Handicapping the early line on Oregon State basktball coaching field. Odds subject to change hourly. Gambling should be seen as entertainment only and not as a means to make money... unless you're Oregon State here. Then, it really is a gamble and there's a lot at stake.

On Tuesday, I reported that

The Beavers would love to have him if they can afford him, and ensure he'll stay for 3-4 years.

The early candidates, and updated odds...

Ben Howland, ex-UCLA coach, (Odds: 2.5 to 1):

Oregon State and Howland spoke officially on Monday night, per multiple sources. Mutual interest. There are plans for a former interview. Instant credibility for OSU, and if Bob De Carolis wants to make a splash --- this is it. Some questions internally at Oregon State about why Howland wasn't hired by Marquette. The Beavers enter this knowing that if they do land Howland, they're probably a stepping stone for him. Expect Howland would want minimally $1.5 million annually and a six-year guarantee. Also, $200k per assistant coach. Also, a buyout he could stomach when/if he wins and a better job comes along. Oregon State has already informally been in contact with Howland, but were they just gauging his interest or circling him like a shark?

Damon Stoudamire, Arizona assistant, (Odds: 9 to 1):

Former NBA player has strong ties to the state of Oregon, and understands players better than most. Not sure if he's tactically proficient as a coach, but he has two of the three great elements that make a successful coach ---- a) He'd be a terrific recruiter; and b) He's a laborer who will outwork others. Feels like he's ready for a head coaching job very shortly. Feels like a very solid fallback candidate if Howland's price and risk is too high. Then again, remember, as a player he bolted on a commitment to OSU to go to Arizona. Would Beaver boosters hold that against him?

Marvin Menzies, head coach New Mexico State (Odds: 14 to 1):

He's a sitting head coach and Oregon State doesn't have a search firm. His odds drop here as a result. He'd have to enlist a third party to reach out to OSU, as they can't tamper. Four-time WAC tournament champion coached his team to the NCAA Tournament in four of the last five seasons, and put them in the second round in the last three tournaments. He can get talent. Period. Not sure if Oregon State has a connection to him, but when Bob De Carolis announced he was firing Craig Robinson his name immediately came up in basketball circles as someone who could quickly turn OSU around. His international ties have been key to his success... seven of his players on the 2013-14 team were from out of the United States. Is this something Oregon State wants to do? He'd be more cost effective than Howland, but also, he'd view OSU as a stepping-stone job.

David Grace, UCLA assistant (Odds: 17 to 1):

Former Beavers assistant is the sweetheart pick of some boosters and players. Oregon State is trying to distance itself, however, from the Craig Robinson era, not hold onto it. Feels like he'll get a polite look, but not much more. As sentimental as he might be, the Beavers would love to cut all ties with the Robinson era. The only way he gets in play is if negotiations with Howland blow up and he can bring MAJOR recruits with him. That's the wildcard.

Gary Close, Wisconsin assistant, (Odds 19 to 1):

He rises slightly here. Feels like someone Bob De Carolis would like to speak with. I spoke with Close about the Oregon State job in March. He seemed convinced that the right coach could win in Corvallis. He's a former Stanford assistant who told me he'd love to get back to the Pac-12. Close has also coached at Iowa, and his resume is impressive. He knows where the talent is buried, but also he's viewed as Bo Ryan's replacement one day. Would he leave a potentially sweet gig for a rebuilding project at OSU?

Russell Turner, head coach UC Irvine, (Odds 20 to 1):

Another sitting head coach. Also, not as splashy, and Oregon State seems very interested in making one. The UC Irvine coach interviewed twice for the Cal job. He won the Big West championship, and is a former assistant to Mike Montgomery at both Stanford and in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors. He was an assistant both with the Cardinal and Wake Forest. Big future for this guy. He knows the conference landscape, too.

Lester Conner, Denver Nuggets assistant, (Odds: 25 to 1):

Doesn't have a college degree. He drops here as insiders say this is a "major hang-up" for administrators at OSU. Would Conner take the job with a promise to complete his degree? Worth a thought. Played at Oregon State under Ralph Miller, so he knows the place. I just wonder how connected he would be to AAU basketball, and finding talent. That's the key for whoever gets this job because there is NO TALENT on this depleted roster as it stands.

Dan Monson, head coach Long Beach State, (Odds: 26 to 1):

Took Gonzaga to an Elite Eight before leaving for Minnesota and eventually falling off the map. He knows the Northwest and was a successful high school coach in Oregon City. He'd been more economical for the Beavers, but not as splashy. Still, he did at Long Beach State what Craig Robinson couldn't do at OSU... he took his team to the NCAA Tournament once in in the last four seasons.

Falling off the board:

Dave Rice (UNLV). His contract extension and ties to Las Vegas put him out of reach.

Place your bets in the Comment Section below. And follow me on Twitter for updated odds and breaking developments on this at: @JohnCanzanoBFT