Esherick Is Out at Georgetown

Georgetown Coach Craig Esherick, whose Hoyas ended the season with a nine-game losing streak, was fired Tuesday by President John J. DeGioia.

Esherick, who succeeded John Thompson as coach in 1999, had a 103-74 record, making the NCAA tournament once -- in 2001. The Hoyas (13-15) lost to Boston College in the opening round of the Big East Conference tournament last week, the first time in the tournament’s 25-year history they did not reach the quarterfinals.

The Hoyas opened the season 10-0 before the collapse.

Esherick had his contract extended through 2009 a year ago. He indicated in the last two weeks that he was safe in his position and told people to “stay tuned,” referring to the strong recruiting class he had for next season.

“I ain’t going anywhere. I may be here for another 30 years,” Esherick said, adding it was unfair to judge a coach solely on wins and losses.

DeGioia gave Esherick a vote of support two weeks ago, saying he had confidence that Esherick “is the right person to strengthen and lead our program.”

Esherick was not available for comment.

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USC assistant Marvin Menzies, who joined Coach Henry Bibby’s staff in August, has interviewed with Nevada Las Vegas Coach Lon Kruger about a position with the Rebels. Menzies was not available for comment.

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Murray State forward Kelvin Brown was suspended indefinitely and will sit out the team’s NCAA tournament opener after his Saturday arrest on drug charges. Adam Chiles, the starting point guard, also was arrested, but Murray State cleared him to play for the 12th-seeded Racers in Friday’s game against Illinois.... Cincinnati center Robert Whaley, who quit the team Feb. 23 because he was unhappy with his playing time, was reinstated by Coach Bob Huggins and is expected to play Friday in the Bearcats’ first-round NCAA tournament game against East Tennessee.

DePaul guard LeVar Seals might be suspended for Thursday’s NCAA tournament game against Dayton for hitting Cincinnati’s Tony Bobbitt in the groin during Saturday’s Conference USA championship game.... Starting forwards Jan Jagla and Rob Summers announced they plan to leave Penn State. Jagla, who led the team in scoring and rebounding, will try to play professionally. Summers plans to transfer.

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Daniel Horton scored 20 points to lead Michigan (19-11) to a 65-64 victory over Missouri (16-14) in a first-round National Invitation Tournament game at Ann Arbor, Mich.

In other NIT games: Nate Johnson made a layup with 11 seconds left to give Nebraska (17-12) a 71-70 victory over Creighton (20-9) at Omaha.

Anthony Drejaj made a three-point basket at the buzzer to give Saint Louis (19-12) a 70-69 victory over Iowa (16-13) at St. Charles, Mo.