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Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 26, 2001
Lappas expected to land at UMass today
AMHERST, Mass. -- Massachusetts called a news conference for today to announce the hiring of a new coach, expected to be former Villanova coach Steve Lappas.
Lappas resigned from Villanova on Saturday after nine seasons. He was 174-109 with seven post-season appearances, but the Wildcats missed the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons, instead settling for the National Invitation Tournament.
Villanova was 18-13 this season and lost in the first round of the NIT to Minnesota.
Lappas met with the school's chancellor Sunday after being on campus Saturday. The Boston Globe reported the signing package to be worth $600,000 per year, but ESPN.com reported that a shoe contract isn't a done deal, making the package potentially $100,000 less.
The Massachusetts job opened March 12 when Bruiser Flint resigned after a 15-15 season.
STANFORD: Coach Mike Montgomery will meet with his team in a few weeks to begin preparations for next season. By then, he might know if center Jason Collins will enter the NBA draft or return for another season. Collins, a senior academically but a sophomore athletically, will not decide his future for at least several weeks. "I'm going to take at least a few weeks," Collins said. "I have finals and some other things to worry about." Players have until May 13 to declare for the draft. Collins might use the NCAA's test-the-waters rule, which allows players to declare for the draft, gauge their value, then remove their names before draft day without losing college eligibility.
WNIT: Jamie Lewis had 20 points and 17 assists to lead host Ohio State past James Madison 74-65 for a spot in the final. The Buckeyes face New Mexico for the championship Tuesday or Wednesday at a site to be determined. Courtney Coleman scored 24 on 11-for-14 shooting for the Ohio State. Lewis' assists were two more than the Dukes had as a team.