Right now, there are two likely candidates for the Virginia basketball head coach position (Dave "I'd like to buy a vowel" Leitao and Dave Odom), and two unlikely ones (Tubby Smith and Marc Iavaroni). Yoco has a good summary of recent stories. Jerry Ratcliffe also explores what we do and don't know about the search.

Odom was interviewed in South Carolina and was evasive and indirect to their questions. I think Yoco's idea that Odom is UVa's backup candidate is right.

Leitao is rumored to be visiting Virginia today. Assuming the Leitao report is correct and he is in Charlottesville today, I believe he is the most likely candidate for the job.

EDIT: 12:10 pm, Now am hearing that Leitao is NOT in Charlottesville. Does that mean the only possibilities are Tubby and Odom as the fallback?

Kentucky admitted that UVa had asked to speak with Tubby, which wouldn't have happened without at least some interest on his part. (But if it was clear he would accept, we would not be interviewing other candidates.) Iavaroni is rumored to be the next Portland Trail Blazer's head coach, and no one has linked him to Littlepage or Casteen recently.

Casteen and Littlepage will make one big play for Tubby (if they haven't already). If he passes, it comes down to Leitao or Odom. If Leitao interviews well and shows high interest, he might get an official offer as soon as tonight. If not, Odom clearly has pulled up stakes at USC. He would not be an instant fan favorite, but is certainly a capable coach.