Mike Krzyzewski to the Lakers isn't happening. Told you it was an easy choice.

Coach K left no room for future speculation – unlike other sports figures who refuse to ever, ever go away – about current employer. He's staying at Duke. It wasn't Drew Rosenhaus short, but it was simple, direct and clear.

"I will never leave Duke until I leave coaching," he said Tuesday. "I'm not going to the Lakers. They have one of the great coaches in the game [in Phil Jackson]. I can't do it as well as he can."

So he made a statement without any wiggle room. And for that, many thanks should go to Coach K.

It's an obvious thanks from Duke fans. Krzyzewski is the program's Alpha and Omega. Three NCAA tourney titles, 10 Final Fours and 21 combined ACC regular-season and tourney titles earns you that distinction. (To say nothing of his returning players.)

Duke haters should cheer, too. Some people live for rooting against him. Losing Coach K would deprive them of their hate focal point. It'd be like Raider haters (and some fans) having to cope without Al Davis or liberals living life without Rush Limbaugh. It's not as interesting.

College hoops, the ACC and the NCAA must be breathing a little easier.  He's arguably the most recognizable name and face in college coaching. Losing that would be a setback to the sport, league and the organization.

And it's a big thank you from us media types. Coach K jumping to the NBA would open up a flood of stories on other coaches who tried (and mostly failed), his college hoops legacy, who would replace him, what happens to his players, etc. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Sure, those stories are coming at some point, but it's not gonna be soon.

"I don't want my Duke team — not necessarily my basketball team, but my Duke team, the community — to feel like you're looking at other things. I'm getting ready to start my 30th year at Duke, and I don't see the finish line yet. I know the finish line will be there sometime, but it's not in my vision right now."

In other words, don't plan on a Coach K-free landscape anytime soon. Who knew that was such a good thing?

One of 2010's prize recruits sounds too good to be true.

Harrison Barnes is a 6-foot-7 wing, blessed with a massive wingspan, a solid perimeter shot and excellent ball-handling skills. He's also a dedicated baller, committed to the gym.

The nation's No. 2 overall recruit (according to Rivals.com) even logged an impressive few days at the Pangos All-American camp recently.

Yes, that's fairly routine for a star prospect. The spectacular stuff comes next.

From the Raleigh News & Observer:

Barnes has a rare set of priorities to match his outstanding athletic ability. He is a talented musician who plays cello and saxophone and participated in the marching band until the end of his sophomore year.

He is a member of a group called DECA that provides training in marketing and management at his high school. During his senior year, he will sing in the school choir, and he might try to win a state championship in the high jump in the spring after he attempts to help Ames [Iowa] defend its basketball state title.

On Wednesday mornings, he participates in a Bible study group he helped form at school.

No word on when Barnes rescues people from burning buildings or finds time to balanced the budget. (Though he did make time to pick up golf this summer. He figures it's a good idea for future dealings in the business world.)

The musical talent and smooth game prompted one recruiter to liken Barnes to Grant Hill. Not too shabby. The admiration for Barnes just pours out of people. From an AP feature:

"He's a very thoughtful, articulate young man and education is a priority," said his high school coach Vance Downs. "We all say it, but how many kids live that way? He lives that way. Education is a high priority, his faith is very important to him and basketball is very important to him. But I think he has all his priorities set the way they should be."

Nice stuff. The irritating part comes next when the AP story makes this transition:

So how did the nation's top prep player end up in Ames, a relatively obscure Midwestern college town?

Really? We had to go there? It's surprising that an elite prep prospect lives in Iowa? Not on the coasts or in the city? Sigh.

Maybe it's irritating because it's almost 2 a.m. and I've dithered around at work for too long when a week's vacation is looming. Or maybe it's because that's the kind of question that drives Midwesterners crazy (or everyone living in-between the coasts, for that matter).

Or maybe I just wanted an excuse to rant. (Never gonna get to sleep now…)

Coach K possibly coaching the Lakers? It's déjà vu all over again.

Back in 2004, shortly after the Shaq vs. Kobe fallout and a disappointing NBA finals, the Lakers courted Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who turned down a five-year, $40 million offer to coach L.A (despite a sales pitch from Kobe Bryant). The team turned to Rudy T instead, had a couple of sub-par seasons, coaxed Phil Jackson back to town and eventually won that elusive 15^th NBA title.

It was Jackson's 10^th ring. He told the L.A. Daily News that his coaching future would be based his health (he's 63) and if "enough's enough." Derek Fisher thinks Jackson will return, but says he's sure about him.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Coach K

Which goes back to Coach K. Would he seriously consider the Lakers this time? Staying at Duke seemed like a permanent move.

"The decision has always been to stay at Duke. It would have to be something changing [that]," he said in 2004.

Has anything changed? Duke's still winning at an impressive clip. The Devils won 139 games, three ACC tourneys and 1 regular-season title. That's business as usual.

Except … Duke hasn't been to the Final Four since 2004. That's an eternity in Durham. If not reaching the NCAA tourney's final weekend counts as change, there's a start.

Also, Krzyzewski, 62, won a gold medal last summer with Team USA – when he coached Kobe. Coach K came away mighty impressed with Kobe's skills. He even wrote a book on it.

Will those two things – not to mention what would likely be a monster contract – be enough to push Krzyzewski to L.A.? Would he feel the need to pursue one more challenge before possibly retiring? They'ree important factors and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Seems like a stretch. The bigger challenge for Krzyzewski would be to reestablish Duke as an NCAA tournament power.

The Devils are just 7-5 in the Big Dance since he turned down the Lakers. He's won 76 percent of his NCAA tourney games. That's no way for Coach K to leave Duke. He's a college hoops icon and perfect for the college game. It didn't make sense to leave in 2004 and it wouldn't make sense now.

Despite an abundance of talent, Lance Stephenson's college career is still on hold. And it could be that way for a while.

Maryland – fresh off the news that do-it-all point guard Greivis Vazquez will return to school – has stopped recruiting the high school star. Yes, Gary Williams' program could use a boost. Doesn't matter. Sounds like they'll take their chances without one of 2009's elite talents. (Much to some fans' chagrin.)

Terps officials are worried about a possible fiasco with Stephenson's eligibility. He also faces a court date later this month regarding a misdemeanor sexual assault charge.

Sure, he's talented, but there's enough baggage that teams are scared of taking him. And really, who wants to get burned?

Turns out there's still one school that is recruiting Stephenson – Memphis.

(shakes head)

Say this for the Tigers: They're willing to gamble.

A links roundup:

• Prosecutors want an extension in the alleged Rick Pitino extortion case. And … they got it. They're still collection phone records and producing tape recordings of the defendant.
• The key to winning the ACC next year? Forwards. Also, the News&Observer makes a smart pick to win the conference.
• Gani Lawal's return to Georgia Tech should be a huge boost for Derrick Favors, the best recruit not named John Wall.
• On the other hand, Ater Majok withdrew from the NBA draft, but Jim Calhoun isn't sure Majok will be back at UConn. Simply put: Majok's from Sudan, and his family could use money. He play in Europe.
• The USC bloodletting continues: Jamie Dixon doesn't want to talk about the Trojans, and a former recruit is poised to sign with Florida.
• Across town, Ben Howland is pondering his next move now that Jrue Holiday isn't staing with UCLA.
• Meet Jeff Withey, eating machine.
• Optimistic quote of the day: After Cincinnati gives Mick Cronin an extension, he declares: "There's no question that we're back."
• Finally, this link may only interest me, but I thought it was suitable given my recent dalliance with balanced budgets.

Nearly every piece is now in place for next year's Top 25. Nearly every recruit is in place. Only a few schools are without a coach.

And the deadline for the NBA draft's early entrants has now … passed. (Well, at least those players who didn't sign an agent. Guys like Jonny Flynn were done with school long ago.) That means the ridiculously early Top 25s that circulated after North Carolina won the NCAA tournament can be updated with meaningful changes.

Like Syracuse dropping out, Mississippi State moving up and Washington holding steady. The No. 1 team on my old list didn't change, but there was plenty of other movement. And, like 2008-09, there are groups to consider: the contenders, the hopefuls, the Top 25 rotation and everyone else. The teams are separated by slim margins – especially since it's June. (June, people! Everything can and will change in the next six months.)

Andy Lyons/Getty

Kalin Lucas

As always, I don't expect this list to please everyone, so submit your own Top 25 below. But keep it clean, people. That means you Eli.

No. 1 Kansas
Every player is back from Bill Self's Big 12 champs, headed by national player of the year candidates Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich. If having a nine-man rotation return isn't enough, the Jayhawks also have three prize recruits in Xavier Henry, Elijah Johnson and Thomas Robinson. The biggest problem in Lawrence will be finding enough playing time – which can be an issue (see UNC, 1994).

No. 2 Duke
This spot easily could have gone to Kentucky. Or Villanova. Or Michigan State. Or Purdue. These five teams, along with Kansas, are the best title bets, to my mind. I give Duke the edge here because this 30-win team returns every important player from last year except Gerald Henderson. Forwards Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee will be crucial to a short frontcourt.

No. 3 Kentucky
Losing Jodie Meeks hurts. He merely led the 'Cats in scoring last season and would've been a crucial defense-stretcher in John Calipari's dribble-drive offense. Still, John Wall will be doing his best Derrick Rose impersonation, and the frontcourt of Patrick Patterson, DeMarcus Cousins and Daniel Orton is awfully imposing. But … if the freshmen play like freshmen, Kentucky won't even be the best team in the SEC.

No. 4 Villanova
This year's Final Four surprise should be the Big East favorites in 2010. Scottie Reynolds is back, along with Reggie Redding, the two Coreys (not those, these) and a recruiting class that most years would rank No. 1 (Jay Wright shakes fist at Calipari). Let the 'Cat fight commence!

No. 5 Michigan State
Kalin Lucas can carry the Spartans back to the Final Four (he's likely the preseason player of the year), but he doesn't have to do it alone. MSU returns three starters and has budding stars in Durrell Summers and Raymar Morgan. But they won't walk to the Big Ten title with No. 6 right on their heels …

No. 6 Purdue
The Boilermakers dealt with more injuries this season than nearly any other contender. If Robbie Hummel's back is healthy, Purdue will challenge the Spartans and be a title contender. It returns every starter, including budding superstar JaJuan Johnson. He and Hummel are currently giving it their all for Uncle Sam.

No. 7 North Carolina
No Tyler Hansbrough, no Ty Lawson, no Wayne Ellington and no Danny Green. No problem. The Heels still have Deon Thompson and Ed Davis up front, and bring in prize recruits John Henson and Leslie McDonald. Seven may be a bit high, but Roy Williams is usually good for 30 wins.

No. 8 Texas
The 'Horns figure to be the thorn in Kansas' side. Damion James made the smart move, which lets him pair with Dexter Pittman and Gary Johnson up front and incoming five-star prospects Avery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton. Only Kentucky has two higher-rated recruits coming in next year.

No. 9 West Virginia
Dropped the Mountaineers down a bit, but expect them to be a Top 15 mainstay. Devin Ebanks is a lottery-type talent and point guard Joe Mazzulla may one of the country's most underrated players. This is the year West Virginia lives up to kenpom.com's ratings.

No. 10 Tennessee
Another SEC team in the Top 10? I believe that much in Tyler Smith. I believe in the Vols' young talent being more consistent. I do not believe Bruce Pearl has a future in rap music.

No. 11 Ohio State
Forget about B.J. Mullens. As long as Evan Turner's back in Columbus, that's enough to make the Buckeyes a Final Four darkhorse. Added bonus: David Lighty and every other starter join him.

No. 12 Cal
Bumped the Bears up a few spots. I think they'll be the Pac-10's best team, but that's not saying much in a league that doesn't have a true national title contender. All-league players Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher are the best of the bunch.

No. 13 Washington
Abdul Gaddy is the best freshman point guard not named John Wall. That's enough to offset losses of Jon Brockman and Justin Dentmon (some Huskies fans think losing Dentmon will add wins). Isaiah Thomas now becomes the nation's shortest shooting guard.

No. 14 Butler
Bulldogs were too low on my earlier list. They averaged 28 wins a season the last three years. That won't change with everyone returning, including Horizon player of the year Matt Howard. 

No. 15 Miss State
Big caveat: Renardo Sidney must be eligible. No Sidney, no Top 25.

No. 16 Oklahoma
Left the Sooners off my earlier list because I doubted Willie Warren would return to school. But he'll be back in Norman, along with star recruits Keith Gallon and Tommy Mason-Griffin. OU's not as good as Kansas or Texas, and will be pushed by Oklahoma State and Missouri in the Big 12.

No. 17 Connecticut
Caught a lot of grief for leaving off the Huskies in the earlier Top 25. I wasn't sure Stanley Robinson or Ater Majok would be back on campus, but that was an error. With Kemba Walker leading the way, the Huskies are a Sweet 16 team.

No. 18 Dayton
Another earlier omission, and a bad one. The Flyers won 27 games last season, won an NCAA tourney game – and nearly have the entire roster back. They don't look pretty, but they should be the A-10's top team.

No. 19 Minnesota
Tubby Smith returns all five starters and brings in a solid recruiting class. Gophers' biggest problem will be dealing with Purdue, Ohio State and Michigan State.

No. 20 Oklahoma State
Cowboys will miss Byron Eaton and Terrel Harris, but won't miss a beat. Travis Ford's team shoots 3s, plays fast and has a fleet of incoming recruits. Everyone runs, everyone scores. Try and keep up.

No. 21 Michigan
Never underestimate a John Beilein team. Especially when Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims are on the roster.

No. 22 Missouri
The Big Ten-Big 12 format continues. Was torn on the Tigers. Losing Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll will be a huge problem, both on the stat sheets and in leadership. Still, Mizzou's got a deep roster and one of the nation's top coaches in Mike Anderson. They're still dangerous.

No. 23 Louisville
Leap of faith here with Rick Pitino. I think losing Earl Clark, Terrence Williams and Andre McGee is a lot to overcome. If Samardo Samuels and Terrence Jennings can't carry the load up front, the Cards are in trouble. The incoming prospects are role players, not stars.

No. 24 Georgetown
I believe in Greg Monroe.

No. 25 Siena
Omitted the Saints on the previous list. Reader Tim asked "If Ohio State is 12 with all starters returning, why isn't Siena 11 with all their starters returning?" Siena did win a classic double overtime NCAA tourney game, but it lost its best player in Kenny Hasbrouck. Does 25 seem better?

On the brink
Florida State – Awesome frontcourt of Solomon Alabi, Chris Singleton and Jordan Mercy gets scoring boost from freshman Michael Snaer, but that NCAA choke job looms.

Illinois – The Illini are a Top 25 team if Mike Davis recovers from his broken ankle. Adjusting to life after Chester Frazier won't be easy, though.

Xavier – B.J. Raymond, Derrick Brown and C.J. Anderson are gone. So is Sean Miller. I know the Musketeers are talented and deep, but to expect another 25-win season is hoping for too much.

Florida – Nick Calathes' departure prevents the Gators from a preseason Top 25. Still, it's about time a Billy Donovan team was relevant again.

Gonzaga – The perennial mid-major power lost three starters and gunner Micah Downs. They'll win the WCC and rack up wins, but won't be a national contender.

The SEC's basketball woes are over – even if you're not a Kentucky fan.

Little by little, the league everyone loved to kick around last season (including me), caught some nice breaks this spring, notably with some star recruits choosing SEC schools. You may remember Kentucky's recruiting class grabbing some attention.

But just as important are the players withdrawing from the NBA draft. They should help the SEC at least double its number of schools in the NCAA tournament from 2009.  

Never too early for a little hyperbole. The rundown:

Sue Ogrocki/AP

Jarvis Varnado

Tennessee's Tyler Smith was the latest key player (key, in this case meaning an All-conference guy) to return to school. He merely led the Vols in scoring and assists last season, and ensures they have every significant player back. That's important, too, because the Vols aren't even going to be the league's best team. (Think blue.)

Even if Jodie Meeks stays in draft (he says he's 50-50), the Wildcats already have big man Patrick Patterson back in Lexington, along with the nation's top recruiting class. Kentucky will be the league favorite, a Final Four favorite and should lead the nation in column inches and Web links. Yes, once again UK – the SEC's flagship hoops school and essential to the league's hoops health – is loaded with talent. Get used to it.

Still, the 'Cats may not have the conference's best frontcourt. For that, look in Starkville. Shot swatter Jarvis Varnado is returning (and could break the all-time blocks record). He'll team with 7-1 freshman John Riek and – if eligible – McDonald's All-American Renardo Sidney, perhaps the nation's most skilled big man. When they collide with fellow freshmen and  Kentucky recruits Daniel Orton and DeMarcus Cousins, agents and NBA scouts alike will be salivating.

One of the few hits was Florida's Nick Calathes settling on a contract with a Greek league team (the NBA still isn't out of the question), but the Gators won't be in the NIT for the third straight season. Georgetown transfer Vernon Macklin is eligible and freshman Kenny Boynton is a game-breaker.

That's three surefire Top 25 teams and another potentially in the Gators.  After that, the SEC has solid young teams in Vanderbilt (remember A.J. Ogilvy?) and Arkansas (unless Patrick Beverly keeps talking).

The league's top team from '08-'09 will have forward Tasmin Mitchell back, but the Tigers will likely take a stumble. A little one.

And if South Carolina's Devan Downey mimics teammate Dominique Archie's decision to withdraw from the draft, that's eight teams who'll be fighting for NCAA bids. Big East, it's not, but it's a solid start for a league that needed some hoops hope.

USC offered up its own response Thursday to Tim Floyd's resignation and the O.J. Mayo allegations with a pair of video statements from athletic director Mike Garrett and Todd Dickey, the senior vice president for administration.

To watch the six-minute video, click here. To read the transcript, click here.

Or, you can save a few minutes and read the short summary below.

USC officials can't comment on the investigation. (So don't expect anything after this.) Publicizing info about it could "pollute" the final verdict. Also, they have confidentiality concerns.

Dickey is overseeing USC's internal investigation. He also says USC asked to participate in the NCAA's interview of marketer Lloyd Lake, who allegedly gave Reggie Bush gifts while playing at USC. They have, however, interviewed Louis Johnson twice. He's the former associate of O.J. Mayo who told the feds and the NCAA that Floyd gave $1,000 cash to Rodney Gillory, who allegedly steered Mayo to USC.

That was most of the video. Garrett spoke after Dickey. The A.D. expressed his concern that people think the school is hiding something (they aren't) and that they're trying to protect their people (nope). He also said the school has started looking for a new hoops coach.

See? I just saved you six minutes of your life. Next time, they should get a boost from the film school and jazz up the video.

The predictable consensus on Tim Floyd's resignation? He fell on the basketball sword to save USC's football program.

That's what happens when a one-paragraph letter lands on the athletic director's desk and is accepted without a second thought. All that was missing was a return letter. "Thanks Tim, and enjoy the time off, Pete."

The school – reeling from allegations of payments to O.J. Mayo from Floyd and the ongoing investigation of more alleged payments to Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush – certainly hopes the resignation carries some weight with the NCAA.

An NCAA expert told the L.A. Times that Floyd's move will serve as a "mitigating factor" when the organization considers penalties. "But how much it will help, I don't know."

Jim Mcisaac/Getty

Tim Floyd

Fair enough. Maybe the NCAA will be unimpressed. But the public perception is just as valuable. Michael Rosenberg of FOXSports.com writes that somebody had to pay for USC's transgressions. And that somebody better not have been Pete Carroll. (To that extent, Rosenberg takes some of the blame off of Floyd, which doesn't make much sense to me. Forget Reggie Bush for a second; Floyd had plenty of worries of his own, namely taking a chance with a one-and-done player.)

Just who is to blame for it all? Truzenzuzex at A Sea of Blue posted a thoughtful series of links and analysis that covers the coaches, players, draft rules and more. It's far more complicated than just one-and-done players or coaches who bend the rules. One resignation is just a symptom of the larger problem and doesn't do much to solve anything.

Still, the resignation does raise several questions, most of which Andy Katz covers:

Does Floyd get a settlement? How much did USC push Floyd along? And if Floyd was innocent of paying Mayo, why not wait to see if any of the allegations turned into NCAA charges?

Maybe Floyd just didn't have the heart to fight it out. With recruits bailing on him right and left, I can't really blame him. Why not take the millions earned from NBA stints with the Bulls and Hornets and head back to Mississippi and try to forget this whole thing?

Because now, the other consensus is that USC's hoops program will be in shambles. For a long, long time.

A long time.

And if it's going to be a wreck, just who will take that gig? Who wants to clean up this mess when recruits are bailing and the NCAA hasn't even leveled any penalties (if any are coming). Tom Crean took over an Indiana program last year that was rife with issues, but the Hoosiers are one of the nation's traditional powers and are committed to rebuilding. USC basketball couldn't be further from that.

So who's crazy enough to take the reins?

If Jeff Van Gundy is to be believed, it ain't him.

He didn't deny that the school had contacted him, but he's not talking.

"I'm not going to say that," he told the L.A. Daily News. "Tim Floyd is a helluva guy and a helluva friend. That's my quote."

Other candidates include Pittsburgh's Jamie Dixon (whom the school has already contacted, but seems like a longshot), ex-New Mexico State coach Reggie Theus and Southern Mississippi's Larry Eustachy, who's friends with Floyd.

More considerations? Long Beach State's Dan Monson (who already cleaned up one mess at Minnesota), Oregon State's Craig Robinson, Virginia Tech's Seth Greenberg or ex-coaches Billy Gillispie and Bob Knight (no way, no how, but his name's out there).

And, via USA Today, maybe even Rick Pitino.

But would he be a glutton for punishment twice? Sure, he did his magic at Kentucky, but that was Kentucky. USC football is the equivalent to Kentucky basketball, not USC hoops.

And at this rate, it never will be.

Villanova's prospects for a Final Four return just got a little brighter.

Actually, a lot brighter.

After all, with Scottie Reynolds returning for his senior season, the Wildcats not only have a four-year starter and their floor leader back, but everyone knows Reynolds is the go-to guy for a game-winning shot. Just ask Pitt.

Chris Mcgrath/Getty

Scottie Reynolds

I felt like I learned a great deal from this process," Reynolds said. "I'm blessed to be in the situation I am in. I'm happy to be back at Villanova."

That applies to 'Nova coach Jay Wright, too. He turned down a shot at the NBA, and must be elated to see Reynolds do the same.

The Wildcats won't need to lean on Reynolds, either. He'll be the focal point, to be sure, but as we saw for most of this season, he doesn't have to do it all.

Versatile, aggressive guards like Reggie Redding, Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher should ensure 'Nova's defense remains a handful. And if it's anything like the D we saw in tourney wins against Duke and UCLA, the rest of the Big East is in trouble.

Sure, they'll miss Dante Cunningham and Shane Clark. But if the incoming recruits are as good as the hype – Rivals.com ranks them No. 2 overall, right behind Kentucky – losing those two won't matter.

Mouphtaou Yarou (a 6-foot-9 power forward), Maalik Wayans (6-1 point guard) and Dominic Cheek (6-5 shooting guard) are all top 30 recruits. Most programs settle for one or two guys of that caliber, not three.

The deadline for early entrants to withdraw from the draft – provided they haven't signed with an agent – is June 15. Guys like Jodie Meeks, Damion James and Ater Majok could have the same kind of impact as Reynolds if they return.

But until they decide, Villanova's on this short list of title contenders for 2010: Kansas, Michigan State, Purdue, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina and West Virginia.

Who's the rest of the Top 25? Expect that list on Monday.

Even if Arizona doesn't land prize prep recruit Lance Stephenson, new coach Sean Miller got perhaps the best news of the springs: point guard Nic Wise is headed back to Tucson.

Wise isn't the biggest name to return to school – that'd be either Kentucky's Patrick Patterson or Miss State's Jarvis Varnardo – but I'm not sure any player will be more crucial to his team's fate in 2009-10.

Hans Deryk/Reuters

Nic Wise

"Now that I've made the decision, I'm really looking forward to my senior year," he said. I bet. Instead of dragging the depths of the Pac-10, Arizona could be a darkhorse for next season.

When the season ended, the Wildcats lost their top three players (Wise, Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger all declared for the NBA draft) and got their fourth coach in the last four years.

Some figured Arizona would challenge Oregon and USC for the bottom rung of the Pac-10. Check that.

Budinger and Hill are still gone, but Wise's return may have been the most important. He's capable of running the offense and carrying the scoring load when needed. If anyone can make the transition easier for Miller's new recruits, it's Wise.

"We are all very excited with Nic's return," Miller told the Arizona Republic. "His talent, leadership and ability will make him one of the premier players in the Pac-10 this coming season.

Miller isn't kidding, either.

Wise ranked among the league leaders in scoring, assists, steals, free-throw percentage, 3-pointers made, 3-point percentage, assist-to-turnover ratio and minutes played. Expect the scoring and minutes played to increase.

And expect Arizona's streak of 25 consecutive NCAA tournaments to continue as well.

In an economy like this, every little bit helps. Little being the key word.

The NCAA announced Wednesday that it'll suspend membership dues for next year, and also plans to distribute about $5 million to schools.

But … there are about 1,000 member schools. And dues are only $900 to $1,800, depending on which division you play in. So that's about $6.3 million to divvy up, which works out to $6,300 per school.

"There's a multi-pronged approach to help schools and these are the beginning steps in a plan to relieve some of the financial pressure," NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson told the AP. "Our members believe every bit helps."

Little bit is right. $6,300 is barely enough to pay off the average credit card debt of two college students, let alone boost an athletic department's budget. It's barely a blip on the revenue for most D-I schools. Maybe they can buy a Yugo or splurge on lottery tickets.

Check out this list of D-I budgets and revenue (thanks BBState.com). Savannah State's 2008 revenues were $2,222,989. Its expenses were $2,102,031. And it's 340^th among all D-I schools. It can't even come close to spending money like the top D-I schools.

Revenues from Texas ($120,288,368), Ohio State ($117,953,712) and Florida ($106,030,896) all topped $100 million. The Longhorns and Buckeyes both made about $20 million last year.

OK, so it'll give Cal some breathing room. The Bears made $746 last year.

If BBState's figures are correct, no school lost money last year (a far cry from English League soccer). Heck, 191 schools on the list spent every penny, and not a dime more. (Hmmmm.) It makes me wonder if some numbers have been fudged, but if those are correct, then maybe the money isn't necessary.

Wouldn't the money be better spent on establishing an endowment for student athlete scholarships? Or improving facilities? Or creating more jobs for graduates within the NCAA? (Anything to bolster the economy.)

Then again, distribute the money. They can have a party with this bottle of bubbly.

Tim Floyd sounds like a man on the brink. Let's recap why.

Just days after Floyd reportedly turned down the vacant Arizona job in early May, USC's players started leaving en masse for the NBA. Losing DeMar DeRozan, Daniel Hackett and Taj Gibson doesn't help a program. (In Floyd's four seasons, he's had eight players jump early; you'd think he'd be used to it.)

Jim Mcisaac/AP

Tim Floyd

And losing those three wasn't so bad once more bad news emerged about O.J. Mayo's 1 year at USC. Floyd reportedly paid one of Mayo's associates at least $1,000 in 2007. The NCAA's ears perked right up, and opened an investigation. The school's trying to stay mum on the whole thing.

Recruits started bailing, too. Noel Johnson and Solomon Hill backed out of commitments. Another, prize L.A. recruit Renardo Sidney signed with Mississippi State after he and USC – after questions arose about Sidney's eligibility – decided by "mutual agreement" that he probably shouldn't be a Trojan.

Not enough? Less than a week after forward Marcus Johnson was granted another year of eligibility, he bolted for the NBA. Nothing like losing four underclassmen to the pros.

So if you're Tim Floyd, you've had better springs. And the cracks are starting to show. The boosters at Monday's Coaches Tour 2009 got the unfiltered version.

"Kansas has two players who would have been NBA lottery picks, Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, and they are returning to school. Good for them. Our guys get an offer from Islamabad and they're gone."

(Whistles)

The roster flux means there are nine players no longer with the program who were scheduled to be on the team as of early April.

Now the Los Angeles media is speculating that USC hoops is essentially toast – forget the basketball powerhouse when it's hard to enough to field a team – and that Floyd is a coach in over his head who can't control his program.

Right about now, Tucson never looked so good.