What do you get when you solve the equations basketball plus money and basketball plus academics?

In the case of former NIU men’s basketball players Tom Sellers and Dave Pygon, the answer is to quit the area that takes up more time. It was announced Monday both players had left the team, but for different reasons.

Sellers, a sophomore, has decided to “concentrate efforts in other endeavors,” namely schoolwork.

“I felt that it’s best for myself,” Sellers said. “Basketball doesn’t fit into my schedule.”

Sellers, who scored a career-high six points and grabbed seven rebounds last season in NIU’s victory over Rollins College, was forced to miss 11 games with a broken jaw. He played in two of the team’s first four games this season, but did not score.

Sellers said his decision to quit did not involve any personal problems with the coaches.

“I had no problems at all,” Sellers said, “we sat and worked the situation out.”

The scholarship funds awarded to Sellers will be paid for the rest of the school year, and then they will be discontinued.

Pygon, a freshman walk-on, thus not on scholarship, quit the team not only for more time to do schoolwork, but also to earn money for school. Pygon wants to get into the business school, and he said he does not want to take five years to graduate.

“I elected to concentrate more on academics,” Pygon said. “I need money to get through school.”

Pygon was encouraged to try out for the team when NIU coaches talked to him at St. Rita High School in May last season, and the coaches told him that if he came out for the team at Northern, he would be on it.

Pygon, who’s only scoring came in the season’s opener with a three-point shot, said he does not feel that he would try out again if given the chance.

“Once you leave, it’s very tough to come back because you’d be a little bit behind,” Pygon said. “Unless I grew five inches, I wouldn’t be able to come back.”

NIU men’s basketball coach, Jim Rosborough, said that both of the players left of their own accord, and they needed more time to study.

“We wish them well,” Rosborough said.