According to ESPNChicago, sources indicate the University of Illinois have targeted current Virginia Commonwealth University Head Coach Shaka Smart as their top candidate to replace Bruce Weber, who was fired earlier this month.

The Rams lost to Indiana on Saturday, ending their season in the third round of the tournament. VCU became just the third No. 11 seed in NCAA tourney history to make it to the Final Four in 2011, proceeded by Smart signing an eight-year extension.

Illinois Athletic Director Mike Thomas and Smart worked together at Akron when Thomas was AD and Smart was an assistant coach.

Thomas said he will be considering a diverse pool of candidates. Should Smart get hired, it would end Illinois' distinction as having never hired a minority head coach in football or men's basketball.

Smart is a Wisconsin native, and his wife Maya is a Northwestern alum.