Who Will Succeed Tubby Smith at Kentucky? Pt. II

This is Part II of our "Who Will Succeed Tubby Smith" series. (For Part 1, click here.)

Mid-shelf Name #1: Tom Crean, Marquette

Although Marquette stepped out of this year's NCAA tourney in the first round after losing to his former employers (Tom Izzo and Michigan State), Tom Crean has been very successful at Marquette. Crean led the Golden Eagles to an NCAA Final Four berth in 2003 and back-to-back 20+ wins in '06 and '07. Crean doesn't need to leave the Big East if he wants to coach in a "power" college basketball conference, but certainly the pay grade increase and chance to recruit the best athletes in the nation would have to hold some appeal for Crean.

His Interest Level: Unknown

Likelihood of Getting Him: Unless Crean is absolutely married to the idea of coaching at Marquette forever, it would seem that a job like Kentucky would be extremely difficult for this coach to turn down. 7 out of 10.

Mid-shelf Name #2: Mark Few, Gonzaga

Pardon the pun, but "Few have done more with less" than Mark Few. Few is an instituation at Gonzaga, where he has been courtside since 1989. He was part of Gonzaga's steady climb from little-known mid-major to the lofty heights of regular NCAA Tourney appearances. As a head coach he's taken the Zags to three Sweet 16s in eight seasons and averages 24 wins per year. Few's '06 Bulldogs were one fluke play away from appearing in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1999. Few is 211-52 as a head coach. Main knocks against him? He's geographically and culturally removed from Kentucky's fanbase and recruiting grounds. However, the man can coach.

His Interest Level: Unknown

Likelihood of Getting Him: Also unknown, but Few would certainly have to entertain an offer from Kentucky. It may seem that Few is not a good fit for Kentucky, but Kentucky A.D. Mitch Barnhart's northwestern connection might lead to conversations with the Gonzaga coach. It doesn't seem likely Kentucky would offer, but let's call it a 5 out of 10 chance.

Next: Scrapin' the Barrel names