Oct. 5, 2000 SportsLine.com Reports

Conference USA report

The coach

In his years as an athletic director, new Tulsa top man Rick Dickson has been known as a guy who keeps his hires "within the family." When he tabbed Kentucky assistant Shawn Finney as the successor to Perry Clark as the team's new coach, he maintained that course.

A Tubby Smith assistant at Kentucky and before that at Georgia and at Tulsa (where Dickson was AD), Finney will be taking his first head coaching job.

"I've watched Shawn grow and develop over the last 10 years at three outstanding programs to become the premier assistant at the premier program in the country," said Dickson. "I believe he'll be a huge success for Tulane University."

He has some pressure to deal with at Tulane. Clark was able to bring success to the program in the standings, but had not taken the Wave to the NCAA Tournament since 1995.

A glance at 2001

It's looking like a tougher turnaround all the time for the Green Wave.

Coach Perry Clark had the luxury of starting five seniors for their last home game, and in the first round of the NIT. Of course, there is a downside to that, which Finney will feel.

Who's gone

Gone are guards Wade Mason, Dylan Osean and Marlo Miles, and front-liners Sterling Davis and Morris Jordan -- all graduated.

In addition a pair of recruits will not be coming to Tulane. Key recruit Sherrod Teasley, a point guard, did not meet NCAA eligibility requirements and his appeal was denied, while forward David Hawkins decided not to honor his commitment.

Who's back

Point guard Waitari Marsh is one of the few impact returnees, but the Green Wave will have to wait a while to secure his services -- if they get them at all. Marsh, who figured to be one of the better point guards in Conference USA, will not compete during the fall semester after failing to meet NCAA continuing eligibility standards. He will be allowed to compete in the spring if he comes back up to the standards.

Among the others returning who will figure into next year's mix are Ledaryl Billingsley, freshman guard Brandon Spann and Trello Galloway. Also back are sophomore forward Linton Johnson and freshman guard Kerwin Jones.

Key Newcomer

• F Nick Sinville (6-6, 230, So.): Sinville, who will have to sit out a year, is a transfer from the University of Minnesota. He was a role player for the Golden Gophers in the 1999-2000 season, averaging 4.2 points and 4.0 rebounds.