With KU’s thrilling overtime win over Memphis in the national-title game now clearly in the rearview mirror, there are plenty of off-season developments to discuss. We’ve had coaching changes, players bolting for the pros, players opting to remain in school, others deciding to transfer and news on the recruiting front.

Let’s start with the latter, as Davidson has scored a major recruiting coup. According to the Charlotte Observer, Frank Ben-Eze signed with the Wildcats on Wednesday.

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Ben-Eze was ranked as the nation’s 12th-best remaining unsigned player by HoopScoop.com. He’s a 6-10, 230-pound center from Arlington, VA.

Ben-Eze, who initially committed verbally to Harvard, backed off that pledge in March. He reportedly had offers from Marquette and Virginia Tech as well.

The Nigerian native will join fellow countryman Andrew Lovedale in Davidson’s frontcourt. The only negative with Ben-Eze is that he tore his ACL in February and might not be ready to play at the beginning of the season.

Bob McKillop has one more scholarship available and you would think the Wildcats’ improbable Tournament run to the Elite Eight would make them a viable option for an elite player that remains unsigned. Of course, the challenge for McKillop is to find a player that can cut it in the classroom since Davidson has extremely high academic standards.

Although the Wildcats will sorely miss point guard Jason Richards and power forward Thomas Sander, they return an outstanding nucleus led by Stephen Curry, who is a given first-team All-American. Expect Davidson to play an attractive schedule in non-conference play that should merit national-television consideration.

The biggest news in recent weeks was Tyler Hansbrough’s announcement that he’ll return for his senior season at North Carolina. On the other hand, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green are testing the NBA waters without signing with an agent.

“From what I’m hearing, Lawson is probably going to stay in the draft and be a late first-round pick,” said LVSC oddsmaker John “The Coach” Harper during Thursday’s edition of the Power Hours. “Ellington and Green will probably come back to school.”

UCLA has four players – Kevin Love, Darren Collison, Russell Westrook and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute -- that have declared for the draft. None have signed with agents yet, but Love and Westbrook almost certainly won't return.

Memphis has also taken a big hit with defections. Antonio Anderson, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Robert Dozier and Derrick Rose have declared. There’s a good chance Dozier and Anderson will return to school, but Rose and Douglas-Roberts are as good as gone.

The defending national champs have not been immune to early exits, either. Brandon Rush will not be back in Lawrence, while Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers have also declared. NBAdraft.net has Arthur going 10th, while Rush and Chalmers are at No. 24 and 26, respectively.

Mississippi St. took a big hit when Ben Hansbrough decided to transfer. The Bulldogs’ loss has become Notre Dame’s gain, as Hansbrough will join Mike Brey’s program with two years of eligibility left after sitting out the 2008-2009 campaign.

Rick Stansbury’s team already lost senior Charles Rhodes and now junior Jamont Gordon has decided to leave early. Gordon will not sign with an agent, but it’s unclear whether or not he’ll return. He is forecasted by NBAdraft.net to go in the second round with the No. 53 pick.

The last big coaching vacancy was filled when Stanford hired Johnny Dawkins. The long-time Duke assistant will replace Trent Johnson, who bolted for LSU.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

--Tennessee’s Chris Lofton recently revealed to ESPN that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in March of 2007. Lofton underwent four radiation treatments in May of 2007, but is now cancer free. The most prolific 3-point shooter in SEC history led the Vols to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances, but he endured the only shooting slump of his career in November and December. Now we know why.

--Ranking the Coaching Changes:

1-Tom Crean (Indiana)
2-Keno Davis (Providence)
3-Travis Ford (Oklahoma State)
4-Johnny Dawkins (Stanford)
5-Darrin Horn (South Carolina)

--Ohio State just cut a check to former coach Jim O’Brien for $2.74 million for improperly firing him for NCAA rules violations. Not a bad day for a cheater.

Brian Edwards can be reached at briane@vegasinsider.com.