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Report: Former URI guard Billy Baron to play for father at Canisius

Dee Davis, Billy Baron

Rhode Island guard Billy Baron (20) drives against Xavier guard Dee Davis in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, in Cincinnati. Baron led Rhode Island with 22 points. Xavier won 84-66. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

AP

The decision as to whether or not to remain after the school fires the man who recruited you is a tough one.

Try dealing with that decision when the man fired is also your father. That’s what both Trey Zeigler (Central Michigan to Pittsburgh) and Billy Baron (Rhode Island) had to deal with at the end of the 2011-12 season.

Baron, according to Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com, will follow his father to Canisius to finish out his collegiate career.

Jim Baron was replaced at URI by Dan Hurley after the Rams stumbled to a 7-24 mark and failed to qualify for the Atlantic 10 tournament.

Billy, who began his college career at Virginia, was a mid-year addition for the Rams and averaged 13.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

But a team that had its issues both on and off the court, his arrival in Kingston wasn’t enough to turn around a stunning turn of events considering the fact that URI had won 20+ games in each of the previous four seasons.

To say the least this is an important (and much-needed) addition for the Golden Griffins, who went 5-25 and finished dead last in the MAAC last season under Tom Parrotta.

The question: does Billy have a case for an eligibility waiver, thus allowing him to play immediately?

While Zeigler received a waiver from the NCAA his transfer to Pittsburgh was his first. Baron, who also visited Purdue, is making his second.

According to Goodman, Baron is hoping to receive a waiver. It will be interesting to see how the NCAA handles this case.

Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.