College Basketball
Martin replaces a legend at the University of California
BERKELEY, Calif. – California hired Tennessee’s Cuonzo Martin as its head coach Tuesday, charging him with taking over another program after a successful run by his predecessor.
Martin replaces Mike Montgomery, who retired last month after six seasons in Berkeley. Martin went 63-41 in three seasons at Tennessee, including a 24-13 mark and an appearance in the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament this season. He also previously coached Missouri State.
He takes over for one of the most successful college coaches in the history of the San Francisco Bay Area. Montgomery finished his career with a 677-317 record, having also spent 18 years at Stanford and eight at Montana. Montgomery also had two disappointing seasons as head coach of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors between his stints at Cal and Stanford.
Should I stay or should I go? Stars announce pro plans
TUCSON, Ariz. – Aaron Gordon and Nick Johnson are leaving Arizona for the NBA.
One of the top freshmen during the 2013-14 season, Gordon widely was expected to leave after one season in Tucson. Johnson built up his draft stock with a superb junior season, earning numerous All-America honors and the Pac-12 player of year award.
Johnson led Arizona with 16.3 points per game last season while proving to be one of the nation’s best perimeter defenders.
Gordon was named the Pac-12 freshman of the year after averaging 12.4 points and eight rebounds per game.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky announced 7-foot center Willie Cauley-Stein will return for his junior season.
Cauley-Stein missed the final three games of the Wildcats’ run to the NCAA championship game after suffering a left ankle injury in the Midwest Region semifinal against Louisville. He had been projected as a possible top-15 NBA draft pick but said in a statement Monday he wanted to return and move closer to earning his degree.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan sophomores Glen Robinson III and Nik Stauskas will enter the NBA draft.
Mitch McGary has not decided if he will stay in school or go pro.
The 6-6 Robinson came on strong toward the end of the season and finished with a 13.1-point average.
Stauskas, a 6-6 shooting guard, became one of the nation’s most well-rounded offensive players, averaging 17.5 points and improving defensively and earning Big Ten player of the year honors last season.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Gary Harris is going pro, thanks in part to head coach Tom Izzo’s recommendation, while Spartans forward Branden Dawson is staying for his senior season.
Harris, the Spartans’ 6-4 shooting guard, is entering the NBA draft, choosing to skip his final two years of college.
Harris averaged a team-high 16.7 points last season, helping his team win 29 games, including the Big Ten tournament championship. Harris was an Associated Press All-America honorable mention, All-Big Ten and all-conference defensive player.
Hockey
Laviolette will coach the U.S. at world championships
COLORADO SPRINGS – Longtime NHL coach Peter Laviolette will lead Team USA at the IIHF World Championships next month in Minsk, Belarus.
His assistants will be Don Granato, Phil Housley and Joe Sacco, USA Hockey announced Tuesday. Laviolette was an assistant coach for the United States at the Sochi Games in February.
In October, Laviolette was fired by the Philadelphia Flyers after the team started the season with three consecutive losses. This came on the heels of missing the playoffs in a lockout-shortened season. He led the Flyers to the 2010 Stanley Cup finals, where they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games.
Laviolette won the Stanley Cup coaching the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and previously coached the New York Islanders.
Team USA will open the world championships May 9 against Belarus.
Associated Press
