College Men's Basketball Capsules: DePaul ready to make coach 1 of Big East's richest

CHICAGO — Hoping to restore a once-proud program, DePaul is prepared to make its next coach one of the richest in the Big East.

Athletic director Jean Lenti Ponsetto said Tuesday that the next coach could have a salary that "would definitely be in the top half and it would be comparably close to the very top" in the conference. It was a big sign that the "little school under the el tracks," as legendary coach Ray Meyer called it, is ready to make a big push after getting knocked around the past few years.

Ponsetto said DePaul is looking at candidates that include current head coaches of "very successful programs." There have been no interviews because coaches the school wants to talk with are participating in the NCAA tournament.

"Somebody would have to leave something really good if we get any of our top several choices," Ponsetto said.

The Blue Demons just completed their third straight losing season, going 8-23 overall and 1-17 in Big East play after failing to win a regular-season conference game the previous year.

"We have a tremendous men’s basketball tradition, so there’s a history here of the program having been successful," Ponsetto said. "We know how to get into the NCAA tournament."

They’ve done it 22 times but not since 2004, when they made the second round under Dave Leitao. They’ve made the NIT twice since then.

Although they dropped their final 13 games this season, they were more competitive under interim coach Tracy Webster, who replaced the fired Jerry Wainwright in January following several blowout losses and will be considered for the job.

Along with what could be a big payday, the lure of leading a storied program in one of the toughest conferences with a fertile recruiting ground right outside the gym’s doors is strong. DePaul has two NCAA Final Four appearances and an NIT championship.

It has a long list of star players, from the great George Mikan to Mark Aguirre, Terry Cummings and Rod Strickland.

It has an on-campus practice facility with recently renovated locker rooms and refurbished men’s basketball offices. It has chartered planes for Big East road games. And it has strong academics.

"DePaul absolutely has everything it needs to be successful," Ponsetto said.

One thing DePaul doesn’t have: An on-campus arena.

The Blue Demons just completed their 30th season at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., an 18,500-seat facility about 15 miles away from campus, near O’Hare International Airport. Games played on or near campus would figure to draw well in a densely populated and lively neighborhood that attracts a young crowd.

"DePaul is very much aware that a campus facility is something that a lot of people would like to see, but look around," Ponsetto said. "We’re pretty landlocked, and it’s not like anything locally in the neighborhood, right in our campus boundaries, is going to change in the very near future.

"It’s on DePaul’s radar to think about a facility going forward, but at this point in time, that’s not what’s been about whether or not we can be successful or not be successful."

Ernie Kent is out as Oregon basketball coach

EUGENE, Ore. — Ernie Kent, the winningest coach in Oregon history, was dismissed Tuesday after 13 seasons with his alma mater.

"You may find a better basketball coach, but I don’t think you’ll find anybody that has the passion and love that I have for this university," said Kent, who had to pause for several moments to fight back his emotions.

Oregon went 16-16 overall and 7-11 in the Pac-10 this past season, finishing with a 90-74 quarterfinal loss to California in the conference tournament.

Kent, 55, leaves Oregon with a 235-173 overall record. But the Ducks have slipped in the past two seasons, going 24-39 and finishing 10th and ninth, respectively, in conference play.

Attendance has also dipped from an average of 7,922 in 2008-09 to 7,122 this past season.

Kent was the longest tenured Pac-10 coach. He took Oregon to the NCAA tournament five times, advancing twice to the round of eight.

He played at Oregon from 1973-77, part of the so-called Kamakazi Kids under coach Dick Harter.

Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti said Oregon terminated Kent’s contract effective June 30. He cited his record and declining attendance at MacArthur Court.

"I think the accomplishments that Ernie has done speak for themselves," said Bellotti, who admitted it was a difficult decision. "He’s given his life to the university as a student, a teacher and a coach."

The dismissal had been rumored for the past two weeks, after Eugene’s KVAL-TV reported that Kent had been informed on Feb. 22 that he would not return as the Ducks’ coach.

Kent told his players shortly after the regular season finale.

Both Kent and Bellotti, who appeared separately at a news conference on Tuesday on the floor of Mac Court, confirmed the details of the report. Kent said he was given the option of leaving the team at that time.

"I thought it would be very hypocritical of me to walk out on my guys," Kent said.

The Ducks immediately begin the search for a successor. The Oregonian newspaper reported this past weekend that one possible candidate was P.J. Carlesimo, former coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Oregon’s next coach will usher in a new era with a new $227 million arena that is scheduled to open for the start of the 2010-11 Pac-10 season.

Kent took over as head coach of Oregon when Jerry Green departed for Tennessee after the 1996-97 season. Prior to the Ducks, Kent coached at St. Mary’s in Moraga, Calif., taking the Gaels to the NCAA tournament his final season there.

Oregon President Richard Lariviere praised Kent’s dedication to the academic success of his players.

"My colleagues and I admire the work of this good man for his ability to shape the lives of young people. It is an enviable record," Lariviere said in a statement. "The University of Oregon appreciates his accomplishments and wishes Coach Kent the best in the future."

Michigan’s Harris undecided on plans for next year

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Michigan guard Manny Harris says he has not decided if he will return for his senior season or enter the NBA draft.

Harris said Tuesday night during halftime of the Cleveland Cavaliers-Detroit Pistons game that he isn’t sure when he will make his decision.

He told reporters on Feb. 2 he would be back next season, then declined comment on his future at least twice this month.

Harris averaged 18 points last season for the Wolverines.

-- Larry Lage

Duquesne suspends Clark indefinitely

PITTSBURGH — Duquesne University forward Bill Clark has been suspended indefinitely for what the school said was conduct unacceptable to the team.

Clark, a 6-foot-5 junior, did not accompany the Dukes on their trip to Princeton for a College Basketball Invitational game Wednesday night.

Duquesne coach Ron Everhart declined to elaborate on the suspension. Clark is Duquesne’s second-leading scorer and rebounder with averages of 14.1 points and six rebounds.