Mid-day rumble: assistant coaches around the league; Mullin shows his shooting skill

Today: a look at a number of new hires in the Big East, and a hire at San Francisco whose name might be familiar for fans who remember the summer after Mike Dunlap left St. John's to coach the Charlotte Hornets. Plus: the NIT Tip-Off may be moving from the Garden, and a list of Big East newcomers to watch for.

First, some news links:

Liberia has been declared "ebola-free", as the World Health Organization works on plans to handle future outbreaks of communicable diseases. Verizon is buying AOL for $4.4 billion, and I didn't even know AOL was still a viable company. Is that a big city bias?... El Nino is back?... can MRI's predict breast cancer in women?... the upcoming iPhone 6S update could be a substantial improvement. Personally, the "larger screen" is a turn-off to me... students asked to strip down to their "naked self" for a final.

Winston-Salem Journal // Ex-Wake Forest assistant basketball coach hired by Providence

Battle, a long-time assistant basketball coach at Wake Forest, has accepted a position as assistant coach at Providence. He will join the staff of head coach Ed Cooley, a close friend who attempted to hire Battle away from Wake Forest in 2011.

Battle was at Wake Forest for 13 seasons as an assistant to Skip Prosser, Dino Gaudio and Jeff Bzdelik, during which time he coached 413 Deacon games. Only Murray Greason, Dave Odom and Ernie Nestor coached more basketball games at Wake Forest.

Jeff Battle must have some real value to stick around through three coaches at Wake - and the talent level has been pretty good. Solid get for Ed Cooley and Providence.

Cincinnati Enquirer // Chris Mack hires Rhode Island assistant Luke Murray

Murray, the son of actor/comedian Bill Murray, joined Dan Hurley and URI in 2013. Before that, he was a Towson assistant for two seasons and a Wagner assistant under Hurley for one season.

Murray also served as a grad assistant at Arizona under former Xavier coach Sean Miller. The 2007 Fairfield graduate started his career in 2009-10 as director of basketball operations at Quinnipiac.

Murray fills the opening created by former assistant Rick Carter, who left Xavier in April to become DePaul's associate head coach under newly-hired head coach Dave Leitao.

Bill Murray also hung out with St. John's fans during the Charleston Classic three years ago.

VU Hoops // Report: 2015 NIT Season Tip-Off most likely won't be at Madison Square Garden

In the most recent edition of Andy Katz's 3-Point Shot, the ESPN insider gives some insight that the 2015 NIT Season Tip-Off will most likely not be hosted at Madison Square Garden as it has in previous years. He adds that the tournament will still stay in the New York area, leaving the Barclays Center as the likely venue.

The NIT Season Tip-Off has struggled to find teams in the last couple of years too. A dying event?

Depaulia // DePaul basketball's marketing strategy: Let Leitao be Leitao

Passengers on the Brown and Red lines passing the Fullerton stop on the CTA can look out their windows and see a large advertisement adorning a parking garage featuring new DePaul men’s basketball coach Dave Leitao. The dramatic poster features a simple slogan that resonates the message from the original press conference after Leitao was hired.

"Back with a Bold Purpose."

"To lose less"

SF Chronicle // Frank Allocco leaves De La Salle to become top assistant at USF - SFGate

...after a highly successful, 18-year run at De La Salle-Concord, Allocco — who on Monday accepted the associate head coaching position under Rex Walters at USF — said he’s ready for a new post....

"I’ve always been impressed with the way he led, coached, guided and mentored his teams," said Walters, who has attended numerous De La Salle practices and games during his seven seasons at USF. "There are too many things to list that I know Frank will bring to our program."

Allocco, who was offered a similar post by Steve Lavin at St. John’s two years ago, said Walters called him two weeks ago and things moved quickly.

Allocco was looked to be the x's and o's coach Lavin needed; but they couldn't come to terms or otherwise decided not tow work together, and Lavin hired Darrick martin to his staff instead. Martin hung around as a full assistant, and then moved to a Director of Basketball Operations post when Lavin hired Jim Whitesell.

Fox Sports // 10 Big East newcomers to watch for

Including Darien Williams and Durand Johnson, new to St. John's; plus two impact players from Marquette.

Chris Mullin, hitting trick shots?

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