2011 Recruiting: Marquis Teague

Marquis Teague will not make a decision at the Boo Williams event this weekend, like previously reported, sources tell CollegeCarousel.

Teague, considering Louisville, Kentucky, Indiana, Cincinnati, and Purdue, is considered one of the "big three" in the 2011 class with Mike Gilchrist and Quincy Miller.

Numerous sources tell us that the final decision will come down to Louisville and Kentucky. Reports indicated that with Pitino's extension at Louisville, it all but guaranteed Teague to Louisville - but not so fast. By exploring back channels, CollegeCarousel believes that Kentucky, not Louisville, may actually lead for the services of Teague.

At this point, smart money is on Louisville and Kentucky.

DePaul - what's happening?

DePaul University has targeted the big guys, only to be spurned numerous times.

There were rumors that Rod Strickland, a DePaul alum and Kentucky assistant coach, could land at DePaul. Those rumors don't appear to be completely true, but we do have some information that could be valuable.

We're hearing that a certain ACC Coach could make the move to DePaul and it could happen as early as the morning. It is very probable that Clemson's Oliver Purnell moves from the Tigers to the DePaul program if everything works out according to plan.

Check back later for official word.

Duke or Butler?

At about midnight tonight, we'll have a new champion of college basketball. Who will it be? Butler, the Cinderella and "America's team" will play the favored Duke Blue Devils, who strolled to the title game.

The smart money would appear to be on Duke, but you can't discount the close wins Butler has had - Syracuse, Michigan State, and Kansas State. I wouldn't be surprised either way, but I do feel that Duke has more offensive power than what Butler can handle.

I'm heart says Butler, but my head says Duke.

Pitino's staff cut in half?

Rick Pitino's Louisville staff may have a different look next season.

Sources tell CollegeCarousel that assistant Ralph Willard, who came to Louisville last year after being the head coach at Holy Cross, could return back to Worcester this season, after they fired his replacement.

Also hearing that Louisville assistant Steve Masiello could interview for the Iona job, which was opened after Kevin Willard left for greener pastures. Masiello is not necessarily the leading candidate, which also includes Norm Roberts, who was fired by St. John's, and Richard Pitino, Rick's son who is an assistant at Florida.

Dickey, not Gillispie, in at Houston?

Sources tell CollegeCarousel that James Dickey, the former Texas Tech coach, could be in line to get the Houston job over former Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie.

Dickey, who has been out of coaching for several years, appears to have the inside track over Gillispie, which is surprising to most. However, sources told us that Gillisipie only had mild interest in Houston, and never had interest in return to his old stomping grounds at UTEP.

It looks like Gillispie will wait until next season for the right job.

Iowa will hire Siena's McCaffery

Iowa will hire Siena's McCaffery, sources tell CollegeCarousel.

Today, reports surfaced that St. John's was interested in Siena's Fran McCaffery. From the get-go, we felt Steve Lavin would be the John's first choice and that McCaffery would be a no-go.

As of 10:00pm tonight, we have heard word that Iowa plans to hire McCaffery to take the head coach job vacated after the firing of Todd Lickliter.

Expect official word from the university tomorrow.

Lavin and St. John's

CollegeCarousel is hearing that Steve Lavin and St. John's have more than a mutual interest in eachother. St. John's is expecting to interview Siena coach Fran McCaffery today, but sources close to both McCaffery and St. John's tell us that St. John's would rather have Lavin and that McCaffery isn't sure St. John's is actually the "place for him."

We would be surprised if any one other than Lavin ends up at St. John's. We do not expect McCaffery to get the job.