Per ESPN 1500 from Minneapolis.

http://1500espn.com/sportswire/Report_Arkansas_close_to_hiring_away_Gophers_coach_Tubby_Smith_031411

Tubby Smith's fourth season as Gophers men's basketball coach effectively ended on Sunday night, when the National Invitation Tournament passed on his slumping team for its 32-team field.

Now, it appears Smith may have coached his final game at the "U".

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported on Monday afternoon that Smith has had a face-to-face meeting with University of Arkansas officials, who are close to hiring the 59-year-old for their vacant head-coaching position.

Smith signed a seven-year deal with the "U" in 2007 and compiled an 80-53 record over four seasons that included two bids to the NCAA Tournament and a third to the NIT. But this year's team stumbled badly down the stretch as injuries and defections thinned the backcourt, losing 10 of its last 11 games to finish 17-14.

Arkansas -- which fired John Pelphrey on Sunday after four seasons and a 69-59 record -- also has had "informal contact" with former Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie, the Star-Telegram reported. Other coaches linked as possibilities for the opening include Missouri's Mike Anderson, Texas A&M's Mark Turgeon, Marquette's Buzz Williams and Kansas State's Frank Martin.