If you didn't know any better, you might be under the impression that VCU Coach Shaka Smart has already been offered and has accepted the Illinois coaching job.
But Smart---whose VCU squad will take on IU Saturday night in the round of 32---said despite the rumors, the Illinois vacancy hasn't even crossed his mind.
"I have not given any thought to it," Smart said. "And no, it's not a distraction. It's pretty easy actually while you're still playing just to focus on the task at hand. We talk to the guys all the time about being in the moment, letting go of the past and certainly not focusing on the future, because you don't have control over those things."
The 34-year-old Smart has been linked as former Illinois Coach Bruce Weber's possible replacement since the Illini's NCAA Tournament hopes started dwindling. Smart said he hasn't gotten caught up in the speculation surrounding his future.
"I'm in the moment right now at VCU," Smart said. "And I love it at VCU, I'm just excited about our opportunity against Indiana tomorrow."
While Smart was questioned about his collegiate future, he was even rumored about a possible professional future. The locals were abuzz yesterday about the firing their former hometown coach Nate McMillan and dared to ask Smart if he thought about filling the Trailblazers vacancy.
"Never," Smart said. "You want me to elaborate on that?"
Luckily for us, he did.
"For me, I've never thought about it seriously," Smart said. "I'm just a 34\0x2011year\0x2011old guy at VCU. I played at Kenyon College. That kind of stuff is unreal to me."
What is real is VCU's tournament chances. After making the Final Four as a No. 11 seed last season, the Rams are back to their Cinderella ways.
That's the only thing Smart is focused on---for now.
"Today is all about preparing for Indiana," Smart said. "Tomorrow is about playing Indiana. And then we'll go from there"