Thursday, October 03, 2002

PIERRE PIERCE UPDATE: Alford Cautions Against Rush to Judgement IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The Daily Iowan reports Iowa men's basketball coach Steve Alford cautioned some of his staunchest fans to reserve judgment on Hawkeye guard Pierre Pierce until a conviction or acquittal is reached on his alleged sexual assault charge. "Pierre has been through a tough time -- he's suspended right now, and I'm not saying it's fair or unfair, but he doesn't need to be thinking about basketball right now," Alford said . Pierce's attorneys maintain that the sexual contact between their client and the alleged victim was consensual. Alford said he and the remaining eight team members are behind Pierce 100 percent, adding that students should be supportive of both sides. 4:02:23 PM

ED MARTIN UPDATE: Sentencing Delay ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Associated Press reports the sentencing of former Michigan booster Ed Martin has been delayed from Oct. 8 until Feb. 20. He pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to launder money.  Martin has said he took gambling money, combined it with other funds and lent it to Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber and other former Michigan basketball players and their families while the players were still amateurs. Webber, along with his father, Mayce Webber Jr., and aunt, Charlene Johnson, are charged with lying to a grand jury and obstructing justice in Martin's case. They have pleaded innocent and their trials are not expected to begin until next year. Martin says he gave Chris Webber and his family $280,000 in cash and gifts while the basketball standout was in high school and at Michigan. 3:57:52 PM

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