Eye on the Storm

If you can't turn your once mighty basketball program to its glory days, use a different sport: Quietly, St. John's becomes a baseball powerhouse.

Door is closed on Caracter

Louisville's Derrick Caracter, who thought about entering the NBA draft, might not be welcomed back in Kentucky.

Derrick Caracter wants to come back for his junior season. He hasn't hired an agent, still is attending classes at the University of Louisville and sends coach Rick Pitino text messages almost every day.

But Pitino said yesterday that it's in the best interests of both Caracter and the program for the enigmatic 6-foot-9 center to move on.

"My plan is to see him get on to the NBA or get on to Europe and get on with his life," Pitino said. "He has a change of heart right now, but he's had two years to show he wants to be a student, he's had two years to show he wants to be an integral part of college life, and he has not shown that."

Caracter and Pitino agreed early this season that he would leave U of L after his sophomore year. During last month's NCAA Tournament run, Caracter said he was intent on trying his luck in the professional ranks.

His NBA prospects appear murky at best, however, after a season in which he averaged 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds as a reserve. He played only five minutes in the Cardinals' 83-73 loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament East Regional final.

UConn still waiting on Thabeet's decision

What is Hasheem Thabeet to do?

Thabeet has until Sunday to declare for the draft. He projects to be a late lottery to late first-round pick.

"Hopefully I'll let you know soon," Thabeet said Wednesday while at the Capitol for Husky Day. "I've been talking with a lot of people, trying to get as much information as I can."

Davis' departure does not mean disaster for Drake

Did Keno Davis leave Drake for more money? Will the Bulldogs be alright?

Keno says Bulldogs must stick together

While Drake's coaching staff may end up in Providence, Keno Davis doesn't expect any Bulldog players to follow him to PC.

Hats off to Rhody's firsts

My friend Curt let's Rhode Islanders, and others, know why this state should be one of the greats.

We were the first to renounce the crown, establish religious freedom and create an action figure. That would be G.I. Joe. We’re home to the first industrial mill, Jewish temple, roller-skating rink, and not just a first Baptist church but – in 1638 – the 'First Baptist Church in America'. Apparently, we’re big on indoor shopping here, since the Arcade was America’s first enclosed mall, and in 1768, Gladdings became the first department store on U.S. soil. Though I guess it wasn’t the U.S. yet.



We have the longest name of any state – 'The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations' and had two capitals, Providence and Newport. Arlene Violet was the nation’s first female state Attorney General. Usquepaugh hosts the country’s only jonnycake festival. And our state troopers were not only voted best dressed, but once did a fashion show on David Letterman. Beat that, Connecticut.



All this is from my favorite new local book. It’s by Roberta Mudge Humble, a professor of English at the Community College of Rhode Island, and is called 'The RIght to Crow – A Look at Rhode Island’s Firsts, Bests & Uniques'.



Perhaps it’s our small size, but there’s something about living here that makes people embrace ways that Rhode Island stands out. Good or bad.



When I first came here in the mid-1970s, I actually felt proud that the New England mob was based in Providence instead of Boston; maybe Detroit had cars, but at least we had that industry. We also once had the biggest maker of fake flowers anywhere (Calart). I’m still proud that we have the world’s biggest termite overlooking Route 95. It’s 58 feet long. And to think outsiders thought this wasn’t a major-league place.



I’ve long known we stand out as the capital of coffee milk, lemonade slush, bubblers, cabinets and an obsession with low-number plates. I’ve known we have a famous chicken breed, the Rhode Island Red, with its own monument, and that we were home to the America’s Cup for more than a century until the Aussies ripped us off. I’ve known that the longest professional baseball game, 33 innings, was at McCoy Stadium.



But there are a lot of firsts I barely knew; or didn’t know. Such as that the Newport Reading Room has the world’s oldest flush toilets.



So I love this book.



It further tells me that the first World Series ever, anywhere, was held here. And the Providence Grays won. They beat the New York Mets. To me, that’s right up there with inventing religious freedom. So is the fact that Babe Ruth once played for the Providence Grays.



I’m even proud that in 1976, a state rep named Bernard Gladstone proposed a $2 tax on sex to increase revenues. At least it was a first.. It didn’t pass, thank God.



The nation’s first-ever speeding ticket was given in 1904 in Newport. The guy deserved it; he was going 20 miles per hour.



The most expensive piece of furniture ever sold was an 18th-century desk by Rhode Island carpenter John Goddard. In 1989, someone paid $12.1 million for it. But ounce for ounce, that’s probably not as valuable as the $25,000 paid here for license plate number 7. That means plate number 1 is worth six figures.



Plus, I’m guessing no other place has as much collective interest in such odd foods as doughboys, dynamites, grinders, New York System wieners, clamcakes and stuffies.



I’m also guessing that no other successful politician legally added an “a” to the beginning of his name, as Ralph aRusso did, to be first on a ballot. After winning, he went on to serve as mayor of Johnston for 24 years, a state record for that office.



Oh, and show me another state where the landfill is the second-highest point. It gives you a shiver of pride.



Mr. Potato Head was born here. So was Furby, My Little Pony, and the Easy Bake Oven...

Maybe one reason we need books like Humble’s is that the rest of the world doesn’t give us enough credit for these things.



I’m still angry that Boston gets acclaim for sparking the Revolution by dumping some tea in the harbor in December 1773 when, a whole year and half before that, some Rhode Island Freemason's burned an entire British tax ship (the Gaspee).



But who, besides us, remembers that?

Now, we have a reminder.



I think I’ll celebrate with some stuffies and coffee milk!

Wednesday morning Friar links

Xavier agrees with hiring of Davis

Friars gambling on Keno

"The answer to a prayer:" Drake's Davis agrees to multiyear deal to lead Friars

Keno Davis: Good roots and a great name

Across PC's campus, a sense of relief and anticipation

PC players upbeat over arrival of Davis

Talk PC hoops with Kevin McNamara on Friday

Hallelujah!! Now, let's play kenp

Them's Good Eaton on why Keno Davis is a good hire for the Friars.

Keno Davis: I need to thank Drake

AS keno Davis thanks Drake University to help him land PC's coaching job, the Bulldogs are wondering who's going to coach them.

Tuesday afternoon Keno links

Drake coach Keno Davis follows in his father's footsteps

Drake loses Davis

Providence hires Davis away from Drake

Providence set to hire Drake coach Davis

Providence schedules news conference

PC's Driscoll in an unbelievable spot right now

Davis leaving Drake for Providence

Drake coach Keno Davis reaches deal in principle to coach PC Friars

From WPRI.com:

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The search for a new basketball coach appears to be over. CBS Sports is reporting that "Drake" Coach Keno Davis has reached a deal in principle to coach the Friars.

Davis led Drake to a 28 and five record last season, and a conference championship. If the deal is finalized, he'll replace Tim Welsh, who was fired last year after ten seasons at PC.

Keno Davis headed to Providence?

Drake's Keno Davis could be offered the coaching job at PC, and may not turn it down.

WATERLOO --- According to multiple media outlets Monday night, Drake’s Keno Davis is the front-runner to become the next men’s basketball coach at Providence.

The Bulldogs were recognized at the statehouse in Des Moines on Monday for their storybook season, but Davis was absent.

FoxSports.com reported that Davis, the Associated Press’ National Coach of the Year, was in Providence, R.I., Monday, meeting with the school’s administration.

The Providence Journal said on its Web site, barring any breakdown with negotiations, that Davis, 36, could be named the program’s next coach as soon as today.

Friars have their sights on Drake's Keno Davis

I thought George Washington's Karl Hobbs was the man; I thought wrong. " PC’s fans and players have followed the search’s twists and turns closely:"

It appears that PC has now focused its search on Drake’s Keno Davis. It took the Friars several weeks to contact the Associated Press’ National Coach of the Year, but he has emerged as the leading candidate to take the job. Barring a breakdown in negotiations, Davis could be introduced as the next coach at Providence as early as today. In his first year on the job, the 36-year-old Davis led Drake to a 28-5 record this season. The Bulldogs were upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Western Kentucky in a wild overtime game.

Davis was born and raised in Massachusetts and is the son of Dr. Tom Davis, the former head coach at Boston College. Tom Davis eventually landed at Drake and helped his son take over the position.

After being turned down by Ford last week, PC contacted Davidson’s Bob McKillop but was dismissed. Three other prospects — George Washington’s Karl Hobbs, Iona College’s Kevin Willard and Hofstra’s Tom Pecora — were all not in the mix as of yesterday.

Hobbs to interview for Providence job

From the Daily Colonial:

According to Frank Carpano of WJAR (NBC), GW men’s basketball coach Karl Hobbs is likely to be interviewed for the Providence Friars’ vacant head coaching position.

The Providence athletic department has not confirmed that Hobbs will get the job. The school has seen both George Mason’s Jim Larranaga and UMASS’ Travis Ford turn down the position.

The Friars went 15-16 this season, finishing 12th in the Big East and losing in the first round of the conference tournament to West Virginia.

Hobbs is coming off a 9-17 season, the worst of his seven years on the Foggy Bottom campus, and did not lead the Colonials to the Atlantic-10 postseason for the first time in 34 years. The GW coach spent 12 seasons as a player and assistant coach at Big East powerhouse UConn between 1980 and 2001.

Hobbs named in coaching search

Jake Sherman of the student run gwhatchet reports that George Washington University's Karl Hobbs is a candidate for the vacant coaching position at PC; however, while some believe Hobbs will remain in Foggy Bottom, Sherman wants to convince him to stay in DC, just in case.

It is questionable whether a job at Providence still has the lure it once did in the 1970s and 1980s, when the Friars appeared in two Final Fours. The Big East now has 16 teams, eight of which earned berths in the NCAA tournament. Providence competes for recruits with local schools such as UConn., Boston College, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. If Hobbs has hopes to return to Connecticut when head coach Jim Calhoun retires, it would be more difficult from a fellow Big East program.

ProJo articles

Kevin McNamara would like PC fans to relax. There's no need to fret, PC fans:

PROVIDENCE — It’s time for a little reality check for Providence College basketball fans.

They’re frantic these days. They’ve seen their coaching position sit vacant for nearly a month and now the perception is that no one of decent quality wants the job. Offers to two coaches have been turned down. The names circulating through channels close to the search aren’t very sexy. Are things really this bad?

The answer is no. First off, let’s all cut athletic director Bob Driscoll a little slack. He’s the only one who truly knows the ins and outs of the search, who he’s spoken to, who had no interest, who led him along and harmed the process. It’s also hard to criticize Driscoll over the two coaches he focused on and ultimately offered the job to.

Some fans might agree with Bill Reynolds. For what it's worth: Friars' coaching search has become a joke:

The names fly around like errant 3-pointers. Everything from Rick Pitino’s coming back, to Larry Brown, to Karl Hobbs, to Ernie D., to Isiah Thomas, to Buddy Cianci, to “Sam the Ram,” to Marvin Barnes, to Gordie Chiesa, to Grady Little, to Bruce Sundlun, to the American Idol winner, to just about anyone who ever drove through Providence on the way to somewhere else, never mind anyone who actually ever coached anywhere.

Deja vu all over again

Them's Good Eaton wonders why Travis Ford turned down PC's offer, and what may happen next.

Friday morning Friar links

Ford decides to keep riding with Minutemen

Ford parked at UMass

Ford not leaving for Friars

Ford spurns Providence, to remain at UMass

Ford will stay home at UMass

UMass gives Ford a new contract

Ford's rejection takes a lot of shine off the PC job

Rejected again

Travis Ford staying at UMass

Another one turns down PC's offer.

AMHERST, Mass. -- Travis Ford has told Providence College officials he will not accept their offer to become the next coach at PC, deciding instead to remain at the University of Massachusetts.

There is no word on the Friars' next move in their coaching search, which began when they fired Tim Welsh nearly a month ago.

Alexander still inclined to return

West Virginia's Joe Alexander wants to "test the NBA waters," but plans to be back for his senior year at WVU.

Is Greene ready for the NBA?

"NBA scouts think Syracuse freshman Donte Greene may not be ready to go pro. In their mock draft DraftExpress.com has Greene going 12th to the Sacramento Kings." 12th? Maybe he really isn't ready.

Thursday morning Ford links

Ford explorer

Friars eye UMass coach Ford

Report: PC wants Ford

Ford interviews for Providence job

Ford could be on board as Friars' next coach today

"The job is certainly his to turn down and the Friar community would clearly welcome this resolution to the four-week search to replace Tim Welsh."

Greene will enter NBA draft

Syracuse University's Donte Greene is one and done; he declared he will enter the NBA draft. SU opinions are found at Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician.



(Hat tip: Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician)

Providence offers job to UMass coach Ford

FOXSports is reporting that PC offered the coaching job to Travis Ford.

UMass coach Travis Ford visiting PC

After saying he doesn't want to coach at LSU, and is looking forward to coaching the Minutemen next season, Travis Ford decided to visit Providence today.

Ford, 38, is in Providence today and meeting with athletic director Bob Driscoll. He and his wife just finished a tour of the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

There are no indications that an agreement between the two sides is complete but this is the strongest sign yet that the four-week search could be nearing an end.

"I have not scheduled any press conference for today.'' PC associate athletic director Arthur Parks said.

Ford met with Driscoll at the Final Four in San Antonio. On Tuesday, he issued a statement from his office at UMass that said he no longer wished to be considered for the coaching job vacancy at LSU.

"I would like to make clear that I do not want to be considered for the head job at LSU," Ford said in the statement. "There has been a lot of misinformation circulating about me and the job at LSU. I feel that it is necessary to state that I do not want to be considered for the job."

Ford's interest in other jobs was not addressed, however. UMass finished 25-11 this past season in Ford's third year at the school and the Minutemen lost the NIT championship game to Ohio State, 92-85.

UMass coach Ford says he doesn't want to be considered for LSU job

Travis Ford doesn't want to move to Louisiana, claiming he "looks forward to coaching the Minutemen next season and had not talked with any other schools."

AMHERST, Mass.: Massachusetts coach Travis Ford doesn't want to be considered for the coaching job vacancy at LSU.

"I would like to make clear that I do not want to be considered for the head job at LSU," Ford said in a statement released Tuesday night by UMass.

"There has been a lot of misinformation circulating about me and the job at LSU. I feel that it is necessary to state that I do not want to be considered for the job."

The Minutemen went 25-11 this past season, his third at the school, and lost the NIT championship to Ohio State 92-85 last Thursday.

Ford, whose name had been among those mentioned in connection with the LSU vacancy, also said after the NIT he was looking forward to coaching the Minutemen next season and had not talked with any other schools.

UMass' coach Ford latest name rumored for PC job

Providence, LSU, and Oklahoma State are the only schools from major conferences looking for a coach. UMass' Travis Ford is the latest flavor for PC.

Marquette hires from within

Marquette's new basketball coach was an assistant to Tom Crean before Crean left for Indiana.

Seton Hall president backs Gonzalez

Bobby Gonzalez, apparently, will remain SHU's basketball coach.

Seton Hall University president Robert Sheeran made that clear on Monday about the men's basketball coach, whose future has been the subject of widespread speculation after a report published Sunday claimed he would be fired this week.

"Bobby Gonzalez is Seton Hall's coach and will continue to be our coach as we move ahead," Sheeran said in a statement. "I can assure you all that Coach Gonzalez will continue to strengthen our men's basketball program and will be successful in all those areas that matter to the university, the student-athletes and the fans. He has the full support of my administration in doing this."

(Hat tip: Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician)

ProJo links

It's increasingly difficult to believe in PC's Driscoll

Matter of time

Selecting a new PC coach all about its new impact

Looking back

Basketball Prospectus' John Gasaway takes a look at how well his predictions panned out, which I limited to the Big East.

Seton Hall could go 13-5 in the Big East (1/29)

All right, all right. Stop laughing. At the time I wrote that, the Pirates were 4-3 in conference. They'd just beaten Louisville in Newark and they were coming off a stretch of four consecutive wins, during which time they'd scored 1.18 points per possession. What I meant, in part, was that the Hall had a favorable schedule: they didn't have to play the Cardinals on the road this season. Anyway, the magnitude of my error was brought home to me with a vengeance just a week later, when Seton Hall lost by 26 at home to Notre Dame.

For the record, the Pirates finished 7-11. Hey, I was just six games off.

Louisville is the best team in the Big East.

The top-ranked team in the nation notwithstanding, it falls to every team every year to hold forth loudly on how underrated they are and to vow that they're going to prove those gol'dern polls wrong. Louisville this season may have the best such case I've ever seen. By a wide margin, they've been the best team in what may be the best conference in the nation, yet the Cardinals are actually unranked in this week's ESPN/USA Today poll. (2/13)

Despite drawing a three-seed in the tournament's toughest region, the Cardinals lasted longer in March than any other Big East team, falling to North Carolina in the Elite Eight.

Tom Crean would be very interested in the Indiana job.

You'll have to listen to my voice on this one. Go here and fast-forward 22 minutes in. Asked about a new Indiana coach I name two names: Tony Bennett and Tom Crean. I say if Bennett doesn't take the job it won't be because his sister was fired as the women's coach at IU three years ago. I also say that even though Crean is mentioned for every Big Ten opening, he would actually be "very interested" in this particular opportunity.

Sounds vanilla, right? Everyone was talking about Bennett and Crean a couple weeks ago. I get extra points, though, because this podcast is from February 13, within 24 hours of the Kelvin Sampson story's eruption. This was the first season where I had real honest-to-goodness "sources." They came in handy on occasion. Yay, sources!

The seven stages of being a Syracuse fan

MariusJanulisForThree at Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician listed the seven stages of being a Syracuse fan; I'm sure it applies to other teams.

1. Shock/disbelief.
2. Denial.
3. Bargaining.
4. Guilt.
5. Anger.
6. Depression.
7. Acceptance.

Mazulla won't be playing football

The Mountaineers football coach Bill Stewart invited Joe Mazulla to spring practice telling him he can play any position he wants. Joe said "thanks, but no thanks."

Clark yet to decide on hiring an agent

Louisville's Earl Clark is tempted to hire an agent, and declare himself ready for the NBA draft.

Brown's Robinson bound for Oregon State

One of PC's coaching candidates may head west.

Brown University may be losing one of its most successful coaches ever and Providence College would lose a leading candidate for its vacant men’s basketball job in the process.

Chris Humm, Brown’s sports information director, couldn’t confirm reports from FoxSports.com, CBSSports.com and The Portland Oregonian last night that Craig Robinson has accepted the job as the next coach at Oregon State.

PC coach update

According to Kevin McNamara, ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla, among others, has emerged as a candidate for the vacant PC job.

ProJo articles

If you're embarrassed and disappointed Jim Larranaga turned down PC's offer, the Providence Journal wants you to understand his decision and realize there are other fish in the sea:

All it means is that, at age 58, Larranaga preferred to stay at a place where he is beloved (there is talk about naming the school gym in his honor), where he has been successful (taking the Colonials on an unforgettable trip to the Final Four in 2006, and back to the NCAA Tournament again this year), where he is well-paid (although not at the level PC was offering), and where his family has established roots (two sons have homes near him in northern Virginia).

But it’s not as if Driscoll was devastated, shocked, or hurt, by Larranaga’s decision. Nor was he left unprepared. Larranaga’s wasn’t the only name on Driscoll’s list. It was the first — as it arguably should have been — but Friar fans should rest assured that there are other coaches who can come to Providence and be successful.

Kevin McNamara provides the candidates on the "short list:"

One name that’s appeared in The Journal since PC fired Welsh three weeks ago is that of Tim O’Shea, the former URI and Boston College assistant who is now the head coach at Ohio University. O’Shea is one of the coaches likely to talk with Driscoll over the next few days. Various Internet reports yesterday claimed O’Shea would interview with PC today but neither Driscoll nor O’Shea chose to comment publicly when asked about a potential meeting.

Another likely discussion will come with Brown’s Craig Robinson, who did not return phone calls yesterday. The second-year Bears coach has seen his national profile rise after he won a school-record 19 games in only his second season on College Hill.

After getting spurned by Larranaga, Driscoll consulted the search firm PC has used to help identify coaching candidates. A call went out to Davidson’s Bob McKillop, but he wants to stay and coach returning All-American Stephen Curry. That’s dropped Driscoll a bit further on his “short list” where O’Shea and Robinson, and perhaps Massachusetts coach Travis Ford, reside.

PC search moves south

Now that Jim Larranaga has said no to PC, Kevin McNamara sees Bob Driscoll talking to Ohio University's Tim O'Shea. Or does he?

Neither Driscoll or O'Shea will comment publicly about a potential meeting. That means we can't report it. But it seems likely the two will talk. Who else will get Driscoll's ear. Brown's Craig Robinson seems likely. So does UMass' Travis Ford but the Kentucky native is reported to be waiting to see if he can get involved at LSU.

Ford staying, for now

UMass' head coach Travis Ford's name comes up when talking about the next PC coach, but he doesn't seem to have any plans to come to Providence. Ford says he hasn't talked to anybody; that and he might be waiting for an offer from LSU.

NEW YORK — University of Massachusetts basketball coach Travis Ford says there's more work to be done.

But the question remains: Will Travis Ford coach the Minutemen in 2008-09?

"We've made great strides with UMass basketball, and I'm looking forward to coaching these guys, absolutely," Ford said, while standing on the court at Madison Square Garden after his Minutemen lost to Ohio State in the National Invitation Tournament championship game.

"I've heard everything you guys have been hearing," he continued. "It's been kind of interesting actually to hear everything. It makes me question everything, because I haven't talked to anybody.

A coach finds himself where his dreams came true

A Washington Post article describes how Jim Larranaga went from wanting to coach Providence to wanting to stay at George Mason.

Calhoun says roster decision expected soon

UConn's Jim Calhoun will know who's staying and who's going by next week.

Majerus not interested in Marquette job

What is it with Big East basketball teams and coaches spurning their Alma Mata? Rick Majerus pulls a Larranaga:

St. Louis University basketball coach Rick Majerus said Wednesday he is not interested in the coaching vacancy at Marquette, his alma mater.

"I'm happy at St. Louis," he said. "I'm not interested. I'm looking forward to moving forward at St. Louis. I'm excited. We've got a lot of work to do right now."

Creans exit irks Marquette players

Tom Crean is not Jim Larranaga:

Golden Eagles guard Dominic James said players understood Crean's decision but were hurt and embarrassed that he didn't tell them it was coming.

"We found out at the same time as everyone else," James said. "And as his players, I feel like we should have known before a lot of people, before the rest of the country. That was the worst thing about it."

Thursday morning ex-Friar links

Larranaga won't be PC's next coach

Turndown by former star is Friars' latest letdown

Larranaga sticking with Patriots

Larranaga staying at George Mason

Larranaga signs extension

Larranaga's extension keeps him at George Mason

Larranaga stays, signs extension

Who's next: A scouting report of potential PC candidates

Since PC alum, and George Mason head coach, Jim Larranaga turned down the same position at Providence today, the ProJo parades the possible second choices.

CRAIG ROBINSON

The Brown coach is known to be one guy the Friars have studied.

Robinson has only been a head coach for two years, so he would be a major gamble in some ways for PC. However, the reviews concerning Robinson have been extremely positive in many different ways. The Princeton grad and former two-time Ivy League Player of the Year has employed a modified Princeton style with the Bears. His team set a school record 19 victories this season.

The former Wall Street businessman also has proven to be a great representative for Brown. The fact that he often plays basketball with his brother-in-law, presidential candidate Barack Obama, is simply an added bonus.

TRAVIS FORD

The young Massachusetts coach and Rick Pitino disciple has emerged as one of the hottest names on the coaching circuit.

He has his Minuteman team in the NIT finals and has done it using a fast-paced, entertaining style of play. Another guy who enjoys being the public face of the program by often attending public functions, he is likely to go somewhere after three years at UMass. His first team went 13-15. His squad went 24-9 and tied for the regular-season title in the Atlantic 10 last season.

A Kentucky native, Ford, 38, has made it clear he enjoys his southern roots — he played for Pitino at Kentucky — and might prefer a job south of the Mason-Dixon line. The allure of a Big East job like Providence, though, could change that.

KEVIN O’NEILL

The former Marquette coach spent the season as the replacement for Lute Olson at Arizona when Olson took the year off for personal reasons. The Wildcats went 21-13 under O’Neill’s direction.

O’Neill was expected to be the next Wildcats’ coach. Just the other day, though, Olson had a press conference in which he confirmed that he will return to the sideline next season and that O’Neill will not be on his staff.

O’Neill compiled an 86-62 record in five years at Marquette, guiding the team to three postseason appearances. The 51-year-old also has been the head coach at Tennessee, Tulsa and Delaware. O’Neill was an assistant under Olson in the 1980s when the Arizona program rose to national prominence.

BOB McKILLOP

The veteran Davidson coach has vaulted front and center on the national scene thanks to the terrific performance by his team in reaching the Elite Eight this season. But McKillop is not an overnight success.

He has won more games than any coach in Davidson history and six times has been voted Southern Conference coach of the year. His record at Davidson is 338-224. In 16 seasons as a head coach, McKillop has had only one losing season, in 2000-01. He has directed teams to the NCAA Tournament five times and the NIT three times.

TIM O’SHEA

The Ohio University coach has spent the last seven years in Athens. His teams have won 79 games in the last four years, including going 20-13 this season.

The Bobcats played in the new CBI Tournament last month and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2005.

The Boston College grad and longtime assistant to Al Skinner at both URI and Boston College has numerous ties to Rhode Island. He owns a home in Newport. He was given a contract extension in 2005 that runs through 2010. Twenty-two of the 23 players who completed their eligibility under O’Shea have graduated.

Larranaga signs extension

George Mason signed Jim Larranaga to a three year extension today, keeping him through the 2014-15 season.

The move came after Larranaga rejected an offer from Providence, which is looking to a fill a vacancy created by the firing of Tim Welsh.

“I’ve made it clear over the years that my family and I love it here at George Mason,” Larranaga said. “I’ve said it before that I hope to retire here at George Mason, and this contract extension allows me to do that.”

Larranaga says no to Providence

Jim Larranaga will remain the George Mason head coach.

Jim Larranaga has decided to remain as coach at George Mason and not accept an offer to come to Providence College.

PC athletic director Bob Driscoll just issued a press release. Here's what it says:

"Over the last several days it became public knowledge that we were in discussions with George Mason head coach Jim Larranaga about becoming our men's basketball coach. We offered him a very substantial package but he was too comfortable in his current situation and opted to stay at George mason. As a result, I will continue to have ongoing discussions with the other finalists in this search. I remain very optimistic that we will find a head coach who will embrace the rich tradition of Friar basketball and move the program forward."

Who's next for the Friars? Certainly not clear at this point but they're likely to look at Davidson's Bob McKillop (who won't be interested), Brown's Craig Robinson, UMass Travis Ford, Arizona's Kevin O'Neill and Ohio U's Tim O'Shea. But this race is now wide open.