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Our New Jersey trip concludes with a day of games at the Joe Brown Memorial Tournament. |
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The past adversity behind them, Duquesne is ready to take more steps forward next season. |
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Summer Classic East gave plenty of prospects a chance to show college coaches what they can do. |
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Zach looks back at the Mount St. Mary's success story in the 2007-08 season. |
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The July live period kicked off with Hoop Mountain having perhaps its best talent haul ever at Super Week II. |
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With July upon us, we take a look at some of the talent observed in New England during the spring. |
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With its win at the Hoop Group Regional Showcase, a New Jersey powerhouse looks like an early favorite for 2009. |
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Among the few team tournaments held in late June was the improved Team Boston Elite Invitational. |
Shocker Green Career Over: New Wichita State head coach Mark Turgeon announced that 6-10 center Zach Green will undergo career-ending surgery on his right knee. Green, a sophomore, has undergone two previous surgeries on the same knee. As a redshirt freshman last season, Green averaged 0.4 points per game and had five rebounds in nine games. The loss of Green enables senior walk-on Nick Rogers to be placed on scholarship for this season. Rogers, a 6-2 guard from Houston, has played in 25 games over the past three seasons. [7/31/05]
Former 'Bama Player Dies in Surgery: Former Alabama guard Kenneth Rice died during heart surgery at Huntsville (Ala.) Hospital. He was 35. Rice, who was having surgery to install an internal defibrillator, played sparingly at Alabama between 1988 and 1991, though he did play on three SEC championship teams. Rice had served 18 months in a federal prison in 2000-01, stemming from drug charges in a case that involved former Dallas Cowboy Sherman Williams. He had been married seven months. [7/31/05]
Strohm a Hilltopper: Western Kentucky head coach Darrin Horn has announced the hiring of Jeff Strohm as an assistant coach on his Hilltoppers' coaching staff. Strohm comes to Bowling Green from Marquette, where he spent the past three seasons as an assistant under Tom Crean. Horn and Strohm worked together under Crean for one season. Previously, Strohm was on Rick Majerus' staff at Utah as an assistant from 1997-2002, and was an assistant at Northern Illinois for six seasons. [7/30/05]
Rajun' Cajuns Name Simmons: Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Robert Lee has announced the hiring of Johnny Simmons as an assistant coach. Simmons had spent the past six seasons as an assistant at Louisiana Tech, and previously was the head coach of Farmerville (La.) High School for ten seasons. He replaces Carlin Hartman, who resigned in June to accept an assistant coaching position at Richmond. [7/30/05]
Duke Grads Dig Deep: Two former Duke Blue Devils have donated $2 million to the school's athletics programs. 1991 and 1992 NCAA championship teammates Christian Laettner and Brian Davis, will pay $1.25 million to help fund a Blue Devil basketball practice facility, and $750,000 to endow a basketball scholarship. Laettner and Davis, who were co-captains of the 1992 squad, are partners in Blue Devil Ventures, which is developing a mixed-use project in downtown Durham. Laettner has played in the NBA for 14 seasons, and is now a member of the Miami Heat. [7/30/05]
Jaguars Land Former Bulldog: IUPUI has announced that former Butler guard Gary Patterson has transferred to the Jaguars' program. Patterson, who played in 25 games for the Bulldogs as a freshman, averaged 2.2 points in 10.1 minutes per game. Patterson is one of four Butler Bulldogs to leave the team since March. Jamie Smalligan has transferred to West Virginia, Nick Brooks has moved to Southern Indiana, and Jeff James has left the program. Patterson and Smalligan will both sit out the 2005-06 season due to NCAA transfer rules. [7/29/05]
Eagles Appoint Leep: Eastern Washington head coach Mike Burns has announced the hiring of Grant Leep as an assistant on his Eagles' coaching staff. Leep, the former small forward for Washington, was most recently the assistant coach at Community Colleges of Spokane for two seasons. He previously was an assistant at North Seattle Community College. As a player, Leep averaged 7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game as a senior in 2001-02, and holds several Washington three-point shooting records. [7/29/05]
Simon Added to Shuffled Wildcats Staff: Former Arizona Wildcat Miles Simon has joined Lute Olson's Arizona coaching staff as an assistant, prompting a shuffling of roles on the sidelines. Simon, a first-team All-American in 1998 and a member of the 1997 Arizona national championship squad, has spent the past six seasons playing professionally in the United States (with the Orlando Magic and the CBA) and abroad (Israel, Italy, Venezuela, and Turkey). To accommodate Simon's hiring, Reggie Geary, hired two months ago, will become recruiting coordinator and coordinator of basketball operations. Ryan Hansen, formerly the coordinator of basketball operations, will become a liaison between the program and the athletic department. Lastly, Jack Murphy transitions from recruiting coordinator to video coordinator. Associate head coach Jim Rosborough and assistant coach Josh Pastner will remain in their positions. [7/29/05]
Freshman Payton Has Surgery: Minnesota head coach Don Monson announced that incoming freshman Kevin Payton will miss time at the beginning of the campaign. Payton, a 6-5 guard from Camden, N.J., had surgery last week to correct a separated shoulder injury that Payton had first suffered in February. Last month, Payton injured the shoulder again when it popped out of joint, necessitating the surgery. Payton will likely be sidelined through the start of practice in October, at the minimum. [7/28/05]
Cornell's Donahue Receives Extension: Cornell head coach Steve Donahue has signed a multi-year contract extension. No other details were released. Donahue led the Big Red to a second-place finish in the Ivy League last season, its highest finish in 17 seasons. Donahue, who was an assistant at Penn for ten seasons prior to coming to Ithaca, has a 45-90 overall record in five seasons, including a 13-14 record in 2004-05. [7/28/05]
Siena's Haddix Tears Achilles: Hard luck seems to follow Siena's Michael Haddix, who yesterday underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles' tendon. Haddix suffered the injury while playing for the MAAC All-Star team that's touring China. Last season, Haddix missed the last 17 games due to a broken leg, and only received clearance to play in basketball activities in May. Haddix averaged 15.6 points and 9 rebounds per game in his last full season, 2003-04. It is anticipated that the injury will keep him out of Siena's plans for all of 2005-06. [7/28/05]
Lobo Transfer Jenkins Suspended: New Mexico head coach Ritchie McKay has announced incoming sophomore point guard Josh Jenkins, who transferred last spring from New Mexico State, has been suspended indefinitely. No reason was given for the suspension. Jenkins, who will be sitting out this season due to NCAA transfer rules, transferred after his freshman season in Las Cruces, where he averaged 10 points per contest, starting 21 games. New Aggies head coach Reggie Theus allegedly told Jenkins he wouldn't fit into New Mexico State's future plans. [7/28/05]
Turiaf Out of Surgery: Former Gonzaga forward Ronny Turiaf underwent successful open heart surgery at Stanford Medical Center to repair an enlarged aortic valve. Turiaf, the 2005 West Coast Conference Player of the Year, was selected 37th overall in last month's NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, who discovered the condition during a team physical. The surgery took six hours, and Turiaf will be in the hospital for approximately one week, followed by at least six months of rehabilitation. [7/27/05]
Aztecs Lose Young. Again.: The much-hyped era of Jabbar Young at San Diego State has ended before it began. Yesterday school officials announced that Young has been granted a release from his national letter-of-intent - for the third time - so he can attend school closer to his Louisiana home. Young, a 6-11 center, signed an NLI out of high school, but he didn't qualify. Then he signed his second NLI coming out of prep school, but still didn't have the grades. Young most recently played for San Bernardino College, and was hoping to sign on as a transfer. [7/27/05]
Cyclones' Morgan Extended: Iowa State head coach Wayne Morgan had his contract extended through the 2009-10 season. Morgan just completed his second season at the helm of the Cyclones, and had a 39-25 record and an NCAA Tournament berth. Morgan replaced Larry Eustachy after a tumultuous offseason in 2003, following Eustachy's dismissal for alcohol-related indiscretions. Terms of the extension were not disclosed. [7/27/05]
LeGree Reinstated: Cincinnati assistant coach Keith LeGree has been reinstated after meeting with athletic director Bob Goin. LeGree, arrested for drunk driving in March of 2005, was suspended with pay by the school in accordance with its zero-tolerance policy. However, LeGree was found to have been suffering from a previously-undiagnosed sleeping disorder, which caused him to fall asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle at a Cincinnati intersection. LeGree, who is now on medication for the disorder, was acquitted of the drunk driving charge last week in a Hamilton County court. [7/27/05]
Aztecs Supplement-Free?: San Diego State AD Jeff Schemmel is awaiting an NCAA ruling into the Aztec's possible use of an impermissible supplement. San Diego State, under a $75,000 contract with the makers of Energze sports drink, may have broken NCAA rules by supplying the performance-enhancing supplement in training and weight rooms in the past two months. Energice contains glutamine, an amino acid that aids in muscle recovery. The NCAA issued a directive in late May warning schools about questionable supplements after Texas and Texas A&M were observed using similar substances. The school is being allowed to back-out of its contract with the supplier. [7/27/05]
Peacocks Replace Assistant: St. Peter's coach Bob Leckie has replaced assistant coach Dennis Cook with Steve Finamore. Cook left the Peacocks to pursue other opportunities. Finamore comes to St. Peter's after most recently coaching a high school in Portland, Mich. While working on a degree from Michigan State, he worked on the support staff of coach Tom Izzo. [7/27/05]
Dee Brown Cast-Free: Illinois senior guard Dee Brown had his cast removed from his broken right foot yesterday, and he is expected to make a full recovery. Brown broke the fifth metatarsal during the NBA's Chicago Pre-Draft Camp, and since he had not retained an agent, was allowed to exit the draft and return to the Illini. Brown, one of two returning starters to the national runner-up Illini, will move to point guard this season, as last year's point, Deron Williams, was selected No. 3 overall in the NBA Draft. [7/27/05]
Bearcats Land Former Quaker: Cincinnati head coach Bob Huggins has announced that former Pennsylvania forward Ryan Pettinella has transferred to his Bearcats squad. Pettinella, a two-year reserve at Penn, averaged 4.8 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes last season. Pettinella, who was looking for an up-tempo program, will have two years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2005-06 season. Pettinella received 38 scholarship offers, but spurned them to attend non-scholarship Penn and enroll in the Wharton School of Business. [7/27/05]
Hens Name Two to Staff: Delaware head coach David Henderson has announced the hiring of two assistants to the Blue Hen coaching staff. Darryl Jacobs, formerly the head coach at Division II Felician College in Lodi, NJ, replaces former Delaware assistant coach Billy Martin, who accepted a head coaching position at Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, NC. Jacobs has experience as an assistant at Montclair State and Lehman College (Bronx, NY). Former Delaware standout Ryan Iversen was named to the other assistant coaching vacancy, replacing Steve Groothuis, who took an assistant coaching position at D-II St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. Iversen briefly played professionally in Australia, and previously was in sales in the private sector near his home in Minneapolis. [7/26/05]
Tiger and Izzo Tee It Up: Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo will pair with the PGA's Tiger Woods tomorrow in the Buick Open OnStar Pro Am at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Woods is in town for the Buick Open, which starts Thursday. Joining the foursome is General Motors VP Gary Cowger, Buick head honcho Steve Shannon, and Marvin Shaken, publisher of Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado. It's a light news day. [7/26/05]
Boo Wade Heads to Central State: Former Wisconsin guard Boo Wade has landed at D-II Central State University. Wade, who left the Badgers in January for personal reasons, enrolled in the Ohio school and plans to play hoops for the Marauders this season. Wade has one year of eligibility remaining, but Central State head coach Doug Lewis intends to appeal, as Wade only played nine minutes of one game in 2004-05. [7/25/05]
Curry Sidelined with Bum Knee: Oklahoma State sophomore JamesOn Curry was forced to pull out of tryouts for the United States under-21 World Championship team with a knee injury. Trainers indicated that Curry has a strained iliotibial band, which is a tissue that runs down the outside of the thigh, crosses the knee and attaches to the inside of the upper shin. Curry, who will be the Cowboy's leading returning scorer, averaged 9.4 points per contest last season as a freshman - starting 15 games. [7/25/05]
LeGree Acquitted, Hopes to Return: University of Cincinnati assistant Keith LeGree was acquitted of driving under the influence and hopes to return to work following the decision. In March, LeGree was arrested and suspended immediately, pending the outcome of the trial. The school instituted a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol abuse after head coach Bob Huggins was convicted of drunken driving last year. Athletic director Bob Goin said he would decide on Monday if LeGree could return to work. [7/24/05]
Brown Returns to Alma Mater as Assistant: Former Furman guard P.J. Brown has joined his alma mater's staff as an assistant coach. Brown spent last season as an assistant coach at University Prep in Seattle after two seasons as a graduate assistant at West Virginia. He played four years with the Paladins, then served as a student assistant in 2001-02 as he finished his bachelor of science degree in political science. [7/23/05]
Miller Must Move On: Liberty dismissed Elijah Miller from the basketball program for a violation of the university's academic policies. Miller sat out the season after transferring from Houston and was to become eligible next season. As a freshman in 2003-04, he averaged 2.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per contest. [7/23/05]
Red Flash Hire Goodson: St. Francis (Pa.) has hired Joey Goodson as an assistant coach, bringing the former shooting guard back to his alma mater. Goodson completed his career in March as a three-year starter, graduating with a bachelor's degree in marketing. He averaged 6.1 points and 2.3 assists per game as a senior, finishing his career with 475 points and 193 assists. [7/23/05]
Krauser Will Be Back After All: After he considered playing in Europe, Carl Krauser has decided to return to Pittsburgh for his senior season. The 6'0" point guard, who pulled out of the NBA Draft at the deadline to do so, is working hard to be academically eligible next season. He averaged 16 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season, his second consecutive season as a second-team All-Big East selection. [7/22/05]
Esleeck Joins UNCG: Doug Esleeck has joined UNC-Greensboro as the program's director of operations, head coach Mike Dement announced. The native of Winston-Salem is a recent graduate (2005) of UNC-Chapel Hill, where he earned degrees in business administration and American History. At UNC, he was a member of the junior varsity basketball team for two seasons and has coaching experience in AAU and high school, as well as one year as an assistant coach with UNC's junior varsity team. [7/22/05]
Getter Joins Marshall's Staff: Marshall head coach Ron Jirsa has hired Kyle Getter to be the director of basketball operations. Getter served in the same capacity at Wright State the past two seasons, and prior to that worked with Jirsa at Dayton as a graduate manager in the 2002-03 season. Getter is a 2001 graduate of Hanover College in Indiana. [7/22/05]
Like Father, Like Son: Following in his father's footsteps, Richard Pitino has been hired at the College of Charleston as administrative assistant. A graduate of Providence College this past May, he was a basketball manager with the Friars for the past two seasons, having spent his first two years as an assistant coach at St. Andrew's School in Barrington, R.I. Head coach Tom Herrion also announced that Mark Byington, who spent two years at the school before becoming director of basketball operations at Virginia, will return to the staff as an assistant coach. [7/22/05]
Sutton Makes Progress, Off Ventilator: Tennessee Tech men's basketball coach Mike Sutton has been taken off a respirator, according to his wife. Sutton, who has a 51-38 record in three seasons at the school, is fighting Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare illness that attacks the immune system and causes paralysis. He is now in a private room at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. [7/22/05]
Tide Rolls Through Coleman Coliseum: Alabama has started renovations on 37-year old Coleman Coliseum, hoping to have the arena updated in time for the Tide's November 15th home opener. The $26 million improvement project will makeover all aspects of the arena, from restrooms to locker rooms, and the obstructed-view area adjacent to the lobby is being removed. New seats, a new lounge and food-services area, improved lighting and stone "A" logos on the exterior top off the list of improvements. A school spokesman said that the arena hadn't been updated, and has not hosted a non-Tide event since an Alan Jackson concert in 1998. [7/22/05]
Bulldogs Head to Puerto Rico: Mississippi State has announced that they have accepted an invitation to play in the San Juan Shootout. The event will be held December 19th-21st in Carolina, PR at the Guillermo Angulo Coliseum, home of host team UPR-Mayaguez. Filling out the bracket is Clemson, Holy Cross, Liberty, Chattanooga, Mount St. Mary's and Akron. The Bulldogs will face Liberty in the opening round, and will face the winner of the Holy Cross-Chattanooga matchup. [7/22/05]
NCAA Fights Court Order: The NCAA has appealed an Ohio court's decision to open records in the Ohio State basketball program investigation. The NCAA, classifying its information as "highly sensitive" and involving "high-profile witnesses," filed the appeal with the Ohio Court of Claims. The court deemed the documentation as necessary in former head coach Jim O'Brien's lawsuit against the university. O'Brien was fired in June of 2004 for infractions that included paying cash to recruits in 1999. He is suing the school over his firing and the $3.5 million that would have been remaining on his contract. [7/22/05]
Welch Has Foot Surgery: Air Force senior starting forward Nick Welch had successful surgery on his left foot Tuesday. Welch, who broke a bone in his foot during a pickup basketball game at his home in Fort Worth, Texas, is expected to make a full recovery will before the team's first practice in October. Welch averaged 12 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest last season. Welch also had pre-season knee surgery in both 2003 and 2004. [7/21/05]
Butler Departs Temple: Temple officials have announced that 7-1 center Keith Butler has withdrawn from the university. Butler, a three-year starter, averaged 4.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season. The school did not provide a reason was given for his departure. The Massachusetts native has one year of eligibility remaining. [7/21/05]
Delta Devils Go Green: Mississippi Valley State has named James Green as successor to former head coach Lafayette Stribling. Green had served as the head coach at Southern Mississippi for eight seasons, compiling a 123-109 overall record, and twice led the Golden Eagles to the NIT. He was the 1999-2000 Conference USA Coach of the Year, and has served as an assistant at Iowa State, Alabama and Texas A&M. [7/21/05]
Burgess Joins the Panthers: High Point head coach Bart Lundy has announced the hiring of Don Burgess as an assistant on his Panther coaching staff. Burgess comes to High Point after three seasons as an assistant at VMI. Prior to that, Burgess was an assistant at Coastal Carolina, Central Florida, and started as a student assistant at Radford, his alma mater. As a player, Burgess was a four-year letter winner for the Highlanders, and was named All-Big South his senior season. [7/21/05]
Explorers Pick Up Gillen's Pieces: La Salle coach John Giannini has hired Walt Fuller to be an assistant coach. Fuller had been an assistant for the past six seasons under former Virginia coach Pete Gillen. The Cavaliers ditched Gillen and his staff after another disappointing season. Fuller has also been an assistant at William and Mary and Drexel, his alma mater. [7/20/05]
Yarbrough Chooses Former Co-Worker: New Southeast Louisiana coach Jim Yarbrough has selected Paul Harrison as an assistant coach. Harrison and Yarbrough worked together for several years at the College of Charleston, helping make the Cougars a perennial conference champion. Harrison left that position to obtain a law degree from Tulane. He also has experience as an assistant at Long Island. The Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana system must approve Harrison. [7/20/05]
Zips Promotes Shaka: Akron coach Keith Dambrot rewarded assistant coach Shaka Smart for two years' good work with the Zips by promoting him to associate coach. Smart joined Akron after working for Dayton as coordinator of basketball operations for two seasons. He left coach Oliver Purnell's staff after Purnell accepted the Clemson position. Smart also has been an assistant at California University of Pennsylvania. [7/20/05]
May's the Best: Former North Carolina forward Sean May earned another accolade to add to his collection. The Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association named May the 2005 Athletic Coast Conference Male Athlete of the Year. His consistent performance last season guided the Tar Heels to a regular-season conference title and NCAA championship. He is only the second Tar Heel to win the award in the past 20 years but the 13th overall in the history of the award. Last season, May averaged 17.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. He was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats in the first round of the NBA Draft. [7/20/05]
Southern Miss Highlights the Top of the World: The field for the Top of the World Classic, hosted by Division II Alaska-Fairbanks, has been released. Southern Mississippi will be the highest profile participant, representing Conference USA. The realigned C-USA, however, may equal the Mountain West in strength. San Diego State, a Mountain West participant, joins Southern Miss and the rest of the field, which includes Montana State, Illinois-Chicago, Kennesaw State, Denver and Lamar. Kennesaw State will be making its Division I debut in the pre-season tournament. [7/20/05]
Mountain High Hoops: A trio of Colorado teams and St. Mary's will comprise the first Colorado Classic, Attitude vs. Altitude. The pun-inspired name could become more common if the classic's promoters successfully lure Alabama, Gonzaga, North Carolina, UCLA, Arizona, Louisville or Connecticut in coming years. All have discussed the possibility. This year’s version will feature Colorado, Colorado State, Denver and St. Mary’s. Although no heavyweights grace the bill, those four should provide a pair of competitive games at the Pepsi Center. [7/20/05]
Hall Enshrines UConn: Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun will officially join the Basketball Hall of Fame in September, but the Huskies' program joined it this week. The hall opened a permanent exhibit that honors Calhoun and the Huskies' program in Springfield, Mass. Under Calhoun, the Huskies have become a perennial national title contender, winning two championships and 15 Big East titles. He helped Connecticut move the center of gravity in the Big East out of Washington, D.C., and Georgetown in the 1980s to Storrs in the 1990s.
Rough Return: Former Razorback Ron Huery, a talented guard for Arkansas from 1986-1991, is in jail on a rape charge, among others. Police records indicate that Huery, 38, forced his ex-girlfriend into his vehicle, took her to his apartment, beat her and raped her. Huery had returned to Arkansas to complete his bachelor’s degree in education. He graduated in May. One of the school’s most prolific scorers and assist leaders, Huery has a criminal record after being convicted of cocaine possession in 1994.
[7/20/05]
Williams Says he Misunderstood Rules: Former Kansas and current North Carolina head coach Roy Williams said that there was no intentional wrongdoing when he approved gifts to graduating players and others whose eligibility had expired. He issued the statement in response to Kansas' recent admission of NCAA rules violations in its athletic department. Payments and clothing went as far back as 1998, and Williams cited a "communication problem" with the school's compliance department in believing the gifts were permitted. Before leaving to coach his alma mater in 2003, Williams reached four Final Fours and won 418 games in 15 seasons at Kansas. [7/17/05]
Brown Makes Plea, Gets Suspended Sentence: Former Virginia center Elton Brown pleaded guilty to a concealed weapon charge and was sentenced to a 10-day suspended jail term and ordered to pay court costs. Brown was also charged with brandishing a firearm, but that was dismissed since he did not point the gun at anyone. His lawyer said that he legally purchased the gun, but never got a concealed weapon permit. Brown was a co-captain as a senior during the 2004-05 season. [7/16/05]
Ernie's Our Man: Amidst rumors that personal problems might lead to a change, Oregon has repeated the news that head coach Ernie Kent's contract has been extended through 2010. The extension was first announced on June 20, but they decided to re-announce it with remarks from Kent. In recent months, allegations of marital infidelity have come up on Internet message boards, as well as concerns about travel and cell phone expenditures in the basketball program. The school's general counsel said Kent has done nothing inappropriate or out of line. In eight seasons at his alma mater, Kent has posted a 149-94 record and led the Ducks to the NCAA Tournament three times, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2002. [7/16/05]
Changes for the Cardinals: Louisville head coach Rick Pitino announced two changes with his staff for next season. Bill Burke will be Pitino's administrative assistant after serving as director of basketball operations for the past three seasons, taking over for Vince Taylor. Taylor will leave the staff for a job in the NBA. Brian Merritt will replace Burke after two seasons as an assistant coach. [7/16/05]
Walsh to Land Further South: After staying in the NBA Draft without a first round guarantee, then going undrafted, former Florida Gator Matt Walsh is expected to sign a two-year contract with the Miami Heat. Walsh led the Gators in three-point shooting last season at 42.6 percent and was second on the team in scoring at 14.6 points per game, and thought he could be a first round pick. Walsh seemed happy about the deal, especially with who one of his teammates will be, as he commented to the Associated Press, "I'm going to be a teammate with Shaq. Thinking about that is crazy. It's a dream come true." [7/15/05]
Aggies Suspend Leading Scorer: New Mexico State suspended leading scorer Duane John indefinitely for violating team and athletic department policies. Athletic director McKinley Boston would not comment further, citing an investigation of the situation. John, who was academically ineligible for part of last season, averaged 14.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. The 6'6" senior guard started his college career at Missouri, transferring before the 2002-03 season. [7/15/05]
Weber Receives Extension: Illinois will keep head coach Bruce Weber around a little longer, as the board of trustees approved a two-year extension and raise for the coach who took them through a historic season in 2004-05. The Illini tied an NCAA record with 37 wins this season before falling in the national championship game, and Weber is the first coach in Big Ten history to win consecutive outright conference championships in his first two seasons. The extension runs his contract up through the 2010-11 season. [7/15/05]
Willson Moves South to Elon: David Willson has joined the staff at Elon as an assistant coach, head coach Ernie Nestor and athletic director Alan White announced. A native of Memphis, Tenn., Willson spent last season as an assistant at William & Mary, where he worked with post players and was involved in recruiting, scouting and administrative responsibilities. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 2004 after earning three varsity letters for the Division III Tigers. [7/15/05]
Judge Orders Documents to be Released to Former Coach: The NCAA must release all documents on its investigation of the Ohio State basketball program to former head coach Jim O'Brien, according to a judge's decision yesterday. The school fired O'Brien after he acknowledged giving a recruit $6,000 in 1999, which he contends was allowed because the recruit wasn't eligible to play college ball. O'Brien is seeking the $3.5 million that was remaining on his contract at the time of his firing. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 11. [7/14/05]
Kiefer Faces Discipline: Purdue will discipline senior forward Matt Kiefer after the legal process finishes, according to head coach Matt Painter. The 6'10" forward was arrested in his hometown of Evansville, Ind. and charged with public intoxication over the weekend. He was released from jail on Sunday after posting a $50 bond. Kiefer started 22 of the Boilermakers' 28 games last season and averaged 9.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. [7/13/05]
Willemsen Joins Golden Eagles' Staff: Tennessee Tech has named Russ Willemsen as their Director of Basketball Operations. The native of Rushville, N.Y. had been an assistant coach at Lee University in the NAIA, where he received his bachelors degree in 2004. [7/13/05]
Whittenburg Receives Extension: Fordham head coach Dereck Whittenburg will be at the school a little longer, as he and the school have agreed on a contract extension running until 2010. The second-year coach led a team with just four returning scholarship players and five true freshmen to a 13-16 record overall, as well as a school-record 8 wins in Atlantic 10 play. In March, the Rams also won their first Atlantic 10 Tournament game. [7/13/05]
Skerry Joins the Rams: Rhode Island head coach Jim Baron has announced the hiring of Pat Skerry as an assistant on the Rams' coaching staff. Skerry, who was an assistant at College of Charleston the past two seasons, comes to Kingston with experience from William & Mary, Northeastern, as well as Curry College, Stonehill and Tufts, his alma mater. Last season, Skerry was voted by Hoop Scoop magazine as the number two assistant coach among mid-major schools. Baron also announced that Director of Basketball Operations Pat Clarke has been promoted to full time assistant, and that Ty Weeks has been appointed to Clarke's old position. [7/12/05]
Cerasoli Transferring to Ole Miss: Mississippi head coach Rod Barnes has announced that former Seton Hall guard Justin Cerasoli will be coming to Oxford this fall. Cerasoli, a 6-5 Chicago native, averaged over six points and three rebounds in 26 games as a freshman last season, and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining after he sits out the 2005-06 season. Cerasoli joins Auburn transfer and fellow Chicago native Dwayne Curtis as members of the 2006-07 Rebel squad. [7/12/05]
Giddens Changing Scenery: Former Kansas guard J.R. Giddens has announced that he will be transferring to New Mexico. Giddens left Kansas in June amidst fallout from a night club altercation in May that resulted in six injured and left Giddens with a 30-stich knife wound on his right calf. Giddens will sit out the upcoming season due to NCAA transfer rules, and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. [7/11/05]
Big Big East Changes Dance: The NCAA has revised the NCAA Tournament rules regarding seedings, thus allowing teams from the same conference may meet as soon as the second round. The change, which will go into effect for the upcoming 2006 NCAA Tournament, was due to the new 16-team Big East could have more than eight teams in the tournament. The NCAA also announced that regional winners will receive a trophy for their efforts. [7/10/05]
Jones Going Pro Anyway: Saint Joseph's center Dwayne Jones will skip his senior season for the NBA. Jones, who entered the draft and was not selected, had asked Hawks head coach Phil Martelli to start the eligibility process so he could return to school. However, Minnesota began contract negotiations to sign Jones as a free agent, thus ending Jones' NCAA eligibility. The 6-11 Jones averaged 11.6 rebounds and 3 blocks per contest last season, ranking him fifth in both categories. [7/9/05]
Mocs' Shulman Extended: Chattanooga head coach John Shulman received a one-year contract extension yesterday, lengthening his contract through the 2009-10 season. Last season, his first at the helm of the Mocs, Shulman led the Mocs to the Southern Conference title with a 20-11 record, and the program's first berth in the NCAA Tournament in eight seasons. Highlighting the season was Chattanooga's one-point victory over Tennessee, the squad's first win over the Vols since 1925. [7/9/05]
Coaches Propose Moving Draft Deadline: The National Association of Basketball Coaches is proposing that the NBA move the underclassmen declaration deadline to one week after the national championship game, and then give the players only 72 hours to withdraw. The advantages would include better academics for student athletes (instead of workouts during school sessions) and providing coaches with leverage during the spring signing period. However, critics point out that several players would be "stuck" if a player was injured during tryouts, and often late-period camps (such as the NBA's Chicago pre-draft camp three weeks prior to the draft) provide evaluations closer to final draft projections. Last month, several underclassmen returned to school after the Chicago event, and Illinois guard Dee Brown returned to school after suffering an ankle injury during workouts. [7/8/05]
Dempsey New Interim Head Coach: More changes are happening in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. The day after head coach Don Harnum left his coaching position to become interim athletic director at the school, the Broncs have named Tommy Dempsey, an assistant on Harnum's staff the past two seasons, as interim head coach. While the school will be seeking a full-time replacement for outgoing AD Curt Blake, who retires August 31st, Harnum himself is in the running, so these interim moves may prove permanent. [7/8/05]
Nash Nabs Two for Terriers: St. Francis (NY) head basketball coach Brian Nash has hired two new assistants to his Terriers coaching staff. Jim Datka comes to Brooklyn Heights after being Director of Athletics at The Hope School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Previously Datka was head coach at Concordia University (St. Paul, MN), and has D-I experience as an assistant at St. Bonaventure, St. Francis (PA), and Marquette. Allen Griffin joins the Terriers after being an administrative assistant at Syracuse, where he was a four-season member of the basketball team. Griffin's career average for the Orange was 6.1 ppg, which led him to play professionally in Slovenia and for the Asheville of the NBDL. [7/7/05]
Liberty Grabs Sooner Grad: Liberty coach Randy Dunton hired Jason Eaker to become director of basketball operations. Eaker was a graduate assistant at Oklahoma last season and served as the team’s liaison to the Tip-In Club, which is the Sooners’ booster club for men’s basketball. He also coordinated the team’s academic tutoring and study sessions. He will have that responsibility at Liberty, among others. [7/06/05]
Rutgers Gets Guard for the Future: Rutgers officials announced that former Richmond guard Courtney Nelson has transferred to the Scarlet Knights and will have three years of remaining eligibility after sitting out this coming season, according to NCAA rules for transfers. Nelson averaged 6.1 points and two assists per in his freshman season for the Spiders. He is a decent shooter who must improve to help the Scarlet Knights become contenders in the powerhouse Big East. [7/06/05]
DC-Area Assistant Joins the Tribe: William and Mary coach Tony Shaver hired Antwon Jackson as assistant coach, which will become official after the Board of Visitors approves Jackson’s hiring. Jackson moves to Williamsburg, Va., after spending all of his career at the high school level in and around Washington, D.C. He has been an assistant at several successful high school programs in Maryland and Virginia, and he has been an assistant coach for successful AAU programs. The Tribe gig will be his first collegiate coaching position.
[7/06/05]
ESPN Keeps Its Coach: Despite overtures from Marquette and coach Tom Crean, ESPN analyst and former coach Fran Fraschilla declined an opportunity to join Crean’s staff as an assistant coach. Crean had courted Fraschilla, a personal friend, to replace Jeff Strohm and help the Golden Eagles make the transition from Conference USA to the Big East. But ESPN pushed to keep Fraschilla, one of the network’s more seasoned analysts. Fraschilla had been an NCAA coach for more than 20 years as head coach at Manhattan, St. John’s and New Mexico. [7/04/05]
Another SEC Player May Crawl Back: Much like former Kentucky Wildcat Randolph Morris, former Arkansas forward Olu Famutimi may sneak back to school despite remaining in the NBA Draft and going undrafted. NCAA rules allow players to return to school if they have not hired an agent, paid their own expenses for NBA workouts, petition their school for a second chance and receive the school’s blessing. Famutimi did not hire an agent despite remaining in the draft. [7/04/05]
UAB Gets Smaller Portion of C-USA Pie: Conference USA has revised its distribution of shared revenue, which will slightly decrease the income for successful programs like Alabama – Birmingham. The new plan, approved unanimously by school officials, will equally share money generated from marketing, TV appearances, NCAA men’s basketball tournament games, football bowl games and conference championship events. In the past, the plan had been imbalanced in favor of the programs that generate more revenue. UAB’s recent success in basketball and football would have entitled the school to more money. But the Blazers are taking one for the team. [7/04/05]
Cyclone Center Exits Iowa State: Rising sophomore center Aaron Agnew announced that he will not return to Iowa State because he wants to find another program that will give him more playing time. Agnew, a 6-9 center, played in only nine games last season, averaging less than a point and rebound per game. Coach Wayne Morgan agreed that Agnew needs to find another school that can better use his size and skills. [7/03/05]
Kansas State Hopes Assistant Brings Act to Manhattan: Kansas State coach Jim Woolridge hired Ben Kelso as an assistant coach, bringing one of the nation’s best high school coaches to Manhattan, Kan. Kelso has been a high school coach in Michigan for more than 20 years and has compiled more than 400 victories at that level. He became the only Michigan coach to win three consecutive state championships and has been featured in publications like the Detroit Free Press and Sports Illustrated. [7/02/05]
Blue Jay Assistant Returns to the Nest: Creighton coach Dana Altman hired a familiar face when he completed his staff with assistant coach Kevin McKenna. McKenna, who coached Nebraska – Omaha the past four seasons, had been one of Altman’s assistants from 1994 to 2001. He returns to the Blue Jays to replace Greg Grensing, who left Creighton to become an assistant at UNLV. At Nebraska – Omaha, McKenna led the Division II program to an 89-33 record, including two D-II NCAA Tournament appearances. [7/02/05]
Grizzlies Hire Assistant: Oakland coach Greg Kampe completed his staff for the upcoming season by hiring Jon Borovich as an assistant coach. Borovich comes to the Grizzlies after working as director of basketball operations at Dayton for the past two seasons. He replaces assistant Jeff Tungate, who left Oakland for IPFW. [7/02/05]
Bison Hire Assistant to Help Transition: North Dakota State will enter its third year of a five-year process for becoming a Division I institution with a new assistant coach. Coach Tim Miles hired David Richman as assistant coach after Richman had been a graduate assistant in 2003-04. As a graduate assistant, Richman helped the Bison earner a collective GPA higher than 3.0. In its second season in D-I play, North Dakota State finished 16-12. [7/02/05]
Haith Continues to Build a Winner in Miami: Miami coach Frank Haith is quickly turning the Hurricanes into a perennial contender in the ACC with the addition of former Siena guard Jack McClinton. McClinton led Siena in scoring, assists, defensive rebounds, three-point shooting, free-throw shooting and other categories in his freshman season. He averaged 13.6 points, five rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for the Saints. He must sit out this coming season according to NCAA rules and will have three years of eligibility remaining. [7/02/05]
Seminole Jumps Ship: Florida State rising senior forward Antonio Griffin announced his intention to transfer to another school to finish his collegiate career. Griffin had indicated earlier in the year that he might transfer but then said he would like to end his career at Florida State. He apparently changed his mind again after finishing with averages of 3.1 points and 1.2 rebounds per game last season. He arrived at Florida State after playing at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. [7/02/05]
Brown Shifts Roster at the Mount: Mount St. Mary's coach Milan Brown announced two changes to the team's roster. Joey Butler will now be on scholarship after walking on to the team and sitting out last season as a redshirt. And Joe Gates will leave the team to return to California for personal reasons after not playing last season because of injuries. Butler is a big point guard who Brown said plays good defense and runs the transition offense well.
[7/02/05]
Morris May Return to Kentucky After All: Despite remaining in the NBA Draft and not receiving a selection on draft night, former Kentucky freshman center Randolph Morris may return to the Wildcats, if he can show that he did not hire an agent. Morris could return according to an NCAA rule that allows players who entered the draft to go back to school if they pay for their expenses during NBA workouts, send a letter to the school asking for permission to return, show that they did not hire an agent and receive an invitation to return from the school. Only one other player, California – Irvine’s Jerry Green in 2001, has used this rule. Morris has until July 28 to send a letter to Kentucky, which has not heard from him or his parents since before the draft.
[7/02/05]
More Bad Luck for Orange Point Guards: Syracuse seems to have a curse hanging over its head when it comes to potential star point guards. First, Billy Edelin went through personal issues, left the program, then returned but was academically ineligible. Now, incoming point guard Emmanuel “Tiki” Mayben may not play for the Orange anytime soon because his academic record does not meet NCAA standards for recruits. He must raise his SAT score to meet an NCAA standard that combines recruits’ high school GPAs with their SAT scores. Syracuse officials have told Mayben that he should consider attending a prep school for a year if he cannot raise his academic standing. [7/02/05]
Magarity Goes From MAAC to MAC: Dave Magarity has left his position at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) to join the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as an assistant commissioner and director of men’s basketball operations. Magarity held the same position at the MAAC before moving to the Midwest to work for an employer with one less A in its acronym. As director, he is responsible for building the schedule and working with the MAC’s 12 teams.
[7/02/05]
Baron Adds Skerry to Staff: Pat Skerry is returning to New England, as he will become an assistant coach at Rhode Island. The native of Medford, Mass. spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at the College of Charleston and brings a reputation as an excellent recruiter. Skerry previously held assistant coaching jobs at William & Mary and Northeastern, and was also head coach at Curry College in Milton, Mass. before becoming a Division I assistant. [7/1/05]
Minor Suspended Into Season: LSU suspended junior point guard Tack Minor for the summer and fall semesters for an academic violation, meaning he will miss part of the 2005-06 season. University officials said that Minor, who started all 30 games for LSU last season and averaged 10.8 points and 4.5 assists per game, violated the University's Code of Student conduct. He stated in the school's release that he is "more dedicated than ever to getting my degree from LSU". [7/1/05]
Cerasoli Will be a Rebel: Former Seton Hall guard Justin Cerasoli will enroll at Mississippi and join the Rebels in the fall. The 6'5" guard played in 26 games for the Pirates last season, averaging 6.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He will have three seasons of eligibility left after sitting out next season. [7/1/05]
Big East a Big-Time Move: Cincinnati is among five schools joining the Big East on Friday, and it brings the school plenty of benefits. The school expects to earn more revenue from the conference than they did from Conference USA, while expecting increasing ticket sales and overall national exposure. It also gives the school some stability; it was an independent for five years starting in 1970, then spent 16 years in the Metro Conference as a charter member before helping to form the short-lived Great Midwest Conference. In 1995, it became a charter member of Conference USA, and now joins the biggest basketball conference in the country as the Big East will have 16 schools. [7/1/05]
Eagles Now in the ACC: Boston College will complete the ACC's expansion on Friday, officially becoming the 12th member of the storied conference. The school had to wait a year to join recent ACC additions Miami and Virginia Tech due to obligations with the Big East, of which it was a charter member. It now gives the ACC a school in a major media market in the northeast, though the market for college sports in pro-dominated Boston has not always been stellar. [7/1/05]
Conference USA Has New Look: Six new schools officially join Conference USA on Friday, marking a new era for the conference. Marshall, Rice, SMU, Tulsa, UCF and UTEP all join a conference that now has every institution sponsoring football and will have a football championship game. The conference has 12 schools now, and its Web site will have a new look as unveiled by the conference and CSTV. [7/1/05]
Jones To Return to School: Dwayne Jones decided to return to St. Joseph's after not being selected in the NBA Draft. The 6'11" center was fifth in the nation last season in rebounding and blocked shots, and he stayed in the draft while projected as a second-round pick. Head coach Phil Martelli will begin the process of reinstating Jones, who graduated in May but has a year of eligibility remaining since he redshirted his first season. [7/1/05]
Giddens Leaves School: J.R. Giddens decided to transfer from Kansas after his share of struggles on and off the court. Giddens saw his scoring numbers drop as a sophomore amidst sky-high expectations, then on May 19 was injured in a bar fight. The 6'5" wing, who suffered a knife wound to his right calf that required 30 stitches, has not decided where he will attend yet. [7/1/05]
Tigers Gain Prowell: Recent Furman transfer Quan Prowell signed to play at Auburn. After he was the consensus Southern Conference Freshman of the year in 2003-04, the 6'8" forward averaged 15.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season while missing 14 games due to academic problems. He will have two seasons of eligibility after sitting out the 2005-06 season. [7/1/05]
Douglas Transfers: Former Auburn guard Toney Douglas has transferred to Florida State. The 6'1" guard, who led the Tigers in scoring at 16.9 points per game as a freshman, will play the point for Leonard Hamilton's team after sitting out next season. He will have three years of eligibility remaining. [7/1/05]