New NIU men’s basketball coach Jim Molinari will have two less weapons on his bench this fall following the recent loss of two sharp-shooting guards to academic ineligibility.

Marcus Coty and Jeff Delaney, both known for their outside shooting, failed to make the grade last spring and have left the university.

Coty, a recruit of former coach Jim Rosborough, would have been a sophomore this season. The 6-foot shooting guard played in 27 of NIU’s 28 games in 1988-89, averaging 4.1 points per game. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, product was the Huskies’ second biggest threat from three-point range, where he drilled 27-of-58 shots (.466). Coty also tied a school record by making 6-of-6 three-pointers in last season’s opener against Bethel College. Assistant coach Bill Harris said Coty plans to attend junior college.

Delaney, who transferred from Illinois-Chicago after the 1987-88 season, never played in an NIU uniform. He sat out all of last season because of his transfer. The former Downers Grove South prep, who also was entering his sophomore season, will attend Olivet Nazarene College in the fall, Harris said.