With
Illinois' basketball potential, athletic director Mike Thomas can be in the
hunt for the nation's most attractive candidates. Here are some possibilities to succeed Bruce Weber:
1. Shaka Smart, VCU: Last
year's Final Four made him super-hot commodity. Was an Akron assistant when Mike Thomas was AD there.
2. Brad Stevens, Butler: Two
straight Final Fours establish his credentials, just two hours east of
Champaign.
3. Scott Drew, Baylor: Former
Valparaiso coach has built winner out of troubled program.
4. Anthony Grant, Alabama:
Started VCU's rise before moving to Crimson Tide.
5. Chris Collins, Duke
assistant: Former Glenbrook/Duke star is nation's most talked-about assistant.
Other potential candidates include Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall, Detroit coach Ray McCallum and former New Mexico State coach/NBA guy Reggie Theus.
Herb Gould started with the Sun-Times in 1977 and has covered several teams, including the Blackhawks. He is a long-time beat reporter covering the Fighting Illini and the Big Ten for the Sun-Times.
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