The Morning Dish – Friday, April 15th
Wake Forest Duo to Enter Draft:
After one of the most successful seasons in school history, Wake Forest is suffering the consequences. All-American sophomore guard Chris Paul and 6-9 junior center Erik Williams have both announced their intentions to enter the 2005 NBA Draft. Paul, who is expected to be picked in the top five, averaged 15.3 points per game and 6.7 assists per game. Williams draft status is more uncertain. He is not going to sign with an agent and will allow the possibility of returning to Winston-Salem next season. Williams put up 16.7 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. The Demon Deacons ascended to their first No. 1 ranking early in the season. Williams’ family has asked the NBA evaluation committee for a report about Williams’ draft potential. They are expected to hear back by May 2. Williams has until June 21 to withdraw his name from the draft list.
Walsh to Join Florida Teammate on Early Entry List:
Matt Walsh has become the second Florida Gator this week to declare early for the NBA Draft. Contrary to Anthony Roberson, however, Walsh is exploring his options and is likely to return for his senior year depending on his draft status. If he is projected to be picked in the first round, Walsh could leave. He admitted that he just wants to see where he stands, though. With an age limit looming in the NBA, waiting a year could improve Walsh’s draft status.
Leitao Leading Candidate for Virginia Job:
Virginia appears ready to offer its coaching position to DePaul coach Dave Leitao. Reports speculated that Leitao flew to Charlottesville Thursday to meet with Virginia Athletic Director Craig Littlepage to finalize details of his acceptance. In three years at DePaul, Leitao has led the Blue Demons to a Conference USA championship, its first NCAA win since 1989 and two NIT appearances. The Blue Demons will join the Big East next season. Leitao is the first coach to officially interview for the Cavaliers’ coaching position. He first met with Littlepage last Friday at the Portsmouth, Va., pre-draft camp. The Cavs are prepared to double Leitao’s current salary. He has a 58-36 record in three years in Chicago. Pete Gillen resigned after seven years at the conclusion of the season. Leitao would join a growing list of Coaching Changes .
Slocum to Take Over at Youngstown State:
After winning 580 games at the NAIA and Division II levels, Jerry Slocum is ready to take the step up to Division I. Slocum will replace John Robic at Youngstown State. Robic’s contract was not renewed after going 58-113 in six seasons. Slocum has posted 25 winning seasons in 30 years as a head coach, and his teams have appeared in six consecutive DII tournaments.
Oklahoma State’s Steyn Moving On:
Unhappy with his playing time, Oklahoma State backup center Frans Steyn has decided to transfer. The 7-2 center is likely to move on to a Division II, III or NAIA school because has only one year of eligibility remaining. He had started four games early in the season, as the Cowboys experimented with a big lineup. He is looking for an opportunity to show his potential to European professional teams. He only averaged 2.7 points per game in 6.5 minutes and only played two minutes in the last 13 games. His decision is curious, as OSU loses six scholarship seniors this year.
Buckeyes Lose Backup:
Seldom used reserve Jermyl Jackson-Wilson, has decided to leave Ohio State. Jackson Wilson played only 25 minutes this season and scored only six points. He is uncertain of his next stop. A native of Milwaukee, the 6-5 freshman wants more playing time.
St. Louis’ Clarke Leaving to Find More Playing Time:
St. Louis University sophomore guard Darren Clarke has asked for a release from his scholarship to move on to a school where he can get more playing time. Clarke posted only 3.9 points per game in 10 appearances last season. He was lost in the rotation on a team with an abundance of wings and guards. He scored a season-high 15 points at South Florida, but he was riddled with back spasms for the remainder of the year. The loss of Clarke and three seniors leaves St. Louis with only 10 scholarship players next season.
Williams Could Become Next Tar Heel to Enter Early:
North Carolina freshman sensation Marvin Williams and his father met with UNC coach Roy Williams Wednesday night to start the process of making a decision regarding Williams’ draft status. Marvin Williams Sr. said they will make a decision by next Friday. Williams a 6-8 freshman from Seattle said his mind was pretty much made up, but he did not indicate which way he is leaning. Williams is projected to be drafted somewhere in the top 10.
McCaffery Finalizes Siena Coaching Staff:
New Siena coach Fran McCaffery has announced the hiring of Mitch Buonaguro, Craig Carter and Adam Chaskin to complete his coaching staff at the Albany, N.Y., school. McCaffery came to Albany from UNC-Greensboro. Buonaguro has been a head coach at Fairfield and led the Stags to two NCAA Tournament appearances in the 1980’s. All three were assistants under McCaffery at UNC-G.
Ford Completes Umass Staff:
Travis Ford has hired three assistants to complete his staff at Umass. Tim Maloney, Steve Middleton and Adam Ginsburg have been hired as assistant coaches and James Altman has been given the job of director of basketball operations. All three assistants were on Ford’s staff at Eastern Kentucky. Maloney will also serve as the associate head coach.
Massimino to Initiate NAIA Program:
Twenty years after leading Villanova to an improbable NCAA championship, Rollie Massimino is set to return to basketball. Massimino is expected to be introduced as the director of basketball operations at Northwood University, an NAIA school in West Palm Beach, Fla. Massimino who is 70, has not coached since leaving Cleveland State after the 2003 season. He has a 516-391 record in 30-plus years as a coach at Cleveland State, Villanova, UNLV and Stony Brook. Northwood is implementing men’s and women’s programs that are expected to begin play in 2006-07.
Status of Arkansas’ Sullivan Uncertain:
Arkansas junior Rashard Sullivan’s status for next season has not yet been decided. The three year letterman has not been working out with the team. Sullivan and coach Stan Heath are set to meet in the near future to see if they are on the same page. If he transfers to another Division I school, Sullivan would have to sit out a year before regaining his final season of eligibility. Heath is also looking for a replacement for assistant coach Rob Flaska, who left the Hogs to take the coaching position at Centenary. Former East Carolina and Drexel coach Bill Herrion appears to be the frontrunner to fill the position. Heath currently has Ronny Thompson, Oronde Taliaferro and Darren Sorenson as his assistants.
