One of the most intriguing coaching positions in college basketball became available when Illinois dismissed Bruce Weber on Friday morning after nine seasons in Champaign. Some consider Illinois one of the elite jobs in the sport. The school has a strong history of success and is located near the hoops hotbed of Chicago. Others, however, believe this job is overrated. This faction contends that itâs very difficult to win at a high level unless you are willing to swim in murky recruiting waters.

That, however, is a debate for another day.

Right now, letâs take a look at some of the coaches that the school likely will target.

Top Tier

Shaka Smart, head coach, VCU

Smart emerged as a star in the coaching world when he guided VCU to the Final Four last season. This season, the Rams are back in the NCAA Tournament despite losing most of their key contributors from the Final Four team. He has a 38â16 record in the CAA in his three seasons at VCU. Smart, who has plenty of Midwest ties, would be a home run.

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Brad Stevens, head coach, Butler

Stevens is perhaps the most respected head coach in the sport not named Mike Krzyzewski. Butler reached to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first four seasons as a head coach, highlighted by back-to-back trips to the national title game. Stevens has made it clear that he is very happy at Butler, but he might have to listen if Illinois came calling.

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Chris Collins, associate head coach, Duke

Collins is an Illinois native who starred at Duke in the mid-'90s and has served on Mike Krzyzewskiâs staff at his alma mater since 2000. He has no experience as a head coach, and his candidacy might be hurt due to the fact that several of Coach Kâs assistants have not enjoyed a high level of success as head coaches.

Other possibilities

Anthony Grant, head coach, Alabama

Grant, a former Billy Donovan assistant, has been a head coach for six seasons, three at VCU and three at Alabama. He took VCU to the NCAA Tournament in 2007 (and beat Duke in the first round) and 2009 and is on the verge of taking Bama to the NCAAs for the first time since 2006. Alabama is good job. Illinois is a better job.

Kevin Stallings, head coach, Vanderbilt

Stallings is in his 13th season at Vanderbilt and will have the Commodores in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in the past six seasons and the sixth time in nine seasons. Stallings is an Illinois native who played at Purdue and served as the head coach at Illinois State for six seasons. He is happy at Vanderbilt, but could be ready for another challenge.

Chris Mack, head coach, Xavier

Mack has been very successful in his two-plus seasons at Xavier, but he reputation took a hit early this season when his team was involved in a post-game brawl with rival Cincinnati.

Scott Drew, head coach, Baylor

Drew will be taking Baylor to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the past five seasons. He has done a tremendous job recruiting to Baylor, but isnât regarded as an elite strategist. He is a native of Valparaiso, Ind.

Buzz Williams, head coach, Marquette

Williamsâ name has come up for several Big 12 jobs in recent season, but he has elected to remain at Marquette. He has taken the Golden Eagles to the NCAA Tournament in five straight seasons.

Gregg Marshall, head coach, Wichita State

Marshall has a 303â142 record in 14 seasons as a head coach. He took Winthrop to the NCAA Tournament seven times in nine seasons and will have Wichita State in the field this year (as a high seed) for the first time in his five seasons.

-by Mitch Light