NEWS OF THE DAY

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the University of Texas was close to extending basketball coach Rick Barnes' current contract. A Texas spokesman said there was nothing official to report late Wednesday, and that N.C. State had not contacted Texas to request permission to speak to Barnes. Barnes was in Atlanta on Wednesday to visit with one of his former players, Atlanta Hawks guard Royal Ivey.

BUZZ OF THE DAY

Much of the chat-room discussion about the N.C. State job centered around debating the merits of hiring Barnes or Memphis coach John Calipari. State has not contacted Texas about speaking to Barnes. Memphis athletics director R.C. Johnson did not return calls by The N&O on Wednesday.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"Ben is just kind of waiting for someone to tell him who his coach is going to be. ... We're kind of sad. He went down there to play for Coach Sendek. We're hoping to get someone of his caliber." -- Lynn McCauley, mother of State freshman forward Ben McCauley.

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