Full-Court Press, Dec. 30

News and notes from around the nation:

- Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo told Kalin Lucas not to practice on Tuesday. “I just decided there were some leadership issues on this team that I don’t think people are living up to what I need done,” Izzo said. “And what I do tomorrow, I have no idea yet.”

- Can John Wall run an offense and take care of the ball? He seems to have answered that with 16 assists and one turnover against Hartford last night.

- “They treat us like slaves.” A must-read in the Boston Globe about the exploitation of African basketball players in the United States.

- UCLA is going to finish third in the Pac-10? Didn’t the first two months of the season mean anything?

- St. John's forward Justin Burrell has a chance to return Thursday, while Anthony Mason Jr. could come back on Jan. 3, according to Jeff Goodman's Twitter.

- Surprise, surprise: Illinois guard Alex Legion is leaving the program and plans to transfer. Legion originally committed to Michigan before heading to Kentucky and then transferring to Illinois.

- Oregon State freshman Roberto Nelson was partially cleared to play two weeks ago, but head coach Craig Robinson is considering redshirting him.

- Georgia Tech point guard Iman Shumpert is expected to return for the Yellow Jackets on Jan. 2, according to Jeff Goodman of FOXSports.com.

- Jeff Goodman of FOXSports.com reported that former UCLA forward Drew Gordon visited San Diego State on Tuesday and plans on deciding between the Aztecs, New Mexico, Notre Dame and UNLV in early January.

- Looking ahead to Saturday’s contest between Kentucky and Louisville, John Clay of the Lexington Herald-Leader writes that the Wildcats will need to do a much better job defending the three-pointer against the Cardinals.