WHO’S NEXT?

Unexpectedly, OSU is in the market for a new basketball coach, after Brad Underwood bolted for Illinois Saturday, less than a year after taking over the Cowboys.

Underwood informed OSU athletic director Mike Holder and the Cowboys players of his move Saturday afternoon, setting the wheels in motion – again.

Holder, in a phone conversation, said Saturday night that the process is already underway.

“It started as soon as that meeting was over with the players,” Holder said. “I’ve been thinking about it. I’ve talked to some people already. I won’t be able to get away from this until it is resolved.

“Unfortunately, I’ve had a little bit of recent experience with this.”

As for a timetable, Holder said, “Not so much worried about the timetable, it’s about getting the right person.”

Here’s a dartboard list of candidates, in alphabetical order: A young Duke disciple, Collins did the unthinkable – he led Northwestern to the NCAA Tournament; its first NCAA Tournament. Then he won a game. He’s affordable. Crean was dumped by Indiana on Thursday after an NIT season and one year after taking the Hoosiers to the Big Ten title and the Sweet 16. Crean averaged 20 wins a year at Marquette previously and went to a Final Four. Only 42, he’s already spent 11 seasons at UTA, Cross is 203-147. This season, the Mavericks won the Sun Belt Conference regular season title, but lost in the league tournament and headed for the NIT. Married to an Oklahoma gal, Enfield led Florida Gulf Coast to the Sweet 16, launching him cross country to USC, where he’s quickly rebuilt the Trojans and guided back-to-back NCAA appearances. The only OSU guy who both stirs interest and is qualified (has a college degree), Gottlieb is a fan favorite; was perhaps the fan favorite a year ago. And he wants the job – bad.

The much-traveled Howland, Russell Westbrook’s coach at UCLA, is on the way down. But so was Eddie Sutton. Bobby Hurley’s older brother has the Rams playing great in this NCAA Tournament.

The 11-year Missouri Valley coach has been successful for a long time.

The former Kansas star has done remarkable, and quick work, at two schools, guiding both Tulsa and Wake Forest to the NCAA Tournament. The Oklahoma City University graduate was great at Marquette and coached the Hokies to a ninth seed in this NCAA Tournament.

The 34-year-old already is 91-45 in four years as a head coach, first at Chattanooga and the last two years at VCU.

BY BERRY TRAMEL AND JOHN HELSLEY,