Illini intensify pursuit of VCU's Shaka Smart

Smart did not respond to a text message. VCU's sports information office said Smart was not commenting.

Thomas was unavailable for comment. Kent Brown, Illinois' assistant athletic director for media relations, said Thomas is not talking about candidates to replace Bruce Weber.

VCU athletic director Norwood Teague said he had not been contacted by anyone representing Illinois.

timesdispatch.com