Jarrod Uthoff: Bo Ryan Defends Himself, Wisconsin Adjusts Transfer Block

Freshman forward Jarrod Uthoff recently told Wisconsin that he wanted to transfer from the basketball program and be closer to his Iowa home, but head coach Bo Ryan and the school are making it extremely difficult for him to do so.

According to Metro Sports Report, Ryan has prevented Uthoff from transferring to any Big Ten or ACC school, as well as Iowa State and Marquette. 

Ryan went on ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning radio program on Thursday to talk about Uthoff's transfer, and just made the situation worse.

Video below found at MetaCafe.

Twitter erupted with criticism over Ryan's comments, and here are some of the best tweets.

Good news has arrived courtesy of ESPN's Andy Katz, who tweeted on Thursday afternoon:

"

Wisconsin met with Jarrod Uthoff and has announced that all transfer restrictions have been lifted except for Big Ten schools.

— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) April 19, 2012"

Shaun King, former NFL quarterback and current NBC Sports analyst had strong feelings about Ryan's defense on blocking schools.

"

Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan is making the dumbest defense ever for why he blocked jarrod uthoff from so many schools #clown

— shaun king (@realshaunking) April 19, 2012"

Bleacher Report's national lead writer Dan Levy also wasn't thrilled with Ryan's defense.

"

The "I'm not doing anything every other coach would do" defense is maybe the worst defense ever. Congrats, Bo Ryan. You came off terribly.

— Dan Levy (@DanLevyThinks) April 19, 2012"

A twitter account named "Awful Announcing" tweeted what many people listening to the Ryan interview felt this morning.

"

It's going to take a lot for someone in sports to look as bad as Bo Ryan looks this morning.

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 19, 2012"

CNBC's Darren Rovell makes a good point that Ryan could have made right of the situation, but clearly failed to do that.

"

Bo Ryan is on Mike & Mike. It's clear he is dangerously tone deaf. He had a chance to right this & miserably failed.

— darrenrovell (@darrenrovell) April 19, 2012

 

"

ESPN's Chris Larsen doesn't think Uthoff needs to give Ryan a transfer explanation, and I think most would agree.

"

The fact that Bo Ryan says that Jarrod Uthoff needs to give him or anyone an explanation for his transfer is ridiculous. #Badgers

— Chris Larsen (@ChrisLarsenESPN) April 19, 2012"

Twitter user John B. Leahy says what many of us felt listening to the Ryan interview this morning.

"

Bo Ryan crying that he and his school (Wisconsin) are the victims. I don't think so coach when you are blocking a kid from transferring

— John B. Leahy (@JBLeahy26) April 19, 2012"

Hard to disagree with this tweet from ESPN's Jemele Hill.

"

Bo Ryan said he needs freshman Jarrod Uthoff's explanation for wanting to transfer because he owes it college basketball fans. Um, OK.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) April 19, 2012"

Jim Polzin of the Wisconsin State Journal gives us an explanation of the transfer.

"

Basically it comes down to the fact that, after a year in Bo Ryan's system, Uthoff didn't think it was the best fit for him.

— Jim Polzin (@JimPolzinWSJ) April 15, 2012"

Twitter user Spencer Hadelman brings up a good point regarding NCAA rules.

"

For those mad at Bo Ryan and other coaches who have utilized this option, take your anger at the NCAA, its their rule not Ryan's or the WISC

— Spencer Hadelman (@SDHSports) April 19, 2012"

ESPN's Jay Bilas has a strong opinion on Uthoff's transfer.

"

Wisconsin restricting Jarrod Uthoff's transfer is simply wrong. There is no legit reason for a school to control a player's destination.

— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) April 18, 2012"

It's hard to disagree with Twitter user Sean Hackbarth's tweet.

"

This WI basketball story is a symptom of how broken college sports is and how they exploit athletes. es.pn/J61PRF

— Sean Hackbarth (@seanhackbarth) April 19, 2012"

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