Parrish: The Thoughts : CBSSports.com Blogs

This is no longer my blog

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:56:07 EST

I've joined the Eye on College Basketball blog with Jeff Goodman, Matt Norlander and Jeff Borzello.

Click this link to go there.

Then bookmark it.

Then delete this bookmark.

I'm taking off this week/killing this blog

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:57:10 EST

I'm vacationing this week.

But I'm not really taking a vacation.

It's just that CBS is kind enough to give me all these vacation days that must be used at some point, and the middle of June seems like a pretty good point to use a few. I trust my new colleague Jeff Goodman will keep you occupied in my absence. I'll return next Monday in advance of my trip to New York for our NBA Draft coverage, and when I return -- and this is really what I wanted to tell you -- I won't be using this blog anymore. Rather, I'll be joining Goodman, Matt Norlander and Jeff Borzello in the CBSSports.com Eye on College Basketball Blog.

Goodman and I spent some time with the bosses last week down in Florida and we decided we care less about highlighting ourselves individually than we do about putting all of our best resources on college basketball in one, easy-to-find location. We want to complement each other and try to make the Eye on College Basketball Blog the nation's best place to read about the sport. So starting next Monday we'll be writing columns separately (obviously) but blogging in the same place -- a place that will be redesigned in the coming weeks to highlight our arrival because one of my demands was that my arrival be highlighted.

Yes, Mike, it was inevitable

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 22:39:54 EDT

Mike Hamilton announced his resignation as Tennessee's athletic director on Tuesday.

He said the following words: "I think today was inevitable."

Sure, Hamilton said lots more. He talked about his personal life and professional life, talked about his past and future and even quoted scripture. All in all, it was an OK performance. But the words that stood out most were the five from above because they suggested Hamilton recognized what he was up against even if he almost certainly recognized it later than most. You see, once Tennessee decided to split with Bruce Pearl because of Pearl's acknowledged NCAA violations it became obvious that Hamilton, the man who hired Pearl, wouldn't last. I had no idea whether the resignation would come in June 2011 or August 2011 or January 2012. But I've said many times on many radio stations that Tennessee would have a new athletic director, one way or another, when all of its NCAA issues were in the past. That educated guess has been confirmed.

Source: Chambers likely to be PSU's next coach

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 19:19:58 EDT

Duquesne's Ron Everhart and Milwaukee's Rob Jeter have both publicly withdrawn their names from consideration for the Penn State job, meaning Boston University's Pat Chambers will, barring a surprise, be introduced soon as the Nittany Lions' next head coach.

Everhart, Jeter and Chambers are the only three men who interviewed.

A source told CBSSports.com that all three were told they were the only coaches under consideration. A separate source confirmed that Chambers has been offered the job, and that he'll likely accept at some point Friday. Chambers is a Pennsylvania native who spent the past two seasons as the head coach at BU. Before that, he assisted Jay Wright at Villanova for five seasons.

Chambers would be replacing Ed DeChellis.

Heading to Florida to huddle with Goodman

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:49:07 EDT

I'm flying down to Florida this weekend for a college basketball retreat of sorts.

My bosses from CBSSports.com will be there.

So will my new colleague, Jeff Goodman.

Since it was announced a few weeks back that Jeff is leaving FoxSports.com for CBSSports.com, lots of folks have asked what it means for me and, specifically, whether it's an indication that I'm going elsewhere. In short, absolutely not. The truth is that I campaigned for this. I lobbied my bosses to make Jeff an offer, then lobbied Jeff to accept it because though we clown each other on Twitter often, this is the guy I've always wanted to work with.

Source: Pastner hiring Stoudamire at Memphis

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 10:49:10 EDT

Josh Pastner is hiring former NBA Rookie of the Year Damon Stoudamire as an assistant on the Memphis staff, a source told CBSSports.com on Monday.

A formal announcement is expected soon.

Stoudamire, 37, played at Arizona like Pastner and has been an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies since 2009. He spent 13 seasons as a player in the NBA and will join Jack Murphy on the Tigers staff. Pastner still has one spot left to fill because Willis Wilson and Glynn Cyprien both left after last season. Wilson took the head coaching position at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Cyprien is now an assistant for Billy Kennedy at Texas A&M.

South Park just destroyed the NCAA

Fri, 27 May 2011 9:08:46 EDT

Lots of people watch South Park.

That's why it's a hit.

But even if you don't watch the show you should watch the replay of Wednesday's episode titled "Crack Baby Athletic Association' because it takes aim at the NCAA and destroys the idea of amateurism at the high-major level. I won't even bother trying to explain the entire storyline, but the gist of it is that Cartman starts a basketball league for crack babies and profits greatly because he doesn't have to pay the players because paying them would be "against the rules." He visits the president of Colorado while dressed as a slave owner and asks how Colorado continues to get away with not paying its "slaves," and the president explains the importance of calling them "student-athletes."

Source: Murray State hiring assistant Prohm

Tue, 24 May 2011 0:42:43 EDT

Murray State will introduce Steve Prohm as its new men's basketball coach on Monday afternoon, a source told CBSSports.com.

A press conference is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.

Prohm had been Billy Kennedy's top assistant at Murray State the past five years.

Kennedy left last week to replace Mark Turgeon at Texas A&M.

Hancock transferring from GMU to Louisville

Mon, 23 May 2011 9:43:20 EDT

Luke Hancock has decided to transfer from George Mason to Louisville, a source told CBSSports.com on Saturday.

Hancock averaged 10.9 points and 4.3 assists for the Patriots last season and hit the game-winning shot in George Mason's victory over Villanova in the NCAA tournament. He'll sit out next season per NCAA transfer rules and then have two years of eligibility remaining starting in 2012-13.

Hancock also considered Michigan, Marquette, Virginia Tech and multiple other schools.

Turned a blind eye? I disagree

Sun, 22 May 2011 3:53:56 EDT

I just watched the "Today" story on the woman who accused Wake Forest's Gary Clark of sexual assault in 2009.

I don't know what to make of it.

The woman, Maggie Hurt, says she performed oral sex on Clark because he told her to and because she was too scared to not do what he said. Clark, obviously, says it was consensual. No charges were ever filed because there were no witnesses or physical evidence to back her story. So what we have is a classic he-said-she-said situation with the character of each party under attack. Clark's attorney, for example, has told the newspaper in Winston-Salem (N.C.) that Hurt had sex in a hotel bathroom with a male cheerleader just hours before the alleged incident. That comment, presumably, was designed to suggest Hunt is promiscuous, which may or may not be true. Either way, it doesn't mean she wasn't also sexually assaulted. So here we are, just running in circles.

Source: Hill joining Turgeon's staff at Maryland

Tue, 17 May 2011 17:22:37 EDT

Kansas State assistant Dalonte Hill has accepted an offer to join Mark Turgeon's staff at Maryland, a source confirmed to CBSSports.com on Tuesday.

An official announcement is expected soon.

This development should be huge in terms of giving Turgeon a recruiting advantage in the Washington area because Hill, a Washington native, has strong ties to the D.C. Assault summer program. Bob Huggins lured him to Kansas State specifically for that reason. It led to the enrollment of Michael Beasley, a former D.C. Assault star who spent one year Kansas State before entering the NBA Draft.

Hill is expected to join Scott Spinelli and Bino Ranson on Turgeon's staff.

Jones transferring out of Arizona program

Tue, 17 May 2011 13:28:20 EDT

Arizona sophomore Lamont "MoMo" Jones is transferring out of the Wildcats program.

Multiple outlets in Arizona reported the news Monday night.

The 6-foot point guard averaged 9.7 points last season and helped the Wildcats reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. The reason behind Jones' decision is unclear, but it's worth noting that Sean Miller is about to enroll a heralded recruiting class headlined by Josiah Turner, a 6-3 point guard many expected to take Jones' starting job next season. Turner is widely considered to be among the top three point guards in the Class of 2011.

Texas A&M has offered its job to Kennedy

Sun, 15 May 2011 14:54:30 EDT

Murray State's Billy Kennedy is expected to soon accept an offer to succeed Mark Turgeon as Texas A&M's basketball coach, a source told CBSSports.com on Sunday.

An introductory press conference could come as early as Monday.

CBSSports.com reported Saturday that Kennedy had emerged as the frontrunner after Marquette's Buzz Williams, Memphis' Josh Pastner, Colorado's Tad Boyle and former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy rejected overtures from Texas A&M. Kennedy interviewed with athletic director Bill Byrne on Saturday, received an offer early Sunday and will accept it, a source said, barring an unexpected breakdown in negotiations. The other finalists are Ben Jacobson (Northern Iowa head coach) and Scott Spinelli (Texas A&M assistant). Spinelli would join Turgeon's staff at Maryland the moment Kennedy is formally introduced.

Texas A&M search nearing end

Sun, 15 May 2011 14:54:49 EDT

Murray State's Billy Kennedy remains the perceived favorite to replace Mark Turgeon at Texas A&M, a source told CBSSports.com on Saturday. But athletic director Bill Byrne is still exploring other options -- specifically Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson and Texas A&M assistant Scott Spinelli.

A source told CBSSports.com that after interviewing Kennedy, Byrne flew to North Dakota late Saturday afternoon to meet with Jacobson in person. The source added that Spinelli remains a realistic option, too. Either way, the source said, Byrne is expected to close the search by the end of the weekend.

Turgeon left Texas A&M last week after accepting the job at Maryland.

Texas A&M projects as a preseason Top 25 team.

A&M contacts Van Gundy

Sat, 14 May 2011 16:32:31 EDT

Texas A&M's search to replace Mark Turgeon has led to school officials reaching out to Jeff Van Gundy.

It's unclear whether Van Gundy, now an analyst with ESPN, would be interested in coaching college basketball, but a source told CBSSports.com that Texas A&M athetic director Bill Byrne felt it was worth his while to at least call and check considering Van Gundy lives in Houston. Meantime, the Fort Worth Star Telegram is reporting that Colorado's Tad Boyle has turned down the opportunity to replace Turgeon. According to the report, Boyle was Byrne's first choice once it became obvious that Buzz Williams was not a realistic option because of his contract situation at Marquette.

Where Texas A&M turns next is unclear.

Minnesota's Smith diagnosed with prostate cancer

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:44:03 EDT

Minnesota officials announced Monday that Tubby Smith was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Smith underwent a procedure April 21, according to a release.

He says he's now "cancer free."

"I am happy to say that the cancer was contained and removed," Smith said. "I am now cancer free and feeling great.”

Updated Top 25 (and one)

Wed, 11 May 2011 14:32:52 EDT

I've updated the Top 25 (and one).

Here's how it looks ...

North Carolina

Kentucky

Source: Maryland targeting Turgeon

Mon, 09 May 2011 21:07:53 EDT

Maryland's coaching search has turned to Texas A&M's Mark Turgeon.

A source told CBSSports.com that Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson has -- after being rebuffed by Villanova's Jay Wright, Pittsburgh's Jamie Dixon and Arizona's Sean Miller -- targeted Turgeon to succeed Gary Williams, and that Turgeon is currently deciding whether to make the move to the ACC. Turgeon has spent the past four seasons at Texas A&M and made four consecutive NCAA tournaments.

Williams abruptly retired from Maryland last Thursday after 22 seasons.

Brey out at Maryland, too

Tue, 10 May 2011 23:54:50 EDT

Notre Dame's Mike Brey is the latest candidate to remove his name from Maryland's coaching search, the Washington Post reported Sunday. Consequently, one of the nation's best jobs will remain open until at least Monday. Where the search will turn next is unclear.

"I don’t believe it’s going to be a long process,” Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson told the paper on Sunday. “We’re doing our due diligence, making sure we’re going to hire the right person. ... We’re just not going to panic and pick somebody who might not be the best fit for Maryland. We’re going to look at the whole person. Here’s what I’m looking for: Someone with most, if not all, of the qualities Gary Williams possessed."

Butler's Mack remaining in NBA Draft

Mon, 09 May 2011 15:58:14 EDT

Shelvin Mack has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and remain in the NBA Draft.

The news was first reported by Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

Mack helped the Bulldogs make the past two Final Fours. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 16 points per game last season. He's projected by most to be selected late in the first round or early in the second round of next month's draft.

The deadline for underclassmen to withdraw from the draft is tonight.

Sources: Capel to return to Duke as assistant

Mon, 09 May 2011 23:18:41 EDT

Jeff Capel won't be unemployed for long.

The recently fired Oklahoma coach will, barring a change of plans, join Mike Krzyzewski's staff at Duke as a full-time assistant in time for next season, multiple sources have told CBSSports.com. One of the sources added that current Blue Devil assistant Nate James is expected to be reassigned, meaning Krzyzewski's staff will consist of Chris Collins, Steve Wojciechowski and Capel.

Capel is a former Duke player who coached Oklahoma the past five seasons. The 36 year-old North Carolina native is responsible for luring Blake Griffin into the OU program and taking the Sooners to the Elite Eight in 2009. He was fired after last season when OU finished 5-11 in the Big 12.

Jones returning to Kentucky

Wed, 11 May 2011 12:06:41 EDT

Kentucky's Terrence Jones announced via Twitter on Saturday that he's withdrawing from the NBA Draft and returning to school for his sophomore season.

"I've been enjoying being a college player and plan on striving to reach my goal of winning [UK's eighth national title]," Jones Tweeted.. "I can't leave the [Big Blue Nation] just yet.

Jones averaged 15.7 points and 8.8 rebounds last season while helping the Wildcats make the Final Four. The 6-foot-8 forward was a projected lottery pick but decided to return and play with Darius Miller and a star-studded recruiting class that should have Kentucky ranked no lower than second in every preseason college basketball poll, No. 1 in some.

Underclassmen who have declared for the NBA Draft have until Sunday to withdraw.

Source: Maryland likely to offer Arizona's Miller

Sun, 08 May 2011 2:00:56 EDT

Sean Miller is expected to meet with Maryland officials later today and, formally or informally, be offered the opportunity to succeed Gary Williams as the Terrapins' basketball coach, a source has told CBSSports.com. The source added that any report suggesting Miller has already accepted the Maryland job is "premature."

Miller just finished his second season at Arizona by winning the Pac-10 and taking the Wildcats to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. He's losing Derrick Williams from that roster but would still have a team talented enough to be ranked in the preseason Top 25 if he stayed at Arizona. Still, the Maryland job is too good to ignore -- especially for a Pittsburgh native and former ACC assistant whose family reportedly wouldn't mind returning East. So that's why Miller agreed to meet with Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson, and it's why most believe he's leaning toward accepting the job before the end of the weekend barring an unexpected development. In that case, Arizona would be looking for its fifth coach in sixth years and the usual candidates -- among them Memphis' Josh Pastner, an Arizona graduate -- would probably at least be approached in some form.

Report: Maryland AD to meet with Arizona's Miller

Sat, 14 May 2011 2:15:49 EDT

Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson is expected to soon meet with Arizona's Sean Miller about succeeding Gary Williams as the Terrapins' basketball coach, the Washington Post reported Friday. The paper added that there is "mutual interest" between the two sides.

Dixon, Miller among possible Maryland targets

Sun, 08 May 2011 10:27:27 EDT

Maryland's search for Gary Williams' successor is underway and figures to center on some of the men connected to most high-profile openings over the past few years -- specifically Pittsburgh's Jamie Dixon, Arizona's Sean Miller and Villanova's Jay Wright, multiple sources have told CBSSports.com.

Notre Dame's Mike Brey is also in the mix.

Brey is a Maryland native who would almost certainly take the job if offered, according to a source. But the same source said Dixon, Miller and Wright would probably have to make it clear to Maryland officials that they're uninterested before the ACC school moved that direction. The level of interest from Dixon, Miller and Wright varies and is unclear, though all three would at least take a phone call and listen, multiple sources told CBSSports.com, considering the Maryland job is widely viewed as one of the nation's best because of tradition, support and a rich recruiting base of Washington D.C. and Baltimore.

Williams retiring from Maryland

Sat, 07 May 2011 17:59:06 EDT

Gary Williams is retiring as Maryland's basketball coach, a source confirmed to CBSSports.com on Thursday.

Williams subsequently confirmed the news with a released statement.

“It’s the right time,” Williams said. “My entire career has been an unbelievable blessing. I am fiercely proud of the program we have built here. I couldn’t have asked any more from my players, my assistant coaches, the great Maryland fans and this great university. Together, we did something very special here."

Williams spent 22 seasons at Maryland and led the Terrapins to the 2002 national championship while making 14 NCAA tournament appearances, seven Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights and two Final Fours. In recent years, though, he struggled recruiting the Washington D.C./Baltimore area and had grown tired of the summer culture where most high-major recruiting now takes place, a source said. Williams had not made the Sweet Sixteen since 2003. The Terrapins were 19-14 overall, 7-9 in the ACC last season. Their best player, Jordan Williams, announced on Wednesday that he is hiring an agent and staying in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Vacation time

Thu, 05 May 2011 17:27:21 EDT

I'll be off work till May 9.

That is all.

gary

Pitino no longer coaching Puerto Rico team

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:53:35 EDT

Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino is backing out of an agreement to coach the Puerto Rico national team in preparation for the 2011 pre-Olympic qualifying tournament because of scheduling conflicts, the school announced Wednesday morning.

"Too many conflicts arose," Pitino said. "It is a great disappointment that we cannot take on the challenge to help them qualify for the Olympics."

One issue, according to Louisville officials, is that Pitino had hoped to take the Cardinals with him to Puerto Rico on a preseason "foreign" trip so that he could work with them while also working with the Puerto Rico national team, but the NCAA declined to OK that plan because Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States. Consequently, Puerto Rico is not considered a "foreign" site under NCAA rules.

Harrow transferring from N.C. State

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:35:50 EDT

North Carolina State guard Ryan Harrow is transferring out of the Wolfpack program.

"We wish him well and will do anything we can to assist him in this process," said first-year coach Mark Gottfried.

Harrow averaged 9.3 points and 3.3 assists in 23.0 minutes per game as a freshman under Sidney Lowe, who was replaced by Gottfried after the season. According to N.C. State, Harrow will be granted a release to transfer to any school that's not an ACC school. He's expected to be among the most sought after Division I transfers.

Solid weekend for the Knucklehead Rule

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:47:45 EDT

Remember my Knucklehead Rule?

It's rooted in the "once a knucklehead, always a knucklehead" theory, a cynical view of the world that suggests people with issues almost always remain people with issues. I wrote about it while doing a column on former Ohio guard Armon Bassett last year. I mention it today because the Knucklehead Rule just had a helluva weekend.

It started with actress Lindsey Lohan (Queen Knucklehead) returning to jail Friday for a probation violation. Then Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall (Hall of Fame knucklehead) was involved in a domestic dispute that led to him being hospitalized with a stab wound. Meantime, Lakers rookie Derrick Caracter (knucklehead for most of the past decade) was arrested in New Orleans. And Florida football player Janoris Jenkins was hit with a marijuana charge for the second time this year. And former Major Leaguer Elijah Dukes was arrested for the second time in less than two months. And former NFL player Keith McCants was charged with felony possession of cocaine and resisting arrest.