Tubby Smith to Texas Tech

Tubby Smith is coming to Texas Tech to try to turn around another wayward program, a source confirmed to ESPN.com's Jason King.

The Associated Press had earlier reported that the school had agreed to terms Monday with Smith on a contract to be its next coach.

Smith takes over for interim coach Chris Walker, who went 11-20 this season and just 3-15 in Big 12 play. The program is still reeling from Billy Gillispie's volatile one-year tenure, which ended when he resigned in September.

Smith was fired by Minnesota last week after six seasons. He led them to three NCAA tournaments and this year delivered the program's first tourney win -- over sixth-seeded UCLA -- since 1997. He went 124-81 (.610), winning 20 games five times. But he never finished higher than sixth in the Big Ten, going just 46-62 in conference play, prompting Minnesota athletic director Norwood Teague to oust him.

He becomes the fourth person to lead Texas Tech in as many seasons.

Texas Tech fans had pinned their basketball hopes on Gillispie after he'd turned around two other flagging programs in the state -- UTEP and Texas A&M -- and they hoped he would do the same for the Red Raiders. But he more resembled the guy who was fired at Kentucky, a hard-driving coach who had a difficult time connecting with the players he inherited. Several complained to the administration about how Gillispie treated them, there were some secondary NCAA violations for exceeding practice times and it all led to the Red Raiders finishing 8-23 and winning just one Big 12 game in 2011-12 -- the program's worst season since 1990-91.

Gillispie stepped down in September, citing health reasons. Walker, an assistant at several schools for 17 years, led Texas Tech to an improved season but the Houston native's lack of experience as a head coach likely worked against him.

Smith won a national title and five Southeastern Conference championships with Kentucky before the demanding Wildcat faithful pushed him to leave for Minnesota in 2007. Smith, who was replaced at Kentucky by Gillispie, has also taken Tulsa and Georgia to the round of 16, establishing a reputation as a program builder who could succeed in places that haven't historically been on the college basketball map.

Now he'll try to do it one more time at Texas Tech.

Source: ESPN

Practice facility still a dream for Gophers

Minnesota’s Tubby Smith has made a push for a new practice facility since his arrival in 2007.

Former athletic director Joel Maturi promised to build one.

Five years have passed.

And the university has failed to attract the private donors who are capable of funding the project.

It’s a baffling predicament for the Big Ten university.

A school that can construct a $300 million football stadium can’t find the money to build a practice facility at a fraction of the cost? A school that’s located in a major metropolitan area filled with Fortune 500 companies can’t get any corporate sponsor to open its checkbook? No rich alumni seeking hefty tax breaks?

Some of the program’s supporters have pushed for a greater overhaul that would include the renovation of Williams Arena or the construction of a new building. But that project would cost much more than a practice facility.

Great ideas. But without the money to move forward, that’s all they are. That’s all they’ve been in recent years.

A new regime, however, has vowed to make progress.

Minnesota’s new athletic director, Norwood Teague, says he’s focused on making a new practice facility a reality for the program.

“That project will be a top priority,” Teague, former athletic director at VCU, told the Pioneer Press. “I think it's a necessity for your program and your program's future. We can't afford not to have one for both [the men's and women's] programs.”

The Gophers’ administration recognizes the need.

Iowa and Nebraska, however, moved past that point years ago. They’ve raised the money and put shovels into the ground.

And in the end, those moves could shift the league as some of the teams that have struggled in recent years continue to build.

Five Big Ten squads signed top-25 recruiting classes in 2012, according to ESPN.com’s rankings.

Four of the teams have attracted high-level talent with ease in recent years. Michigan State, Michigan and Indiana should be top-10 squads when the preseason polls are released. Purdue is rebuilding without Robbie Hummel but its nationally ranked recruiting class will speed up the process.

Iowa’s standing at No. 25, however, was surprising, given its recent challenges.

It’s justifiable. Adam Woodbury (No. 39) and Mike Gesell (No. 75) are ESPNU100 prospects who could help the Hawkeyes -- a team that hasn’t reached the NCAA tournament since 2006 -- turn the corner in the Big Ten.

Iowa’s brass certainly believes. It just rewarded Fran McCaffery with a seven-year deal that will pay the head coach a minimum of $1.66 million per season.

The Hawkeyes have invested $47 million in their basketball program since 2007, according to Scott Dochterman of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. That number includes the renovation of Carver-Hawkeye Arena -- one of my favorites -- and a new basketball practice facility.

The Hawkeyes’ commitment to the sport should help the program rise in the Big Ten. Again.

And they’re not alone. As my colleague Jason King pointed out last week, Nebraska is banking on big dollars to boost its basketball program, too. That squad will compete in the new Pinnacle Bank Arena next season. A new practice facility for the Huskers was completed last year.

Price tag: $200 million, according to Tim Miles.

The “if you build it, they will come” theory is already paying off for Iowa. And it will help the Huskers in the future, too.

Minnesota, however, continues to hope and wait, while its peers make moves.

Source: ESPN, College Basketball Nation Blog

Noteworthy Games - Edition: 3.14.10

There were four games yesterday. All four were conference championships. In one game a team was playing not only for a conference championship but for its only chance to get into the NCAA tourney, an automatic bid. Another game featured a team that had beaten three teams, one of them unranked, and the #11 and #5 ranked teams in the nation to reach it's conference championship. By the way, did I mention the team doing so was unranked? Next up, you have a team that is always on the national radar. Finally, a team that has been a NCAA tourney bracketbuster on numerous occasions.

I know that I have had a bit of a love affair for Minnesota lately. I also realize that the last two days, I have started off talking about them. So...why should today be any different? The Golden Gophers took on Big 10 powerhouse Ohio State yesterday and got their asses handed to them in the championship game. Final score, 90-61.

In all fairness though, this was their fourth game in as many days and they had overcome some huge obstacles to make it into the championship game. Those obstacles being the #11th (Michigan State), and #5th (Purdue) ranked teams in the nation. Did I mention that they did all of this as unranked team? Coach Tubby Smith and company, to you I tip my hat. You have nothing to be ashamed of!

Next up we have the nail-biting, barn-burner that featured the University of Kentucky and Mississippi in the Southeastern Conference final. Words really could not do this game justice, and so here are the highlights from ESPN.com.

John Wall scored 7 of his 17 points in overtime as the Wildcats won their 26th SEC tournament title and first since 2004. UK is now 8-0 in games decided by five points or less and/or OT.

Eric Bledsoe led the Wildcats with 18 points and has scored in double figures in four straight games.

DeMarcus Cousins, whose tip-in at the buzzer in regulation sent the game to overtime, finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds for his 20th double-double of the season.

In short, Kentucky(#2) rallied from five down with 2:28 left in regulation to beat Mississippi State. Final Score: 75-74

Temple beat Richmond to win its 3rd straight Atlantic 10 title. Final Score: 56-52

In a ACC tournament filled with upsets, it took a gritty effort from Duke to hold off a determined comeback from the (tournament) seventh-seeded Yellow Jackets from Georgia Tech, who were trying to become the first team in tournament history to win four games in four days. In the end though, there was just to much Duke. Final Score: 65-61

Noteworthy Games - Edition: 3.13.10

I love my Wildcats, LORD knows I do, but I cannot help but start off with Tubby Smith and the tenacious Golden Gophers of Minnesota. Minnesota held the Boilermakers(#5) to the worst first-half in Purdue's record books and rolled to a 69-42 victory in the Big Ten tournament semifinals.. It was the fewest points by Purdue in a half since the school started keeping track in 1950. Only a late layup by Patrick Bade allowed the Boilermakers to avoid the worst defeat ever in a Big Ten tournament game. Minnesota led 37-11 at the break and by as many as 34 points in the second half.

"I thought it was a very impressive and dominating performance," Smith said. "It's as good a half as I think I've been a part of as a coach."

The Golden Gophers will play Ohio State(#7) on Sunday for the Big 10 tournament championship.

Going into the SEC tourney, UK had two losses in the course of the regular season. One to South Carolina which they were able to avenge in late February. The second loss came at the hands of Tennessee in the two teams second match-up of the season. Both contests were decided by less than twelve points. Yesterday UK got a chance to avenge that second loss of the season in the semifinal round of the SEC Tourney. This time, it wasn't even close. UK handed the Volunteers their most lop-sided loss under Coach Bruce Pearl.

Of the loss, Pearl, said "We got outplayed at every position, and Kentucky's the No. 2 team in the country for a reason. They're a really, really good team. We just did not have the energy after playing two games and coming back and playing this third game. We just didn't have it."

The Vols fought tooth and nail but in the end, the Cats were just too much. Final Score: 74-45

Kansas State(#9) has not won a Big 10 tournament title in 30 years. After yesterday, make it 31. Kansas(#1) continued it's dominance winning its seventh Big 10 tournament title. Final Score: 72-64

Ohio State(#7) needed two overtimes to come away with the win and advance to the Big 10 final on Saturday. The Fighting Illini of Illinois put up a strong battle, but it in the end, they had no match for Ohio State's Player of the Year contender Evan Turner. Final Score: 88-81

Duke (#$) had to fend off an extremely pesky Miami of Ohio team to advance to the ACC Tourney final where it will meet Georgia Tech. Final Score: 77-74

More later!

- b

Noteworthy Games - Edition: 3.12.10

There were a few noteworthy games yesterday. A game with a really exciting ending, a couple where the higher seed team had to make a come-back to win, and one stunner!

I have to start off with former UK coach, Tubby Smith and the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. The un-ranked Gophers had the stunner of the day with a win over #11 Michigan State. Final Score: 72-67 I will certainly be rooting on he Gophers as they continue Big 10 semifinal play today against #5 Purdue.

The #1 Jayhawks from Kansas had to fight off a pesky Texas A&M squad who led by as many as nine early in the second half. Texas A&M went eight minutes without scoring a field goal in the second half. Final Score: 79-66

The Kentucky Wildcats were one of the teams that had to put up a comeback effort to win. UK(#2) played Alabama in the SEC semi's Friday. Most of the credit for the win went to SEC Player of the Year, UK freshman John Wall. In my opinion another freshman, Eric Bledsoe made several clutch plays and bought a lot of enthusiasm to the court. Final Score: 73-67

In the Big Ten tourney, it took a three-pointer at the buzzer by National Player of the Year contender, Evan Turner to give Ohio State(#7) the win over Michigan. Final Score: 69-68

Best of luck to these teams as they continue on in tournament play today. To those who fell yesterday, hopefully your efforts up until this point were enough to get you into the NCAA Tourney.

Quick thoughts: UK vs. GA

Sorry...due to a few procedures earlier today at St. Joseph, I was not up to posting pre-game notes. Saw these on ESPN.com and Lex18.com.

-- Kentucky improves to 28-2, 13-2 SEC on the season. Georgia falls to 13-15, 5-10.

-- UK is 112-24 against the Bulldogs and 39-15 against UGA in Athens.

-- With a win, Kentucky claims a share of its 44th SEC Championship and the top overall seed at next week's SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. at Bridgestone Arena.

-- With an SEC Championship in his first season as head coach at UK, John Calipari joined Tubby Smith and Eddie Sutton as UK coaches to win an SEC Championship in their inaugural season.

-- Calipari has won five straight conference championships and six in his last seven years.

-- Kentucky will play its final regular season game on Sunday, hosting the Florida Gators on Senior Day. Tip-off is scheduled for Noon with the game being televised on CBS.

Team game notes

-- The Wildcats used the starting combination of Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, Darius Miller, Patrick Patterson and John Wall for the 22nd time this season. Kentucky is 20-2 with that starting five.

-- DeAndre Liggins was the first sub off the bench for Kentucky. It was Liggins' ninth time this season to be the first Wildcat off the bench.

-- Kentucky extended its streak of game with a three-pointer to 741 games, the third longest streak in the country.

-- Kentucky led 40-36 at halftime. The Wildcats are now 24-1, 12-1) when leading or tied at halftime.

--The Wildcats shot 48.5 percent (16-of-32) in the first half, its highest first half percentage since shooting 51.6 pct. at LSU (2/6).

-- Finished with eight three-pointers, the most since hitting nine against Ole Miss (2/2).

-- Kentucky also shot 83.3 pct. (10-of-12) from the free throw line, its highest percentage since shooting 89.5 pct. against Drexel (12/21).

-- The Wildcats have shot 79.5 pct. (31-of-39) from the free throw line over the last two games.