Following up on Trevor Ferguson. Seems it isn’t academic or criminal reasons that caused him not to enroll (cynical, perhaps but it is the times we live in when you immediately wonder), but personal/emotional.

A 6-foot-6 combo guard, Ferguson enrolled in summer school and went through voluntary workouts with Pitt players. But he decided within the past month that he wanted to return home to Tampa, Fla., and pursue other opportunities.

“He’s back home and looking at other options,” said Kenny Gillion, Ferguson’s former AAU coach. “I think it’s just one of those things where he’s homesick. His family is going through some things and he wants to be home. It wasn’t a problem with the coach or a player up there. He’s just looking for another situation. I think he’ll be staying in Florida this time.”

Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said Ferguson did not enroll in classes Monday after spending the past month at home.

It’s not as simple as just being homesick.

In Florida yesterday, Oldsmar Christian assistant Pannone said Ferguson credited Dixon and Pitt assistant Joe Lombardi for the positive impression they made on him.

“Trevor’s mother passed away from cancer when he was a junior here, and he just has this special feeling for the area where he was raised,” Pannone said.

“Trevor went to Pittsburgh in the summer and added 10 pounds. He had a great time, but people forget that he didn’t visit Pitt before this. Those winters are something else up there. I just don’t think he felt he could adjust.”

Under these circumstances, Coach Dixon released him from his National Letter of Intent. Under NCAA rules (apparently), however, Ferguson will still have to sit out the 2005-06 season. He will still have all 4 years of eligibility.

This is a little selfish but all I ask is that he doesn’t end up going to South Florida. If he blossoms as a player, I don’t want to see him in the Big East where he can hurt Pitt.