Lappas Out at Villanova

Steve Lappas is out as coach of Villanova after nine seasons, according to media reports Friday.

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Web site, citing unidentified sources, said Lappas was leaving the university, although it added it was not clear whether he resigned voluntarily or was forced out by the Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, Villanova’s president.

Both ESPN.com and CBS SportsLine.com, also reported Lappas was out and said the leading candidate to succeed him was Hofstra Coach Jay Wright.

The university would neither confirm nor deny Lappas’ departure. A university spokesman said the school will release an official statement regarding the matter today.

“We’re aware of the reports but we have nothing to say,” athletic department spokesman Mike Sheridan told the Associated Press. “Steve Lappas is still the coach at Villanova.”

Repeated attempts by the Associated Press to reach Lappas at his home Friday night were unsuccessful.

The Inquirer reported that Lappas met with Dobbin to inform him of his interest in the vacant head coaching job at Massachusetts.

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Iowa basketball player Reggie Evans said that he will remain in school for his senior year. The 6-foot-8 forward, a junior college transfer from Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, led the nation with 11.9 rebounds per game and averaged 22.5 points. . . . Billy Holmes resigned as the women’s coach at Mercer after a 6-23 season.

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Kenny Walker scored 24 points and Erwin Dudley had 20 points and 16 rebounds as Alabama (24-10) advanced to the National Invitation Tournament semifinals with an 85-77 double-overtime win over Purdue (17-15) at West Lafayette, Ind.

Alabama will play Detroit on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York.