Colleges

USF begins Dickson plugs

By TIMES WIRES
Published October 13, 2006

TAMPA - South Florida is launching it JD25.com today to promote Jessica Dickson for All-American and national Player of the Year.

The site will feature audio and video clips of Dickson, updated statistics and biographical information, a photo gallery, a blog and more as the season progresses.

Dickson enters her senior season having been named to the Women's Basketball Association's Wade Trophy list, given to the Division I Player of the Year, and is a Street & Smith magazine honorable mention All-American.

With 1,755 career points, she needs 66 to become USF's all-time leading scorer.

FAMILIAR FACES: The start of practice is special to two coaches who are back at work after some time away.

Bobby Cremins retired from coaching in 2000 after 19 seasons at Georgia Tech. He returned to ranks in July, taking over at the College of Charleston.

"That first day was always a special day," Cremins, 59, said. "You finally get off the road and spend time with the kids. You start teaching the game. Coaches love this time of the year. You get off the recruiting road and spend time in the gym."

Bob Huggins, out of coaching for a year after his contract wasn't renewed at Cincinnati, takes over at Kansas State.

"I'm ready to stop traveling," he said. "I'm ready to go home and sleep in my own bed."

NORTH CAROLINA: Tyler Hansbrough said he returned for his sophomore season for one simple reason. "I've never really known a player to spend another year with Coach (Roy) Williams and get worse," Hansbrough said. "There's a lot of things I want to accomplish as a team. I had a good year, but ... there's a lot of things I could get better at individually."

OHIO STATE: The Buckeyes will be without Greg Oden, acclaimed by many as the best young big man in the country, until January while he recovers from a wrist injury. The 7-foot-1 freshman out of Lawrence North High in Indianapolis is expected to miss a Dec. 23 game against Florida.

COACHING AWARD: Former Purdue coach Gene Keady will receive the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching award April 7 at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Keady had a 512-270 record, leading the Boilermakers to six Big Ten titles.

[Last modified October 13, 2006, 06:14:52]