Minnesota Basketball: Tubby Smith Says He Will Return Next Season

For those Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball fans curious about the future of head coach Tubby Smith after the 2011-12, your question were answered Monday when Smith made it clear to the media that he plans to return next season.

Smith plans to coach, he said Monday, "as long as I can coach. I'm not going to put a date on it. As long as I can keep a job, I'll be fine."

On Wednesday, Smith's Gophers face the La Salle Explorers in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament, and will be looking to improve on their 17-win season.

Another factor in Smith playing out his contract, which lasts until 2013-14, is his returning players for next year and the possible return of power forward Trevor Mbakwe, who should be granted a medical red-shirt after suffering a season-ending knee injury.

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