LDN - Sports

NCAAB notebook: UMBC keeps coach Odom

[March 27, 2018] The man who helped engineer the first-ever victory by a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament isn't going anywhere.

Head coach Ryan Odom agreed to a new contract to stay at the University of Maryland-Baltimore Country, the school's athletic department announced on Monday. Details of the deal were not disclosed.

"It is with great enthusiasm and pride that we announce Ryan Odom remaining as the leader of our men's basketball program," athletic director Tim Hall said in a statement. "Now, along with us, the nation knows how truly remarkable he is -- simply said one of the best head coaches in the country! We are pleased that he will remain on Hilltop Circle and continue to build on the season's remarkable success."

Hall said last week that the school would do what it could "in our realm" to keep Odom, adding, "We're going to do everything in our power to incentivize him to stay here."

--Despite playing in just three college games, Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr. announced he is entering the NBA Draft.

Porter missed most of the season with a back injury that he suffered just two minutes into his first collegiate game.

Porter was billed as a possible No. 1 overall pick prior to the season. But he underwent back surgery after his injury and he was just 9-of-29 shooting in two games after his return -- losses to Georgia in the SEC tourney and Florida State in the NCAA Tournament.

--Keita Bates-Diop is giving up his final year of eligibility at Ohio State and submitting his name for the 2018 NBA Draft in June, the school announced.

A junior and the Big Ten Player of the Year, Bates-Diop had a breakout season for the Buckeyes, averaging 19.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in 34 games. He scored a then-career-high 32 points in an early January upset of No. 1 Michigan State.

[to top of second column]

The 6-foot-7 swingman ended his season with 25 points in a second-round loss to Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament last week.

--SMU forward Jarrey Foster will declare for the NBA draft but is also holding onto his option to return to school for a senior season, ESPN reported.

According to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, Foster will attend the combine if invited, where he would go through team interviews and a medical examination. But he will not hire an agent, instead waiting for feedback from NBA teams.

Foster, a 6-foot-6 forward, averaged 13.2 points, 2.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 2.8 rebounds -- all career highs -- in 2017-18, but played in only 19 games due to a partially torn ACL suffered midseason.

--Craig Smith is parlaying a big season at South Dakota into a head coaching job at Utah State.

Smith went 79-55 with South Dakota, guiding the team to a school-record 26 wins and a spot in the College Basketball Invitational this past season.

The Jackrabbits lost to North Texas in the first round. Smith also guided the Jackrabbits to the NIT the previous season.

--Field Level Media

Back to top