. Johnson, the team’s fourth-leading scorer, averaged 10.3 points per game last year.

Having already lost Nick King, Giddy Potts, Brandon Walters and Ed Simpson to graduation, the transfers of Simmons, Johnson, Dixon and Thomas put MTSU in a real bind.

The Blue Raiders have just four players who received significant playing time last season: senior Karl Gamble (14.5 minutes per game), sophomore Donovan Sims (9.3 minutes per game), senior James Hawthorne (eight minutes per game) and sophomore Therren Shelton-Szmidt (5.1 minutes per game).

In addition, McDevitt was unable to convince K.J. Buffen, Tye Fagan and Carlos Curry to remain committed to MTSU, although McDevitt did get Arkansas transfer C.J. Jones to commit to the Blue Raiders. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 6.5 points per game for the Razorbacks. Reggie Scurry also has transferred from Missouri State.

Follow Michael Gallagher on Twitter @mpatrickg5

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