LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – National Bracket 2012 today kicked off the NCAA brackets frenzy, if Selection Show Sunday results didn’t do that already. NCAA Tournament officials tell news, however that the frenzy this year will be heightened by a new initiative fueled by Hollywood celebrities. It’s called Brackets Everywhere and will feature everyone from Outkast to Wolf Blitzer taking to the court of media news publicity.

Big Boi from Outkast has joined NCAA partners CBS Sports and Turner Sports as they launch a massive news media blitz to saturate focus on NCAA printable brackets. Conan O’Brien has already debuted his own brackets  on TNT  (see above).

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Jeff Jordan, son of Michael Jordan, is exiting Central Florida’s basketball program. Jeff Jordan and the school confirmed the news in a statement this weekend. Just days ago, Michael Jordan got engaged to longtime girlfriend Yvette Prieto (photos below).

Jeff Jordan confirmed to news that he will not returning to the basketball program for “personal reasons. “I thank coach Jones for the opportunity to be a part of the UCF basketball family,” Jordan said in a news statement. “I wish the team and coaching staff much continued success.”

“We wish Jeff nothing but the best in the future,” UCF head coach Donnie Jones stated in the UCF athletics news statement this weekend. “We appreciate his contributions to our program and he will always be a member of the UCF basketball family.”

Jordan had been set to play in Saturday’s game at East Carolina. Jeff Jordan was a walk-on at Illinois; after three seasons he transferred to UCF. This was first season with the Knights after having to sit out a season.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Jerime Anderson’s alleged theft of a laptop has prompted immediate team suspension. Jerime Anderson allegedly stole a MacBook laptop computer. After being arrested by West Hollywood Sherriff’s this week, the UCLA basketball reserve point guard was released on $20,000 bail.

But in a news statement issued swiftly, UCLA confirmed that Jerime Anderson has been suspended from the men’s basketball program. Anderson faces a charge of grand theft. The laptop’s value was $1,541, claimed police.

UCLA confirms that his suspension is not indefinite. UCLA confirms it will reexamine Jerime Anderson’s status as the legal process plays out. “This is a disappointing and unfortunate situation for Jerime,” Coach Ben Howland said in a statement.

“We have a high standard and code of conduct that our student-athletes are expected to follow.” He added “He knows that he has made a huge mistake and that he has not represented himself, our program or UCLA in a manner that is required.”

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Matt Painter will, or won’t, become Mizzou’s new head coach within the next sixty minutes. Matt Painter’s Mizzou offer expires at 12 noon EST today, and with sixty minutes to go, Mizzou athletics director Mike Alden has yet to report to news that Painter has accepted.

On Tuesday, Alden set the noon deadline for Painter. But since yesterday, several developments have occurred.

First as to Mizzou, Painter met with school officials in Florida on Tuesday, reports Jeff Rabjohns. Mizzou has yet to confirm what it offered Painter. Rabjohns reports that Mizzou offered a seven year $14 million offer to Mike Anderson. Painter reportedly was offered more than $2 million by Mizzou.

As to Purdue, officials confirmed Tuesday that they increased Monday’s offer to match that given by Mizzou. Rabjohns reports that Purdue is now at the $2 million range as well. The St Louis Post Dispatch’s Bernie Miklasz reports that the two schools are at the same salary level.

Unclear is the daily operational budgets, staffing salaries, and incentives on the table from both schools.

The Dispatch’s Kathleen Nelson reports Purdue “is a better job” adding the school’s “biggest advantage is belonging to the Big Ten.” Bill Coats said that Mizzou is better because it has “two in state urban areas” for recruiting and “better facilities”.

Purdue assistant athletic director Tom Schott issued the following statement to news earlier on Tuesday. “Matt Painter is our men’s basketball coach, and we want him to continue his leadership of the program.” He added that on “(Monday) night, the board of trustees, president (France) Cordova and (athletic director) Morgan Burke clearly demonstrated Purdue University’s commitment to him and to our men’s basketball program.

“We were proactive, and although we will not go into details at this time, we encourage Matt to stay through our words and action.”

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ST LOUIS (LALATE) – Matt Painter’s Mizzou coaching deal has a deadline set for Wednesday, claims reports. Mizzou’s Mike Alden has told Matt Painter to make a decision by noon Wednesday if he is taking Mizzou’s offer as its next head coach, reports the St Louis Post Dispatch late today.

But will Painter decide tonight?

Indianapolis Star reporter Jeff Rabjohns yesterday told fans that Painter hadn’t decided. Today, Rabjohns reports the same. On Tuesday afternoon he updated “No decision from Matt Painter expected tonight, source said”.

In fact, fans and schools have been restless on the decision. Speculation and false reports haven’t helped. “I’m not ignoring the Twitter questions about Matt Painter/Purdue/Mizzou, but it’s a reporter’s job to report, not guess/predict, etc” added Rabjohns.

Bernie Miklasz, sports reporter for the St Louis Post Dispatch, has since updated that “Mizzou AD Mike Alden have asked Matt Painter to make decision by noon Wednesday.” Earlier Miklasz reported that a source stating that “[Painter has done] remarkable due diligence on Mizzou job”.

Is Painter likely to take the Mizzou job?

Two issues are possibly at play. First is the salary. Purdue has increased their package offer. Reports claim Purdue is up to $2.3 million, Mizzou is reportedly between $2 to $2.3. But that could change late today. “Purdue admits worked through the day to create an enhanced package for Matt Painter, including more overall program support” indicated a source to Rabjohns. Second, is the Painter’s reaction from the schools. Earlier today, Miklasz’s source reported “Painter … feels good about it; momentum on MU side at this point.”

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