UCLA/Minnesota Fire Coaches; Shaka Smart To LA?

Ben Howland is out as UCLA's head coach. Who will replace him in LA? (espn.com)

UCLA and Minnesota have more in common than just meeting in the round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins and Gophers fired their respective head coaches, Ben Howland and Tubby Smith, within 24 hours of each other Sunday and Monday.

Howland was with the program for 10 years, reaching three straight Final Fours from 2006-2008, but the final five years have been filled with disappointment and scandal. Smith finished his sixth season and while he won his first NCAA Tournament game with the Gophers (against the Bruins), Smith had a 124-81 overall record and a 46-62 record in the Big 10.

Neither of these moves caught people by total surprise. Questions around Howland and Smith's future have been floating around for a while now, and the biggest question now is who will take their place, and more specifically, can UCLA land a young, established coach like Shaka Smart or Brad Stevens?

Smart seems more likely to head to LA than Stevens as Butler will be heading to a BCS conference in the Big East. And when people are talking about Stevens replacing Coach K at Duke, it would be hard for him to hurt his potential by failing out west.

UCLA would have to shell out a decent about of money for Smart, who's salary was broken down by USA Today at the end of last season, but after seeing what Smart has done at Virginia Commonwealth, it's hard to say he's not worth it. If Smart wants the job, it would seem realistic it is his for the taking. The question is if UCLA could lure Smart away. Illinois couldn't do it last year, but it also doesn't have the history and tradition of UCLA.

Other coaches that national analysts are talking about as possible candidates include Buzz Williams from Marquette, Jay Wright from Villanova and Lorenzo Romar from Washington.

With everything that has gone on in Southern California the past five years, what UCLA needs is stability. A young, but established, coach who can bring a reputable resumé and discipline to a former powerhouse that has lost its way is exactly what the Bruins need.

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The Minnesota Gophers have restored hope and excitement in Minneapolis

Minnesota is pushing its way to the top of the Big Ten and back into the national spotlight. (startribune.com)

You probably know Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith, but probably not for what he's done with the Gophers.

Smith won a national championship at Kentucky in 1997 and was one of the most successful coaches of the 90s and that's still what he's known for.

That's about to change.

The Gophers are ranked No. 9 in the country and have started the season 13-1. But the success is coming after a dark period in Minneapolis. This is the first season since 2009-10 that Minnesota has won its first Big Ten game of the year. The last time The Gophers reached the NCAA tournament was that 2010 season, but they haven't won a game in the tournament since 1997, the very year Smith was winning it all for UK. A Big Ten regular season championship would be the school's first since 1982.

It took time, but in Smith's sixth season it looks like he has his best squad yet. In the past, the Gophers have had strong starts, but have faded in conference play. This year looks to be different. The Gophers kicked off conference play with a 76-63 win over No. 18 Michigan State yesterday.

In a season where four Big Ten teams were expected to compete for the conference title (Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan and dark horse Illinois), Minnesota could make a emphatic comeback in a conference where there's not a lot of room to break through.

The Gophers are doing it with balanced scoring (Andre Hollins and Rodney Williams are both averaging more than 13 ppg while Austin Hollins and Joe Coleman are also in double figures) strong rebounding (more than 40 per game) and averaging more than 16 assists per game.

There is no singular superstar who's health and talent decides the team's fate. This team is well balanced and well coached, which are keys to winning in March.

While a win over Michigan State sends a message of dominance, the toughest stretch is yet to come. The Gophers will face Illinois, Indiana and Michigan in three straight games starting Jan. 9 with the first two coming on the road. If Minnesota is 2-1 or 3-0 in those games on Jan. 18, then the Gophers have proven again that this is no fluke.

It doesn't have to happen. Minnesota doesn't have to win the Big Ten or reach a Final Four this year (although Gopher fans won't oppose). A failure to reach these goals won't mean a failed season.

Because what Tubby Smith and this team have done so far is restore hope and excitement in Minneapolis. He's also sent a message that the Minnesota program is back and he has more than just his Kentucky resume to be remembered for.


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