Huggins Signs 11-Year Contract: West Virginia coach Bob Huggins signed an 11-year contract that will pay him $1.5 million per season to coach his alma mater. Huggins agreed to a five-year offer sheet when he became the Mountaineers' coach last year, but he did not sign an official contract. The contract will include a $4 million buyout if Huggins decide he wants to leave before the contract expires. He led the Mountaineers to a 26-win season and Sweet 16 appearance in his first season. [5/06/08]
Hansbrough Transfers to Notre Dame: Ben Hansbrough informed Notre Dame coach Mike Brey of his decision to transfer to the university Monday night after visiting South Bend, Ind., this past weekend. Hansbrough is the younger brother of National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough. Tyler's younger brother will sit out this upcoming year and will be eligible for the 2009-10 season.
[4/30/08]
Marquette Guard Declares for NBA Draft: Jerel McNeal will enter his name into June's NBA Draft, but he will not hire an agent, leaving room for the possibility of his return to school. McNeal averaged 14.9 points and 4.9 assists per game this past season for Marquette.
[4/30/08]
Young Returns: Pittsburgh's Sam Young will return for his senior season after considering entering the NBA Draft. Young decided that his team has a shot at something special with the players that are returning. Young averaged 18.1 points per game and was selected as the most improved player in the Big East last season.
[4/30/08]
Macklin Tires of the Bench: Georgetown sophomore forward Vernon Macklin is leaving the Hoyas in search of a better opportunity. Macklin played behind Roy Hibbert for the past two years and might be in a similar situation next season with freshman stud Greg Monroe arriving in Washington. Macklin averaged 3.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. [4/28/08]
Pitino Ready for Life Without Caracter: Louisville coach Rick Pitino does not expect sophomore forward Derrick Caracter to return to the Cardinals even though he has not signed with an agent. Caracter declared for the NBA Draft during the NCAA Tournament in hopes that a team would draft him even though he averaged only 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He has had weight issues and has been difficult to coach, and Pitino said Caracter must "find out what the real world is like." Even if Caracter pulls out of the draft, Pitino makes it sound like a return to the Cardinals is unlikely. [4/28/08]
Guards Wright, Cavataio to Transfer From St. John's: St. John's will lose guards Larry Wright and Mike Cavataio next season. Wright averaged nine points per game last season and will transfer because of an illness in his family. Cavataio will transfer because of a lack of playing time. The Johnnies were 11-19 and 5-13 in the Big East.
[4/23/08]
Clark Will Wait Till Next Year: Louisville forward Earl Clark has decided that the NBA can wait. The junior withdrew from the NBA Draft a week after declaring he would enter the draft. However, he received word from an NBA team representative that he could be a lottery draft pick next season if he improves his perimeter shooting. Clark averaged 11.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game for the Cardinals, who came within a game of the Final Four and return most of their major contributors. [4/21/08]
Keno's Stay at Drake Is Brief: After being selected as the Associated Press National Coach of the Year and leading Drake to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1971, Keno Davis opted to become Providence's new coach. In his first year as a head coach, Drake received its first national ranking in 33 years to go along with a 28-5 record. Davis is inheriting a team that has had two NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 10 seasons and finished with a losing record in three out of four seasons. The team is returning its core group of starters but has a lot of work to do after finishing 6-12 in the Big East.
[4/19/08]
Notre Dame Assistant Crosses Over: Former Notre Dame assistant coach Gene Cross was hired as Toledo's head coach after spending 11 seasons with Notre Dame, DePaul, Virginia and Illinois-Chicago. He is replacing Stan Joplin, who coached the Rockets for 12 seasons. He has his work cut out for him as Toledo has not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 1980. The Rockets finished with an 11-19 overall record and a 7-8 MAC record this past season.
[4/16/08]
Duke's King to Transfer to Villanova: Taylor King, who played in every game for the Duke Blue Devils this year, will transfer to Villanova, opting not to take planned visits to Southern California and Gonzaga. King will not be able to play next season according to NCAA rules. King, a 6-6 forward, is a strong three-point shooter and averaged six points and two rebounds per game for Duke. [4/15/08]
Marquette Fans Get Sigh of Relief: Marquette point guard Dominic James announced that he would be returning for his senior season at the team's awards banquet. He will be returning to play for new coach Buzz Williams who is replacing Tom Crean after he left for Indiana. Jerel McNeal was named the team's most valuable player at the banquet but has yet to make an announcement on his draft status. [4/13/08]
UMass Coach Not Interested in Providence: Massachusetts coach Travis Ford will stay with his Minutemen after turning down an offer from Providence. Ford's decision was influenced by the fan support in New York when they lost in the NIT championship to Ohio State. He led Massachusetts to a 25-11 record this season.
[4/13/08]
Mountaineers Star Looks to Evaluate His Stock: Junior forward Joe Alexander, who helped propel West Virginia into the Sweet 16, will enter the NBA Draft but won't hire an agent. Alexander averaged 16.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Mountaineers. [4/10/08]
Greene Enters Draft: Syracuse freshman forward Donte Greene will test the NBA Draft process after averaging 17.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in one season with the Orange. Greene said he made the decision after talking to his family and coach Jim Boeheim. Greene did not say whether he'll hire an agent, which would mean he would be ineligible to return to Syracuse. [4/10/08]
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Cincinnati Bearcats Cincinnati, Ohio Coach: Mick Cronin  Connecticut Huskies Storrs, Connecticut Coach: Jim Calhoun DePaul Blue Demons Chicago, Illinois Coach: Jerry Wainwright Georgetown Hoyas Washington, DC Coach: John Thompson III Louisville Cardinals Louisville, Kentucky Coach: Rick Pitino Marquette Golden Eagles Milwaukee, Wisconsin Coach: Tom Crean Notre Dame Fighting Irish Notre Dame, Indiana Coach: Mike Brey Pittsburgh Panthers Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Coach: Jamie Dixon Providence Friars Providence, Rhode Island Coach: Tim Welsh Rutgers Scarlet Knights New Brunswick, New Jersey Coach: Fred Hill, Jr. Seton Hall Pirates South Orange, New Jersey Coach: Bobby Gonzalez St. John's Red Storm Jamaica, New York Coach: Norm Roberts South Florida Bulls Tampa, Florida Coach: Stan Heath Syracuse Orange Syracuse, New York Coach: Jim Boeheim Villanova Wildcats Villanova, Pennsylvania Coach: Jay Wright West Virginia Mountaineers Morgantown, West Virginia Coach: Bob Huggins |
| More Info: Big East Official Site |
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March 12th - Zach Smart has Cincinnati facing multiple storms, an emerging big man and more. |
February 14th - Improved big men, a key rivalry, and postseason chances highlight recent developments. |
February 3rd - Zach Smart has surging Huskies, slumping Panthers, and a top team that might have clear sailing. |
Eric Devendorf's season-ending injury takes away more experience from an already young Syracuse team. |
UConn's win over Buffalo was led by two talented players the Huskies needed to get something from. |
The Big East should remain a powerhouse, with three clear favorites and a host of new talent. |
Ray has notes from two excellent games at the Big East Tournament, with the title game set. |
Notes from the opening round of the Big East Tournament, with a couple of potential "game of the day" matchups. |
February 21st - Jesse Ullmann sees it all: Showtime, a lucky number, Eagles flying again, and some Caracter. |
February 6th - The Panthers and Eagles keep winning, the Hoyas join them, and Blue Demons struggle. |
Ray looks back at St. John's win over Notre Dame, plus the Hoyas using their inside game against the Pirates. |
January 24th - The Panthers haven't beaten the elite, the Golden Eagles surge, and it's a roller coaster in Chicago. |
January 11th - The Panthers and Friars start strong, the Mountaineers keep winning, and bottom teams struggle. |
Seton Hall started Big East play with a good home win over arch-rival Rutgers. |