Lavin gets expected firing at UCLA
LOS ANGELES, March 17 (UPI) -- Steve Lavin, the beleaguered basketball coach at UCLA, Monday was fired after seven years.
Lavin has been under siege this season because of the Bruins' poor play. They suffered though a 9-19 campaign, and just barely had enough league wins to qualify for the Pac-10 Tournament.
He becomes the seventh coach fired since the retirement of the legendary John Wooden in 1975.
"My conclusion was that for UCLA basketball to flourish, a change in leadership was necessary," said UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerroro. "We certainly wish Steve the very best in his future endeavors. In addition, I want to acknowledge his dignity in handling his situation during difficult times this season."
Despite the Bruins' shocking upset of top-ranked Arizona in the tournament, Lavin said repeatedly in the past few days that he felt the firing would happen Monday.
"Decisions like this are always tough," said Guerrero. "However, if this program is to regain its place among the nation's elite, I felt a change was required. Steve has enjoyed some important accomplishments during his tenure at UCLA, six trips to the NCAA tournament and five trips to the Sweet 16 among them, but my assessment of future success had to be based upon what I have observed this year. When all is said and done, I considered what our goals for this program should be and the process necessary to achieve those goals."
Lavin, 38, who compiled a record of 145-78 in his seven years as head coach, had five years remaining on his contract. The contract buyout consists of one year of the full package of $578,000 and four years at the base salary of $153,000.
Prior to his becoming interim head coach in November of 1996, he served as an assistant coach for five seasons (1992-96).
"I am glad to have been a part of this important learning process (at UCLA)," said Lavin. "In my previous six years, our teams enjoyed a series of successful seasons and a very strong NCAA tournament record, but change is a constant in life, and it is certainly a given in the coaching profession. After 12 years at UCLA, I take the long view, and I am grateful for the experience of teaching at one of the world's great universities. I will remember most the lasting friendships I've made, and I remain optimistic about the bright future of the program.
The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that Lavin was barely 32 and still owed $70,000 in student loans and credit card debt when he fell into the job after Jim Harrick was fired a week before the 1996-97 season for lying about an expense report.
The Los Angeles Daily News reported sources saying a list of replacements already is in place, including head coaches Ben Howland of Pittsburgh, Dana Altman of Creighton, Mark Few of Gonzaga, and Rick Majerus of Utah, former Florida and Atlanta Hawks coach Lon Kruger, and Larry Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers, who is a former UCLA coach.
The paper said school supporters also have mentioned Rick Pitino of Louisville and Roy Williams of Kansas.
Howland, who recently signed a long-term contract with Pitt, told ESPN Radio Monday morning that he is staying put.
Hunter canned by Aggies
GREENSBORO, N.C., March 17 (UPI) -- North Carolina A&T, one of only two Division I men's basketball teams that failed to win two games this season, has fired Coach Curtis Hunter.
North Carolina A&T lost its first 24 games before posting a 61-54 win at Norfolk State on March 3. The Aggies followed with a three-point loss to South Carolina State in their final game of the regular season, and were routed, 76-55, by Norfolk State in the opening round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament.
"The A&T athletics department thanks Coach Hunter for the
efforts he has put forth during the past four seasons," said Athletic
Director Charles Davis. "We thank him for the leadership and integrity he has displayed both on and off the court."
Associate Athletic Director Wheeler Brown has appointed a screening committee, and hopes to fill the position soon.
Tennessee State, which was the only other Division I team with one win, dismissed Nolan Richardson III during the season.
NCAA playoff times announced
INDIANAPOLIS, March 17 (UPI) -- Schedule for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Times to be determined.
South Region
Thursday, March 20
At Spokane, Wash.
(5) Connecticut vs. (12) Brigham Young
(4) Stanford vs. (13) San Diego
Friday, March 21
At Birmingham, Ala.
(1) Texas vs. (16) N.C. Asheville or Texas Southern
(8) LSU vs. (9) Purdue
At Nahville, Tenn.
(6) Maryland vs. (11) N.C.-Wilmington
(3) Xavier vs. (14) Troy St.
At Tampa
(7) Michigan St. vs. (10) Colorado
(2) Florida vs. (15) Sam Houston
Saturday, March 22
At Spokane, Wash.
Connecticut/Brigham Young winner vs. Stanford/San Diego winner
Sunday, March 23
At Birmingham, ala.
Texas/N.C.-Ashe./Tex. Sou. winner vs. LSU/Purdue winner
At Nashville, Tenn.
Maryland/N.C.-Wilmington winner vs. Xavier/Troy St. winner
At Tampa
Michigan St./Colorado winner vs. Florida/Sam Houston winner
March 28 & 30
At San Antonio
Regional Semifinals & Final East Region
East Region
Thursday, March 20
At Oklahoma City
(1) Oklahoma vs. (16) South Carolina St.
(8) California vs. (9) North Carolina St.
Friday, March 21
At Birmingham, Ala.
(5) Mississippi St. vs. (12) Butler
(4) Louisville vs. (13) Austin Peay
At Boston
(6) Oklahoma St. vs. (11) Pennsylvania
(3) Syracuse vs. (14) Manhattan
At Tampa
(7) St. Joseph's vs. (10) Auburn
(2) Wake Forest vs. (15) East Tennessee St.
Saturday, March 22
At Oklahoma City
Oklahoma/South Car. St. winner vs. California/North Car. St. winner
Sunday, March 23
At Birmingham, Ala.
Miss. St./Butler winner vs. Louisville/Austin Peay winner
At Boston
Oklahoma St./Penn winner vs. Syracuse/Manhattan winner
At Tampa
St. Joseph's/Auburn winner vs. Wake Forest/East Tenn. St. winner
March 28 & 30
At Albany, N.Y.
Regional Semifinals & Final
Midwest Region
Thursday, March 20
At Spokane, Wash.
(5) Wisconsin vs. (12) Weber St.
(4) Dayton vs. (13) Tulsa
At Indianapolis
(6) Missouri vs. (11) Southern Ill.
(3) Marquette vs. (14) Holy Cross
Friday, March 21
At Nashville
(1) Kentucky vs. (16) Ind.-Purdue-Indianapolis
(8) Oregon vs. (9) Utah
At Boston
(7) Indiana vs. (10) Alabama
(2) Pittsburgh vs. (15) Wagner
Saturday, March 22
At Spokane, Wash.
Wisconsin/Weber St. winner vs. Dayton/Tulsa winner
At Indianapolis
Missouri/Southern Ill. winner vs. Marquette/Holy Cross winner
Sunday, March 23
At Nashville
Kentucky/IUPUI winner vs. Oregon/Utah winner
At Boston
Indiana/Alabama winner vs. Pittsburgh/Wagner winner
March 27 & 29
At Minneapolis
Regional Semifinals & Final
West Region
Thursday, March 20
At Salt Lake City
(1) Arizona vs. (16) Vermont
(8) Cincinnati vs. (9) Gonzaga
(6) Creighton vs. (11) Central Mich.
(3) Duke vs. (14) Colorado St.
At Indianapolis
(5) Notre Dame vs. (12) Wis.-Milwaukee
(4) Illinois vs. (13) Western Ky.
At Oklahoma City
(7) Memphis vs. (10) Arizona St.
(2) Kansas vs. (15) Utah St.
Saturday, March 22
At Salt Lake City
Arizona/Vermont winner vs. Cincinnati/Gonzaga winner
Creighton/Central Mich. winner vs. Duke/Colo. St. winner
At Indianapolis
Notre Dame/Wis.-Mil. winner vs. Illinois/Western Ky. winner
At Oklahoma City
Memphis/Ariz. St. winner vs. Kansas/Utah St. winner
March 27 & 29
At Anaheim
Regional Semifinals and Final
NCAA makes plan for BYU adjustment
INDIANAPOLIS, March 17 (UPI) -- Brigham Young will move to another region of the NCAA basketball tournament if it wins twice this weekend.
BYU is a Mormon school, and by law, is not allowed to play on Sundays. The Cougars, who stunned UNLV Saturday in the Mountain West Tournament championship game, have been seeded 12th in the South Region, and are scheduled for Thursday-Saturday games in the field of 65.
Because of the school's policy, if the Cougars advance to next week's regionals, the NCAA has determined it will send them to the Midwest Regional in Minneapolis, which is a Thursday/Saturday setup, instead of the South Regional in San Antonio, which is Friday/Sunday.
The Daily Herald reported Monday that the school's Athletic Director, Val Hale, sent a letter to the NCAA on Aug. 7, 2002, telling the organization of BYU's policy. The paper said Hale was able to speak with two members of the NCAA Selection Committee Sunday night.
"When I got ahold of one of the committee members, he said, 'Oh my gosh, that's right,'" Hale told the paper. "I talked to two (members), and obviously they were a little embarrassed."
"I think the key thing is no matter who we play, we're going to have to play our best basketball of the year to win," said Coach Steve Cleveland. "That's what we have to go in prepared to do."
Although the Cougars will be a heavy underdog, Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun is concerned about them.
"I don't like the team we're playing," Calhoun said. "I don't think they're a 12 seed, and I do think we are a five. We got a tough draw, but I think that BYU feels like: `Just what we needed, Connecticut, after going 23-8.' You are going to have to beat some folks, somewhere and someway. We'll make it a two-day tournament and see if we can get ourselves advanced."
Basketball fever costs employers
By AL SWANSON
CHICAGO, March 17 (UPI) -- The annual college basketball "March Madness" could cost U.S. employers as much as $1.4 billion in lost productivity, workplace experts Challenger, Gray & Christmas said Monday.
The Chicago-based international outplacement firm says just 10 minutes a day spent on the NCAA tournament instead of job duties would cost employers an average $2.56 per worker.
Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., a recruitment specialist best known for its monthly job survey tracking corporate layoffs, calculated the loss per employee by dividing the average national hourly wage -- $15.38 -- by the average amount earned in 10 minutes by the number of U.S. employees with college degrees, about 36.6 million.
The tournament stretches over 15 workdays.
While $2.56 per worker may not seem a lot, researchers said 10 non-productive minutes for the entire workforce of 135,907,000 totals $347,921,921. However, not all workers are interested in the annual orgy of college basketball so Challenger used the number of employees with likely old-school ties to calculate a potential loss of $93.8 million for every minute of tournament distraction.
Chief Executive Officer John A. Challenger said in a time of growing anxiety over war, terrorism and unexpected job loss, a little shared activity in the form of an office pool could only raise employee morale.
"If filling in brackets for an office pool or simply chatting about one's favorite team at the water cooler for 10 minutes or more provides some relief from the otherwise depressing state of affairs, then it seems worthwhile," Challenger said.
NIT schedule announced
NEW YORK, March 17 (UPI) -- Boston College, led by star guard Troy Bell, was one of six Big East teams invited to the 40-team NIT field late Sunday.
Boston College (18-11) expected to play in the NCAA Tournament after winning seven out of its last nine games, but the Eagles were snubbed and chose to accept a bid to the NIT. The semifinals and final of the event are held at New York's Madison Square Garden, his favorite place to play, from April 1-3.
"I'm going to play regardless," said Bell, who felt BC deserved an NCAA berth. "It's just not the same."
The tournament begins Monday night, with Iowa hosting Valparaiso. The Eagles will play at Fairfield in an opening-round contest on Tuesday.
Other first-round matchups include, on Tuesday, Georgetown at Tennessee, DePaul at North Carolina, Drexel at Temple, and Villanova at Siena, and on Wednesday, Illinois-Chicago at Western Michigan, Providence at Richmond, Wichita State at Iowa State, College of Charleston at Kent State, Nevada at Texas Tech, UC-Santa Barbara at San Diego State, Ohio State at Georgia Tech, Eastern Washington at Wyoming, Seton Hall at Rhode Island, Minnesota at St. Louis, Boston University at St. John's, Brown at Virginia, Louisiana-Lafayette at Alabama-Birmingham, and Hawaii at UNLV.
"Just to play another game would make me happy," said Virginia forward Elton Brown. "Even thought it's not the NCAAs, the NIT is another game. If you do good in the NIT, people look at you like, 'They won in the NIT. It wasn't the big dance, but they played some good teams.'"
Last season, Memphis beat South Carolina in the title game.
Denmon shot to death near Los Angeles
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, March 17 (UPI) -- School officials at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi have announced that Lee Denmon III, a very good three-point shooter, has been shot to death outside Los Angeles.
He was 23.
Denmon, also one of the most likeable players in the school's history, was returning home from Morningside High School, where he served as freshman coach at his alma mater. He was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The news was devastating to Corpus Christi Coach Ronnie Arrow, who said it was a pleasure to have Denmon at the school for two years.
"Anyone who knew Lee will always remember that smile he had on his face," Arrow said. "Lee was a classy kid from a classy family. You couldn't help but root for him on and off the court because of the type of player and person he was."
After playing two years at Los Angeles Southwest College, Denmon accepted a scholarship to Corpus Christi in 1999, where he was a key member of the Islanders' first two teams.
"Lee was one of the kids who helped start this program," Arrow said. "It was a pleasure to have him here, and I can tell you that a lot of people in the area will be devastated with this news."
Denmon played in 54 games for the Islanders, averaging 12.3 points. He ranks first in program history in three-pointers in a season (69) and career (120), and shares the mark for steals in a game with six.
After using up his eligibility in 2001, he returned to the school for another semester to finish his degree before accepting the coaching job back in California.
