Northwestern may have an early answer as to who will fill John Shurna's spot in the Wildcats' starting lineup next season.

            A source confirmed Thursday that Louisville's Jared Swopshire will transfer to NU for his fifth year of eligibility and can play immediately. The source said that the NCAA rule on graduate students applies to Swopshire, who will graduate from Louisville in May.

            The rule allows athletes to transfer to another school if they have earned their degree, have one year of eligibility remaining and their current school does not offer the graduate program they wish to study.

            Swopshire, a 6-8 forward, sat out all of his junior season in 2010-11 with a groin injury and only averaged 3.3 points 2.8 rebounds and 13.1 minutes. Swopshire only played about four minutes against Kentucky in the Cardinals' national semifinal loss March 31.