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News Nuggets, 04.14.05
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Coastal Carolina lures Peterson as hoops coach

CONWAY, SC — Former Tennessee coach Buzz Peterson has accepted the job as head coach at Coastal Carolina.

Peterson, fired after failing to make the NCAA tournament in four years with the Volunteers, was expected to be introduced Thursday, athletic spokesman John Martin said Wednesday.

Coastal athletic director Warren ``Moose'' Koegel said he received a fax Tuesday evening from Peterson accepting the job.

A native of Asheville, Peterson earned four letters in basketball at North Carolina, serving as team captain in his senior season. He was a member of the Tar Heels' NCAA Championship squad in 1982.

Peterson replaces Pete Strickland, who was fired last month after seven seasons. Strickland never made the NCAA tournament and never even had a winning season, finishing 70-127.

Peterson went 61-59 in four seasons with the Volunteers, losing twice in the opening round of the NIT. Tennessee bought out the remaining two years of his contract following the 2004-05 season.

Before taking the reigns at Tennessee, Peterson was head coach for one year at Tulsa and four years at Appalachian State, where he went 79-39.

He led Tulsa to a 26-11 record and the NIT Championship during the 2000-01 season.

Peterson's Appalachian State teams posted at least 20 wins in each his final three seasons in Boone and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2000.

Unraveling of juggernaut title team begins

North Carolina found out about the first of its national championship basketball team's four underclassmen who could leave school early.

Rashad McCants, the Tar Heels' second-leading scorer, said Wednesday that he would apply for the NBA draft and skip his senior season.

Coach Roy Williams said McCants had his ``complete support'' in making a move the two began discussing in January.

North Carolina fans are still waiting for the decisions of juniors Sean May, the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament, and Raymond Felton and freshman Marvin Williams.

Three other players said Wednesday they have applied for the draft.

Florida guards Anthony Roberson and Matt Walsh will apply for the draft but will not hire agents, meaning they could return to the Gators for another season.

Indiana guard Bracey Wright, like McCants, said he will hire an agent.

Other prominent underclassmen who have declared for the draft include national player of the year Andrew Bogut of Utah, Charlie Villanueva of Connecticut, Ike Diogu of Arizona State, Kelenna Azubuike of Kentucky, Nate Robinson of Washington and Carl Krauser and Chris Taft of Pittsburgh.

Players must apply for the draft by May 14. If they don't sign with an agent they can withdraw their name by June 21, one week before the draft is held.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from Associated Press and other sources. Copyright 2005 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:23 PM