Grading the new coaching hires

First, off nobody knows how any new coaching hire is going to turn out. Indications can be 'read' and history 'interpreted' but any predictions of how a new hire -- especially an assistant coach moving three feet over -- will turn out is simply for fun only and to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt.

PTW is typing this because Jeff Goodman, who knows many things basketball, offers a C for the hiring of Rodney Terry at Fresno State:

"I’m just not quite sold on this one. Terry has strong ties in Texas, but heading all the way to Fresno, Ca. didn’t make that much sense to me. He has been on Rick Barnes’ Texas staff for a while and had spurned a couple of opportunities in the past"

Worth noting is that Terry also has ties to Canadian basketbal, plus connections in North Carolina and Virginia -- the latter from previous coaching stops. Being in one of the states (California) that annually produces large numbers of D-1 players is also quite a plus.

In PTW's book (if we ever write one), landing a position with a soon-to-be Mountain West Conference program is a notch on the belt for Terry.

By the way, Mike White's hire earned LT's AD an A- with this Goodman note:

"White may be young, but he’s got quality bloodlines (his father is Duke athletic director Kevin White), and is extremely savvy. This one was outside the box, but I love it"

Let's all meet here in five years.

Jeff Goodman says it Mike White

Jeff Goodman has a post up saying it's Mike White for the Louisiana Tech coach opening.

Jeff Goodman sums up Las Vegas, actually it's Gary Parrish

Having done the late-July Las Vegas club basketball tournament scene twice, well, maybe it's the years adding up but PTW thought the following Jeff Goodman photo of CBS's Gary Parrish*** sums up the cumulative effect.

*** Actually, it JeffG having some fun at GaryP's expense (but who is the slacker in the photo?) 

It's up early, going to gym after gym, outside temps ranging from 100 degrees to 110, a big dinner about 7 o'clock or so and then choosing your poison for that night. Repeat this for three days.

Once home, head to rehab. Vow to never do it again.

A couple more items

Jeff Goodman offered a pair of WAC-related items in his column today.

In an item about Marshall University Coach Tom Herrion's recruiting class, Goodman wrote this:

"...Herrion also signed ... former New Mexico State guard Johnny Higgins – who spent last season at a junior college in Texas..."

plus this:

"...Want a player to watch this season that you’ve probably never heard of?  Nevada’s Devonte Elliott, who didn’t qualify out of high school a year ago, is expected to be cleared by the NCAA to play for the Wolf Pack this season. Elliott has grown to 6-foot-10 and has a chance to be special..."

Babbitt to the Green Room

Jeff Goodman tweeted this: "Been told that Luke Babbitt will be invited to NYC for the NBA Draft."

The WAC late on Monday

Jeff Eisenberg provides a feature on the Leon Rice-ing of the Boise State basketball Broncos -- go here.

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AW Prince at Silver and Blue Sports offers an update interview with Wolf Pack recruit Kevin Panzer -- a sub is required.

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Among Jeff Goodman's latest Twitter tweets:

"Brady Heslip told FOXSports.com he is leaving tomorrow for official visit to Georgetown and then will go to Baylor. May also go to Hofstra."

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Jared Eborn checks in with his take on the Heslip situation.

Just asking: anyone else thinking about "Waiting For Godot"?

A few early Thursday items

Jeff Goodman's list of available and taken D-1 transfers is here -- notice the distinct lack of height among those listed.

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Jeff also has the official list of NBA draft entrants here -- May 8 is the last day to pull out and return to college (if you don't already have an agent). The WAC entries are Luke Babbitt, Paul George, Armon Johnson, Jahmar Young and, very surprisingly, C.J. Webster of San Jose State.

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Brian McInnis reports on Dominick Brumfield's signing with Gib Arnold and Aleksandar Milovic's departure.

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Here's the official report from UH athletics on Brumfield's coming aboard

That's it for now.

Armon Johnson going pro

Jeff Goodman/Fox is reporting tonight that Nevada's Armon Johnson is turning pro.

Go here for his post.

This is interesting. Seemingly a year of academics to go until a degree, a much stronger Wolf Pack team with added depth returning and the word apparently -- this remains to be played out-- that he's to be a second round NBA selection.

Is is being tired of school? A need for money? Simply feeling as ready as can be? A sense that he will develop better in the pro setup? A combination of these? None of these?

Jeff Goodman on the WAC

It's very short and not all that informative but Jeff Goodman does nail down most of the come and gone transfer movement on the various WAC rosters plus some highlight games. Go here for the article which requires some scrolling down. Don't be fooled where it says WCC Offseason Rundown, just change the middle C to an A.

An Illinois (by way of NH) power forward offered by Nevada

Jeff Goodman at FoxSports has an item today in his column that connects Nevada to a prep schooler on the East Coast:

"...Kyle Cain, a 6-foot-7 athletic forward out of Chicago who has scheduled visits to Northern Illinois, Ball State and Wisconsin-Green Bay and also has offers from Rhode Island and Nevada, should receive extensive playing time..."

Cain is at New Hampton Prep (New Hampshire) and Scout has him listed as 6-foot-7 and 190 pounds. Elsewhere, we saw 6-foot-8 and 205.

He is visiting Northern Illinois this weekend.

Cain committed to Detroit in November, 2008 but then pulled back. MidStateHoops has some information on that:

"6-6 1/2 Kyle Cain of Thornton Fractional North has decommitted from the University of Detroit-Mercy. The athletic forward reneged his commitment earlier this week.

Though he verballed in the early period, he never signed a Letter of Intent which makes him eligible to commit to whatever school he chooses without penalty.

Cain is a highly athletic forward that plays hard and has a toughness about him. He’s a mid major level forward that rebounds, blocks shots, and finishes at the rim. He is a 4-man that has the potential to slide into the 3-spot at the collegiate level.

Cain has already set a visit to UT-Martin. He is also considering SIUE, Bradley, and Illinois State among others. He has four visits left and plans to use them all. Cain is wide open to all schools..."

Jeff Goodman gives Idaho some love

FoxSport's Jeff Goodman devotes some space today to Coach Don Verlin and the Idaho Vandals:

IDAHO’S VERLIN HAS VANDALS ROLLING

I’m not sure there’s a better backcourt in the WAC than the duo of Mac Hopson and Steffan Johnson.

Hopson was a first-team all-league guy last season and Johnson sat out a year ago after transferring in from Pacific – where he was favored to win the Player of the Year in the Big West.

``I think we’ll have two point guards on the floor,” Verlin said. ``I’ll allow them both to bring the ball up. We’ll see how it works.”

Go here for the remainder (scroll down a bit)