Kent State fills coaching vacancy with top assistant

KENT, Ohio -- Jim Christian, a top assistant under departed coach Stan Heath this season when the Golden Flashes advanced to the NCAA tournament's round of eight, was named Kent State's 21st coach -- and third in three years -- on Tuesday.

Christian takes over for Heath, who in his first season led the Golden Flashes to a 30-6 record, the Mid-American Conference title and victories over Oklahoma State, Alabama and Pittsburgh in this year's NCAA tourney, before taking the job at Arkansas.

TENNESSEE TECH: Coach Jeff Lebo told his team that he will stay at the Ohio Valley Conference school despite interest from other schools in luring away the coach.

Lebo became a top coaching candidate after leading the Golden Eagles to the best season in school history. They won a record 27 games and won the first postseason game ever as they advanced to the third round of the National Invitation Tournament.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported Lebo has been given a raise from his base salary of $115,000 to $250,000.

TV RATINGS: Ratings for the men's NCAA basketball championship game on CBS dipped Monday night, a day after ESPN enjoyed a record audience for the championship game of the women's tournament.

Even though the rating was down, the championship game was watched by 43.5 million people, up 4 percent from last year.

-- From wire reports