Though the nets have just been cut down, the NCAA men’s basketball world is still buzzing as players and coaches decide which arenas they will call home next year.
News centered around Gainesville and the newly crowned two-time champion Florida Gators, which retained the services of head coach Billy Donovan Thursday. The University of Kentucky, one of the most prestigious college programs in the nation, attempted to lure Donovan away after former head coach Tubby Smith surprisingly left for the University of Minnesota. Rupp Arena was the place where Donovan served as an assistant under Rick Pitino, but his comfort with Florida proved too strong.
“It came down to one thing – I’m happy,” he told ESPN.com.
However, the core that led Donovan’s Gators to the first back-to-back NCAA title winners in more than a decade has decided to enter the NBA Draft. Donovan confirmed to ESPN.com that his four juniors – Corey Brewer, Taurean Green, Al Horford and Joakim Noah – would bid the team farewell, apply for the draft and hire agents. Seniors Lee Humphrey and Chris Richard are also leaving, meaning Donovan must rebuild.
Besides the surprising move by Tubby Smith to move to Minnesota from Kentucky, another coach on the move is Bob Huggins, who is now in his third job in 19 months after taking the position at West Virginia. After resigning from Cincinnati and rejuvenating Kansas State’s program with an NIT bid this season, he has decided to coach his alma mater.
Two notable Pacific-10 Conference players have decided to enter the NBA Draft, as well. Arizona’s sophomore forward Marcus Williams, who toyed with the draft last year, said that he feels confident stepping up to the next level.
“I think I’m ready,” Williams told the Associated Press. Coach Lute Olson had previously stated that he would be shocked if Williams were to stay in Tucson.
Washington’s star freshman, Spencer Hawes, also said Thursday that he was declaring for the NBA Draft. However, the 7-footer told the Associated Press that he was not planning on hiring an agent, which would leave him eligible to withdraw from the draft and return to Seattle for a sophomore season. The deadline to decide on the draft is June 18.
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