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INSIDEHOOPS.COM EXCLUSIVE: Shawn James signs with agent College Basketball News: Fri, May 9

Lyons will return for senior season -- The AP reports: Missouri forward Leo Lyons, who led the Big 12 in field goal percentage, withdrew from the NBA draft on Thursday and announced he would return for his senior season. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Lyons made the decision after meeting with coach Mike Anderson and his staff, based on feedback from NBA teams as well as family and friends.

Duquesne’s James hires agent, will enter NBA draft -- The AP reports: Shawn James, the shot-blocking center who was one of five Duquesne University basketball players shot on campus in September 2006, is passing up his senior season to enter the NBA draft. The 6-foot-10 James previously submitted his name as an early entry to the draft, but had not signed with an agent until doing so Thursday with Steve Cronin. Hiring an agent eliminates any chance of James playing again in college. “Shawn’s a great kid and I wish him great success as a pro,” Duquesne coach Ron Everhart said Thursday night, confirming James’ departure which was first reported by insidehoops.com. “Nobody deserves more success than Shawn James.”

West Virginia coach Huggins hurt in airport fall -- The AP reports: West Virginia University officials say basketball coach Bob Huggins has been taken to a hospital in Charlotte, N.C., for precautionary reasons after tripping on an airport tarmac and hitting his head on the pavement.

Ticker reports: West Virginia director of athletics Ed Pastilong told the Daily Mail that Huggins was transported to a Charlotte area hospital for “precautionary reasons.” Pastilong released a statement, saying that Huggings, 54, was walking away from the plane and checking voicemail on his cell phone when he tripped over a cone.

Nate James next in Duke’s club of players-turned-coaches -- The AP reports: Nate James showed up for his latest job interview with little on his resume that seemed to qualify him for the position. But hey, at least he was familiar with the ultra-successful boss. Then again, intimidation is always a concern when you’re trying to land a gig on Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski’s staff—even if you once played for Coach K at Duke. “It was a little weird, coming in and just being real formal … speaking with (Krzyzewski) and telling him all of the things that he already knew about me,” James said Wednesday. “Just trying to tell him what I could bring to the table—my hard work, my leadership, my determination to learn all of the things I needed to know because I did not have any experience as a coach. “Luckily, he knew what type of man I was and what type of player I was, having played under him, so that kind of helped me out.” Speaking one day after Krzyzewski named him to his coaching staff to replace another ex-player who took another job, James looked back on the circular path his career has taken.

Verdell Jones signs with Indiana basketball -- The Chicago Tribune reports: New Indiana coach Tom Crean wasted little time trying to salvage what's left of the Hoosiers' incoming recruiting class, securing the signing of Champaign Central's 6-foot-4-inch Verdell Jones this week. Jones, who averaged 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists, was considered the state's top unsigned prospect.

Vol signee plugs hole at guard -- The Tennessean reports: Filling a void created by the departure of guard Ramar Smith, Junior college All America Bobby Maze has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Tennessee, the school announced Thursday. Maze, a 6-2, 185-pound point guard, played last season at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, where he led the team with 20.7 points, 6.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game as a sophomore. Advertisement "Bobby was the best point guard in all of junior college this year," UT Coach Bruce Pearl said in a statement. "We added incoming freshman Daniel West but, with the loss of Ramar Smith, we needed another ball-handler."

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College Basketball News: Thu, May 8

Two players dismissed from George Washington basketball team -- The AP reports: unior forward Cheyenne Moore and freshman guard Miles Beatty have been dismissed from the George Washington men’s basketball program, the school announced Wednesday. “Certain expectations are placed on our players both on and off the court,” coach Karl Hobbs said in a statement.

Ticker reports: Moore, a junior forward who had transferred from Clemson, averaged 5.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in two seasons with the Colonials. Beatty, a freshman guard, averaged 4.8 points in 14 games last season.

Georgetown guard Jeremiah Rivers to transfer -- The AP reports: Georgetown sophomore guard Jeremiah Rivers will transfer to another school, making him the second player to leave coach John Thompson III’s team since the end of the season. Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, played in all 34 games this season, averaging 2.5 points and 2.4 rebounds.

Ticker reports: “Jeremiah and his family made a decision and determined this was best for him,” Georgetown coach John Thompson III said in a statement released by the school. “We appreciate his hard work and wish him best in his future endeavors.”

Former Indiana C Holman transfers to Detroit Mercy -- The AP reports: Eli Holman, the center who left Indiana last week after throwing a tantrum in new coach Tom Crean’s office, will enroll at Detroit Mercy. The 6-foot-9 freshman, one of four players to leave Bloomington since Crean arrived, will be reunited with former Hoosiers assistant Ray McCallum, who was hired to replace the retired Perry Watson. Holman, who received a medical redshirt after playing six games last season, averaged 24.7 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks as a senior at Richmond (Calif.) High School and selected the top defensive player in the state.

Ticker reports: Holman, who already has started summer classes at Detroit, was considered among the nation’s top 100 prospects when he signed with the Hoosiers. He averaged 24.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 10.0 blocks as a senior at Richmond High School, helping his team to the state Division II championship. He also was named the top defensive player in Northern California.

NCAA charges Alabama State with lack of institutional control -- The AP reports: The NCAA has accused Alabama State University of 24 rules violations, alleging widespread use of ineligible players, grade changes and recruiting misdeeds and charging the school with lack of institutional control. The NCAA's notice of allegations, obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, gave the university until June 27 to respond and culminated a nearly five-year investigation. The alleged violations occurred from 1999-2003 and most involved the football program, including the participation of 25 players who were ineligible because they hadn't completed the required percentage of coursework toward their degrees.

FIU hit with 4 years probation for variety of infractions -- The AP reports: Florida International was placed on four years probation by the NCAA on Wednesday and will lose scholarships for a variety of infractions. More than 40 athletes who competed for the school from the 2002-03 through the 2006-07 academic years violated rules, said Josephine Potuto, chairwoman of the NCAA committee on infractions. The school, which jumped from NCAA Division I-AA to Division I-A, misapplied enrollment and financial aid rules, transfer requirements and eligibility rules, the NCAA found.

Buckeyes add two juco transfers -- The AP reports: After losing four top players from last season, Ohio State is adding two junior college reinforcements. Coach Thad Matta confirmed Wednesday that 6-foot-2 point guard Jeremie Simmons and 6-9 forward Nikola Kecman (KETZ'-muhn) are joining the Buckeyes.


College Basketball News: Wed, May 7

Former Montana St hoops player sentenced in shooting death -- The AP reports: Former Montana State basketball player Branden Miller was sentenced Tuesday to 120 years in prison in the shooting death of a suspected drug dealer. District Judge Mike Salvagni sentenced Miller to 100 years in prison for deliberate homicide, 10 years for the use of a weapon and 10 years for tampering with evidence. Miller also was sentenced to five years for a bar assault that occurred six days before the murder. The sentences are to run consecutively. Miller pleaded guilty to deliberate homicide in the June 2006 shooting death of 26-year-old Jason Wright, whose body was found in a field near Montana State University. However, he says he did not shoot Wright.

Ticker reports: Miller will be eligible for parole in about 30 years.

Huggins’ 10-year contract worth $20 million -- The AP reports: New West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins will earn about $1.5 million this year, including a base salary of $250,000 and $1.25 million in supplemental compensation. His salary will increase a minimum of $100,000 per year, and he will receive an annual retention bonus of $100,000 starting next May 1, plus incentives. Incentives include $10,000 for a first-round appearance in the NCAA tournament and $50,000 if the Mountaineers reach the championship game. Huggins would earn $20,000 if the Mountaineers win or tie for the Big East regular season championship, while a conference tournament title would also give him $20,000.

Oklahoma State’s Sam Aubrey dies at 85 -- The AP reports: Sam Aubrey, who played on a national championship team in 1946 and succeeded Henry Iba as Oklahoma State’s basketball coach, has died. He was 85. He died Monday at a retirement center in Stillwater, the school’s athletic department said Tuesday. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Nate James joins Coach K’s staff at Duke -- The AP reports: Former Duke player Nate James was hired as an assistant by coach Mike Krzyzewski on Tuesday. James helped the Blue Devils win their most recent national championship in 2001.

NCAA hits men's basketball hardest in APR results -- Sporting News (Mike DeCourcy) reports: This only has been going on for a short while, but when the NCAA releases its annual Academic Progress Rate numbers, the sport of men's basketball gets dunked on like it's Sacramento State. This happened again Tuesday, with president Myles Brand trying hard to sound encouraging but occasionally slamming the sport that pays the organization's bills. Brand pointed out there have been overall academic improvements since the APR program replaced misleading graduation rates that distorted news about athletes' academic performance for more than a decade. But, he added, "The biggest concern is in men's basketball." The NCAA issued punishment for APR underperformance to 218 teams -- and nearly a quarter were in men's basketball. Many of those penalties were slight, such as loss of a single scholarship, but Southern California lost two scholarships and was warned that sustained underperformance would put them on track to being banned from future postseason play. "Academic reform is here to stay," Brand said. "Our goal is to assist behavioral change, and not necessarily just to punish."

Rouse in oblivion five years after Baylor scandal -- ESPN (Dana O'Neil) reports: Every night it's the same. He leaves his one-bedroom apartment, hops in his 10-year-old car and clocks in to work at the factory in Wichita Falls, Texas. For eight hours, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., he makes airplane parts. When his shift is over, he gets back in his beat-up Toyota Corolla and goes back to his depressing apartment. He sleeps until 2 p.m. and in the afternoon, he might drop a few more résumés in the mail. He is beyond broke. His credit cards are maxed out, his credit ruined. He has humbled himself and borrowed from his mother, tapping her out almost as badly as himself. Desperately in need of overtime pay, he has not taken more than two days off in a month since the fall. This was not Abar Rouse's plan. For six years after graduating from Baylor University, he chased his dream of becoming a top-level college basketball coach. He lived in the tiny outposts necessary to climb the coaching ladder before landing at his alma mater, finally an assistant coach at a Division I university. Three months later, it was over.

Georgetown wasted no time replacing Macklin -- Fox Sports (Jeff Goodman) reports: Georgetown lost Vernon Macklin, but wasted little time in replacing him with Julian Vaughn.

Hearing delayed in Lute Olson divorce case -- The Arizona Republic reports: A court hearing in Lute Olson's divorce case has been postponed from Wednesday to next month.


College Basketball News: Tue, May 6

Udoh leaving Michigan, destination unknown -- The AP reports: Forward Ekpe Udoh is leaving Michigan after two seasons but has yet to decide to which school he will transfer.

Ticker reports: The 6-10 Udoh led the Big Ten Conference with 92 blocked shots last season. In just two seasons, he has 159 career blocks - fifth on the school’s all-time list... Udoh averaged 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 67 games, including 31 starts for the Wolverines.

SCarolina guard Downey charged with simple assault -- The AP reports: Devan Downey, who led South Carolina in scoring last season as a sophomore, has been charged with simple assault. University spokesman Russ McKinney said the charge stemmed from an argument Downey had with another student on campus last week.

Arizona hires Pennell as assistant hoops coach -- The AP reports: Arizona hired Russ Pennell as an assistant basketball coach on Monday. The former Arizona State assistant coach and radio analyst will join Lute Olson’s staff after spending the last two seasons running a basketball academy in the Phoenix area.


College Basketball News: Sun, May 4

Former St. John’s guard Seiden dies -- The AP reports: Alan Seiden, a starting guard on St. John’s 1959 NIT championship team who was selected as one of the school’s greatest players, has died. He was 71. Seiden died Saturday in a hospital after a long illness, according to his family.

Ex-Hoya big man Macklin transfers to Florida -- Fox Sports (Jeff Goodman) reports: Florida coach Billy Donovan has added ex-Georgetown big man Vernon Macklin. The 6-foot-9, 230-pound sophomore was a former high school star and McDonald's All-American that didn't log a ton of playing time while backing up Roy Hibbert at Georgetown. Macklin averaged 3.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. He scored a season-high 18 points against St. John's in late January.

Vols point guard situation -- Fox Sports (Jeff Goodman) reports: Honestly, the loss of Ramar Smith and Duke Crews really isn't that big of a deal other than the fact that it limits Tennessee's depth for next year... Both were kicked off the team by Pearl yesterday. Sources told FOXSports.com that Smith was booted for failing multiple drug tests - including one during the NCAA tournament - while it was numerous issues that prompted Pearl to boot Crews from the team.

Vandy completes stellar recruiting class -- Fox Sports (Jeff Goodman) reports: Vanderbilt just completed a terrific class with the late addition of Brad Tinsley. The Commodores got a commitment from the 6-foot-3 guard, who was initially headed to Pepperdine before the coaching change.

Bassett, Ellis, Thomas, Holman all leaving Hoosier program -- ESPN (Andy Katz) reports: New Indiana coach Tom Crean is down to three returning scholarship players and eight players in all for next season after the university announced the departures of four Hoosiers on Friday. Sophomore Armon Bassett and junior Jamarcus Ellis, who had appealed their suspensions by former interim coach Dan Dakich, were dismissed from the program. Junior forward DeAndre Thomas will also not return and neither will freshman Eli Holman, who has elected to transfer after a meeting Thursday that required a call to campus police when Holman became agitated... That leaves the Hoosiers with three returning players: rising sophomores Jordan Crawford, Brandon McGee and rising senior Kyle Taber. The Hoosiers will add five newcomers -- freshmen Nick Williams (a one-time Marquette signee), Tom Pritchard, Matt Roth and JC transfer Devon Dumes -- as well as recruited walk-on Daniel Moore of Carmel, Ind.


College Basketball News: Sat, May 3

Pearl dismisses Ramar Smith, Duke Crews -- The AP reports: Tennessee sophomore forward Duke Crews and sophomore guard Ramar Smith are being dismissed from the team. Coach Bruce Pearl would not provide reasons for the dismissals, though he did say Friday that the two cases were unrelated and they stemmed from problems over a period of time rather than one specific incident. “They did a lot of positive things in two years, but we have very, very high expectations for student athletes on and off the court,” Pearl said before the team’s end-of-season banquet, which was not attended by the two players.

Ticker reports: “I am disappointed to announce that neither Duke Crews nor Ramar Smith will be a part of the 2008-09 University of Tennessee basketball program,” Pearl said. “Both were provided every opportunity to succeed here, but have not met our expectations. “With both Ramar and Duke, we came to the conclusion that it was in their best interest to transfer to another institution in order to continue their academic and basketball careers.”

W.Va. coach Bob Huggins signs contract -- The AP reports: West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins signed an 11-year contract with the school Friday that will keep him at his alma mater until he’s 65. The deal will pay Huggins $1.5 million a year, plus incentives. When he arrived in April 2007, he was paid $800,000 in his first season. “It’s a great day for myself and for my family. To be able to represent this great state is an honor,” Huggins said. “It’s great to be able to work in a place where you enjoy the people that you work with and you trust the people that you work with.”

Ticker reports: “This is a good marriage,” West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong said. “He took us to the ‘Sweet 16’ in his first year, and he’s having a great recruiting year. Bobby is committed to winning a national championship here at his alma mater.” Huggins, 54, has a career record of 616-222 over 26 seasons at five different schools. He spent the 2006-07 season at Kansas State after coaching Cincinnati from 1989-2005.

Two Indiana basketball players not reinstated -- The AP reports: Indiana coach Tom Crean will not reinstate Armon Bassett and Jamarcus Ellis, who were ordered off the team in March. Interim coach Dan Dakich dismissed the players for missing an appointment and then failing to show up to run laps as part of their punishment.


College Basketball News: Fri, May 2

Former Vols guard Lofton underwent cancer treatment -- The AP reports: Former Tennessee guard Chris Lofton underwent treatment for testicular cancer after a failed drug test at the 2007 NCAA tournament revealed he potentially had a tumor. Lofton revealed to ESPN.com in a story posted Thursday that he underwent surgery in March 2007 and had four weeks of radiation starting in May. “I would like to thank everyone for respecting my privacy during the past year, and I hope that they continue to do so,” Lofton said in a statement released by the school Thursday evening.

Ticker reports: Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl attributes the early season struggles to Lofton’s delayed offseason physical and mental recovery. “There was a point this past season that I was asked about Chris Lofton’s health almost every day,” Pearl said. “While knowing all of the underlying issues, the Lofton family requested that we respect their privacy as a part of the HIPPA laws regarding the release of medical information. “Chris Lofton is one of the toughest players I have ever been around. Not once did he make an issue of what he has gone through. Never once did he complain. He physically and mentally overcame all of the challenges associated with battling cancer and serves as a tremendous role model to all of us.”

Indiana’s Eli Holman to transfer -- The AP reports: Freshman center Eli Holman threw another potential wrench into Indiana’s rebuilding project Thursday, telling coaches he intended to transfer before apparently throwing a tantrum in their office that required a call to the campus police. The meeting, which coach Tom Crean described as cordial initially, certainly did not end that way. “His behavior took me, along with the other people in the office, by surprise,” Crean said in a statement released by the university. “We saw him as a danger to himself and wanted to take precautionary measures to help him. We felt bad for Eli and, hopefully, were able to help him.” Capt. Jerry Minger of the Indiana University police department said police were called as more of a precaution and that no one felt threatened. Police did not arrest Holman, but took a statement from Crean and others who witnessed the outburst, Minger said.

Holman leaves Indiana in a huff -- Ticker reports: Police did not arrest Holman but they did take a statement from Crean and other witnesses. “I really thought at that point he posed a danger to himself,” Crean told the newspaper. The university later released a statement from Crean, who said the meeting with Holman started off on good terms before taking a turn for the worse.

Tony Bennett to receive $1 million to coach WSU basketball -- The AP reports: Washington State basketball coach Tony Bennett received a $200,000 pay raise that will guarantee him $1 million a year. His amended contract was extended through 2015, athletic spokesman Bill Stevens said Thursday. Bennett was courted by several powerhouse programs after winning 26 games in each of his two seasons at the helm, tying the school record.

OSU cuts $2.74 million check for ex-coach O’Brien -- The AP reports: Ohio State paid former men’s basketball coach Jim O’Brien $2.74 million for improperly firing him for violating NCAA rules.

Siena G De La Rosa to transfer -- Ticker reports: Siena guard Chris De La Rosa announced Thursday that he will not return to the school for his sophomore season. De La Rosa appeared in 33 games, averaging 2.5 points as a reserve guard for the Saints last season.


College Basketball News: Thu, May 1

UCLA freshman Chace Stanback will transfer -- The AP reports: UCLA swingman Chace Stanback, a freshman reserve who played in 25 games this season, will leave the program and transfer to another school... The 6-foot-8 Stanback, a former California high school player of the year, averaged 1.0 point, 0.7 rebounds and 5.8 minutes for the Bruins, who advanced to the Final Four for the third straight season.

New schools emerge for Varez Ward -- Rivals reports: After committing to Cincinnati this spring, the Bearcats are no longer in the picture for three-star prospect Varez Ward. Instead four new high majors have jumped on the 6-foot-2, 185-pound combo guard from the Patterson (N.C.) School after his strong play in the Pearland Classic. The longer Ward waits, the more options he has. Ward informed Rivals.com that Texas, Arkansas, Marquette, Kansas State and Florida State all offered him after watching him run the point for the Southeast Elite this weekend.

Donnovan Kirk taking game to ACC -- Rivals reports: Donnovan Kirk is leaving the snow for the sunshine. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound power forward from Detroit (Mich.) Country Day is off the board. The four-star junior verbally committed to the Miami Hurricanes on Monday, according to his AAU coach Speedy Walker of The Family.


College Basketball News: Wed, Apr. 30

Pitt names Tom Herrion Associate Head Coach -- Pitt SID staff/Rivals reports: University of Pittsburgh head men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon announced the promotion of Tom Herrion to Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach on Tuesday. Herrion joined the Pitt men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach on May 7, 2007. In his first year, he helped guide Pitt to a 27-10 overall record, 2008 Big East Championship title and seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2007-08. “Over the past year, Tom has proved to be an outstanding and valuable addition to our staff,” Dixon said.

Ben Hansbrough transferring from Mississippi St. to Notre Dame -- The AP reports: Ben Hansbrough, who helped Mississippi State advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament last month, is transferring to Notre Dame. The 6-foot-3 guard started 28 of Mississippi State’s 34 games and was fourth on the team with a 10.5 scoring average. Hansbrough is the younger brother of AP Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough, a forward for North Carolina. The younger Hansbrough said he chose the Fighting Irish over Purdue and Oklahoma State.

Florida State F Julian Vaughn to transfer -- Ticker reports: The 6-10, 239-pound Vaughn averaged 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 31 games, including seven starts, for Florida State this season.


College Basketball News: Tue, Apr. 29

Dawkins formally introduced by Stanford -- The AP reports: Johnny Dawkins did the whole meet-and-greet thing on Stanford’s campus Monday, two days after becoming the Cardinal’s new men’s basketball coach. The 44-year-old Dawkins, a longtime assistant coach at Duke under Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, was formally introduced by the school. He replaces reigning Pac-10 Coach of the Year Trent Johnson, who led Stanford to the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2001 before leaving to coach LSU... Dawkins is a recognizable name despite the fact he has no prior head coaching experience. He was an All-American guard for the Blue Devils, a high first-round NBA draft pick and played nine NBA seasons before returning to coach as an assistant at his alma mater. He has widely been considered the successor to Krzyzewski, who has hinted he might still coach another 10 years.


College Basketball News: Mon, Apr. 28

UCLA’s Josh Shipp to enter NBA draft, but won’t hire agent -- The AP reports: UCLA’s Josh Shipp will enter the NBA draft, but the junior won’t hire an agent, leaving him the option of returning to play for the Bruins. Shipp averaged 12.2 points and 3.2 rebounds during UCLA’s run to its third consecutive Final Four. The Bruins lost to Memphis in the national semifinals.

UConn center Hasheem Thabeet to stay in college -- The AP reports: Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet plans to return to school for his junior season instead of entering the NBA draft. The 7-foot-3 native of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was projected as a first-round pick in the draft.

Fox Sports (Jeff Goodman) reports: Thabeet's return makes Jim Calhoun's team legitimate Final Four contenders next season with the return of all five starters — A.J. Price, Jeff Adrien, Thabeet, Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson. The Huskies also add talented wing Nate Miles to the equation. However, Miles has bounced around from high school to high school and has had numerous off-court problems. Thabeet made a dramatic improvement this past season after struggling for much of his freshman campaign. The Tanzania native averaged 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 60 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line.

Jordan Taylor named Minnesota's Mr. Basketball -- Rivals/BladgerBlitz reports: Wisconsin Badger signee Jordan Taylor was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Minnesota at a banquet Sunday night. The field of finalists had been narrowed to five— Taylor, Anthony Tucker, Minnetonka; Cody Schilling, Ellsworth; Armond Battle, Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Jared Berggren of Princeton—before the point guard took home the top honor. Taylor, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound guard from St. Louis Park, Minn., was a second-team all-state selection by the Associated Press as a junior. He led Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School to a Minnesota state Class AAA runner-up finish last year as he averaged 19.5 points, 6.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds.


College Basketball News: Sun, Apr. 27

Calipari signs contract extension through 2012-2013 -- The AP reports: Memphis coach John Calipari signed a contract extension through the 2012-13 season that includes an annual raise of $500,000 and a $5 million bonus if he stays through the end of the contract. Calipari’s new contract will pay him $2.35 million per year. Calipari took the Tigers to the national championship game this year, the program’s first Final Four since 1985 and first NCAA final since 1973. Memphis lost 75-68 in overtime to Kansas. Calipari said the offer was made a month ago, but recruiting and other duties kept him too busy to sign the deal.

UCLA’s Collison decides to return for senior season -- The AP reports: UCLA point guard Darren Collison will return to the Bruins for his senior season. Collison had been projected as a probable first-round pick in the NBA draft, but chose not to follow teammates Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook and Luc Richard Mbah-a-Moute, who all declared themselves eligible for the draft earlier this month.

Stanford hires Dawkins as new basketball coach -- The AP reports: In Johnny Dawkins, Stanford found a respected coach from another storied program—certainly a favorable mix in the eyes of athletic director Bob Bowlsby. Dawkins, a longtime assistant coach at Duke under Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, has been hired as the Cardinal’s new coach. He replaces Pac-10 Coach of the Year Trent Johnson, who left for LSU earlier this month. Stanford said Saturday that Dawkins will be formally introduced in a news conference on campus Monday. “We are thrilled to welcome Johnny and his family to Stanford,” Bowlsby said in a statement.

UNC’s Green testing NBA waters -- The AP reports: North Carolina sixth man Danny Green declared for the NBA draft Saturday but will not hire an agent. The forward from North Babylon, N.Y., announced his decision one day after Associated Press player of the year Tyler Hansbrough said he would return for his senior year but teammates Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington indicated they would enter the draft pool without agents.


College Basketball News: Sat, Apr. 26

Pitt’s Young will return for senior season -- The AP reports: Pittsburgh forward Sam Young, the Big East’s most improved player last season, will return for his senior year. The 6-foot-7 Young weighed entering the NBA draft but, with two other starters back from last season’s team that went 27-10, decided to finish his college career. Pitt also returns point guard Levance Fields and center DeJuan Blair.

IU allows Crean off-campus visits -- The AP reports: Indiana University will allow new coach Tom Crean limited time for off-campus recruiting after originally denying it because of self-imposed sanctions, the school announced Friday. Crean will have 10 off-campus recruiting days until July 31, according to school spokesman J.D. Campbell. Before the change, the school only allowed assistants Tim Buckley and Bennie Seltzer to recruit off campus. The restrictions followed alleged recruiting violations by former coach Kelvin Sampson.

BYU guard Cummard entering draft -- The AP reports: Brigham Young guard Lee Cummard is entering the NBA draft, but will keep his options open by not hiring an agent. Cummard, a 6-foot-7 junior, said Friday that he wants to see what kind of interest teams have in him between now and the June 26 draft.

Hansbrough returns; Ellington, Lawson declare for NBA draft -- The AP reports: Tyler Hansbrough wants to make one more run at the national championship. The North Carolina star will have to wait a little longer to find out whether two of his high-scoring teammates will be back to help him. The Associated Press national player of the year said Friday that he will return for his senior year. However, sophomores Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington will declare for the NBA draft, though they won’t hire agents—leaving open the possibility of their return... Both Ellington and Lawson said in statements that they would remain in good academic standing while working out for NBA teams to learn more about their draft potential. Players who declare but do not hire an agent have until June 16 to withdraw their names.

LSU approves contracts for Miles, Johnson, Alleva -- The AP reports: LSU’s new basketball coach Trent Johnson will make at least $1.2 million a year and athletic director Joe Alleva will earn at least $550,000 in contracts approved Friday by the governing board. Football coach Les Miles’ $3.75 million contract was adjusted to increase the amount LSU would owe if he was fired without cause. His salary was announced last month. Each contract is for five years. Johnson could bring in an extra $600,000 a year if the basketball team plays in postseason games and up to $200,000 more if the team meets certain academic goals.


College Basketball News: Fri, Apr. 25

2 Tigers to test waters in NBA draft -- The AP reports: Missouri starters DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons declared for the NBA draft Thursday, though neither will hire an agent and could return to school. As long as they maintain their academic standing and withdraw their names by June 16, both would be eligible to return.

UAB’s Davis receives 2-year contract extension -- The AP reports: UAB men’s basketball coach Mike Davis received a two-year contract extension and a $25,000 raise Thursday. The new deal was approved by the compensation committee of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. It runs through the 2012-2013 season.

Virginia Commonwealth reworks Anthony Grant’s contract -- The AP reports: Virginia Commonwealth and men’s basketball coach Anthony Grant have agreed in principle to a contract extension and raise to keep him at the school through the 2013-14 season. “Coach Grant has had a significant positive impact on the entire university, not just athletics,” VCU President Eugene Trani said Thursday.

Tyler Smith to return to Tennessee for junior season -- The AP reports: Tyler Smith is returning to Tennessee for his junior season, hoping to improve his NBA draft prospects for next year. The 6-foot-7 forward scored 13.5 points a game and led the 31-win Volunteers in rebounds and assists last season. Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said Smith would have faced tough competition in the draft against 38 other underclassmen.

Alabama St. basketball player collapses and dies -- The AP reports: Alabama State basketball player Deshean Porchea collapsed and died after playing in a pickup game on campus. The 19-year-old sophomore passed out Wednesday afternoon after walking off the court and never regained consciousness, the university said. University spokeswoman Janel Bell said an autopsy was being performed Thursday to try to determine the cause of death. Alabama State planned a candlelight vigil Thurdsay


College Basketball News: Thu, Apr. 24

Kellogg introduced as new UMass coach -- The AP reports: Derek Kellogg, who played on four Atlantic 10 championship teams at Massachusetts in the 1990s, was formally introduced as his alma mater’s head coach on Wednesday. Kellogg, who had been an assistant coach at Memphis for the last eight years, attended a news conference and pep rally, where he was greeted by several hundred fans. He replaced Travis Ford, who was hired at Oklahoma State this month after three years at UMass that featured two NIT appearances. Athletic director John McCutcheon said Kellogg would receive a six-year contract but terms have not been finalized.

Texas’ Augustin, Abrams declare for NBA draft -- The AP reports: D.J. Augustin is declaring for the NBA draft, and Texas teammate A.J. Abrams is headed with him. The Longhorns lost their All-America point guard Wednesday when Augustin announced he would skip his final two seasons at Texas and enter the draft, where he is widely considered a a first-round pick. “I have dreamed of playing in the NBA since I was a little boy, and I am ready to start living this dream,” Augustin said.

Memphis’ Anderson, Dozier join teammates in NBA draft -- The AP reports: The Memphis Tigers’ entire starting lineup last season has declared for the NBA draft now that juniors Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier have become the last from the 2008 NCAA runner-up to announce. The school announced Wednesday that neither Anderson and Dozier is expected to sign with an agent, leaving the possibility of returning for their senior season open. They joined Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts as early entries along with senior center Joey Dorsey.

Xavier extends Miller’s contract -- The AP reports: Xavier coach Sean Miller has agreed to a 10-year contract extension. The 39-year-old Miller led the Musketeers to a 30-7 record and an NCAA Elite Eight appearance last season.

Louisville planning for life without Caracter -- The AP reports: Rick Pitino said Wednesday it’s unlikely forward Derrick Caracter will return to the Cardinals after declaring for the NBA draft. Caracter announced his intention to enter the draft following Louisville’s loss to North Carolina in the NCAA tournament last month, but has since approached Pitino about staying in school. Pitino told Caracter, who averaged 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds this season, his game wasn’t NBA ready.

Arizona’s Kevin O’Neill reassigned -- The AP reports: Arizona assistant basketball coach Kevin O’Neill has been reassigned to duties within the athletic department. The 51-year-old O’Neill was hired last spring, and took over as interim coach when coach Lute Olson took a personal leave of absence last season. After Olson returned in March, he announced that O’Neill would no longer be a part of his staff.

Rebels land much-needed big man -- Rivals reports: There was likely a collective sigh of relief among the Ole Miss basketball staff late this afternoon when Daytona Beach Community College forward DeAundre Cranston signed a national letter-of-intent with the Rebels. The 6-foot-9, 245-pounder averaged a double-double at Daytona Beach each of the last two seasons, picking up 10.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game this past season. Cranston, an Orlando native, added 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game last season as well.


College Basketball News: Wed, Apr. 23

Maynor returning for senior year -- The AP reports: Virginia Commonwealth point guard Eric Maynor, the Colonial Athletic Association’s player of the year, will return for his senior season with the Rams rather than enter the NBA draft.

Crean’s toughest challenge: Academics -- The AP reports: Tom Crean isn’t worried about wins, losses or even rosters right now. To him, it’s all about making grades. As if the new Indiana coach didn’t have enough to worry about with an NCAA investigation, he’s now wrestling with an academic problem that threatens to cost the program up to two additional scholarships. “The APR (academic progress report) is really the governing body for all of what’s going on right now, so we have to put that at the forefront of where we’re at,” he told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “I think every coach running a successful program has to be concerned with where we are in terms of the APR.” If Indiana fails to meet the NCAA’s cutoff score, 925, it faces the prospect of losing more scholarships. The school already stripped itself of one next season because of Kelvin Sampson’s alleged phone call violations, and The Indianapolis Star reported the men’s basketball team is expected to turn in a score of 899 next month.

Official: UMass set to announce Kellogg as new coach -- The AP reports: The University of Massachusetts has agreed to hire Memphis assistant and former Minuteman player Derek Kellogg as the new basketball coach, The Associated Press learned Tuesday. Kellogg takes over from Travis Ford, who left to coach at Oklahoma State, a UMass official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the announcement was scheduled for Wednesday.

Boston College forward Spears transferring to Charlotte -- The AP reports: Boston College forward Shamari Spears is transferring to Charlotte after finishing as the Eagles’ third-leading scorer last season. A Charlotte spokesman said Tuesday that Spears wanted to be closer to his home in Salisbury because of an undisclosed family medical issue.

Clemson’s Rivers to return -- The AP reports: Clemson’s K.C. Rivers decided on Tuesday to return to the Tigers for his senior season. Rivers was Clemson’s leading scorer last season, averaging 14.7 points a game

Mississippi St. PG Gordon declares for NBA draft -- The AP reports: Mississippi State point guard Jamont Gordon has declared for the NBA draft, but won’t hire an agent. Gordon told The Associated Press he filed the paperwork Tuesday afternoon. In a phone interview, Gordon said he intends to go through with the draft if he remains injury-free and expects his gamble will pay off. “I was excited about all the information I was getting,” Gordon said. Gordon sent a letter to the NBA last spring to declare for the draft, then withdrew it two days later. Players can declare for the draft then withdraw without losing their eligibility only once during their college careers, but because Gordon changed his mind so quickly, his letter hadn’t been logged yet.

UConn’s Curtis Kelly to transfer to another school -- The AP reports: Connecticut forward Curtis Kelly in transferring in hopes of earning more playing time at another school. The sophomore is speaking to other schools and has yet to decide where he will go, UConn announced Tuesday.


College Basketball News: Tue, Apr. 22

Stanford interviews top assistant Oliver -- The AP reports: Top Stanford assistant Doug Oliver became the first candidate to interview for the Cardinal’s head coaching vacancy Monday. Oliver just completed his second season as the lead assistant at Stanford, where he also worked in the same capacity from 1986-1998. Athletic director Bob Bowlsby is looking to fill a job that opened when fourth-year coach Trent Johnson left for LSU on April 10. Oliver, who has 28 years of coaching experience in Division I and 35 years overall, did serve as the team’s head coach for part of one game this season.

Ohio State’s Koufos to enter NBA draft -- The AP reports: Ohio State freshman center Kosta Koufos will declare for the NBA draft but will not immediately sign with an agent, the school said Monday. By not signing with an agent, the 7-foot Koufos leaves open the possibility of returning to the Buckeyes next season, Ohio State spokesman Dan Wallenberg said in a statement.

Two guards to transfer from St. John’s -- The AP reports: Guards Larry Wright and Mike Cavataio will transfer from St. John’s to other schools following the spring semester.

Drake hires Arizona State assistant Phelps -- The AP reports: Arizona State assistant Mark Phelps was hired as Drake’s men’s basketball coach Monday, replacing Keno Davis. Phelps’ hiring came less than a week after Davis took the Providence job. School officials said Phelps was their top choice. Phelps recalled hearing from Drake athletic director Sandy Hatfield Clubb.

James Green becomes coach at Jacksonville St; led MVSU to tourney -- The AP reports: James Green was hired as the men’s basketball coach at Jacksonville State, leaving Mississippi Valley State after leading the Delta Devils to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1996. Green replaces Mike LaPlante, fired after going 95-137 in eight seasons at Jacksonville State.


College Basketball News: Sat, Apr. 19

Pat Flannery retires from Bucknell’s bench -- The AP reports: Pat Flannery tugged on his suit before stepping to the podium, a routine he’d performed hundreds of times in postgame news conferences in his 14 years as Bucknell basketball coach. Friday was different. He wasn’t rehashing the Bison’s two NCAA tournaments during his tenure, highlighted by an upset of Kansas in 2005, nor explaining how the small Patriot League school could reach the Top 25 the following season. Flannery was about to announce his retirement. He said he will step down effective July 1, when he will assume a new job as a fundraiser for the university. He cited a desire to spend more time with family as a big factor in leaving as head coach at his alma mater.

Mbah a Moute will enter NBA draft -- The AP reports: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is the latest UCLA player intending to leave early for the NBA. The junior forward said Friday he will enter the draft. The 6-foot-8 Mbah a Moute won’t hire an agent right away, keeping him eligible to return to UCLA for his senior year. “I feel that it is in my best interest to see what the NBA has to offer,” Mbah a Moute said. “I have had a wonderful experience at UCLA.”

Memphis’ Douglas-Roberts heading to NBA -- The AP reports: Memphis All-American guard Chris Douglas-Roberts will enter the NBA draft, joining teammate Derrick Rose as an early entry to the pros, the school announced Friday. Douglas-Roberts led the Tigers with 18.1 points a game as a junior and helped them set a Division I record with 38 victories. He was picked for the NCAA all-tournament team after Memphis lost the championship game to Kansas 75-68 in overtime. “The ride that we all took together this year is what dreams are made of, and now I feel it is time to pursue my ultimate dream of playing in the NBA,” he said in a statement.

Travis Ford gets $9.1 million deal to coach Oklahoma State -- The AP reports: New Oklahoma State basketball coach Travis Ford will receive $1.3 million a year for seven years in a deal approved Friday in a unanimous vote by the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents. Ford spoke to regents in executive session for about half an hour before they voted on his hiring during their regularly scheduled meeting at Langston University. He was introduced as the Cowboys’ coach a day earlier in Stillwater. University spokesman Gary Shutt said details of Ford’s contract are being worked out and that it likely won’t be signed until sometime next week. Shutt said Ford’s annual base salary will be $250,000, with the remaining $1.05 million per year considered payment for personal services.


College Basketball News: Thu, Apr. 17

Oklahoma State to hire UMass’ Ford -- The AP reports: Travis Ford replaced Sean Sutton when the two were still playing college basketball. He’ll do it again in the coaching profession. Ford agreed Wednesday to leave his job as Massachusetts’ coach to take over Sutton’s old position at Oklahoma State. A news conference was planned in Stillwater on Thursday to formally introduce him. In a twist of fate, Ford has been in a position to follow Sutton once before. After growing up in Kentucky, Ford ended up leaving the state to start his college career when the coach seemed headed toward playing his son at the point guard position. Kentucky’s coach at the time? Eddie Sutton. And his point guard? His son, Sean.

UCLA’s Love to announce future plans at news conference -- The AP reports: UCLA All-American Kevin Love will announce his plans for next season at a campus news conference Thursday. The freshman center led the Bruins in scoring (17.5 points) and rebounds (10.6). They lost in the national semifinals to Memphis and finished the season with a 35-4 record.

Pennsylvania prep basketball star Evans chooses Memphis -- The AP reports: One of the country’s last undecided high-profile basketball recruits will spend next season at Memphis. Tyreke Evans, the most valuable player of the McDonald’s All-American game last month, announced his decision Wednesday at a news conference surrounded by his family at American Christian School. “It was a tough decision, I wanted to stay close to home with my mom, my brothers and my family, but the school I chose was the University of Memphis,” Evans said.

Assault complaint dismissed against Memphis forward -- The AP reports: A domestic assault complaint has been dismissed against University of Memphis basketball player Robert Dozier. No charges were filed in the Feb. 3 incident involving Dozier’s ex-girlfriend outside a Beale Street nightclub.

Kansas State signs coach Frank Martin to 5-year contract -- The AP reports: Kansas State basketball coach Frank Martin signed a five-year contract Wednesday that will keep him with the Wildcats through the 2011-12 season. Martin will get a base salary of $180,000 with a total compensation package of $760,000, which includes TV, radio and internet appearances, shoe and apparel sponsorships, and other services.


College Basketball News: Wed, Apr. 16

Gonzaga’s Pargo declares for NBA draft -- The AP reports: Gonzaga guard Jeremy Pargo has declared himself eligible for the NBA draft but is reserving the option of returning for his senior season by not hiring an agent. In a statement released Tuesday by Gonzaga, Pargo said going through the draft’s early entry process will be a great learning experience.

Kent State hires former Indiana assistant Rob Senderoff -- The AP reports: Rob Senderoff can’t change his past or what happened at Indiana. He’s only looking forward. Senderoff, involved in a phone-call scandal that led to Kelvin Sampson’s resignation and NCAA scrutiny at Indiana, was hired Tuesday as an assistant at Kent State, returning to the school where he spent four years before joining Sampson’s staff. “I couldn’t be happier to be back,” Senderoff said. Last October, Senderoff resigned from his job with the Hoosiers amid a university investigation that he broke NCAA rules by making illegal phone calls to recruits. The investigation led to Sampson accepting a $750,000 buyout in February.


College Basketball News: Tue, Apr. 15

Gonzaga G Pargo declares for draft -- Ticker reports: Gonzaga guard Jeremy Pargo on Tuesday declared for the the upcoming NBA Draft but will not hire an agent - keeping the door open for a possible return for his senior season. Pargo was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year this past season after averaging 12.1 points and 6.0 assists as a junior.

Kent State hires former Indiana assistant Rob Senderoff -- The AP reports: Rob Senderoff can’t change his past or what happened at Indiana. He’s only looking forward. Senderoff, involved in a phone-call scandal that led to Kelvin Sampson’s resignation and NCAA scrutiny at Indiana, was hired Tuesday as an assistant at Kent State, returning to the school where he spent four years before joining Sampson’s staff. “I couldn’t be happier to be back,” Senderoff said.

Memphis’ Rose going to NBA, Calipari agrees to extension -- The AP reports: Memphis freshman Derrick Rose announced he was jumping to the NBA Tuesday, the same day coach John Calipari agreed in principle to a contract extension with the school. Rose capped his spectacular first season by leading Memphis to the national championship game, where they lost to Kansas in overtime. The 6-foot-3 guard from Chicago averaged 20.8 points in six NCAA tournament games and will likely be taken with one of the top picks in the draft. Terms of Calipari’s deal have not been finalized.

LSU forward Anthony Randolph signs with agent -- The AP reports: LSU forward Anthony Randolph, who announced last week that he was leaving LSU for the NBA draft, signed an agent on Tuesday, officially ending his college career. Randolph, the Tigers’ leading rebounder and shot blocker and the second-leading scorer last season, said he agreed be represented by the company headed by sports agent Arn Tellem. Former NBA star B.J. Armstrong will represent Randolph.

Wiggins transferring from UConn -- The AP reports: Connecticut announced sophomore guard Doug Wiggins has asked to be released from his scholarship so he can transfer. Coach Jim Calhoun said Tuesday he respects Wiggins’ decision and the school will help him finish the semester in good standing.

Butler coach Brad Stevens signs contract extension -- The AP reports: Butler coach Brad Stevens signed a seven-year contract extension Tuesday, keeping him with the Bulldogs at least through the 2014-15 basketball season. The 31-year-old Stevens, one of the youngest coaches in Division I, led Butler to a school- and Horizon League-record 30-4 mark in his first year as head coach last season. The Bulldogs, ranked among the nation’s Top 25 almost all season, lost to Tennessee in overtime in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Bryan Bouchie to transfer from Valparaiso -- The AP reports: Freshman forward Bryan Bouchie has been granted a release from Valparaiso and will transfer to another school. The 6-foot-11 Bouchie played in all 36 games for the Crusaders last season and averaged 7 points and 3.3 rebounds.

UTEP basketball star Stefon Jackson arrested -- The AP reports: UTEP basketball star Stefon Jackson was arrested Tuesday on charges that he hindered an investigation into a Pennsylvania shooting. Deputy sheriffs searched Jackson’s off-campus apartment and arrested a man wanted in a separate Philadelphia murder case. Jackson, a 21-year-old junior from Philadelphia, was being held on $3,000 bail. He faces a charge of hindering apprehension or prosecution, a third-degree felony, in a case involving his 20-year-old cousin, Willie Harden.

Big Ten-ACC Challenge features Duke at Purdue -- The AP reports: Purdue will host Duke and North Carolina will be at Michigan State as part of the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge in early December.


College Basketball News: Mon, Apr. 14

Beasley leaving Kansas State for NBA after 1 season -- The AP reports: After putting together one of the best freshman seasons ever, Michael Beasley is headed to the NBA. Kansas State’s All-American freshman announced Monday that he will skip his final three seasons to enter the June 26 NBA draft, where he could be the No. 1 overall pick. “It’s time to take my game to the next level,” Beasley said as his family and several teammates looked on. “I think I proved myself over the course of the season. I just think it’s time for new challenges.”

Bill Walker enters draft, won't hire agent -- The AP reports: Fellow freshman Bill Walker also announced Monday that he was making himself eligible for the draft, but he won’t sign with an agent. That means that Walker, who averaged 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds this season, can remove his name prior to the draft and be eligible to return to Kansas State for his sophomore year.

San Francisco hires Rex Walters as new basketball coach -- The AP reports: San Francisco lured former NBA player Rex Walters away from Florida Atlantic to take over its struggling basketball program. Walters, who had a 31-33 record in two seasons for the Owls, was formally introduced at a news conference Monday. “The University of San Francisco is a national name and we need to be a national basketball program,” Walters said. “The challenge of that really excited me.” Walters takes over for Jessie Evans, who was forced to take a leave of absence in the middle of last season and then was fired last month.

Lawrence barbershop returns Roy Williams’ picture to place of honor -- The AP reports: Roy Williams is out of the outhouse. The large sketch of the former Kansas coach was removed from the men’s room of the Downtown Barbershop on Monday where it had hung as a symbol of fan anger ever since he departed for North Carolina in 2003. Now “Ol’ Roy” is back where he used to be, prominently displayed among the hundreds of sketches, photographs and memorabilia that make the landmark little shop near the Kansas campus a shrine to Jayhawks athletics. Instead of facing the urinal in the back of the building, the man who coached Kansas to nine conference championships is facing customers out front. His smiling countenance is nestled between photographs of former Jayhawks greats Clyde Lovellette and Wilt Chamberlain.

Vols guard Prince out 3-4 months following shoulder surgery -- The AP reports: Tennessee guard J.P. Prince had arthroscopic reconstructive surgery on his left shoulder and was expected to make a full recovery by the start of practice in October.


College Basketball News: Sun, Apr. 13

Kansas fans turn out in droves for parade, celebration -- The AP reports: In possibly the biggest celebration in the city’s history, tens of thousands of fans lined downtown streets Sunday to honor the national basketball champion Kansas Jayhawks. Fans from as far away as Colorado and Minnesota, some in trees and on rooftops, came to get a glimpse of coach Bill Self, Mario Chalmers and the rest of the team that beat Memphis 75-68 to win the NCAA championship. Fans lined the sidewalks as many as 10 deep to watch as players, coaches and team personnel paraded by in shiny red and black Mustang and Corvette convertibles.

Kentucky G Jodie Meeks undergoes surgery for sports hernia -- The AP reports: Kentucky sophomore guard Jodie Meeks is recovering from surgery to repair a bilateral sports hernia. Meeks underwent the surgery Friday in Philadelphia by Dr. Bill Meyers, who diagnosed the injury Thursday.


2008 NCAA Basketball Tournament: Tournament #1 seeds: North Carolina, Memphis, Kansas, UCLA... #2 seeds: Tennessee, Texas, Georgetown, Duke... #3 seeds: Louisville, Stanford, Wisconsin, Xavier... #4 seeds: Washington State, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, Connecticut... #5 seeds: Notre Dame, Michigan State, Clemson, Drake... #6 seeds: Oklahoma, Marquette, USC, Purdue... #7 seeds: Butler, Miami (FL), Gonzaga, West Virginia... #8 seeds: Indiana, Mississippi State, UNLV, BYU.

TEAMS THAT MADE THE ELITE 8:
#1 UCLA, #1 North Carolina, #1 Memphis, #1 Kansas, #2 Texas, #3 Xavier, #3 Louisville, #10 Davidson

FINAL FOUR MATCHUPS:
#1 UCLA vs #1 Memphis, #1 Kansas vs #1 UNC

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT
#1 Kansas 75, #1 Memphis 68, OT

College Basketball News: Tue, Apr. 8

#1 Kansas 75, #1 Memphis 68, OT -- The AP reports: Memphis kept missing. Mario Chalmers wasn’t about to. Chalmers’ 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in regulation put the game in overtime, and Kansas pulled away to a 75-68 victory on Monday night for its first national championship since Danny and the Miracles 20 years ago... Chalmers’ game-saving 3 came after Memphis missed four of five free throws that would have put the game and the title out of reach. It completed a comeback from nine points down with 2:12 left... Although Chalmers will go down in history, the most memorable overall performance came from Derrick Rose, the Memphis freshman, who completely took over the game in the second half, scoring 14 of his team’s 16 points during one stretch to lift the Tigers to a 60-51 lead with 2:12 left... But Kansas (37-3) used the strategy any smart opponent of Memphis’ would— fouling the heck out of one of the country’s worst free-throw-shooting teams— and when Rose and Douglas-Roberts made only one of five over the last 1:12, it left the door open for KU... Rose went crazy during Memphis’ second half run. A 3-pointer here, a scooping layup for a three-point play next. Then, the capper, an off-balance, 18-foot shot off glass with the shot-clock buzzer sounding. Officials at first credited Rose with a 3, but went to the replay monitor and saw he was clearly inside the line.

InsideHoops.com Stat Notes: For Kansas, Darrell Arthur (9-of-13) had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Mario Chalmers (5-of-13) had 18 points and 4 steals. Brandon Rush (5-of-9) had 12 points and 6 rebounds. Sherron Collins (4-of-10) had 11 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.

InsideHoops.com Stat Notes: For Memphis, Chris Douglas-Roberts (7-of-16) had 22 points and little else. Derrick Rose (7-of-17, 1-of-6 threes) had 18 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists (5 turnovers) and 2 steals. Robert Dozier (4-of-11) had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists. Antonio Anderson (3-of-9) had 9 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals.

Kansas shot 29-of-55 (52.7%, Memphis 25-of-62 (40.3%). Kansas hit just 3-of-12 (25.0%) three-pointers, Memphis just 6-of-22 (27.3%). Kansas hit 14-of-15 free throws, Memphis just 12-of-19. Kansas controlled the boards, 37-27. Both teams dished 14 assists. Brandon Rush had Kansas' only block.

Self wants to stay at Kansas but won’t rule out talking to Oklahoma State -- The AP reports: After leading Kansas to its first NCAA title in 20 years, Bill Self said he hopes to stay with the Jayhawks. The newly crowned national championship coach wouldn’t rule out listening to an offer from Oklahoma State, where Sean Sutton resigned under pressure April 1. “That’s my alma mater,” Self said as he left the interview room after Kansas’ 75-68 overtime victory over Memphis on Monday night. “I know people down there. But they haven’t contacted me."

Rose nearly lifted Memphis to a title; frosh star’s missed FT may lingers -- The AP reports: Derrick Rose scored a three-point play on one of his wild, pump-filled dashes to the rim and made a crazy-good long bank shot off an inbounds pass. Memphis’ sensational freshman approached a triple-double despite a Kansas defense stacked against him and powered a game-changing stretch, scoring 14 points and assisting on the only other basket in a run that took his team from down by three to up by seven. If only he had made a free throw with 10 seconds left, or gotten called for a foul he was trying to commit, he probably would’ve turned Memphis into national champs... When Rose looks back on this season, he’ll have lots of fond memories: The 38 wins, the most by a Division I team; the five weeks at No. 1 and never being lower than No. 3 in the poll; being the first Conference USA team to make the national title game and the first team from a non-BCS league to make it since UNLV in 1990.

Chalmers’ big shot leads Kansas to first national title since 1988 -- The AP reports: Mario Chalmers knew his historic moment was coming. Jarrett Jack had all but predicted it back in 2004. Chalmers was friends with Jack, a guard at Georgia Tech, which lost to Connecticut in the national final. Chalmers attended the game, which, by chance, was played at the Alamodome. “I talked to him a little bit after the game,” Chalmers said. “He said, ‘One day you’ll be there. When you get there, make the most of your opportunity.’ “ Chalmers did precisely that. His 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds to play sent the national final into overtime, where Kansas pulled it out 75-68 over Memphis. Chalmers, the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, finished with 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-6 from beyond the arc. He made all six of his free throws and had three assists.

Memphis coach had his mind made up about the closing seconds -- The AP reports: Memphis had a nine-point lead with 2:12 to play. Poor free-throw shooting and a costly turnover allowed Kansas to get within 63-60 with 10 seconds to play. Start the debate: Do you foul somebody before a possible tying shot can be taken? There is the possibility the player you foul gets off a quick 3-point attempt, it goes in and you are suddenly a free throw from being behind. An official could decide the foul was too hard, call it intentional and after the free throws, the team would get the ball back, now with a chance to go ahead. Memphis coach John Calipari made his decision in front of 43,257 fans in the Alamodome and millions watching on television: foul before the shot. It didn’t happen.

Rush’s defense helps lead Kansas to first national title since 1988 -- The AP reports: At times, Rush was so tight on Douglas-Roberts that he seemed to be inside his tattoos. Douglas-Roberts had 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor in the first half, but Rush never gave him a chance to take over the game when it mattered. Douglas-Roberts had only one field goal in the second half and one in overtime. Early in overtime, Rush pressured Douglas-Roberts into a turnover and then scored on a layup at the other end. Kansas led the rest of the way. “They were really sagging,” Douglas-Roberts said. “So wherever I drove, it was a man there. It made it real difficult to drive. And they pretty much played like that the whole game.” Rush helped lead the Jayhawks to their third NCAA title, and first since 1988. A fan in the Jayhawks-heavy Alamodome crowd flashed a placard that read, “1988: Twenty years in the making.” The man who led the Jayhawks to that title, Danny Manning, was sitting on the Kansas bench as one of Bill Self’s assistant coaches.

A bit of everything in a game for the ages, but mostly a national title for Kansas -- The AP reports: “Unbelievable game,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “Unbelievable finish.” They believe it in Kansas because Mario Chalmers calmly stepped up and hit the shot of his life, a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 2.1 seconds left that sent a game that seemingly had been lost into overtime. They will find it hard to believe in Memphis, where the free throw shooting that coach John Calipari dismissed as simply unimportant turned out to be the only reason Chalmers had a chance to tie the game at all. Memphis wasn’t going to practice free throws because Calipari either didn’t want his team thinking negative thoughts, or thought they were so good that they wouldn’t need them anyway. Call it arrogance, but the strategy worked all the way up until the final 1:15 of the game, when the two star guards of the Tigers combined to miss four out of five free throws and blow what was almost certainly the school’s first national championship.

Memphis fouls up its chance to win title as missed free throws lead to 75-68 OT loss to Kansas -- The AP reports: “Let’s put it this way: Did we have the guys at the line that we wanted at the line? Yeah,” coach John Calipari said. “They don’t make every one. They’re not machines, these kids. They’re just not. “And under that glare of that significance—you know, I’m still kind of numb, to be honest with you,” he said. “It will probably hit me like a ton of bricks tomorrow, that we had it in our grasp.” In their hands on the foul line, more accurately. “When we was on the line, we was trying to make them,” Rose said. “But I guess we didn’t do it.” All season long, as Rose and Douglas-Roberts dazzled with an assortment of trick shots, doubters said the Tigers’ inability to make a simple, 15-foot shot while standing still would cost them. Memphis made barely 59 percent in the regular season, third-worst in Division I. Calipari always laughed at that notion, saying the Tigers would nail them when it counted. Sometimes he got downright mad, as if anyone who would suggest such a thing didn’t know much about basketball.

Jubilant Kansas takes to streets to celebrate NCAA championship -- The AP reports: A drizzling rain fell off and on in Lawrence during the game but had let up by the time the revelers hit the street for a celebration for which they had been waiting 20 years. What made the Jayhawks’ national championship even sweeter was the school and the coach they beat in Saturday’s semifinal—former Kansas coach Roy Williams, now at North Carolina. “We beat Roy Williams to get to the championship game and then we won in a great game in overtime,” said Chris Neverve, whose father owns the Red Lyon Tavern on Massachusetts Street. “It doesn’t get any sweeter. It can’t get any sweeter than this.” He called Chalmers’ game-tying 3-pointer “the biggest shot in Kansas history.” A crowd estimated at about 10,000 watched the game at Allen Fieldhouse, which has a capacity of about 16,000.


College Basketball News: Mon, Apr. 7

Peas or corn? Calipari served well by his three early years at Kansas -- The AP reports: John Calipari worked under coach Ted Owens, helping run his summer basketball camp. Brown took over when Owens was fired, and the new coach asked Calipari to stick around. Calipari stayed at Kansas for two more years and met his future wife, Ellen, who worked in the school’s business office. Later, Calipari’s path took him to Pitt as an assistant, the NBA and now the NCAA title game. Over the years, he’s always kept a soft spot for his start at Kansas. “I went out there with two pair of shoes, three pairs of slacks, a blue blazer, three shirts and two ties, happy as hell,” he said. Jayhawks coach Bill Self also apprenticed at Kansas, arriving as a graduate assistant after Calipari left. The two coaches are friends, and Self chuckled at the thought of Calipari working the food line.

Columbia assistant to be become New Jersey Tech coach -- The AP reports: Jim Engles, an assistant basketball coach at Columbia, Rider and Wagner the last 18 years, will take over the winless New Jersey Institute of Technology program this week. Engles, who has spent the past five seasons at Columbia, was offered the job last week, people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Sunday. They asked not to be identified because the appointment has not been officially announced. They said the longtime assistant and officials at New Jersey Tech are in the process of finalizing a contract. Engles refused to comment on the job in a telephone interview with The Associated Press, but he identified himself as “Jim Engles of New Jersey Tech” on the call.

(1) Kansas vs. (1) Memphis -- The AP reports: Memphis freshman Derrick Rose has thrived playing that style. He’ll probably move to the NBA next year. Chris Douglas-Roberts is also an NBA prospect. He’s averaged 18 points a game in this, his third year of playing in Calipari’s dribble-drive. “The offense isn’t for everybody,” Douglas-Roberts said. “If you can’t play 1-on-1, this offense will expose you. But for me, it was good. I’ve never lost a game of 1-on-1 in my life.” The Tigers, of course, augment this style with plenty of good transition offense, trying for easy layups and 3-on-2 fast breaks. Their opponent, Kansas, is also wide-open, but in a more traditional way, looking to drop the ball into post players—like Darrell Arthur and Darnell Jackson—in traditional strong-side positions, then kick it out for 3-pointers for Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers if the double teams come.

The AP reports: Indeed, Memphis does that differently. The post player almost always will be on the weak side, looking for a backdoor cut if the ballhandler’s penetration sets it up. The other four players will be on the perimeter, and whoever has the ball is urged to take it to the hoop and see what develops. If it doesn’t work the first time, recycle and repeat with a different player handling the ball. Some believe packing it in with a zone defense is the best way to neutralize this attack. In the regional semifinals, Michigan State played a lot of zone and was trailing 50-20 at halftime.

Memphis’ Douglas-Roberts: A 1-on-1 sensation who is darn good at the 5-on-5 game, too -- The AP reports: Chris Douglas-Roberts usually saves slams for 1-on-1 games, so this one brought teammates to their feet, whooping and hollering. “People say he’s a hunchback, he’s not athletic and stuff like that,” said Doneal Mack, a backup guard who has yet to beat him 1-on-1. “I’m glad to see him finally doing his stuff.” Douglas-Roberts has been a starter nearly since the day he arrived at Memphis, but has gotten better every year. Strickland said this season he’s made the leap from good to great, and Mack said the change began the night after Memphis lost in the regional finals to Ohio State. CDR was back in the gym, just him and a machine that fires back rebounds. The goal was to perfect the most conventional part of his game—the jump shot.

Memphis one win from national championship, one loss too many from greatness -- The AP reports: A day before their official coronation, members of the best college team in the country stepped off a bus festooned with “Refuse to Lose” banners and made their way into the Alamodome to talk about what it all means to them. They walked the way they play, with a swagger reminiscent of a team that itself flirted with greatness a few years back. Most of them did, anyway. Derrick Rose had no trouble digesting UCLA the night before, but too many gummy bears gave him a stomachache and he ended up in the trainer’s room, leaving the rest of his Memphis teammates to talk about just how good he really is. Turns out the freshman is really good, though anyone who has watched the Memphis run through the NCAA tournament could tell you that. Rose has the instinctive ability and physical tools to break down any defense off the dribble, even if he’s not even the best player in the mano-a-mano contests the Tigers hold among themselves before and after practice.

Texas assistant Ken McDonald to become coach at Western Kentucky -- The AP reports: Ken McDonald spent most of his final season as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky in 2002-03 working inside a cramped trailer outside E.A. Diddle Arena while the university gave the aging facility a makeover. By the time the remodeled arena reopened, McDonald was following coach Dennis Felton to Georgia. Still, McDonald kept his eye on the Hilltoppers, secretly hoping one day he’d get a chance to return, make himself at home in the new digs and cement Western Kentucky’s place as one of the nation’s top mid-major programs. That happened Sunday, when the Texas assistant was hired to replace Darrin Horn, who left the Hilltoppers for South Carolina last week.

Kansas defense will face test against Memphis in NCAA national championship -- The AP reports: Were it not for a big stop at the end of the regional final against Davidson, Kansas might not even be playing for its third NCAA title. Clinging to a 59-57 lead in the final seconds, the Jayhawks blanketed Stephen Curry, forcing him to give the ball up to a teammate who missed a hurried heave. On Sunday, Kansas coach Bill Self wasn’t divulging how he’ll try to tame the Tigers, who average 80 points per game, 14th nationally. But Memphis coach John Calipari said his team will be ready for anything, even a zone. “It doesn’t matter what they play,” Calipari said. “We want to attack. We’re going to try to attack the rim.” The closer the shot, the higher the percentage. But Kansas makes it tough on opposing shooters. Kansas ranks third nationally in field-goal percentage defense, limiting opponents to 37.9 percent shooting from the floor.

Brandon Rush’s NBA dreams still there and so could be national championship -- The AP reports: Rush had 25 points on 11-for-17 shooting in the 84-66 semifinal victory over North Carolina. It was his highest point total since he got 28 in the Big 12 semifinals against Texas A&M. But Rush has been a huge factor in the NCAA tournament run with his defense against the opponents’ top guards. On Monday night, Memphis All-America guard Chris Douglas-Roberts will be Rush’s latest assignment. “I love being in that role, just trying to limit one of the star players,” Rush said. “That’s my whole goal tomorrow. I know he’s probably going to get his points, but I’m going to try and make him work for them.” The national championship game might not be Rush’s last as a collegian.

Stunned Tar Heels dwell on horrible performance against Kansas that ended historic season -- The AP reports: The Tar Heels (36-3) certainly have reason to feel good about the year. No team won more games in school history. They earned the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season and tournament titles for the second straight year. They reached their 17th Final Four with a strong run through the NCAA tournament’s East Regional, where they won all four games by double figures and cracked the 100-point mark in the first two rounds. Along the way, Hansbrough piled up several national player of the year awards—including from The Associated Press—ensuring that he would become only the eighth player in school history to have his jersey retired. Yet this season ended much like last year, when an unproven but talented group fell a game short of the Final Four thanks to a second-half collapse in the NCAA regional final against the Hoyas. The Tar Heels figured those experiences would make them even more prepared to win the national championship.


OLD ARTICLES

College: Princeton destroyed by Seton Hall The Tigers' defense got shredded. Read.

College Hoops: Floriani Notes On St John's, Gonzaga, Seton Hall, Notre Dame, Dominic James and more. Read.

Dec. 7, 2006: Jimmy V Classic -- Notes from the annual event.
July 14, 2006: Kojo Mensah in limbo at Siena.
May 29, 2006: Chris McCray interview on working out for Wizards.
May 6: Sidney Lowe is new NC State basketball coach
March 20, 2006: Women's college basketball player rankings
Older college basketball news stories and features are here.