St. John’s Gets Its Man

Two days before the signing date for recruits, St. John’s turned over its head basketball coaching job to Fran Fraschilla, who brings an impressive resume and realistic point of view to the assignment.

“There are still some quality players out there, but we’re in the eighth and ninth innings,” Fraschilla said after being introduced by athletic director Ed Manetta. “There are two solid freshmen coming in. We have what we have.”

That would include center Zendon Hamilton and forward Felipe Lopez, two of the top recruits in the country, whose arrival at St. John’s two years ago seemed to work in reverse for the program and coach Brian Mahoney.

Manetta said he talked to six coaches and settled on Fraschilla, who had a 17-12 record at Manhattan and was 85-35 in four years there.

Kurt Kanaskie, who produced winning basketball teams at two Division II schools, was hired to do the same at Division I Drake.

Valparaiso men’s basketball coach Homer Drew, who led the Crusaders to their first NCAA tournament appearance this past season, has agreed to a contract extension.

Marshall hired Greg White, a former player at the school, as its new basketball coach. He was given a five-year contract worth $70,000 a year.