Harvard's Tommy Amaker Dismisses Talk Of Boston College Job

The Harvard men's basketball team is out in Spokane, Washington, preparing for its second first-round game against Cincinnati in the NCAA Tournament. Harvard coach Tommy Amaker has the Crimson in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season and has quickly risen to the top of the media's list of candidates to replace former Boston College coach Steve Donahue.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Amaker was quick to dismiss any talk about the opening because, really, what else would you expect him to say?

"I certainly can appreciate the question, but our focus certainly is on our team and that's only fair for our kids and our program and our school," Amaker said.

"I don't ever comment on other jobs or positions. I'm fortunate to have the one that I have. I've been on the other side of not having a job and having lost a job. So I'm sensitive always to coaches and people and programs that go through those unfortunate circumstances.

"Certainly, I know, Steve and their staff, his family are dealing with that. But I'll only comment on the job that I have, and I'm very proud to have the one representing Harvard."

Amaker has plenty of experience in the ACC as player and assistant coach at Duke and has previously held down the top spot at two major conference programs (Seton Hall and Michigan). Yesterday, the Globe tabbed Amaker the early favorite to succeed Donahue on the Heights while today, the Globe's Dan Shaughnessy thought Boston College athletics relevant enough to pen 905 words about how Amaker-to-BC is the safest pick in this year's NCAA Tournament.

I'm not exactly going out on a ledge here, but my gut tells me when the dust settles, Tommy Amaker will NOT be the next men's basketball coach at Boston College. Just a hunch.

The 12-seeded Harvard Crimson (26-4, 13-1 Ivy) takes on 5th seeded Cincinnati (27-6, 15-3 American) in the NCAA Tournament second round on Thursday. Tip is at 2:10 Eastern with the game televised by TNT.