Doherty is with his fourth team in seven years after accepting the SMU head basketball job today. Doherty feels this is a destination job and is excited to be a Mustang with his new five year deal. SMU has the right to be excited now that they have such a high profile coach especially since the Stangs haven’t made the NCAA tournament since 1993. I know Doherty has a bum rap after his tumultuous stint with UNC, but I feel he will do a good job with SMU. He did take Notre Dame, UNC, and Florida Atlantic to incredible first year’s under his tenure.

The Sporting News is reporting:

With no one in charge of the N.C. State program after coach Herb Sendek’s departure for Arizona State, sophomore C Cedric Simmons declared for the NBA draft without debate. Simmons already was being contacted by agents before Sendek left. Don’t expect him to return to the Wolfpack.

IMHO, this would be a mistake. Simmons showed quite a bit of potential this past year, with the highlight being his head to head with Duke’s Sheldon Williams. Simmons is 6’9″, but boasts a wingspan of 7’4″. He is long, lean and athletic, and was just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. With the draft being a little “shallow” this year, it may help his draft status a little, but nowhere near as much as another season with the continued improvement he showed between his freshman and sophomore seasons. Cedric appears to be a good kid, so if he does make the jump, we wish him the best.

FWIW, NBADraft.net has Simmons listed as the 13th pick for the New Orleans/Oklahoma City/Insert City Name Here Hornets

After being turned down by both Rick Barnes and John Calipari (the 2nd of which I think was a sham), it appears the search may be just about ready to wind down.

Mike DeCourcy is reporting:

Former UCLA coach Steve Lavin has been offered the opportunity to return to coaching by the N.C. State Wolfpack.

Lavin has been out of the business for three years and working as a broadcast analyst for ESPN since he was let go by the Bruins following the 2002-03 season, his only losing year as a head coach.

Lavin is working on contract details and has not yet decided whether to accept the job.

With the image of Morrison throwing a fit at center court after losing in the NCAA tourney still “fresh” in my memory and burned into my minds eye (there’s no crying in basketball!):

A source close to Morrison told ESPN.com Monday that agent Mark Bartelstein will represent the player. Spokane television stations KHQ, KREM and KXLY and FoxSports.com reported Monday night that Morrison had decided to turn pro.

Apparently, neither his mom, nor his coach Mark Few are giving up the info. Honestly, his stock couldn’t be much higher than it is right now, or it was at the end of the season. While I am not big fan, he would be a bigger fool not to do it.