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Report: Richard Pitino on Tide's radar

Men's College Basketball, Alabama Crimson Tide, Minnesota Golden Gophers

Alabama has expressed interest in Minnesota basketball coach Richard Pitino as a potential candidate for the Crimson Tide's open coaching position, according to a report in The Minneapolis Star Tribune.

The Star Tribune, citing sources with knowledge of the situation, reported the Tide are pursuing the 32-year-old Pitino as a potential fallback candidate if things fail to work out with Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall, thought to be the school's top choice.

Alabama fired men's basketball coach Anthony Grant two weeks ago, after he led the Crimson Tide to just one NCAA tournament berth in six seasons amid growing discontent among fans.

Alabama finished 18-14 and struggled to an 8-10 record in SEC games a year after Grant's first losing season as a head coach.

Crimson athletic director Bill Battle gave him a reprieve after a 13-19 record in 2013-14, saying he felt it wasn't a program adrift and predicting "better things ahead."

Battle said he would not comment further on the decision to fire Grant or the search for a replacement, but AL.com reported that Battle was scheduled to meet with Marshall about the job at Alabama on Monday.

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