03/23/2009

Associated Press

Missouri coach Mike Anderson on Monday sidestepped talk of his possible interest in going to either Alabama or Georgia.

Anderson was asked during a news conference to respond to reports that he is a possible candidate for head coaching jobs at the two Southeastern Conference schools and to offer assurances to Missouri fans that he would stay with the school.

His only response: "We're in the Sweet 16. We're talking about the Memphis Tigers today."

Missouri faces Memphis on Thursday.

The Birmingham (Ala.) News has reported that Anderson is one of several possible candidates to replace Mark Gottfried, the Crimson Tide coach who resigned in late January.

Anderson is a Birmingham native and coached four years at Alabama-Birmingham before joining Missouri in 2006.

His name also has been linked to the Georgia vacancy.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reported Sunday that Missouri's basketball success this season has earned Anderson an extra $130,000 worth of incentive payments. His base salary is $850,000.

He earned an extra $25,000 for taking the team to the NCAA tournament and another $25,000 for winning the Big 12 Conference tournament.

The team's 83-79 second-round NCAA win over Marquette on Sunday meant an additional $35,000, including $25,000 for reaching the tournament's second weekend and $10,000 for a 30-win season.