Cully Payne decides to transfer

Ugh! Despite the fact I was crossing my fingers, hoping the defection bug would not strike the Iowa men’s basketball team this off-season, I was expecting something like this.

Cully Payne, who played extensively as a freshman and redshirted this last season due to injury, announced this morning that he is leaving the program. Head coach Fran McCaffery confirmed that Payne had been granted a scholarship release.

I suppose this is unsurprising given the circumstances. After Payne’s surgery late last year, Bryce Cartwright took over at point guard and flat out dazzled at times. He led the Big Ten in assists and became the Hawkeyes’ go-to guy in clutch situations. As quick and skillful as Cartwright was down the stretch, the writing was on the wall: Payne would be the number two point guard in 2011-12. McCaffery mentioned playing them both, but everyone knew who would bring the ball up the court and anchor the offense.

Payne has talent and promise, and it is tough to hear of his departure. But I am more upset over the fact the transfer bug is still affecting the Hawkeyes. One CRG commenter (I hate those comments boards, but will read them for stuff like this) said this may be a win-win situation: Payne transfers to a school where he may get more playing time, and the Hawkeyes have another scholarship to fill. McCaffery and company have been pounding the recruiting trail, and I am sure they have a number of high school or juco players in mind to make an offer to.

Today’s news lends a sourness to the hope generated by last season’s small triumphs, but rebuilding a nationally renowned men’s basketball program is not always clean and obstacle-free.