Wednesday Morning Dump

- Offseason Dana O'Neil ... (wait for it) ... ON TV!!! O'Neil and Pat Forde scooped the story that Bruce Pearl was busted for illegally inviting recruits to his house back in 2004 at UW-Milwaukee. She went on OTL to discuss it:



- Luke Winn broke down the nation's 10 most difficult non-conference schedules. No. 1? The Georgetown Hoyas, who play on the road against Temple, Old Dominion, Memphis, and (essentially) Missouri.

- For those interested in media related dealings, Scout.com's Dave Telep -- the nation's leading mind when it comes to recruiting and analyzing prospects -- has signed a contract with ESPN. Congrats, Dave. You earned it. Hopefully with Telep in the fold, ESPN's ridiculous recruiting rankings start to make more sense.

- Good read from Adam Zagoria on Seton Hall in their first year under new head coach Kevin Willard. The most important news from the article is that it seems Herb Pope will be healthy enough to being playing at the start of the season. If he is, and if Willard can get Jeremy Hazell to buy into his offense, Seton Hall is absolutely a top 25 team.

- Interesting take here on Eric Bledsoe and the infamous grade change from MSG's Jon Rothstein. Not quite sure I agree with it, but it is worth the read.

- Ralph Willard left Holy Cross, where he had the head gig, to become the associate head coach under long-time friend Rick Pitino. Now, Willard has stepped aside to become the Director of Basketball Operations, allowing Mark Lieberman to become an assistant. Willard, who likely won't be coaching much longer, wanted to help groom the defensive specialist to become a high-level assistant.

- Andy Katz caught up with Mike Anderson, who said that he made the right decision not taking the Oregon job. Ya think? Oregon has, what, six players on their roster right now? Missouri is a top 25 club with a couple of potential pros on the roster.

- Mark Few goes north of the border to nab another Canadian recruit for Gonzaga. Kevin Pangos, highlighted in this article by Luke Winn, should thrive with the Zags.

- The NCAA is taking a shot at trying to streamline officiating.

- Derek Needham is only a secret is you don't pay attention.

- I just cannot see Judge Smails allowing these at Bushwood.

- Former Memphis coach Larry Finch has been hospitalized.

- Of course it makes sense to hold the Pac-10/12 tournament outside of the pacific region.