NEWARK -- It’s never a good idea to ask a coach after an NCAA Tournament loss if he plans on leaving for another job.

It’s certainly never a good idea to ask him publicly. You know, in a room full of reporters. When he’s in front of a microphone.

At least not if you want a shred of truth in the answer.

Why, just last week an intrepid reporter ask then-Missouri coach Mike Anderson after his team lost to Cincinnati in the first round if he wanted to address rumors linking him to the Arkansas job. (more…)

One day after being offered by West Virginia, Notre Dame Prep guard Todd Mayo has chosen another Big East school.

“I’m committing to Marquette,” he said by text.

The 6-foot-4 Mayo also considered Central Florida, Memphis, Baylor and Oklahoma State.

“I’ve had a long year here at Notre Dame Prep, and while some schools are picking up interest now, Marquette has also been loyal to me the whole way,” he said. “I also like the fact that their whole staff has seen me play and they all feel like I’m a great fit for the Marquette family. I’ve grown to trust Aki Collins and Buzz Williams and feel certain that they can help take my game to the highest level possible.” (more…)

Todd Mayo, the 6-foot-4 uncommitted senior combo guard from Notre Dame Prep, has returned from his weekend official visit to Marquette.

“He enjoyed the visit,” Notre Dame Prep coach Ryan Hurd said.

Mayo, who wasn’t immediately available for comment, has already taken unofficials to Providence and Memphis, but Marquette appears the most serious option at this point.

Mayo and Notre Dame Prep begin play Tuesday at the National Prep Championship Tuesday at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Jim Boeheim just stared at the Carrier Dome court that bears his name. Another game was slipping away from his Syracuse Orange and he was out of answers.

Jeremy Hazell led a long-range Seton Hall barrage with 28 points and the suddenly hot-shooting Pirates stunned No. 9 Syracuse 90-68 on Tuesday night, the Orange’s third straight loss.

“We have not played well the last three games,” Boeheim said. “I think when you lose a couple of games, you lose a little confidence.”

Read the full story at SNY.

**And read about how Jeremy Lamb’s hard work is paying off for UConn, which beat Marquette, 76-68.

**North Carolina and Michigan State are closing in on a deal to play a game on an aircraft carrier on Veterans Day next season. Larry Gallo, a senior associate AD  at North Carolina, said, “We feel as though all systems are go.”

**Michigan State dismissed junior guard Korie Lucious from the team for “conduct detrimental to the program.”

(The AP contributed)

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Jamal Ferguson, the No. 14 shooting guard in the Class of 2012 according to Rivals, has verbally pledged to Marquette.

“Marquette and Georgetown, those were his two options,” said Jermaine Woods, the assistant coach at Norfolk (Va.) Maury High where Ferguson plays.

“He went there on an unofficial. He was surprised that the area was more city-like.” (more…)

NEW YORK – It isn’t exactly The Beatles playing Shea Stadium, but Duke and Gonzaga will draw a crowd Monday in Kansas City.

Some 43 NBA scouts have requested credentials for the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic Championship Round to see players like Duke’s Kyrie Irving and Kyle Singler and Gonzaga’s Steven Gray.

“Forty-three is a lot,” said Ray Cella of the Gazelle Group, which is putting on the event Monday and Tuesday. “Obviously, when you get quality teams coming to one place everybody wants to come out.” (more…)

Derrick Wilson, a a 6-foot-1 guard from Anchorage, AK, has verbally committed to Marquette over Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and DePaul.

“When I went to my official to Marquette I fell in love with  everything about it,” Wilson said by text. “The coaches and players are all great people. I like what they had to offer academically and I feel I can really contribute to the basketball program.”

(more…)

Rodney Hood, the No. 7 small forward in the Class of 2011, will announce on Wednesday at noon CST, according to Meridian High (Miss.) coach Randy Bolden.

Bolden said Hood will choose from among Florida State, Mississippi State, Louisville, Marquette and Alabama.

“At this point it’s pretty much him doing some soul-searching deciding what he wants to do,” Bolden said. (more…)