UCO's Terry Evans meets with OU regarding basketball coaching vacancy

Reports: Kruger, Weber not candidates

Where does Terry Evans rank on the OU basketball radar? Who knows, but he could be moving up fast.

Las Vegas newspapers reported Wednesday that UNLV coach Lon Kruger had pulled out of the OU running, though it is believed an offer remains on the table.

Illinois coach Bruce Weber apparently has pulled his name from the OU coaching search.

Multiple reports Wednesday said Weber was talking with Sooner athletic director Joe Castiglione, but Weber today said no thanks.

"I received a few interest calls regarding other positions, but nothing beyond that," Weber said in a statement. "I remain committed to the University of Illinois.

We held our first spring workouts yesterday. I enjoyed being in the gym with our returning players and look forward to welcoming a talented recruiting class to the mix.

"I am fortunate to have one of the elite jobs in all of college basketball and am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our program. We will work tirelessly to ensure that Illinois is competing at a championship level both in the Big Ten and nationally."

Las Vegas newspapers on Wednesday reported that UNLV Lon Kruger no longer was interested in the OU job, though some believe a Sooner offer remains open to Kruger, who played and coached at Kansas State.

BY BERRY TRAMEL

Evans has turned UCO into a Division II power. In 10 years on the job, Evans has a 223-84 record, including 134-27 the past five seasons. The Bronchos have been to eight NCAA Tournaments under Evans.

There are 340 Division I schools. So some might delegate a Division II program, even a power like UCO, to somewhere around No. 350 in the nation.

“I just don’t see our program like that,” Evans said. “If you ever look at D-II basketball powers, those teams are all top 100, top 150 in college basketball. That’s not the Southland Conference, not the SWAC, some of the lower conferences. But I understand perception.”

Evans was a record-setting 3-point shooter on Billy Tubbs’ OU teams, 1989-93. Evans is a 1988 graduate of Millwood High School.

“Most people that played at a high major school would like to go back and coach at that school,” Evans said. “Especially the experiences we had. That would be a great opportunity.”

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