Billy Donovan emerges as top target as UNC coaching search heats up

North Carolina's search for a new men's basketball coach has created a very unclear picture.

Tommy Lloyd was the perceived "favorite" but turned down the gig after agreeing to a contract extension at Arizona. Multiple other potential candidates gained significant leverage from the job opening, signing lucrative extensions of their own.

Dusty May, who is set to coach Michigan in the national title game on Monday night, went on the record on Sunday to say he is not considering any college jobs (aka, UNC).

That leaves us with Billy Donovan, a guy who has been heavily rumored throughout the process as a legitimate candidate. With Lloyd and May officially off the board, it now appears that Donovan has emerged as the favorite to be the Tar Heels next head coach.

UNC is solely focusing its efforts on Billy Donovan

Jeff Goodman reported that UNC's sole focus is on Donovan, the former two-time national champion who is currently coaching the Chicago Bulls. After a decade away from college athletics, it appears that North Carolina is making a strong push to bring him back to the collegiate ranks, as Goodman believes more clarity will come over the next 24 hours.

Well, considering the transfer portal opens up when the clock strikes midnight on Tuesday, the Tar Heels need to have some type of idea who will be leading the team this upcoming season.

Now, Donovan has expressed his desire not to consider any job openings until after the Bulls' season concludes on April 12, a timeline that doesn't fit the current state of college athletics. The longer Donovan stalls, the harder it will be to build a roster for next season, and if, by some odd chance, he backs out of pursuing the job, UNC will be even farther behind in its offseason plans.

The next 24 hours will be a strong telling of how this will play out, as North Carolina will likely push for some type of decision from Donovan so they can get the ball rolling on getting next year's roster in place.