MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

Ben Howland has emerged as a serious candidate to be the next head coach at Mississippi State, multiple sources told NBCSports.com. If hired, Howland would replace Rick Ray, who was fired by the program on Saturday afternoon after three seasons. Howland has been the head coach at three different schools in the past 20 years. Most recently, he spent nine seasons at UCLA, where he led the Bruins to three straight Final Fours from 2006-2008.- Rob Dauster, NBC Sports. Read More.