The Doug Wiggins Era is over before it even began at UMass.

Here's a story from today's Register on incoming UConn freshman Darius Smith, who overcame anger issues related to his father's murder to become the terrific young man he is today. Smith's father was shot dead in a supermarket parking lot when Smith was just 5. Apparently, he was shot by an off-duty policeman in a case of mistaken identity. The case has never been resolved.

Thanks to his mother, Sharon, and to Henry Cotton, who has coached Smith since sixth grade and emerged as the male presense in his life, Darius has overcome his anger issues. He is now a person (and player) who, Cotton promises, UConn fans are going to love.