BOULDER - The University of Colorado's search for a men's basketball coach is well out of neutral, but protocol is preventing it from hitting overdrive just yet.

After separate meetings Monday afternoon with the search committee and returning players, athletic director Mike Bohn said his list of potential candidates numbers 10 or fewer, with every one of those "still playing" in the NCAA Tournament, the National Invitation Tournament or the NBA.

If CU is interested in a coach whose team is competing in the NCAA or the NIT, contact won't be made until that team is ousted. On the college front, names officially or unofficially linked with the Buffaloes' search include Air Force's Jeff Bzdelik (NIT), Nevada-Las Vegas' Lon Krueger (NCAA) and Old Dominion's Blaine Taylor (NCAA).

NBA assistant coaches Mike Dunlap (Nuggets) and Alvin Gentry (Suns) have expressed interest in succeeding Ricardo Patton, whose CU tenure ended last week in the first round of the Big 12 Conference tournament. Terms of Patton's exit still need to be finalized by the school.

Bohn has spoken informally with Dunlap but said he has not talked with any other potential candidates.

Bohn has received permission to speak with Bzdelik but noted CU "will be respectful" of Air Force's season and will not approach Bzdelik until the Falcons finish.

"The idea I got is that in a couple of weeks they'll have who they want and will just need to work things out," forward Richard Roby said. "I feel they pretty much have the guy they want (picked) out, but they just have to work it out."

Potential candidates were discussed at the search committee meeting in the context of "the right fits," Bohn said. "We're just trying to keep everybody up to speed."

That also was among the purposes of a meeting with players that included Bohn, search committee chairman Tom McGrath and committee member Ceal Barry. Several players termed the half-hour meeting very positive, as did McGrath.

"There was a lot of feedback and input from both sides," guard Marcus Hall said. "They weren't talking at us, they were talking to us. . . . But there was no name-dropping (of candidates)."

Added forward Jermyl Jackson-Wilson: "They said they've talked to national coaches, and everybody they've talked to is interested . . . they all know about (CU)."

Some players exited the meeting believing they were given a timeline for a new hire to be in place.

" . . . By the time we return from spring break, somewhere around there, hopefully, they'll be able to give us a name and we'll be able to meet him," guard Kal Bay said.

But Bohn offered a clarification, saying the players were told he and the CU administration "would like to have them meet the new head coach in person, but if it's all done during spring break, meeting him in person" might have to wait until classes resume. Spring break is from March 23 to April 2.

Other issues discussed with players included planned improvements to the Coors Events Center and the importance of every returnee remaining academically eligible.

The new coach's desired profile doesn't vary much among returning players. Their collective wish list includes "a player's coach, a great leader and teacher, a guy who's been around college basketball and had success," Roby said.

"I think it's important for us to meet him early and gain a relationship early and gain his trust," Roby said. "It's hard to play for a guy that you don't want to play for or don't like - especially for any young guys who don't want to be here, give them an opportunity to look for other places."

Whoever is hired is "going to coach us differently," Roby said. " 'Coach P' coaches a certain way. . . . You never have enough knowledge of this game; you always learn."

Swingman Xavier Silas believes the Buffs' new hire should bring the experience of coaching "at a high level - someone who's seen what you need to do and can pass that on to us. I don't think someone who hasn't coached at a high level can help us and (accomplish) what we're trying to do."

Bay wasn't so sure a coach with a high profile nationally is needed.

"I don't care who he is, as long as he has the qualities we all like and he wants to be here coaching us, he understands the game and wants to teach us," Bay said. "I'm fine with that."

brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466