• I love hearing stories about coaches being involved in positive things. Five current Division I head coaches are scheduled to go to the Persian Gulf as part of a USO group doing "Operation Hoop Talk" from June 2-10. Jeff Bzdelik of Colorado, Dave Leitao of Virginia, Jim Crews of Army, Ed Conroy of The Citadel and Gary Stewart of UC-Davis will be making the trip overseas to talk to the troops. Former Notre Dame assistant Jeff Nix helped coordinate the trip and will also represent basketball insiders at the event.
• Congratulations to the Atlantic 10 on the hiring of its new commissioner, Bernadette McGlade. She spent the past 11 years at the Atlantic Coast Conference, including the last nine as Associate Commissioner. McGlade takes over the post vacated by Linda Bruno.
• It has been a tough stretch for Maryland coach Gary Williams. First, JUCO standout Tyree Evans asked out of his commitment to the Terps. Now 6-9 forward Augustus "Gus" Gilchrist has requested his release to transfer. Gilchrist was scheduled to miss the first semester because he originally committed to Virginia Tech. This move could allow the 6-9 frontcourt standout to play right away if he successfully petitions the NCAA. It is a blow to Williams, but trust me, Gary will fill those voids and the Terps will be a dangerous team.
• The Anaheim Classic will have a lot of talent when the field goes to Disneyland November 27, 28 and 30th. The field includes Herb Sendek's Arizona State team; an up-and-coming Wake Forest squad; Scott Drew's dangerous Baylor team; St. Mary's of the WCC, always a contender in that league; Providence with new coach Keno Davis; Charlotte, UTEP and Cal State-Fullerton. Think about some of the players involved: James Harden of the Sun Devils; James Johnson and Jeff Teague of the Demon Deacons; LaceDarius Dunn of Baylor; Diamon Simpson of St. Mary's and Geoff McDermott of Providence. That's a solid group worthy of looking at.
• I have said it before and I will say it again. It is so tough for college coaches waiting for decisions of players who entered the NBA draft early. There are so many guys considering withdrawal from the draft and returning to school. For now, a lot of coaches are flat-out being held hostage.
• University of Florida coach Billy Donovan made a solid decision, quickly filling a void on his coaching staff. Donovan brought in Shaka Smart of Clemson as an assistant coach. Smart replaced Lewis Preston, who left Florida after two years to join the coaching staff at Penn State.
• I loved the move made by new Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford. He brought in former LSU interim coach Butch Pierre to his Cowboys coaching staff. Pierre did an outstanding job of recruiting in Bayou country and he will be an asset in Stillwater. His kids played hard for him when he replaced John Brady during the 2008 season.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
