Working through a March blizzard. Here are a few things that I’ve heard while hoping the power doesn’t go out…

• The Cuonzo Martin to Illinois chatter is really starting to pick up. The current coach at Cal, Martin is a native of East St. Louis, IL (had to google that – I thought East St. Louis would have been in Missouri – it’s not), and played in the Big Ten at Purdue. Cal is currently 21-12, and will play Bakersfield tonight in the NIT.

• Early name to replace Grant McCasland at Arkansas State is current Red Wolves associate head coach Ross Hodge. He joined McCasland last season at ASU after spending four seasons as an assistant at Colorado State. As a head coach, he went 146-24 at Midland JC and Paris JC. Also hearing Hodge’s name surrounding the search at Austin Peay. It seems he and APSU AD Ryan Ivey share some Texas A&M-Commerce history and connections.

• I can confirm that Eastman & Beaudine has the Duquesne search. Lots of names floating around right now (Mike Rice, King Rice), but no merit to any of them yet. Still too early in the process.

• I have heard that DII Nova Southeastern (FL) is down to four finalists. It sounds like one is Murray State assistant Tim Kaine (a former assistant at Florida Atlantic). I have heard the other three include two other current DI assistant coaches, and a former DI head coach. More on this one as I hear it.

• Yesterday, I mentioned a few of the candidates for the vacancy at DII Tusculum College (TN). I’ve heard that current assistant Jay Welborn can be added to that list. He joined the TC staff last season after spending the previous four years as the head coach at Snead State CC (AL).