Possible Tubby Smith Replacements

So who replaces Tubby Smith as head basketball coach at Minnesota?  I've got a few thoughts.

Here's 10 names to keep an eye on (in my order of preference):

1. Shaka Smart - Smart is the current head coach at VCU, he was hired at VCU by current Gopher Athletic Director Norwood Teague, they reportedly have a very strong relationship.  It would seem to me that Shaka would be wise to move on to a bigger stage while he's still a hot property.  I have to suspect that he's on the top of the wish list of the majority of Minnesota fans. UCLA may be a better fit for him but stranger things have happened. 
2. Brad Stevens - current head coach at Butler, he has Villa 7 ties. Stevens along with Smart are probably the two best young coaches in all of college basketball.  I'm guessing Stevens waits until one of the elite programs has an opening (UCLA?).  He's a longshot for Minnesota but a guy can dream can't he?  
3. Flip Saunders - Gopher alum, former NBA head coach.  Flip makes so much sense I kind of wish they'd just pull the trigger on him and get it done with.  He's got lots of local ties, he's a big name, the fan base would be excited, the recruits would surely be lining up to play for a coach who knows what it takes to get them to the NBA.  His only downside would be his lack of major college coaching experience. 
4. Buzz Williams - current head coach at Marquette, he has Villa 7 ties.  With Williams and the Marquette athletic director supposedly having a strained relationship there is a window open for Teague to exploit.  Williams is a solid coach, he'd be a great hire. 
5. Gregg Marshall - current head coach at Wichita State.  Marshall has had a lot of success at Wichita State and it may be time for him to take his act to a bigger stage (such as the Big Ten).  He may not be a big name but he'd be a solid choice. 
6. Andy Enfield - current coach at Florida Gulf Coast University.  How can you watch the NCAA tournament this year and not be impressed with what Enfield has done at FGCU, they are a really fun team to watch and Enfield has really emerged as a hot commodity. 
7. Anthony Grant - current head coach at Alabama, he has Villa 7 ties. Grant was once hired by Teague at VCU, they reportedly still have a strong relationship. Grant has done a great job of recruiting at Alabama, it hasn't really translated into a strong NCAA run yet though. 
8. Chris Mooney - current head coach at Richmond, he also has Villa 7 ties. Mooney was a very hot name a couple year ago, some of that steam has wore off some but he's still a solid young coach. 
9. Eric Musselman - current Assistant Coach at Arizona State, former NBA head coach.  I like him, he's done a nice job at Arizona State and his NBA experience could certainly sway some recruits.  I'm guessing it they went this direction though, Flip would get first shot. 
10. Ben Howland - former head coach at UCLA & Pitt.  He's a very experienced and very successful NCAA coach, those guys don't become available all that often, they'd be foolish to not at least kick the tires.  

If I was a betting man (ok, I am a betting man), I'd put my money on Shaka Smart getting the job.

Don't bet on:  Fred Hoiberg, Josh Pastner, Tim Miles, Jay Wright

Whoever it is, I am very confident that Norwood Teague will bring in the right guy, he's very well connected in the basketball community and he's got a solid track record of hiring coaches.  I wouldn't be surprised if this is wrapped up by the end of the week.