Melanie Balcomb (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        The two major schools with women's basketball coaching openings have Xavier's Melanie Balcomb on their short lists.

        Balcomb interviewed last Wednesday at Oregon and is one of five finalists for that post, which athletic director Bill Moos said should be filled by June 1. XU associate athletic director Dawn Rogers confirmed Balcomb has been contacted by Minnesota about its job.

        “I would certainly think she'd be in the top two or three for any opening right now,” ESPN analyst Beth Mowins said. “I would have her at the top of my list.”

        Balcomb and XU athletic director Mike Bobinski were both on vacation Wednesday. Officials at Minnesota and Oregon have said they won't comment on their searches.

        Minnesota appears the better fit, for Balcomb has recruiting inroads in the Midwest she wouldn't have at Oregon. “You've got more contacts in the region you're native to, so that'd be the place you'd think she'd look at,” Mowins said.

        Minnesota, which fired Cheryl Littlejohn on May 14 after an internal investigation charged her with 12 NCAA violations, is in no hurry to hire a coach. The other most cited candidate is Ball State's Brenda Oldfield.

        Oregon's Jody Runge resigned April 30 after players' complaints led to an investigation of her program. According to the Eugene Register-Guard, Oregon's other interviews were with Utah's Elaine Elliott, Southwest Missouri State's Cheryl Burnett, Canadian national team coach Bev Smith and Pacific's Sherri Murrell.

        Balcomb, 38, is 123-59 in six years at Xavier, including 57-8 the past two seasons — highlighted by an Elite Eight berth this year.

        Balcomb interviewed with Michigan State and California a year ago. After she decided to remain at Xavier, the university gave her a raise and extended her contract through the 2004-05 season. After the 1998-99 season, she talked with Purdue, Northwestern and Washington State.

        In February, Bobinski told the Enquirer he anticipated schools would come after Balcomb. “We'll make every effort we can to show we're very pleased and interested in keeping her,” he said.

        Michael Perry contributed to this report.
       

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