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News Feed - March 19, 2009

From Zach Berman:

Toward the end of Minnesota Coach Tubby Smith’s tenure at Kentucky, he was perennially subjected to rumors of his leaving for another job. Now in his second season at Minnesota, Smith’s name has again surfaced in coaching rumors — including Virginia’s vacancy. Without speaking specifically about the Cavaliers, Smith pledged his happiness with his current employer.

“I have a job,” Smith said. “ We’re enjoying Minnesota. We have no reason to be looking at anything else. And I’m very happy where we are.”

Smith’s words will not quiet the speculation, though. And with each day the Virginia job remains open, Smith’s name will continue to cycle in the rumor mill.

“It certainly is flattering sometimes, but it can be a distraction,” Smith said. “The thing is we’ve gotten our recruiting done early. And that, hopefully, it’s good to be wanted, but it’s more important to be needed. I feel like I’m not only wanted in Minnesota, but needed there as well.”

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