The University of Maine men’s basketball team could land a transfer from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Ernest Turner, who was granted his release from the UNLV men’s basketball program in May, recently visited with UMaine coach John Giannini and is expected to join the program in the fall, according to published reports.

Under NCAA rules, Giannini cannot comment on Turner, who would not become eligible until the 2004-05 season and would have two years of eligibility remaining.

Turner, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound guard from Magnolia, N.J., averaged 2.5 points per game this past season as a sophomore. He appeared in 30 games, started one and averaged 12.8 minutes per game in 2002-03. He scored a career-high 17 points in a Dec. 17 game against Tennessee-Martin.

Turner was reportedly also to visit St. Bonaventure and there may have been interest from Philadelphia schools Villanova and St. Joseph’s.

According to the reports Turner may have transferred because of coaching changes at UNLV. He was recruited by head coach Bill Bayno and assistant Max Good, the former head coach at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, but both Bayno and Good were replaced by the time Turner arrived at UNLV. Charlie Spoonhour was hired to replace Bayno.

A graduate of Sterling High in Somerdale, N.J., Turner also appeared in 20 games as a UNLV freshman. He averaged 2.3 ppg and 6.3 minutes per game.

Turner was known as a prolific scorer in high school, averaging 30.3 ppg in his senior year. But he was overshadowed by Camden High star Dajuan Wagner, who went on to play one season at Memphis before being selected sixth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2002 NBA Draft.

Kix, Hobbs, Doyle gain new titles

Three UMaine employees have new job responsibilities and titles as the athletic department continues its restructuring.

Black Bear field hockey coach Terry Kix will also take the position of senior women’s administrator. Scott Hobbs, the assistant athletic director for compliance, will be promoted to associate athletic director for compliance and internal relations. Meghan Doyle will move from her current post in academic support to become the new director of student services.

Kix, who has served as the field hockey coach since 1991, will serve as an advocate for women student-athletes, coaches and staff, and represent the UMaine athletic department at conferences and NCAA meetings. The longest tenured female coach on the staff, Kix has a 134-89-5 record and has won three America East Coach of the Year awards, including one last season.

Hobbs’ current responsibilities include keeping UMaine administration aware of issues related to compliance with NCAA, conference and university rules. In addition he will have new administrative responsibilities and will have direct oversight of selected Maine teams.

Doyle will manage the financial aid process for student-athletes, act as a liaison to the Student-Athlete Advisory Board, and provide oversight for some sports and strength and conditioning services.