Source: Illinois won't let Shaka Smart get away

Convinced he needs to get Shaka Smart, Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas is making a no-holds-barred run at the Virginia Commonwealth coach, a source close to the negotiations told the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday.

Smart has shown solid interest, and money will not be a stumbling block, said the source, who has talked to two people involved in the talks.

"They're going to make damn sure they don't let him get away," the source said.

Herb Gould