Mens Basketball: Basketball sends Markwood to Maine
By ANDREW SOUKUP
Sports Writer
Chris Markwood loved Notre Dame. But he left because he loved basketball more.
Frustrated at his lack of playing time, the backup guard returned to his home state to finish his college career. He transferred last month to the University of Maine.
"He left with no hard feelings," said Torrian Jones, one of Markwood's closest friends on the team. "He made the decision he had to make, and he loves basketball."
Markwood, who couldn't be reached for comment, had apparently been thinking about the decision to transfer for some time. He first confided in Jones a few weeks before final exams, and then made the decision during finals week.
The 6-foot-4, 202-pound junior will have to sit out one full year before he can play again.
Named Mr. Basketball in Maine his senior year of high school, Markwood's career at Notre Dame got off to a rough start. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during September of his freshman year and missed the entire season.
Then, during his sophomore season, Markwood spent most of the season backing up freshman Chris Thomas. He only appeared in 18 games, averaging a little over five minutes an appearance, and never scored more than two points in a game.
Things didn't get any better for Markwood this season. Freshman Chris Quinn saw increased playing time backing up Thomas, meaning Markwood played mostly in mop-up time. He appeared in six games, failed to score and played a total of 10 minutes.
"He loves the team, he loves the coach, he loves everybody here," Jones said. "But he loves basketball and he wasn't really happy. Game days were real rough for him, and he's going somewhere where he's more comfortable."
Markwood is the second Notre Dame player to transfer in coach Mike Brey's three-year tenure. Ivan Kartelo left for Purdue two years ago. His departure leaves the Irish with 10 scholarship players on roster, not counting freshman Omari Peterkin, who is expected to sit out the entire season to preserve a year of eligibility.
Before Markwood left, the players took their departing teammate for a going away dinner. He still stays in contact with his former teammates, most notably Jones. The two had planned to room together.
"I've talked to him to see how things are going and to try to keep his spirits up," Jones said. "I still try to talk to him, but I don't want to talk to him too much to make him miss this place."
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, January 15, 2003
