LA NATIVE RETURNS SOUTH: 

Sulphur native Chip Armelin is transferring from Minnesota to Southern Miss, the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reported Tuesday.

Armelin averaged 5.2 points and 2.1 rebounds as a sophomore for the Golden Gophers, who reached the NIT championship game last season. Minnesota coach Tubby Smith had one too many players on scholarship for next season, however, and Armelin was the odd man out in the numbers game.

By NCAA rules, Armelin will have to sit out the 2012-13 season and have two seasons of eligibility beginning in 2013-14.