Melanie Balcomb (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Athletic director Mike Bobinski said in February he would keep Melanie Balcomb at Xavier “forever, if it was up to me.” Talk of a third raise in 15 months suggests as much.

        Bobinski recently rewarded the women's basketball coach with her second raise and contract extension since March 2000. And he's looking for more money to head off Minnesota's pursuit of Balcomb.

        “We're having a little conversation with her this week about tying all that stuff up a little tighter so she's comfortable (and) we're comfortable,” Bobinski said.

        Balcomb pulled out of the running for the coach ing opening at Oregon but still is considered one of Minnesota's top targets. Bobinski has granted Minnesota officials permission to talk to her.

        At the end of March, Bobinski gave Balcomb an undisclosed raise and extended her contract two years through the 2006-07 season. After last season, he also gave her a raise and a two-year extension.

        “It behooves us to recognize outstanding performance, and Melanie's leadership has been all that we hoped for,” Bobinski said. “All discussions began immediately after each season before anybody came calling, because we felt it was the right thing to do. Melanie has never tried to leverage her situation.”

        Minnesota women's athletic director Chris Voelz, who hopes to hire a coach by late June, has declined comment, as has Balcomb.

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