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"We’re on top," Jim Calhoun told a horde of reporters, "I guess, at least momentarily."

The Connecticut Huskies had just won the national championship and Calhoun couldn’t have been happier. After beginning the season unranked and finishing the regular season with the ninth-best record in the Big East, this was his most improbable title and few expected his group to finish on top.

But as Calhoun added, Connecticut’s reign may be momentary. The team is surrounded by many question marks, including whether or not their two most important pieces will return next season. While the Huskies should enjoy their time on top, it’s impossible to ignore the looming decisions that could change the landscape of the program.

There have been rumblings that Calhoun might retire and go out on top. At 68 years old, he became the oldest head coach to win a national championship and he has already coached longer than he ever expected too.

"I told my wife I would retire when I was 50," Calhoun said. "I lied."

Now, the three-time champion will have to decide whether he wants to retire or return to strict penalties for his role in the controversial recruitment of Nate Miles. Calhoun will already miss the first three Big East games of next season and will be docked scholarships for the next three years due to the NCAA investigation. He’ll take a nine-day fishing trip in May and make a decision on his future.

"I was riding in an airplane a number of years ago with a guy I became incredibly close to, that’s Dean Smith. Coach Smith was kind enough when I was coaching at Northeastern University to allow me to spend a week down there, just watching the whole operation. In the midst of the conversation, because it was years later and getting near the end of his career, he said to me, ‘One thing you should always do is be who you are and be true to yourself. Give yourself some time, some space ‘" Calhoun said last night.

"Right now, I will do what I have done over the last four or five years," he continued. "John Thompson mentioned to me on the sidelines simply that everybody kept telling me that I coached against a young coach, 34, you know. I had already been coaching five years in Division I when he was born. But John made a point that maybe some old, experienced guys can do a good job along with some young guys too. Simply, it’s going to be what I feel passionately about. Can I give the kids everything humanly possible that I can? If I can, I’ll coach as long as I can keep on doing it. If I decide that I can’t, then I’ll move on to something because I do have an incredible life with my family and friends and other things that I do."

But Calhoun isn’t the only Husky with a decision to make. Kemba Walker, who was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 Final Four, may take his talents to the NBA. Walker is projected as a lottery pick and many executives love his game.

"I think I’m ready for the NBA," Walker said. "But I’m not going to make that decision yet. The NBA will be there for me no matter what. I’m going to take my time. I don’t want to think about that yet. I just want to celebrate this win, and then when the time is right I’ll talk to the right people and find out where my stock is and what not, and then I’ll make that decision."

Multiple league sources believe that Walker will leave school, and several even suggested that the junior already has his agent picked out. Calhoun has been monitoring the labor negotiations and what it would mean for Walker, as well as the guard’s draft stock.

The future of the program remains up in the air and the next few weeks will determine if Connecticut fans should focus on repeating or rebuilding.

Either way, the Huskies are the national champions after winning eleven straight games and deserve to celebrate their victory. Connecticut had a terrific run and they’re on top. At least momentarily.

Peterson Wants to Make History: Jamine Peterson isn’t your typical draft prospect. He has the dominant stats, physical tools and untapped potential that teams fall in love with, but rather than taking the traditional route from college to the NBA, Peterson is trying to become the first NBA Development League player to be drafted in the first round.

Peterson was the leading scorer at Providence before he left the program after his junior year to focus on professional basketball. Since joining the New Mexico Thunderbirds, the 6-foot-6 forward has made the most of his opportunity and is averaging 20.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and .503 shooting since moving into the starting lineup. Peterson has experienced success at the collegiate and professional levels, but it didn’t take him long to realize that the two are very different.

"There are a lot of differences between the two," Peterson told HOOPSWORLD in a phone interview. "It’s a big difference in terms of competition because you’re playing against guys that have been in the league or have a chance to get there with a call-up. You’re also competing with guys that get sent down from teams or that have played professionally overseas. There are even guys that have been in the league for a long time who are coming down like Antoine Walker and Antonio Daniels. Playing in the D-League has been a really good experience. Don’t get me wrong, college was good too. I was able to play in the toughest conference and each week I was facing guys who were draft prospects. But playing in the D-League, it’s different because they’re grown men."

Luckily for Peterson, the Thunderbirds are coached by former NBA player Darvin Ham, who played in the league for eight seasons and won a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Ham has helped Peterson develop his game and his staff features other former players that have been able to prepare the forward for the league.

"It’s like having an NBA tutor," Peterson said. "I’m fortunate to be coached by someone that has had success at the next level and won a championship. Also, guys like Sean Rooks and Jeff McGinnis have really helped me work on my game and prepare me for the next level. The guys tell us what to work on during practice and what aspects of our games we need to improve because they know what it takes to play in the league. On and off the court they have been helpful. They’ll watch video with us, point our weaknesses and really help us a lot. They have plenty of stories about what it’s like in the league and they stress that it’s hard to get there. There are only 400 spots and there are a million guys playing basketball so they make sure we know what we have to do to solidify one of those spots."

{AUTHOR_BOX}After playing an intense schedule and becoming accustomed to the professional lifestyle, Peterson believes he’s more prepared for the NBA than his peers that took the traditional route to the league.

"I think I’m at an advantage over the guys coming out of college because I’m on a different schedule and preparing for games like I’m already at the next level," Peterson said. "What we’re doing is similar to what they do in the league. In college you may have a game once every three or four days, but in the D-League, we just keep going. We’re constantly either playing or we’re on a plane so it’s great preparation for the next level as far as the amount of games you play. It helps me a lot because I’m getting used to things like having four games in six nights. It was a big adjustment for me at first, mentally and physically, but now I have myself ready for that. It was tough, but I’m used to it now."

It’s clear that Peterson’s adjustment is complete because he been absolutely dominant in recent weeks. Last Saturday, he filled the stat sheet with 40 points and 13 rebounds and nearly repeated the performance the following night with 36 points and 12 rebounds. He’s showing what he’s capable of doing and his hard work is paying off.

"I think part of it was just getting settled in and comfortable, but also I’ve been working on my game," Peterson said. "I am really hungry because I feel like I’ve been overlooked a little bit. It’s been great to show what I can do and just receive feedback from my teammates and coaches. They’ve been helping me realize what I need to work on and what I need to do to be successful."

His coaches have also helped him expand his game. Entering the D-League, he was known as a good post player and rebounder, but they have helped him improve as a perimeter player on both ends of the court.

"I love to rebound. I focus a lot on offensive rebounds and I try to clean the glass. Also, I’m comfortable attacking the rim. I’m able to go inside and out now, and it’s hard to stop both. I used to like the ball mainly inside, but now that I’m working out with Jeff McGinnis, Coach Ham and Coach Rooks, I’m getting more comfortable outside. I’ve also improved my defensive awareness, shooting, free throws and pick and roll skills. They’ve been helping me a lot and I think it gives me an advantage over a lot of guys," he said.

Upon entering the D-League, Peterson was surprised by the number of former NBA players that were trying to make it back on a roster.

"The biggest surprise for me was competing with a lot of guys that have already been in the league," he said. "I thought I would come here and compete with guys that are trying to get to the league, and I didn’t realize there would be a lot of guys that are trying to get back to there. There are a lot of great players looking for second chances and trying to continue their dream of playing in the NBA. That was surprising because you’re going against guys, day in and day out, that are tough, hungry and working hard as they try to get to back to that level."

Peterson’s experience has been unique because he’s been able to test himself against the entire spectrum of NBA talent. He’s faced everyone, from the first round picks that were sent down by their respective teams to the veterans that are looking for one last break. His journey has been rewarding and he wants to end it as a first round pick. Other players such as Mike Taylor and Latavious Williams have gone to the NBA straight from the D-League, but Peterson would be the only player in the group selected in the first round if all goes as planned.

"My goal is to be a first-round pick," Peterson said. "Right now, I’m working out at Impact and I’m ready for these workouts. I want to prove to the general managers and scouts that I can do well in all of the workouts – one on one, two on two, three on three or five on five. I want them to see that and I’m just going to work hard and give it my all."

If he comes off the board in the first round, he wouldn’t be surprised if other young players see what he was able to do and try to take the same route to the league.

"A lot of players may follow in my footsteps by playing in the D-League or going overseas if they decide to take the next step and play professional basketball rather than college ball," Peterson said. "Brandon Jennings, Latavious Williams and Mike Taylor are the other guys that got drafted after a similar route. It depends on the individual situation, but it’s a good look as far as being able to play against this competition, being part of the league and getting feedback from these knowledgeable people. There are a lot of great coaches out here like Dee Brown, who know what it takes to get to the league because they’ve played well at the next level. They’ve been there and done that."

After experiencing success at every level, Peterson is making a name for himself. As he attempts to make history with a first round selection in this year’s draft, don’t be surprised if you hear his name again in two months.