Curious e-mails were traded among colleagues when gifted big man Teeng Akol signed with South Florida last month, especially on the heels of the Gus Gilchrist signing. Well, expect the commerce to flow again now that Akol has been run from the Bulls.

“It [academics] was a part of the decision,” Muraisi said “Am I aggravated [he wasn’t allowed to attend USF], yes? It was not Stan’s [decision], it was not Teeng’s, it’s above them.

“I’m not a happy person. I’m not a happy camper because I told Teeng USF has the academic support you need. The athletics side was trying the best they could. It’s frustrating. It’s a shocker to me.”

Muraisi said Akol initially chose USF over West Virginia, Oklahoma, Xavier and Southern Illinois.  

That West Virginia mention is your cue to care. There was mutual interest before and we know already Akol is again thinking about WVU, which would presumably make WVU start thinking about Akol … and also Roscoe Davis.

Muraisi listed several schools as options for Akol, including Missouri, Fresno State and UNLV; he also mentioned West Virginia, but Big East policy does not allow basketball players to transfer from one member school to another. It’s unclear whether Akol falls under that policy, given his set of circumstances.

True, though there are ways and waivers to deal with such a thing, especially if the schools cooperate. Guess what? USF, apparently feeling quite guilty, will cooperate.

“I’m not going to block any school. I’d hate to play against him, but I want what’s best for him,” Heath said. “It’s a huge loss. You don’t find 6-10 kids who can run and shoot just sitting around at the park. Somebody will have to step up for us.”

This is not a cinch for WVU. Technically speaking, there are no scholarships. Davis, the incoming freshman center, still has a scholarship and WVU will happily take him if he qualifies. That, though, is not a guarantee and Davis may very well play a second season at Hargrave Military Academy. If that’s the case, his scholarship would be open for the 2008-09 season, when Akol is expected to be eligible to play.

If we suddenly discover Davis has ended his quest to qualify and won’t play for WVU next season, news of an Akol signing could follow shortly.