NCAA Tournament 2000 - Butler coach helps Spartans beat press

Butler coach helps Spartans beat press
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- Michigan State got an assist from the only other team that figured out Florida during the NCAA Tournament.

Butler coach Barry Collier met up with his friend Tom Izzo of Michigan State and went over the best way to attack the press.

"We talked a bit, and we always thought they were equipped to attack the press," Collier said Monday night. "That's what happened."

Butler lost to Florida on Mike Miller's buzzer-beating shot in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Spartans' coaching staff said Collier helped them understand how to attack the press, and added that the Gators were vulnerable on the boards.

Miller thinking about future
Florida sophomore Mike Miller said he will sit down with coach Billy Donovan in the immediate future to discuss his plans on whether or not to stay or leave for the NBA draft following Florida's loss to Michigan State in the national title game.

Miller said he'll trust Donovan's opinion. Assistant John Pelphrey said Miller hasn't made his plans known to them.

Calhoun to meet with El-Amin
Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun will meet with junior point guard Khalid El-Amin on Tuesday in Storrs, Conn., to discuss his future.

Calhoun said he's not sure which way El-Amin will go with his decision. El-Amin, who went back to Minneapolis to meet with his family after UConn was eliminated by Tennessee in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, would be the eighth underclassman to declare for the draft if he leaves early.

Decisions are also due soon from Temple junior Mark Karcher, Texas junior Chris Mihm, Florida sophomore Mike Miller, Notre Dame sophomore Troy Murphy and DePaul sophomore Quentin Richardson.

Calhoun also said senior center Jake Voskuhl will have his feet examined, and if a recurring injury is detected, he could miss the Phoenix Desert Classic NBA camp next week.

Coaching chatter

Add Connecticut assistant Karl Hobbs to the Houston job list, along with SMU coach Mike Dement and Wyoming coach Steve McClain.

Loyola Marymount will likely announce Steve Aggers as its coach Wednesday. His old school, Eastern Washington, will name Ray Giaccoletti of North Dakota State as its coach.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.


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