Gophers basketball head coach Tubby Smith told reporters Thursday that he is happy, and more importantly, cancer free. Smith was diagnosed with prostate cancer before the start of last season. Now Smith wants to work on getting a new deal, a new practice facility, and another winning season.

Tubby Smith says he was bored with last season's slow pace of Golden Gophers basketball. The 2010 team was forced to slow it down because they didn't have great guard play. This year the plan is to increase the tempo.

Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith knows good teams across the country "come up with the wins and big plays" this time of year that are needed to earn a trip to the NCAA tournament. Smith also says he doesn't like being under .500 in the Big Ten -- something he hopes to change Thursday night against Wisconsin.

Tubby Smith's coaching style is different from most NCAA basketball coaches. He likes to sub in four or five guys at a time. That's the problem with his Gophers team right now. He hasn't settled on a second unit to come off the bench and play well together.

On his first day on the job, new Gophers' athletics director Norwood Teague says the contract extension for basketball coach Tubby Smith is in "the 11th hour." Teague tells the Pioneer Press there are issues holding up the deal, but gave no specifics.

Tubby Smith's 2012-13' Golden Gopher basketball team became a little more athletic Tuesday. Charles Buggs, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward from Arlington, Texas called coach Smith and told he's coming to the U of M next fall.

Gophers athletics director Joel Maturi says negotiations will not take place for the University of Minnesota basketball coach until after the season. Tubby Smith also told the Pioneer Press that he has other things on his mind right now. Smith is coaching his fifth season of his original seven-year deal. The Gophers are 12-6, 2-4 in the Big Ten.

Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith tells the Star Tribune his reserves execute better than his starters. So if Wisconsin is blowing out Minnesota early tonight, don't be surprised if Smith pulls a five-for-five switch.