Fairleigh Dickinson: Vetrone Promoted to Head Coach

According to a Fairleigh Dickinson release, the Knights have named Greg Vetrone as their interim coach. Vetrone replaces 26-year Knights’ legend Tom Green. Vetrone, who had a first stint with the Knights from 1988-91 and joined them again last season, has 20-plus years of basketball experience. He was an assistant at UC Irvine from 1991-95 and worked for four years at UNLV. Before coming to Fairleigh Dickinson last season, he was head coach of Portchester High School, which he led to a 2008 league championship.

Illinois: Davis Out Two Months With Broken Ankle

According to an Illinois release, forward Mike Davis broke his ankle during a voluntary workout Tuesday at the Ubben Basketball Complex and will be out for six to eight weeks. Last season, the All-Big Ten second-teamer averaged 11.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He also shot better than 53 percent from the field. Davis will need to skip this week’s USA Basketball University Game Team Trials.

“I am disappointed for Mike because I know how hard he’s been working and how much he was looking forward to USA Basketball tryouts and the chance to represent his country,” Illinois Head Coach Bruce Weber said. “But with adversity comes opportunity, and while he won’t be able to participate in basketball activities for a while, he will be able to get in the weight room and work on adding weight and increasing his strength. Mike is a motivated young man and I’m confident he will make the most of this situation.”

BYU: Rose Has Surgery to Remove Spleen

According to a BYU release, coach Dave Rose had his spleen removed last weekend after experiencing some internal bleeding while at a family reunion in Las Vegas. He is expected to fully recover after several weeks. Rose’s coaching staff will run the team while the head coach recuperates.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rose family at this time,” said Tom Holmoe, BYU Director of Athletics. “We would ask that his privacy be respected as he recuperates from surgery.”

Auburn: Lebo Looks to SEC Foe For Assistant

Auburn coach Jeff Lebo has added former South Carolina assistant Ken Potosnak to his own staff, according to a university press release. The 41-year-old Potosnak worked under Dave Odom at South Carolina from 2005-08 and helped the Gamecocks recruit some of their best talent, including All-SEC first teamer Devan Downey. Some of his other impressive recruiting work includes now-Auburn star Quan Powell and international players Guilherme Da Luz (Brazil), Karim Souchu (France) and Malay Ndoye (Senegal). All of the aforementioned were recruited while Potosnak worked at Furman from 1997-2005.

South Carolina and Auburn both finished 2008-09 with a 10-6 conference record. Neither team made the NCAA Tournament. Lebo is glad to have turned a work foe into a partner.

“I have known Ken for a long time, and we are excited to have him join the Auburn Basketball family.” Lebo said. “Ken’s 20 years of Div. I coaching along with his three years of SEC coaching experience will add tremendously to our staff.”

Arizona: Wise Returns to Wildcats

It was a Nic Wise decision: the All-Pac 10 Arizona guard is coming back for his senior season, said coach Sean Miller in a university release. Wise made himself available for the June 25 NBA Draft, but withdrew his name from the pool Saturday. He averaged 15.7 points, 4.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game last season and made the conference’s second team.

“I’m glad I went through the process of contacting the league and working out for NBA teams,” Wise said. “I got some really good feedback about my game and it was a positive experience. It felt right to do it and learn more about the professional game and what it takes to get there.”

LSU: Mitchell Wants Another Year to Improve

According to an LSU press release, forward Tasmin Mitchell withdrew his name from the NBA Draft Monday and will return to the Tigers for the 2009-10 season. Mitchell, who will be a fifth-year senior, averaged 16.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 52.2 percent from the field last season. The 6-5 forward said some teams felt he could have been a second-round pick in this month’s draft but that he felt it was in his best interest to return to LSU for one more year.

“I want to thank God for allowing me to make this decision,” Mitchell said Monday. “I’m coming back to a great program and a great coach. My family has really supported me in this process and in the end the best thing was for me to come back to LSU, get my degree (majoring in communication studies), and have one more year to be a Tiger. The workouts went well and some people felt I could have possibly been a second-round pick but in the end it felt better coming home to be an LSU Tiger.

Memphis: Taggart Ready for NBA

Memphis forward Shawn Taggart has made it official: He’s skipping his senior season with the Tigers and keeping his name in the NBA Draft. He will hire an agent, he told FOXSports.com. Taggart, who’s confident he’ll be drafted early or in the middle of the second round, averaged 10.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last season. The 6-10 forward could have been Memphis’ top offensive option in 2009-10, but at his age, 24, he felt it was time to leave.

“I think it’s my time to go,” Taggart said. “You never know what can happen during a season where I’m going to have to carry the load. We’ve done a lot at Memphis. I feel as though I’m opening a lot of eyes of people who didn’t think I could do anything but dunk. Plus, I’ve got to provide for my family.”

Tulsa: Wojcik Welcomes UConn Transfer

Tulsa coach Dough Wojcik announced Sunday that Connecticut guard Scottie Haralson has transferred to the university and will be eligible to play for the Golden Hurricane starting in the 2010-11 season, according to a university release. Haralson is a freshman and has three years of eligibility left. In 2008-09, the 6-4 guard appeared in 14 games and averaged 1.4 points in 4.1 minutes per game as the Huskies went 31-5 and made the Final Four before losing to Michigan State in a semifinal game. Although Haralson will have to wait a year because of NCAA transfer rules, Wojcik expressed enthusiasm about the future.

“Scottie is a great addition to our team. He compliments DJ Magley extremely well for the future, and then obviously losing (guard) Ben Uzoh next year, he can step in there,” Wojcik said. “Scottie fills a huge need. He’s a big, strong and powerful kid who can really shoot the basketball. He was a very exceptional high school player with national recognition.”

Campbell: Laing Adds Sears to Staff

According to a Campbell press release, the Fighting Camels have found an assistant coach in 32-year-old Marlon Sears, a former college standout who played overseas for three seasons before starting his coaching career in 2002. The announcement came June 4 from seventh-year head coach Robbie Laing.

Sears’ assistant-coaching experience includes a one-year stint at High Point last season, two years at Wagner – where he coordinated recruiting – and four seasons with Binghamton. The 2005-06 Bearcats’ season, Sears’ final one with Binghamton, saw the team go 18-11 and finish second in the America East Conference.

Despite have on the least-experienced rosters in Division I, the Fighting Camels’ 14-16 overall record (11-9 Atlantic Sun) was good enough to be the most improved team within their conference in 2008-09. Sears’ hiring and his recruiting background can only improve Campbell’s progress, Laing said:

“Marlon is energetic, enthusiastic, very personable and a high-energy guy. In the short period of time he’s been in this area, Marlon has established himself as a knowledgeable recruiter in our state.  With our new facility and the excitement surrounding our program, coupled with the fact that we’ll be re-joining the Big South Conference in 2011, it’s a good time to re-connect with our recruiting base in-state.”

Miami: Collins Returns to Team After Flirting With NBA

Miami junior forward Dwayne Collins has withdrawn his name from the upcoming NBA Draft and will return to the Hurricanes for his senior year, according to a university announcement. The 6-8 Collins, who averaged 10.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game during the 2008-09 season, had workouts with the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat. He had not hired an agent, hence retaining the option to return to Miami.

“I’m really glad I took this opportunity,” Collins said. “I got to talk to some NBA personnel about what I need to do so I can reach my goal of playing professional basketball. It was a really good experience and will help me next year. I appreciate [Miami] coach [Frank] Haith and the staff’s support of me in all of this.”

Wake Forest: Teague Sprains Knee During NBA Workout

Wake Forest sophomore point guard Jeff Teague sprained an MCL during a workout with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday morning. Teague’s father, Shawn, told FOXSports.com his son would be out 8-10 days. Teague, who averaged 18.8 points, 3.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game for the Demon Deacons in 2008-09, has declared himself eligible for the June 25 NBA Draft but hasn’t hired an agent. Shawn Teague expects his son to remain in the pool. Jeff is projected to go in the first round.

Seton Hall: Walters Leaves Pirates for More Playing Time

Seton Hall coach Bobby Gonzalez announced Friday that forward Brandon Walters will leave the team and transfer to another basketball program. Walters played in 41 games during two seasons with the Pirates, including 28 games this past season. He averaged 1.5 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game from 2007-09. Gonzalez said he recognized that Walters will have more playing time opportunities at another school.

“We wish Brandon the best of luck in his future endeavors,” Gonzalez said.  “He worked hard for us in his two years at Seton Hall.  By transferring, he’ll have a greater opportunity to see an increase in playing time.”

Louisville: Pitino Looks to Fill Open Position With Holy Cross’ Coach

Louisville coach Rick Pitino on Wednesday asked Holy Cross coach Ralph Willard to join his staff as an assistant. According to ESPN sources, Willard is expected to give an answer by June 10.

The coaches have been friends since high school, and Willard has worked under Pitino in two different occasions: once with the New York Knicks and again at Kentucky. Following head-coaching gigs at Western Kentucky and Pittsburgh, Willard was hired at Holy Cross and has remained there for 10 years.

Pitino is looking to replace his son, Richard, who left Louisville in April to work for Billy Donovan at Florida.

“Yes, I have offered the position to Ralph,” Pitino said in a statement released by Louisville. “I’ve also offered the last four openings we’ve had at Louisville to Ralph because he’s always my number one choice. I do it every time and it’s nothing new. I fully expect him to turn me down for the fifth straight time.”

Binghamton: Broadus Gets Extension

Binghamton has extended the contract of coach Kevin Broadus to keep him with the Bearcats through 2013-14. Broadus helped lead Binghamton to a 23-9 record and first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance this past season. In a university press release, the school’s athletic director looks forward to more success.

“Kevin has done a terrific job putting together a winning program and building a solid nucleus for future success,” Director of Athletics Joel Thirer said.

Washington State: Walk-on Earns Scholarship for Next Season

Washington State coach Ken Bone awarded a scholarship for next season to 2008-09 walk-on Charlie Enquist. The sophomore appeared in 11 games and played less than five minutes per game, averaging 1.0 points and 0.8 rebounds per game.

In other Cougar news, according to the News Tribune, Bone said Fabian Boeke’s playing career will come to an end because of back problems. Also, freshman Nick Witherill has been released from his scholarship.

Mountain West: Vegas Beckons Mountain West Tourney Through 2013

Mountain West Conference officials said they agreed to extend the men’s and women’s basketball tournament run in Las Vegas through at least 2013, adding three more years to the original deal. The tournament is played at the Thomas and Mack Center, UNLV’s home court.

St. Mary’s: Mills Decides to Remain in Draft

St. Mary’s point guard Patty Mills said he’s skipping his final two years of college eligibility and keeping his name in the NBA Draft. The 6-foot, 175-pound Australian Olympic star averaged career highs of 18.7 points, 4.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game during his sophomore season with the Gaels.

According to the Associated Press, Mills was one of 12 players to work out for 21 NBA teams in two separate sessions Monday at the Golden State Warriors’ practice facility. The guard, who’s projected as a late first-round pick, wore Golden State practice gear to the workout – perhaps encouraging the Warriors to select him. Golden State has the No. 7 pick in the June 25 draft.

Mills said he was committed to remaining in the draft because NBA teams did not tell him to go back to school for another year. He must have received another confidence boost after chatting with Kobe Bryant, whom he went up against in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Olympics and spoke to recently, according to the Associated Press. Mills scored 20 points in that game.

“I still act like a small kid and get excited,” Mills said of talking to Bryant. “He said, ‘Look, believe in yourself. You showed it against us in the summer.’ … Obviously my Olympic campaign helped me a lot last summer.”

Arkansas: Reserve Guard for Razorbacks Arrested for DWI

Arkansas has suspended guard Marcus Britt indefinitely following his weekend arrest for driving while intoxicated. The Times-Herald reported that the 21-year-old was stopped at 2:40 a.m. Saturday after running a stop sign.

Britt, who averaged 3.7 points per game last season, had a blood alcohol content of .113 percent. Arkansas’ legal limit is .08. He was charged with DWI, driving with a suspended license, driving without insurance, running a stop sign and failing to appear in court for a 2007 speeding ticket.