BURGESS MULLS TRANSFER TO UCLA: Duke sophomore and Orange County native Chris Burgess confirmed Friday that he has considered transferring to UCLA after the season but won't make a decision for at least several weeks.
"There's been a lot of talk about it," Burgess said. "It might go through my mind. But right now, I'm not thinking about it. It's a burden. It's a stress, and we don't need that distraction. We'll see, whatever the future holds."Burgess, who is Mormon, ruled out Brigham Young as a possible destination but said he'd consider Utah and/or a church mission.
Asked specifically about UCLA, he said: "Sometimes I think about it, because it's been a frustrating year."
Burgess, a 6-foot-10 forward/center, is averaging 16 minutes per game. His best friend is UCLA manager Jason Tilton, a former teammate at Woodbridge High in Irvine.
He hinted that his future may hinge on two factors: whether Duke center Elton Brand stays in school or bolts for the NBA, and whether highly touted recruit Carlos Boozer signs with the Blue Devils.
Boozer, a 6-8 forward, is also considering UCLA and St. John's.
SDSU HIRES FISHER: Ten years after becoming the only interim coach to win the national championship, Steve Fisher is starting all over in college basketball, this time at lowly San Diego State.
Fisher's hiring as the Aztecs' coach was to be announced Friday at the campus arena.
The former Michigan coach was an assistant with the NBA's Sacramento Kings, and reportedly had wanted to get back into college ball.
FRASCHILLA LEADS FOR LOBOS POST: Former St. John's coach Fran Fraschilla is the leading candidate to become New Mexico's next head coach, a UNM official involved with the search said Friday.
"He's certainly our very top prospect," said Julie Weaks, who is working with athletic director Rudy Davalos.
SAINT LOUIS TABS ROMAR: Lorenzo Romar, who has earned a reputation as a top recruiter, was introduced Friday as Saint Louis' new basketball coach.