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Brad Stevens says ‘absolutely no truth to’ to Illinois rumors

brad-stevens

Mike Miller

If the thought of Illinois hiring a high school coach seems wild, here’s an idea that’s even more far-fetched – Brad Stevens coaching Illinois.

The site HammerandNigel says a “very reliable source” indicates the Butler coach will accept an 8-year $21 million contract to coach the Illini.

Except for one problem.

“There is absolutely no truth to it,’' Stevens told ESPN’s Dana O’Neil. “I have not been contacted.’'

“I don’t know anything about it. Nobody has called me. Here’s how I spent my day -- I had individual meetings, I went fishing and I was just drawing chalk on the driveway with my daughter. I came in with all this fishing gear on and my wife told me my phone was blowing up.”

So there’s that.

Stevens is the coach every school with an opening -- and even some with entrenched coaches -- want. He’s been to two Final Fours, has established himself as a coach who maximizes talent and wins with regularity. Of course Illinois wants him.

But this doesn’t seem like a possibility. Not like this.

You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.brad