Billy Donovan was well-aware that the window would close eventually and that his stock would never be hotter than it is right now.

It was just 14 months ago that he was regarded as just another coach. Fans in Gainesville were questioning his ability because he had brought in all this talent and had bowed out in either the first or second round for five straight years.

Donovan can always come back to the college ranks if the five-year, $28 million deal doesn't work out down the road in Orlando. His mentor, Rick Pitino, who brought Kentucky a national title, returned and is coaching in-state rival Louisville. Tim Floyd is back at USC. Leonard Hamilton at Florida State and John Calipari in Memphis.

Donovan is different than his predecessors. Pitino was the only one to win a national title and have that cache when he enters the league. Pitino also never knew when to back off in the pros and had his star players (Antoine Walker) tuning him out.

Donovan gets it. He is adaptable and doesn't need to micro-manage a game like his mentor. He'll let them go up and down - and will figure out what each player on the Orlando Magic needs.

DONOVAN'S 'OTHER' ASSISTANT

While former Donovan assistant Anthony Grant appears to be on the verge of replacing his old boss, another ex-Donovan aide, Donny Jones, is getting things done at Marshall.

Former Purdue shooter Chris Lutz, the Big Ten's best 3-point shooter last season, is visiting Marshall this weekend. Lutz is also looking at Rhode Island and Xavier.

Jones has inked two players in Matt Walls and Tirrell Baines who chose the Thundering Herd over high-major programs.

Jones said that this year's team will be led by 6-foot-5