TIDBITS: Sept. 19

Oregon coach Ernie Kent, who at one time was the leading candidate to become Notre Dame's coach, has continued to build his program. Last year, the Ducks were sensational, going to the Elite Eight. They featured Luke Jackson, Luke Ridnour and high-wire act Freddy Jones, the first-round pick of the Indiana Pacers.

Recruit Aaron Brooks, one of the premier ball-handlers on the West Coast, said no to Washington and UCLA.

The bottom line is, if you want to survive and succeed in the Pac-10 -- competing with the likes of Arizona, UCLA, Stanford and USC -- you'd better get players.

In Eugene, fans have to be ecstatic with the news that 6-foot point guard Aaron Brooks is going to be a Duck.

Brooks, a senior at Franklin High School in Seattle, is one of the premier ball-handlers on the West Coast. He said no to Washington and new coach Lorenzo Romar as well as UCLA and coach Steve Lavin. He lit up the face of Kent when he said he would reunite with his onetime coach. Brooks played for Kent on the U.S. Junior National Team this past summer.

Brooks said his decision wasn't strongly influenced by playing for Kent on that team, which faced solid international competition. But if you played for someone and enjoyed the scene, that can't hurt in the decision-making process.

Fans in Duck country have to be happy with this announcement, baby!

Aces Wild!
What's going on at Evansville? Coach Steve Merfeld (not Stevie Wonder) wielded the magic and led Hampton to a shocking win over No. 2 seed Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament two years ago. Now he's taking over as the new head coach of the Evansville Purple Aces.

In his first season, he's making a splash by changing the uniforms, going back to the sleeveless look that was adopted during the Arad McCutchan era. Back then, Evansville dominated Division II and the uniform became the trademark look.

According to Merfeld, the reason for the change was simple -- comfort, my friends! The bottom line is, McCutchan did it for comfort also and it led to success. If that psychologically plays a factor in shooting the jumper, why not do it?

Wake Needs Healthy Howard
At Wake Forest, there's some concern. Senior Josh Howard's injury problems are not a major deal, since this is still September. He has been bothered by ankle and shin troubles, but you never know, because that type of injury can develop into a steady problem for the entire season.

Injuries can affect your physical conditioning, and so much depends on the presence of the All-ACC candidate Howard. He's one of the most underrated players in the nation. Howard is so explosive in transition, a defensive dynamo and a valuable contributor. He has been a positive in the tough ACC throughout his career.

According to the Wake Forest people, he should be ready Nov. 1. He'd better be back, because the Demon Deacons have a young team with lots of talent. Wake needs the experience of Howard, one of the players I love to watch. He can deny the ball on the wing, he can get to the glass as a rebounder and he can get out on the break in transition.

Coach Skip Prosser's Demon Deacons needs him if they are to challenge for ACC honors. Remember, the league is more wide open than usual. Duke has a host of diaper dandies, but with the losses of Jay Williams, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Carlos Boozer, you wonder where the Dukies will finish. At Duke, the standard of excellence is not just getting to the NCAA Tournament -- it's winning the ACC regular season, the ACC tournament and the national title.

Maryland lost so much, with Chris Wilcox going early, along with Juan Dixon and Lonny Baxter completing their eligibility. North Carolina will also have an influx of diaper dandies, while Virginia looks ready to make some noise. The bottom line is, Wake Forest can get into the hunt, but they'll need Howard in the lineup.

Tough Tests For Red Storm
At St. John's, there won't be Cupcake City reports due to a weak early schedule. I believe coach Mike Jarvis has made a great decision, with a rugged non-league schedule that includes games against Duke at Madison Square Garden, at Wake Forest and at UCLA, plus a possible showdown with North Carolina at the Holiday Festival.

This type of scheduling helps recruiting, as kids want to play top competition and get on TV. These games get people excited and create national PR. Other than the Maalox Jarvis will need, fans and players alike should be pumped up for these showdowns.

Of course, it also helps to get wins, and you don't win without personnel. It starts by getting great talent and blending it as a unit. St. John's is strong on the perimeter but needs some help on the interior. Anthony Glover and Kyle Cuffe return, and they will have to make some plays and be factors. In the backcourt, I can't wait to see diaper dandy Elijah Ingram, and this should be a big year for scoring wiz Marcus Hatten, who should put up big numbers this season.

By the way, Mike, I won't say much about the games against St. Francis of Brooklyn, Stony Brook and Niagara!