A breakdown of Iowa's coaching search

For me, covering the Iowa men's basketball coaching search is like looking for my wife's lost diamond from her wedding ring a few weeks ago. We think one of our cats swallowed it, and I spent hours trying to find it (use your imagination). Well, at least I know Iowa eventually will hire a coach, unlike my goal of finding that diamond.

I've spent painstaking hours scouring sources with hopes of turning up a diamond of information. Honestly, I don't see Iowa hiring a coach this week. Today, there may be a short list, favored candidates and even a likely choice. But what do you tell a fan base starving for a return to success when you haven't even interviewed some potential gems that are still coaching? Do you tell them you settled for a candidate without at least checking with a few still playing? I don't think so. Even if there's an offer on the table, Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta has to wait until next week just to tell everyone he covered all the bases and found the best fit for Iowa.

That said, names continue to fly on an hourly basis. I'm going to break them down as best as I can.

Wichita State Coach Gregg Marshall continues to be discussed among people close to Iowa's search committee. I think this one has merit.

Rumors of Utah Coach Jim Boylen coming to Iowa is picking up steam. Several Utah outlets report there's mutual interest. This one is credible as well.

Tulsa Coach Doug Wojcik signed a six-year contract extension last summer and has won 20 games the last four seasons, including a 23-12 record this year. Keep your eye on him.

Doug Harris of the Dayton Daily News thinks Dayton Coach Brian Gregory is staying put. For a $1 million per year raise, I think he might listen.

Randy Bennett's future might lie outside of St. Mary's. It's hard to say if Bennett's West Coast roots would serve either himself or Iowa.

Baylor Coach Scott Drew signed a contract extension in 2008 but his recent run has vaulted his name to the top of many coaching lists. He has taken Baylor from the worst situation in college basketball history to the Sweet 16. He's been my top choice all along.

Gregory, Wojcik and Boylen all were Michigan State assistants under Tom Izzo.

The last week also has provided a few lumps of coal. Here's what happened with the coaches who won't (or are very unlikely to) come to Iowa:

Tony Barbee has accepted the Auburn coaching position. UTEP Athletics Director Bob Stull told me Barbee on Wednesdayhad not interviewed with Iowa. Considering Barbee was an early fan favorite, I'm not sure this was the best move onIowa's part by not interviewing Barbee.

Some fans pushed B.J. Armstrong as the next coach, but when I spoke with him last week, I didn't get that vibe.

Last week's hot rumor was Providence Coach Keno Davis becoming the prodigal son at Iowa. Then he told recruits and the Providence Journal that he was staying put. Keno is looking at the crossroads everyone faces in life: Your heart wants you to go home again, but your head tells you to stay. I think Keno Davis is an excellent coach and would be a terrific fit at Iowa -- if he wants it.

Northern Iowa's Ben Jacobson didn't trip too many triggers among fan base but now it's virtually certain he's staying put. Panther Nation should consider itself very lucky.

Former Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter has expressed interest in the vacant Toledo job, the Toledo Blade reports. He's a good guy, and I hope he can get another coaching position.

Former Iowa Coach Steve Alford gloated to reporters about his new digs at New Mexico and took a few shots at Iowa in the process. That's hardly surprising and neither was his team's second-round exit against Washington.

Colleague Mike Hlas will interview Bruce Pearl and possibly Tennessee assistant Steve Forbes this weekend in St. Louis. As always, that should provide quality and entertaining reading.

 That's all for now. In two hours everything will change.