Amaker accepts offer to coach at Harvard
Harvard hired Tommy Amaker to coach its men’s basketball team, less than a month after he was fired by Michigan.
“I called today and accepted the offer,” Amaker told the Associated Press on Wednesday. “It’s a terrific opportunity for me. I’ve been fortunate to be associated with some of the finest academic institutions in the country, and none is greater than Harvard.”
Amaker, who played at Duke and was a Blue Devils assistant, has been a head coach at Michigan and Seton Hall.
Frank Sullivan’s contract with Harvard was not renewed after going 12-16 overall and 5-9 in the Ivy League last season, and 178-245 over 16 years. Harvard hasn’t played in the NCAA tournament since 1946.
Oden, Conley undecided
Ohio State freshman standouts Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. still don’t know if they’re going to the NBA or staying at Ohio State.
The Buckeyes said thanks Wednesday to an estimated 4,000 fans at Value City Arena. Those looking for insight into what Oden or his close friend and high school teammate, Conley, are going to do must have gone home disappointed.
Oden and Conley, who led the Buckeyes to the national championship game, only spoke during a brief interview session and no indication was given if they will enter the NBA draft.
Across the country
The daughter of John Wooden expressed optimism that the former UCLA coach will be released today from a hospital where he has been treated for a reaction to a combination of medications. … Scott Duncan, an assistant at Oregon the past seven years, was hired as an assistant at UCLA as a replacement for Kerry Keating, who took the head coaching job at Santa Clara earlier this week. … Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz has been granted permission to talk to South Alabama officials about the school’s head coaching job. … Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet would like to return to the school for his sophomore season, but must first determine if that is financially possible for his family, which is reportedly struggling financially. … Scott Sutton, who led Oral Roberts to its first consecutive NCAA tournament berths, said he is withdrawing from consideration to be Wichita State’s next head coach.