BREAKING: Tubby Smith will be the next @Memphis_MBB coach, a source told @memphisnews https://t.co/n1uDlGrFP1 pic.twitter.com/3GRCGncm2B

— Commercial Appeal (@memphisnews) April 14, 2016

I did not see that one coming, but that feels like an upgrade for Memphis. It’s a charmed life, almost. The Tigers didn’t especially like Josh Pastner, but they were trapped by his horrendous contract. (Maybe the worse I’ve seen.) Rather than fire him, they waved goodbye as Pastner left for Georgia Tech. Now the Tigers welcome Tubby Smith, the winning if not deserving Big 12 coach of the year. He’ll win there.

Big loss for the Red Raiders, who have now lost a football coach who went 13-0 in the SEC and a basketball coach who won a national title in the SEC to the American. That says something, no? They really have to work hard to recruit in basketball, and they were beginning to see the unmistakable effects of Smith’s experience and reputation. They’ve got a very nice roster, but figure they all won’t stay, and something resembling a rebuild begins with whoever follows Smith.

But, hey, the Big 12, which got a lot more difficult, if not now than in the near future, with some March hirings, probably just got a little easier.