Underdogs dominating NBA Playoffs, White cools on UT
Published on Monday, 4/21/14, at 2:45 p.m. Eastern.
By Brian Edwards
–The underdogs were barking all weekend in the NBA Playoffs. On Saturday, the road underdogs went 3-1 both straight up and against the spread. Then on Sunday, the underdogs compiled a 3-1 spread record with a pair of outright victories.
–The Knicks made it official this morning by parting ways with Mike Woodson. Reports over the weekend indicated that Steve Kerr is likely to take over at MSG in NYC.
–According to Gary Parrish of CBS Sports, talks between La. Tech head coach Michael White and Tennessee cooled over the weekend. White, who was a solid four-year player at Ole Miss in the late 1990s, might be holding out in hopes of landing the gig in Oxford if Andy Kennedy’s team struggles in 2014-2015 or beyond.
–It doesn’t appear that UT has any interest in Ben Howland, who is just begging for jobs and getting turned down at every turn. I don’t know why the Vols don’t make a strong play for Cincy’s Mick Cronin, whose roster (like Tennessee’s) for next year has issues following the departures of Sean Kilpatrick and Justin Jackson. Southern Miss coach Donnie Tyndall appears to be the front-runner at this point and although that might work out, it’s a B- hire at best.
–According to a tweet over the weekend from Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Mizzou search wasn’t started in earnest until today. The Tigers are willing to spend more money than Tennessee, which apparently doesn’t want to pay its hoops coach more than its football coach.
–Rick Bozich dishes on John Wall and Frank Haith’s exit from Mizzou to Tulsa.
–ESPN’s Marc Stein reported this morning that the Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in Florida head coach Billy Donovan. Does that make me nervous? Sort of. Do I think it’s going to happen? Negative. Other coaches reportedly on the T-wolves’ radar include Iowa St.’s Fred Hoiberg, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and former Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins.
Ashley Sky is a serious candidate to join the 2015 SI Swimsuit Rookie class — as captain!
–Hottie of the Day: Ashley Sky!
–It isn’t official yet but all indications are that Michigan transfer Jon Horford is going to land at UF. That’ll be a nice get for the Gators, who need interior depth. Chris Walker is returning and should have an outstanding sophomore season. If Damontre Harris can stay in Donovan’s good graces, he should be a solid player in 2014-2015. These four guys will be starters: Kasey Hill (PG), Michael Frazier II (shooting guard), Dorian Finney-Smith (3 or 4) and Walker (4 or 5). The fifth starter could be Alex Murphy (Duke transfer), Harris or Eli Carter (Rutgers transfer who is a shooting guard, Frazier could slide to the 3). Devon Walker can play the 2 or the 3 coming off the bench. Then there are the three freshmen, who are ready to contribute right away. That’s an 11-deep squad that’s a given to be a preseason top-10 team and possibly top five.
–Jon Rothstein has lots of good nuggets in his latest column, including SMU bolstering its non-conference schedule with a trip to Bloomington to face Indiana.
–Travis Browne’s camp is reporting that the heavyweight contender suffered a broken hand and a broken rib in the first round of his loss to Fabricio Werdum on Saturday night in Orlando.
Dana White is working on a deal to sign Gina Carano, who would face Ronda Rousey for the title right away.
—Dana White is fired up to get ‘legit’ Gina Carano signed and when he does, she’ll get a title shot against Ronda Rousey immediately.
–VERY happy to hear (from SI.com) that Marcus Lattimore is ready to play for the 49ers.
–RIP to Rubin ‘The Hurricane’ Carter.
