Kentucky’s Smith takes Minnesota job

Tubby Smith will be introduced as Minnesota’s coach today, ending a 10-year tenure at Kentucky.

The Wildcats went 22-12 this season and made it to the NCAA tournament but lost to Kansas in the second round, turning up the heat on the coach of college basketball’s winningest program.

Smith led Kentucky to the national championship in his first season in 1998, but the Wildcats haven’t been back to the Final Four since, their longest drought since the NCAA tournament began.

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Anthony Atkinson made a free throw with 1.5 seconds remaining to lift Barton to an 80-79 victory over Cal State San Bernardino in a Division II semifinal at Springfield, Mass.

The Bulldogs (30-5) won their 20th in a row to advance to Saturday’s title game against defending champion Winona State. Ivan Johnson scored 19 points for the Coyotes (26-6).

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Steve Alford stepped down as Iowa coach and accepted the coaching job at New Mexico. Alford, a former standout player at Indiana, had a 152-106 record in eight seasons at Iowa.... Duke sophomore forward Josh McRoberts declared himself eligible for the NBA draft. McRoberts averaged 13 points and a team-leading 7.9 rebounds for the Blue Devils (22-11).

Xavier Coach Sean Miller received a contract extension through the 2015-16 season.... Colorado State named Tim Miles, who was 99-71 in six seasons at North Dakota State, as its new coach.

Penn State women’s Coach Rene Portland resigned, ending a 27-year tenure that included 606 victories and allegations she discriminated against lesbian players.