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College Basketball: Kerr named Division II's top player

University of the Sciences senior guard Garret Kerr, a Middle Township High School graduate, has been named the Division II national player of the year.

University of the Sciences senior guard Garret Kerr, a Middle Township High School graduate, has been named the Division II national player of the year.

Kerr, who is 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, is a two-time Division II first-team all-American, after making the second team as a sophomore.

He finished his career with 2,423 points and 1,391 rebounds, both the best in school history.

He led the Devils to a 25-6 record, the second highest win total in school history, and their first NCAA playoff berth.

Sciences reached the East Regional semifinals before losing to Southern New Hampshire, 59-53. Kerr had 34 points and 12 rebounds in his final game.

He averaged 25.7 points per game, good for third in Division II, and ranked second in the country in rebounding with 12.7 boards per game.

He also had been named the East Region player of the year for the second straight season.

Arizona St. fires coach

Herb Sendek got Arizona State back to the NCAA tournament following the 2013-14 season behind stellar homegrown recruit Jahii Carson.

Once Carson left, so did the Sun Devils' chances at another NCAA bid, leaving Sendek without a job.

He was fired after nine seasons that included two NCAA tournament appearances and four in the NIT.

Arizona State went 18-16 this season. Sendek finished 159-137 at the school.

"I have informed Herb Sendek that he will not be retained as the head men's basketball coach at Arizona State University," athletic director Ray Anderson said in a statement. "This has not been an easy decision for me. . . . His tenure over the past nine years has helped shift the direction of this program."

Howland hired

Ben Howland's coaching career has made the unlikely trek from Westwood to Starkville, with a TV timeout in between.

The 57-year-old was introduced as Mississippi State's coach on the floor at Humphrey Coliseum. The former UCLA coach - who led the Bruins to three straight Final Fours from 2006 to 2008 - takes over a program with only a fraction of the national prestige, though the Bulldogs did make their one and only Final Four appearance in 1996.

"That is our goal," Howland said. "To get back there again."

Howland replaces Rick Ray, who was fired Saturday after a 37-60 record over three seasons, including 15-44 in the SEC.

Stricklin said Howland has a four-year contract that will pay an average of $2.05 million annually. The four-year deal is the longest allowed by state law in Mississippi.

Women

Villanova's Caroline Coyer has been named the Big Five player of the year, and Temple freshman Alliya Butts and Penn coach Mike McLaughlin earned rookie and coach of the year honors, respectively.

Joining Coyer on the all-Big Five first team are teammate Emily Leer (Abington), Natasha Cloud (Cardinal O'Hara) and Ciara Andrews (Cheltenham) of St. Joseph's, and Sydney Stipanovich of Penn.

The second team includes Micahya Owens (Willingboro) and Alicia Cropper of La Salle, Butts and Erica Covile from Temple, and Penn's Kathleen Roche.