LINKS: JTIII to Vandy? Cole Anthony News? Memphis Scheduling?

So it’s been a while after that loss to Harvard at McDonough in the first round of the NIT and many Hoya-fans are already turning their attentions to the new personnel for next season. That said, a fair amount of the recent news this March features Georgetown and Patrick Ewing based on their historical achievements and comparisons to today’s teams and players.

Of course, it’s hard to talk about recent history without mentioning John Thompson III who is receiving a decent amount of press coverage after announcing a desire to get back into coaching.

Here are the links:

John Thompson III is the ‘leader’ at Vanderbilt: sources | Zagsblog

Former Georgetown coach John Thompson III is the “leader” to replace Bryce Drew at Vanderbilt, according to multiple sources.

Thompson, 53, was fired at Georgetown in 2017 after 13 seasons that featured eight NCAA Tournament appearances. He led the Hoyas to the 2007 Final Four and a Sweet 16 in 2006. He also coached his alma mater Princeton to two NCAA Tournaments in four years. He currently serves as an assistant coach with USA Basketball.

Coaching Search Profile: John Thompson III | Anchor Of Gold

Overall thoughts: There’s been a lot of negative reaction from the fan base to the possibility of John Thompson III, which is more than a little odd considering his overall record — I mean, this is a coach who’s been to a Final Four after all. But I get it. If three years of Bryce Drew has you nostalgic for Kevin Stallings — sure, you’d basically be getting a somewhat better version of that with John Thompson III. And it could be even better than that if he’s learned from his Georgetown tenure and is willing to modernize his offensive scheme.

Penny’s Nike ties are assisting the Tigers in scheduling | GoTigers247

Along with Oregon, Ole Miss and Northeastern, Hardaway is also trying to Georgetown on schedule next season – who is also coached by an NBA legend in Patrick Ewing.

”That’s the only one [Georgetown] I haven’t gotten done,” Hardaway said. “Pat’s been busy and I’ve been busy, but I’ll get him on the phone and try to get that done. Our AD’s [athletic directors] have talked, but they’re going to leave it up to me and Pat.”

Reports: Thompson III a viable candidate to replace Drew | Vandy247

In 2007, Georgetown made the Final Four with star players Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert. That run included a win over Vanderbilt.

Thompson III is currently an assistant coach with USA basketball, the sixth time he’s been on the sideline for the USA World Cup Qualifying Team. In the first five windows of World Cup Qualifying play he helped the USA to an 8-2 record while the U.S. earned a 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifying berth.

Search Firm: Predicting Vanderbilt’s Next Head Basketball Coach | Stadium

STRONG CANDIDATES [] John Thompson III – The former Georgetown head man has been at ESPN the last couple years. He’s a safe pick in a sense that he took the Hoyas to the NCAA Tournament eight times in 13 seasons but Georgetown only went once in his final four years.

Avery Johnson Fired as Alabama Basketball Head Coach After 4 Seasons with Team | Bleacher Report | Bleacher Report

Johnson was given a two-year extension that ran through 2023 back in August 2017. That contract would pay him $2.9 million annually. Casagrande noted Johnson would be owed $8 million if fired before April 15 or $6 million if the dismissal came after that date.

When Johnson’s arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2015, the program was in the midst of a three-year NCAA tournament drought. The Crimson Tide hoped bringing in the former NBA coach in would make the team a perennial contender in the SEC.

Instead, it was four years of mediocrity.

Villanova falls to Purdue to end Big East’s NCAA Tournament | Big East Coast Bias

The Big East’s last hope was the Villanova Wildcats, and Villanova suffered an 87-61 loss to the Purdue Boilermakers Saturday night in the round of 32.

It’s hard to describe what went on in this game. The best way to put it is that Purdue did to Villanova what Villanova did to so many teams last season. They struck early and often and hit a barrage of three-pointers.

Longwood vs. DePaul Prediction, Preview, and Odds | winnersandwhiners.com

Where: McGrath-Phillips Arena, Chicago, IL

When: Monday, March 25, 8:00 PM. ET.

The DePaul Blue Demons will be going for their second consecutive win when they take on the Longwood Lancers in the quarterfinals of the CBI tournament on Monday night.

Cal Bears Fire HC Wyking Jones After 2 Seasons; Jason Kidd Linked to Opening | Bleacher Report | Bleacher Report

The California Golden Bears announced Sunday that they fired head basketball coach Wyking Jones after just two seasons with the team.

Jones produced just a 16-47 record during his two years at the helm, including an 8-23 mark in 2018-19. The squad lost its first 15 games in the Pac-12 this season and won only five conference games in his two years.

The Golden Bears had a 21-13 record the year before he took over, winning at least 20 games in seven of the last nine seasons.

This was the 46-year-old’s first head coaching job after serving as an assistant at a variety of locations, including two years with Cal under Cuonzo Martin.

McDonald’s: Cole Anthony talks five finalists, timeline | ScoutHoops.com

What sticks out about Georgetown?

Patrick Ewing is a really good dude. He’s known my parents for a long time and I’m just a big fan of what he’s done for the school. I think he’s done a pretty good job of coaching them...

Are you paying attention to things like [UNC’s] Coby White potentially going to the NBA?

Yeah, we just want to monitor and see who ends up staying at each school and who ends up leaving to make sure we have enough talent as a freshman to make it to the Final Four. That’s my goal.

Would your decision be impacted one way or another if he stayed or went to the NBA Draft?

I have no problem with that. He can score the ball and I think he’s more comfortable at the two position. It allows him to go score more. I think we could work together, it would work out.