The Crimson Tide has identified (VCU Head Coach Anthony) Grant as a finalist in the search to replace Mark Gottfried, sources told the Press-Register today. UA officials are also thought to maintain interest in a small number of other prominent coaches such as Missouri's Mike Anderson, Southern Cal's Tim Floyd and Minnesota's Tubby Smith.

One of the hottest names on the mid-major coaching circuit the past two years, Grant led VCU to a 24-10 record this season and No. 11 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Rams dropped a 65-64 first-round Thursday night heartbreaker to sixth-seeded UCLA when senior guard Eric Maynor's contested shot misfired at the buzzer.