Rise And Fire: A College Hoops Blog

Some news and notes from around college basketball on a summer Monday…

- While many believed Arizona was going to fall into an Indiana-sized hole following the departure of Lute Olson and most of last year’s squad, new coach Sean Miller has been able to pick up the pieces quite nicely. Star point guard Nic Wise opted to return for another season and Miller has added three players from Scout.com’s top 100: center Kyryl Natyazhko, forward Kevin Parrom and ex-USC commit Solomon Hill. News broke today that another talented USC retread will join Miller in Tucson in 6′7 forward Derrick Williams. With Kyle Fogg and Jamelle Horne already returning to the program, it’s possible their consecutive NCAA tournament streak may not end in 2009-10. USC signee Noel Johnson left this month for Clemson.

- Even though Gonzaga has lost the services of Austin Daye, Josh Heytvelt, Jeremy Pargo and Micah Downs for the upcoming season, Mark Few certainly has not shyed away from playing a top notch non-conference slate. They have contests scheduled against Washington State, Oklahoma State and Wake Forest at home, a trip to the Maui Invitational, a game in Seattle vs. Davidson, trips to Memphis and Michigan State, MSG to face Duke and Chicago to face Illinois. The Illini will return the favor with a game in Seattle next year. The Zags will be led by emerging point guard Demetri Goodson, sharp shooter Stephen Gray, scoring guard Matt Bouldin and a thin frontcourt.

- This news came down last week, but I felt like I’d report it now: Marquette guard Maurice Acker, who was expected to take over the starting job this season with the departure of Dominic James and Jerel McNeal, will bypass his final year of eligibility and graduate in December. The 5′8 guard stepped in when James went down midway through the Big East season and did a formidable job for Buzz Williams. The Golden Eagles will be very young this season with the exception of Lazar Hayward and Jimmy Butler. They bring in a strong freshman class with the #9 PG Junior Cadougan, Texas SF Erik Williams, Madison native Jeronne Maymon and JC talent Darius Johnson-Odom and Dwight Buycks.

- On Tuesday I’ll provide some NBA Draft grades and some predictions for how former college standouts will do at the pro level. On Wednesday watch for my top 10 recruiting classes for the upcoming season. Brian is working on his  preseason top-25 as I type this.