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Thursday, March 26, 1998

Second Longhorns player plans transfer

AUSTIN (AP) - University of Texas basketball player Gabe Muoneke says he plans to transfer from the school because of difficulty adjusting to coach Tom Penders' system, the Austin American-Statesman reported Wednesday.

The newspaper quoted Muoneke as saying, "It's kind of like transferring out of a biology class you're having trouble in and starting over in another one. I just didn't do well in Tom Penders 101."

Muoneke, a sophomore forward, is the third Longhorn who wants out. Freshman guard Luke Axtell and sophomore guard Anthony Goode also have said they plan to leave.

Goode, who made his plans known late in the season because of a lack of playing time, said he hasn't determined where he will go to school next year.

"Coach Penders and I agreed we'd sit down and talk about it after spring break. He said he'd help me out," Goode said.

Muoneke and Axtell were among four players who met with UT Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds on March 9 to voice complaints about the basketball program.

Muoneke said he hadn't received a formal release from Dodds. Axtell got permission to leave the school earlier this month.

"I've suggested I want it. I haven't put it in a position where he has to give it to me," the player said.

He also said no one had tried to talk him into staying at Texas.

"Except my girlfriend," Muoneke told the newspaper. "Nobody wants me to stay, is the way I feel. I know if I asked them (teammates) if I should leave, they'd probably say no, but I shouldn't have to go ask them."

Muoneke said there is no personal conflict with Penders. "It's not that. It's about my future. I don't have anything personal against the guy," he said.