STARKVILLE - Wendell Lewis, a 6-foot-8 forward/center from Selma, Ala., signed a national letter of intent with Mississippi State on Wednesday. He fills the final scholarship spot available for the 2009-10 season and is the second signee in this year's class.

Noxubee County forward Shaunessy Smith, an all-state player, signed in November.

The spring signing period began April 15, but Lewis waited until taking his last official visit this past weekend, which was Super Bulldog Weekend.

"I liked the facilities and the family atmosphere they have at Mississippi State," Lewis said. "Basically, I liked everything about Mississippi State. They have a good winning tradition and are always one of the best teams in the SEC."

Lewis averaged 14.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks last season and played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game.

MSU, DePaul will clash in SEC/Big East tourney

- Mississippi State and DePaul will square off on Dec. 10 in Tampa in the SEC/Big East Invitational. No start time has been set, but the game will be televised by ESPN2.

It will mark MSU's return to St. Pete Times Forum, where it made a surprise run to the SEC Tournament championship in March. Tickets are expected to go on sale in early summer.

The other game to be played in Tampa features Florida against Syracuse (ESPN). Two other SEC/Big East games will be played on Dec. 9, at New York's Madison Square Garden: Georgia vs. St. John's (ESPN2), and Connecticut vs. Kentucky (ESPN).

MSU and DePaul have met once before, with the Blue Demons winning 62-60 on Dec. 28, 1988, in New Orleans.

In last year's SEC/Big East event, MSU dropped a 75-63 decision to host Cincinnati.

UT's Smith will test draft but will not hire an agent

- Tennessee forward Tyler Smith has declared for the 2009 NBA draft but will not hire an agent.

Smith can work out and be evaluated by NBA teams but could withdraw his name before June 15 and return to school.

Smith, who played at Iowa as a freshman, has averaged 15.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in his two seasons at Tennessee and hasn't missed a game.

During the 2008-09 season, Smith led the team with an average 17.4 points and 3.4 assists per game.

Quick rematch for finalists

- Ready for a rematch?

Michigan State will travel to North Carolina for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The matchups for the 11th annual men's basketball event were announced Wednesday.

The two teams in the NCAA title game will meet again Dec. 1. North Carolina defeated Michigan State 89-72 in the NCAA championship earlier this month.

Michigan will entertain Boston College on Dec. 2 as part of the event.

The other matchups:

Penn State at Virginia, Maryland at Indiana, Northwestern at North Carolina State, Virginia Tech at Iowa, Wake Forest at Purdue, Duke at Wisconsin, Florida State at Ohio State, Illinois at Clemson, Minnesota at Miami.

Moore leaving Arkansas

- Two players have left SEC men's rosters this week:

Arkansas: Brandon Moore, a 6-foot-9 freshman from New Orleans, is transferring after one season.

He played in 25 games last season, averaging 1.9 points and 1.6 rebounds.

Also, Junior Michael Washington is entering the NBA draft, although he can withdraw his name by June 15 and keep his college eligibility.

Georgia: New coach Mark Fox has granted signee Daniel Miller a release from the letter-of-intent that he signed with the school in November.

The 6-foot-11 Miller signed with Georgia before athletic director Damon Evans fired former coach Dennis Felton in January and hired Fox.