According to an AP report Kevin Durant has won the Wooden Award, making him the first freshman to ever win the award. With this latest trophy the stellar freshman out of Texas has completed a sweep of every major player of the year honor in men's college basketball. Durant blew away the field, defeating second place finisher Greg Oden by 1,493 points in the voting. The future NBA lottery pick averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game this season.
It really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that Durant has won the player of the year honors in such convincing fashion. There wasn't another player in the country that could come close to matching the consistent stellar play that Durant exhibited all season long. If I have the top pick in the NBA Draft this summer I don't see how there is anyway that you can pass on Durant.
In other news according to the LA Times Long Beach State has hired former Minnesota coach Dan Monson as their new head basketball coach. Monson brings a solid resume to the 49ers who chose not to renew the contract of their former coach Larry Reynolds.
Monson was responsible for putting Gonzaga on the map after leading the Bulldogs to a 52-17 record in two seasons and an appearance in the 1999 West Regional final. Monson then left for the allure of the Big 10 and guided Minnesota to a 118-106 record in seven seasons with the team. He resigned from the position in November after a slow start.
This is a good move for Long Beach State. Monson is a proven winner, and he is fresh off coaching in a big time conference in the Big 10. Despite this though, Monson will certainly have his work cut out for him next season. The 49ers were 24-8 and appeared in the NCAA Tournament this past season, but they graduate their top seven scorers, and will be very young with four of their six returning players going into their sophomore year.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Friday, April 6, 2007
Donnie Jones to Coach Thundering Herd
Well the old adage has always been, put together a winning program and you assistant coaches will get head coaching jobs elsewhere. Florida's head coach Billy Donovan must face that now as his long time assistant coach Donnie Jones will be leaving the Gators. According to a report from The Gainesville Sun on Saturday afternoon Jones will be announced as the new head coach of Marshall.
Jones spent four years as an assistant coach at Marshall, two of which were under Billy Donovan, before he followed Donovan to Gainesville in 1996.
"It's exciting to go back because it is home, but I'm excited about the school there," Jones said in a report. "I think it's a great situation, a great program. Even though it is home, it's a place that I'm real excited about coaching at."
Marshall finished tied for 8th in Conference USA last year with a 7-9 record, they were 13-19 overall. They decided not to retain 4th year head coach Ron Jirsa at season's end.
In other news, according to the LA Times it is official now that UCLA assistant coach Kerry Keating has been hired by Santa Clara as their new head coach. Keating will be formally announced at a press conference on Monday. Keating has spent the last four years with the Bruins as one of the top recruiters in the country.
Jones spent four years as an assistant coach at Marshall, two of which were under Billy Donovan, before he followed Donovan to Gainesville in 1996.
"It's exciting to go back because it is home, but I'm excited about the school there," Jones said in a report. "I think it's a great situation, a great program. Even though it is home, it's a place that I'm real excited about coaching at."
Marshall finished tied for 8th in Conference USA last year with a 7-9 record, they were 13-19 overall. They decided not to retain 4th year head coach Ron Jirsa at season's end.
In other news, according to the LA Times it is official now that UCLA assistant coach Kerry Keating has been hired by Santa Clara as their new head coach. Keating will be formally announced at a press conference on Monday. Keating has spent the last four years with the Bruins as one of the top recruiters in the country.
Kansas St Finds Replacement for Huggins
It took very little time for K-State to get over the departure of former head coach Bob Huggins. According to a report by The Topeka Capital-Journal the school's athletic department will be releasing a report that names Frank Martin as the Wildcats new head coach. Martin was the top recruiter and assistant under Huggins this past season, and has served as an assistant coach for Northwestern and Cincinnati in the past as well. This will be the first ever head coaching position for Martin.
This is good news for K-State fans, as Martin was very instrumental in the recruiting of blue chip prospect Michael Beasley. In addition, Martin will be keeping assistant coach Dalonte Hill on his staff. Hill coached Beasley for the DC Assault AAU team. This doesn't ensure that the McDonald's All-American Game MVP won't still follow Huggins to West Virginia, but it certainly gives the Wildcats a fighting chance.
This is good news for K-State fans, as Martin was very instrumental in the recruiting of blue chip prospect Michael Beasley. In addition, Martin will be keeping assistant coach Dalonte Hill on his staff. Hill coached Beasley for the DC Assault AAU team. This doesn't ensure that the McDonald's All-American Game MVP won't still follow Huggins to West Virginia, but it certainly gives the Wildcats a fighting chance.
UCLA Coach May Depart; Plummer Leaving Dayton
According to a story in The Daily Bruin UCLA assistant basketball coach Kerry Keating has been listed as a finalist for the head coaching positions at both Long Beach State and Santa Clara. Keating has proven to be one of the top recruiters in the nation during his four years with the Bruins, and this would be his first head coaching position.
Long Beach State finished the 2006-07 season with a 24-8 record and earned the automatic NCAA Tournament bid out of the Big West Conference. Their season came to an end as a 12-seed in the tournament, falling to 5th seeded Tennessee 121-86 in the first round. The 49ers chose not to extend the contract of former head coach Larry Reynolds due in part to recruiting violations that were uncovered towards the end of the season.
Santa Clara narrowly missed an NCAA Tournament birth this season. After posting a 21-10 record, the Broncos fell to Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference championship game.
According to reports from Dayton's official athletic website, junior forward Norman Plummer has been granted his release by the Flyers to transfer to another school.
"After meeting with Norman, we all agreed that it would be best for him to complete his college career at another school," head coach Brian Gregory said in the article.
Plummer was a starter his first two seasons with Dayton, but saw his minutes drop this past season. After averaging 9.1 and 10.0 points per game in each of his first two years, Plummer averaged a career low 8.2 points per game this past season. Plummer has not yet stated where he intends to transfer to.
Long Beach State finished the 2006-07 season with a 24-8 record and earned the automatic NCAA Tournament bid out of the Big West Conference. Their season came to an end as a 12-seed in the tournament, falling to 5th seeded Tennessee 121-86 in the first round. The 49ers chose not to extend the contract of former head coach Larry Reynolds due in part to recruiting violations that were uncovered towards the end of the season.
Santa Clara narrowly missed an NCAA Tournament birth this season. After posting a 21-10 record, the Broncos fell to Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference championship game.
According to reports from Dayton's official athletic website, junior forward Norman Plummer has been granted his release by the Flyers to transfer to another school.
"After meeting with Norman, we all agreed that it would be best for him to complete his college career at another school," head coach Brian Gregory said in the article.
Plummer was a starter his first two seasons with Dayton, but saw his minutes drop this past season. After averaging 9.1 and 10.0 points per game in each of his first two years, Plummer averaged a career low 8.2 points per game this past season. Plummer has not yet stated where he intends to transfer to.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Fazekas Leaving Nevada Early
According to the Reno Gazette-Journal Nevada senior Nick Fazekas, the school's all-time leading scorer will be withdrawing and not completing his final semester so that he may train for the upcoming NBA Draft. The 6-11 Fazekas was named first team All-American by several pubilcations and was one of only three D-1 players to finish the season averaging better than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Nevada head coach Mark Fox wasn't thrilled with his stars decision to not complete school, but understands it happens in today's college game.
"Unfortunately, it's probably fairly common," Fox said in the Gazette-Journal report. "I want him to finish his education. One day, I think he will. That's very, very important to me and I think it is to him, too."
Based on scouting reports, Fazekas will likely be a first round selection in the draft.
Nevada head coach Mark Fox wasn't thrilled with his stars decision to not complete school, but understands it happens in today's college game.
"Unfortunately, it's probably fairly common," Fox said in the Gazette-Journal report. "I want him to finish his education. One day, I think he will. That's very, very important to me and I think it is to him, too."
Based on scouting reports, Fazekas will likely be a first round selection in the draft.
Gillispie to take Kentucky Job
According to a report in the Courier-Journal Kentucky will announce today that Billy Gillispie is the new head coach of the basketball program. Gillispie has spent the last five seasons with Texas A&M where he compiled a record of 100-58.
Gillispie has proven to a be a coach that can turn programs around in his time on the bench. The former assistant coach under Bill Self got his first break when he was hired as head coach of UTEP in 2002. He took the Miners from a 6-24 team in 2002, to a 24-8 record and an NCAA Tournament birth in his second season.
With the Aggies, Gillispie took a team that was 7-21 the prior to his arrival and turned them into a team that won 20+ games in each of the last three seasons, including a top 10 ranking and a Sweet 16 birth this year.
Kentucky has announced a pep rally for this afternoon at 12:15, more updates will come as they unfold.
Gillispie has proven to a be a coach that can turn programs around in his time on the bench. The former assistant coach under Bill Self got his first break when he was hired as head coach of UTEP in 2002. He took the Miners from a 6-24 team in 2002, to a 24-8 record and an NCAA Tournament birth in his second season.
With the Aggies, Gillispie took a team that was 7-21 the prior to his arrival and turned them into a team that won 20+ games in each of the last three seasons, including a top 10 ranking and a Sweet 16 birth this year.
Kentucky has announced a pep rally for this afternoon at 12:15, more updates will come as they unfold.
So Long Gators...and Bob Huggins?
The 2006-07 college basketball season has been over for just a little longer than 72 hours but that hasn't meant a lack of news in the NCAA. Here's a run down of all that has taken place since Florida cut down the net in Atlanta on Monday night.
Monday
- After being named NABC Coach of the Year, Todd Lickliter resigns from his position as head coach of Butler and takes the open position as Iowa's new coach. For Lickliter it was the best of his six season with the Bulldogs, leading them to a 29-7 record and a birth in the Sweet 16 before falling to eventual champ Florida. Lickliter will be replacing Steve Alford who left to coach New Mexico on March 23rd.
Tuesday
- Dana Altman pulled a 180 on Arkasas, quitting from the position as head coach, just one day after a press conference announced him to the position. Altman who has spent the last 13 season with the Creighton Blue Jays, will return to the team next season.
"This is something I'm doing for my family," Altman said in an Associated Press report Tuesday. "I wish I would have come to that decision earlier."
- Former West Virginia head coach John Beilein confirmed that he would be leaving Morgantown for Ann Arbor, and take the head coaching position at Michigan an AP report stated. Beilein went 104-60 in his time with the Moutaineers, including a 27-9 record this past year, the second most wins in school history. Beilein face high expectations from the Wolverine faithful who have seen their team in the NIT three out of the last four years.
- Colorado St junior forward Jason Smith announced he would be declaring for the NBA Draft. The 7-footer averaged 16.8 points and 10.1 rebounds during the past season while earning first-team All-Mountain West Conference recognition for the second straight year. Smith will not be signing with an agent to afford him the chance to return for his senior season if he isn't happy with where he is being projected in the draft.
- According to a report in the Daily Egyptian, third year Southern Illinois coach Chris Lowery agreed to a 7-year contract extension that will pay $750,000 a year. Lowery helped guide the Salukis to a #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a Sweet 16 birth this past season.
Wednesday
- Butler announced a press conference for Thursday afternoon where they would announce Brad Stevens as the new head coach of the basketball program. Stevens served as an assistant under former head coach Todd Lickliter for six seasons before taking the position.
"He's a familiar face to the program, having coached under Todd Lickliter and Thad Matta, and he embraces the Butler Way," said Director of Butler Athletics Barry Collier in an AP report interview.
- Air Force head coach Jeff Bzdelik resigned and took the head coaching position at the University of Colorado. In his two season with the Falcons Bzdelik led the team to a 50-16 record, one of just 17 D1 teams to win 50 games in the last two years.
- An AP story reported that Purdue players Chris Lutz and Johnathan Uchendu would be transferring to schools closer to home. Lutz, a guard, led the Big-10 in 3-point shooting at 47 percent, but only started in 10 games after starting in 24 as a freshman. Uchendu, a 6-11 freshman, had little impact on the team, averaging just 1.8 points per game.
Thursday
- Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, and Taurean Green all announced in a televised press conference that they would be forgoing their senior seasons at Florida and would enter the NBA Draft. The four juniors led the Gators to back-to-back national championships.
- Florida head coach Bill Donovan put to rest the rumours that he too would be departing Gainesville by stating that he would not be taking the head coaching position at Kentucky.
- In an unexpected turn of events, Kansas St coach Bob Huggins resigned after just one season with the team and took the head position at his alma mata, West Virginia. Huggins had originally turned down an offer to coach the team back in 2002.
School president Jon Wefald was not happy with the decision, and make his feelings known. "We feel like we are heavyweight contenders here at K-State. It is kind of like we are in the ring and we are doing very well. Then we get hit with a right cross and knocked out," Wefald said in an AP report.
What will be interesting now is to see if Bill Walker follows Huggins to West Virginia. In addition blue chip prospect Michael Beasley may go to West Virginia as well. Beasley is one of the top prospects in the class of 2007 and has stated that he wasn't crazy about going to Kansas St and that Huggins was the main reason behind his decision.
- University of Washington freshman center Spencer Hawes announced his intentions to enter the NBA Draft. The 7-footer was a first-team All-Pac 10 Freshman selection and led the team in scoring, establing school freshman records for scoring and blocked shots. Hawes does not intend to sign with an agent yet to leave the option to return to school open for himself.
- Arizona sophomore Marcus Williams announced he would be signing with an agent and leaving school to enter the NBA Draft. The All-Pac 10 selection led Arizona in scoring at 16.6 points per game and is hoping to be a first round selection.
"It's always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA," Williams said in an AP report, "and I feel like I'm in a good position to take that next step."
- The BG News reported that Bowling Green has named Louis Orr the new head basketball coach. Orr most recently had a five year stint at head coach of Seton Hall where he led to Pirates to a record of 80-69 and two NCAA Tournament appearences. In a written statement released by the Bowling Green Athletic Department, Orr stated that he and his family are "very excited about this new chapter in our life."
Monday
- After being named NABC Coach of the Year, Todd Lickliter resigns from his position as head coach of Butler and takes the open position as Iowa's new coach. For Lickliter it was the best of his six season with the Bulldogs, leading them to a 29-7 record and a birth in the Sweet 16 before falling to eventual champ Florida. Lickliter will be replacing Steve Alford who left to coach New Mexico on March 23rd.
Tuesday
- Dana Altman pulled a 180 on Arkasas, quitting from the position as head coach, just one day after a press conference announced him to the position. Altman who has spent the last 13 season with the Creighton Blue Jays, will return to the team next season.
"This is something I'm doing for my family," Altman said in an Associated Press report Tuesday. "I wish I would have come to that decision earlier."
- Former West Virginia head coach John Beilein confirmed that he would be leaving Morgantown for Ann Arbor, and take the head coaching position at Michigan an AP report stated. Beilein went 104-60 in his time with the Moutaineers, including a 27-9 record this past year, the second most wins in school history. Beilein face high expectations from the Wolverine faithful who have seen their team in the NIT three out of the last four years.
- Colorado St junior forward Jason Smith announced he would be declaring for the NBA Draft. The 7-footer averaged 16.8 points and 10.1 rebounds during the past season while earning first-team All-Mountain West Conference recognition for the second straight year. Smith will not be signing with an agent to afford him the chance to return for his senior season if he isn't happy with where he is being projected in the draft.
- According to a report in the Daily Egyptian, third year Southern Illinois coach Chris Lowery agreed to a 7-year contract extension that will pay $750,000 a year. Lowery helped guide the Salukis to a #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a Sweet 16 birth this past season.
Wednesday
- Butler announced a press conference for Thursday afternoon where they would announce Brad Stevens as the new head coach of the basketball program. Stevens served as an assistant under former head coach Todd Lickliter for six seasons before taking the position.
"He's a familiar face to the program, having coached under Todd Lickliter and Thad Matta, and he embraces the Butler Way," said Director of Butler Athletics Barry Collier in an AP report interview.
- Air Force head coach Jeff Bzdelik resigned and took the head coaching position at the University of Colorado. In his two season with the Falcons Bzdelik led the team to a 50-16 record, one of just 17 D1 teams to win 50 games in the last two years.
- An AP story reported that Purdue players Chris Lutz and Johnathan Uchendu would be transferring to schools closer to home. Lutz, a guard, led the Big-10 in 3-point shooting at 47 percent, but only started in 10 games after starting in 24 as a freshman. Uchendu, a 6-11 freshman, had little impact on the team, averaging just 1.8 points per game.
Thursday
- Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, and Taurean Green all announced in a televised press conference that they would be forgoing their senior seasons at Florida and would enter the NBA Draft. The four juniors led the Gators to back-to-back national championships.
- Florida head coach Bill Donovan put to rest the rumours that he too would be departing Gainesville by stating that he would not be taking the head coaching position at Kentucky.
- In an unexpected turn of events, Kansas St coach Bob Huggins resigned after just one season with the team and took the head position at his alma mata, West Virginia. Huggins had originally turned down an offer to coach the team back in 2002.
School president Jon Wefald was not happy with the decision, and make his feelings known. "We feel like we are heavyweight contenders here at K-State. It is kind of like we are in the ring and we are doing very well. Then we get hit with a right cross and knocked out," Wefald said in an AP report.
What will be interesting now is to see if Bill Walker follows Huggins to West Virginia. In addition blue chip prospect Michael Beasley may go to West Virginia as well. Beasley is one of the top prospects in the class of 2007 and has stated that he wasn't crazy about going to Kansas St and that Huggins was the main reason behind his decision.
- University of Washington freshman center Spencer Hawes announced his intentions to enter the NBA Draft. The 7-footer was a first-team All-Pac 10 Freshman selection and led the team in scoring, establing school freshman records for scoring and blocked shots. Hawes does not intend to sign with an agent yet to leave the option to return to school open for himself.
- Arizona sophomore Marcus Williams announced he would be signing with an agent and leaving school to enter the NBA Draft. The All-Pac 10 selection led Arizona in scoring at 16.6 points per game and is hoping to be a first round selection.
"It's always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA," Williams said in an AP report, "and I feel like I'm in a good position to take that next step."
- The BG News reported that Bowling Green has named Louis Orr the new head basketball coach. Orr most recently had a five year stint at head coach of Seton Hall where he led to Pirates to a record of 80-69 and two NCAA Tournament appearences. In a written statement released by the Bowling Green Athletic Department, Orr stated that he and his family are "very excited about this new chapter in our life."
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