Inside Dish: Hopkins to succeed Boeheim
Syracuse's decision to anoint assistant Mike Hopkins as coach Jim Boeheim's eventual successor has been in the works for two seasons, and the program's outstanding recent recruits had an idea it was coming. Most probably will play their entire careers for Boeheim, though; he does not appear eager to give up coaching. . . .
Wisconsin lost 33.2 points per game when F Alando Tucker and G Kammron Taylor finished their careers, and its top returning scorer, F/C Brian Butch (8.8 ppg), isn't expected to make a huge jump in that department. The Badgers figure he'll be good for 10 to 12 points and are hoping someone else--possibly F Marcus Landry--can become an effective first option. . . .
Alabama PG Ronald Steele had surgery on both knees in early April and probably won't be ready for full-court activity until late June or early July. His right knee was more severely injured, so the rehab for that leg has been more intense. Before he got hurt, Ronald Steele was the college game's best playmaker and an NBA prospect. . . .
Both of South Carolina's transfer guards, Devan Downey (Cincinnati) and Zam Frederick (Georgia Tech) played point at their previous stops. Now, Downey will run the Gamecocks' attack and Frederick will play off the ball. A natural shooting guard, Frederick played point out of necessity at Tech; that experience will allow him to spell Downey when necessary.
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