Arizona: Arizona Dismisses O’Neill From Coaching Staff

by Hoopville Staff - Published April 29, 2008 in Newswire

Arizona Dismisses O’Neill From Coaching Staff: Arizona reassigned interim coach Kevin O’Neill to an assistant athletic director position at least through June 30. The move is a possible precursor to O’Neill exiting the university after he led the Wildcats to a 19-15 record and 24th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance while coach Lute Olson dealt with personal issues. O’Neill joined Olson’s staff last spring and was named Olson’s successor, but the team has backtracked on that statement. O’Neill’s coaching style was different from Olson’s high-intensity style. [4/28/08]

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Kansas: Chalmers Hopes Heroics Earn NBA Credit

by Hoopville Staff - Published April 28, 2008 in Newswire

Chalmers Hopes Heroics Earn NBA Credit: Kansas junior guard Mario Chalmers is entering the NBA Draft without hiring an agent, so the Jayhawks’ savior in the NCAA championship game can collect feedback and return to school if he doesn’t like his projected draft status. Chalmers averaged 12.8 points and 4.3 assists per game last season, but Chalmers needs to prove that he can play point guard in the NBA to improve his stock. The latest projections place Chalmers toward the end of the first round or beginning of the second round. Chalmers wants a first-round guarantee or he said he’ll return to school. [4/27/08]

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Memphis: Anderson and Dozier Look for Feedback

by Hoopville Staff - Published April 28, 2008 in Newswire

Anderson and Dozier Look for Feedback: Memphis juniors Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier have declared for the NBA Draft but do not intend to hire an agent, meaning they can return to the Tigers for their senior seasons. Anderson, a guard, averaged 8.6 points per game last season, and Dozier averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game as one of the Tigers’ best post players. He is a solid defender and helped Memphis stymie UCLA’s offense in the Final Four. With a talented and deep draft, Anderson and Dozier are unlikely to be first-round picks this season, but they hope to get feedback from NBA scouts and executives so that they can improve their games next season. [4/27/08]

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Texas: Longhorn Guards Leave for NBA Draft

by Hoopville Staff - Published April 28, 2008 in Newswire

Longhorn Guards Leave for NBA Draft: Texas guards D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams have entered the NBA Draft but haven’t hired agents, so they could return to Austin. Augustin averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 assists per game last season, and Abrams added 16.5 points per game and led Texas with 118 three-pointers. The two guards would make Texas a national title contender next season if they return. Augustin will likely be the second-best point guard in the draft, behind Memphis’ Derrick Rose. [4/27/08]

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Buffalo: Bulls’ Leading Scorer Suspended For Facebook Note

by Hoopville Staff - Published April 26, 2008 in Newswire

Bulls’ Leading Scorer Suspended For Facebook Note: Buffalo’s top scorer has been suspended indefinitely in an odd case that further demonstrates that one must be careful with what they put on a social network site. Last week, Robinson posted a message on Facebook that offered to pay someone to read a book and write a paper on questions that were assigned with the book. Another student found the ad and informed the school’s newspaper. A junior guard, Robinson averaged 13.4 points per game last season. [4/25/08]