Even though reports surfaced of Flip Saunders becoming the lead candidate of the Gophers coaching search in the afternoon today, it was nonetheless the slowest news day we've had since Tubby Smith was fired.

I have not been able to confirm that Saunders is indeed the No. 1 candidate at this point, and I wrote more on that earlier (see link above). Those same reports say that athletic director Norwood Teague is in Indianapolis, where Saunders is tracking Michigan State.

There is a chance the Gophers – if they have a contract with someone that is in its finishing stages – could announce something tomorrow. However, doing so on Easter Sunday (and even the day before) would surprise me a little.

I would also be surprised, however, if Saunders does have an offer and takes much more time deciding.

Things are extremely deep cover around the 'U' right now, and so at this point, unfortunately, I don't have much else to tell you.

Just a couple of other notes from today:

  • Our Chip Scoggins' column on why Saunders would make perfect sense for Minnesota.
  • In case you missed it yesterday, my story on Villa 7 setting up this administration years in advance.
  • Brad Stevens, who was publicly being courted by UCLA, and who some say was being chased by Minnesota as well, said he plans to stay at Butler. No mention of any Minnesota contact in this article. To be fair, it makes plenty of sense that Minnesota would at least feel him out. the Butler wonder boy coming to the Gophers was always highly, HIGHLY unlikely. (Did I mention it was highly unlikely?)