Minnesota coach Tubby Smith finalized a contract yesterday that will pay him $1.75 million annually.
The 7-year contract - the largest for a university employee - was signed about 9 months after the former Kentucky coach was hired to rebuild a Gophers program that lost a record 22 games last season.
"Certainly, we were happy to finally get everything finalized with our contract as well," Smith said.
Smith will get $250,000 in annual deferred retirement payments beginning in 2011. His contract also includes several incentives, such as $500,000 if the Gophers win the national championship, $250,000 for winning the Big Ten regular-season title and $100,000 for making the NCAA Tournament.
So far, the Gophers are 6-1 under Smith.
Earlier this year, Gophers football coach Tim Brewster signed a 5-year contract that includes $1 million annually in guaranteed money and as much as $700,000 in performance bonuses. Brewster has an $800,000 salary enhanced by $200,000 in annual deferred retirement compensation.
* Pitt freshman center Austin Wallace needs major left knee surgery to repair a fractured patella and will be out for the rest of the season. He was hurt last week while practicing.
* Pitt freshman center Austin Wallace needs major left knee surgery to repair a fractured patella and will be out for the rest of the season. He was hurt last week while practicing.
* Freshman Tennessee center Kelley Cain had successful surgery on her right knee and will be lost for the season.
* At Southern Illinois, Bryan Mullins scored 24 points and the Salukis used a tight defense to send No. 24 Saint Mary's to its first loss, 71-56. Southern Illinois (4-3) limited the Gaels (7-1) to a season low in points.
* At Southern Illinois, Bryan Mullins scored 24 points and the Salukis used a tight defense to send No. 24 Saint Mary's to its first loss, 71-56. Southern Illinois (4-3) limited the Gaels (7-1) to a season low in points.
* At Nebraska, Shang Ping scored 11 points to lead the Cornhuskers (7-2) to an easy, 82-37 win over Savannah State.
* At Hartford, Brian Glowiak had 15 points, leading the Hawks (5-6), 67-53, over Monmouth.
* At Central Florida, Jermaine Taylor scored 18 points and Dave Noel had 14 as the Knights (5-4) beat Louisiana-Lafayette, 65-52.
* At Yale, Corey Lowe finished with a career-high 35 points to lead Boston University (3-6) to a 76-67 win.
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