– Butler’s Lickliter takes Iowa job. Analysis: Solid, sensible hire.
– Creighton head man Dana Altman heads to Arkansas. Analysis: We expected him to be more of a candidate for the Iowa job, but Altman (in our view, correctly) viewed Arkansas as a better job. Altman’s Bluejay teams played a style that Hog fans will enjoy, but Altman has coached in midwestern circles for almost 20 years – how will he adapt to the South and playing in the unfamiliar SEC? UPDATE: As Lee Corso would say – not so fast, my friend. Altman pulls the ultimate Cremins, and Arkansas AD Broyles is this year’s Lee Fowler. Dare the Hogs approach Gregg Marshall, who went the Cremins route himself last year? I really have no idea who they could get at this point. Somebody desperate, I guess.
– Stan Heath Lands at USF. Analysis: Definitely a step back for Heath. He stays in a power conference, but with one of the 5-10 worst power conference jobs. Being at the bottom of the Big East barrel is compounded by the fact that the last 4 teams don’t even make the conference tourney. That makes a tough job even tougher. The job is so bad that Winthrop’s Gregg Marshall turned it down. We think he could be waiting for Dave Odom to retire at USC.
– Beilein likely has an offer from Michigan. Analysis: If this comes to pass, it would be interesting to see if he sticks with the infamous Princeton offense, or simply uses “Princeton principles” in a more varied offense (like Georgetown’s John Thompson III). CBS Sportsline reports that this is a done deal, but with the mysterious buyout clause, we wouldn’t make any definitive conclusions yet. Remember, he was considered a 95% “done deal” to NC State last year.
– UPDATE: Is Colorado going the Princeton route with Air Force’s Bzdelik? I suppose it’s worth a try – the Buffs really, really suck.
– Lots of dominoes could still fall once the Kentucky opening is filled. One would expect the Donovan courtship to conclude soon, and Marquette’s Tom Crean could still be waiting in the wings.
