University of Memphis basketball coach John Calipari has been the center of attention now for three job openings. First it was Indiana, then Oklahoma, now N.C. State. Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson told the Commercial Appeal Monday that a new contract, including pay raises for assistants, was coming.

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Is N.C. State a better job than Memphis? Rick Barnes' name is tossed around, so is it better than Texas? Is it worth Jay Wright leaving Villanova?

Steve DeShazo, Fredricksburg Free Lance-Star - Schools in need of coaches likely to eye Larranaga
George Mason coach Jim Larranaga has said he is happy in Fairfax and has agreed in principle with athletic director Tom O'Connor on a raise, but has not signed a contract extension. Meanwhile, his name has begun to pop up in rumors about coaching vacancies at N.C. State and elsewhere.

Andrew Jones, Wilmington Star-News - Wolfpack zeroes in on Barnes
State’s first choice is Texas coach Rick Barnes, who has led the Longhorns to the NCAA Tournament in each of his eight seasons at the helm and built the program into national prominence. Barnes told the Austin American-Statesman on Sunday he wasn’t "thinking" about the N.C. State job. Sources close to Barnes have said he’s quite content and happy in Texas, but if there’s a job that could lure him away N.C. State would fit the description. While Barnes is clearly State’s top candidate, the school has a list that extends beyond Barnes. Miami coach Frank Haith has ties to North Carolina and would be a possible long-term solution. Haith, 38, is from Burlington and graduated from Elon. He understands the passion of ACC basketball fans and described his hiring by Miami two years ago a "blessing." Haith inherited a struggling program at Miami. But the Hurricanes have gone 16-13 and 18-16, making the NIT both seasons. Haith, however, said on Monday he hasn’t been contacted by N.C. State.

Ken Tysiac, Charlotte Observer - AD Fowler keeps mum on possible candidates
If (Lee) Fowler has wooed Texas' Rick Barnes or Memphis' John Calipari, considered the frontrunners by N.C. State fans, he hasn't done it in an official capacity. Texas senior associate athletics director for communications Nick Voinis said Monday night Barnes has not been contacted by N.C. State. Memphis spokesman Lamar Chance said Monday afternoon that to his knowledge, N.C. State hasn't asked permission to talk to Calipari. Barnes, who is from Hickory, said last month before an NCAA tournament game that he was happy at Texas and had no interest in coaching in the ACC. Calipari has been the subject of speculation for the Indiana and Oklahoma jobs. According to Chance, Calipari has said he will listen to overtures from other schools but isn't looking to leave as long as Memphis remains committed to having a top-10 program.

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UAB is set to talk to former Indiana coach Mike Davis today. Florida associate head coach Anthony Grant is also rumored to be on UAB's list.

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Monday night's national championship game between Florida & UCLA seemed a bit anti-climatic after the way numerous storylines played out during the month of March. Congrats to Florida on their win, although something tells me basketball is not in danger of replacing football in Gator country.

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Former Green Bay tight end Mark Chmura called Brett Favre selfish & hypocritical on a Sunday radio, while discussing whether the quarterback might retire from the Packers.

"People who don't think that it's all about him are fooling themselves. With a quote like, 'What are they going to do, cut me?' It's all about him. ... He's a selfish guy. He's a very selfish guy."

Chmura also stated Favre did not call him or show any support when Chmura was accused of sexual assault in April of 2000, then aquitted at trial 10 months later.

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The agent for Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair says his client's days are numbered with the team after McNair was refused entrance to workouts at Baptist Sports Park in Nashville. Of course this all stems from McNair's contract situation where he is expected to receive $9 million this season, plus have a drastic affect on the Titans' salary cap, unless a contract can be restructured.

We all know there is little or no loyalty from the Titans after the whole Eddie George affair. Then again, should there be? The NFL is a business. There is little loyalty among most players. If McNair really wanted to work things out, don't you think he would restructure his contract? Then again, it was the Titans who agreed to it so they should pay.

See, tough questions with no easy answers.

Meanwhile, the Titans are spending time in Los Angeles with USC standout QB Matt Leinart.

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The Memphis Grizzlies aren't just working on postseason eligibility, but also on homecourt advantage in the first round.

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Is Cincinnati point guard Devan Downey interested in following Andy Kennedy to Mississippi? Downey says he is looking at his options since interim coach Kennedy left the Bearcats last week for Oxford, while Mick Cronin comes to Cinci as the new head coach.

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Six Mississippi State football players pleaded not guilty in court Monday to charges of assualting an off-duty police officer over the weekend at a Starkville bar. Five teammates, all freshmen, were arrested Sunday including defensive backs Keith Fitzhugh & Derek Pegues, offensive tackle Michael Gates & defensive linemen Charles Burns & Quinton Wesley. Freshman QB Tray Rutland was arrested Monday. Each is free on $25,000 bond.

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Barry Bonds claims a fan tossed a syringe at him Monday in the Giants' opening day loss at San Diego, 6-1. The syringe did not contain a needle & Bonds says he picked it up & carried it off the field in his glove.

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One sporting event on my list of attending sometime is The Masters. As golf's prestigious event approaches, it is reported scalped badges for yesterday's practice round were fetching $125... for a ticket originally priced at $35. A couple of weekend badges were on Ebay last week for $6500.

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