Many jumped on the "after me" part of Lloyd's response.

He addressed that comment and the speculation surrounding his future on Tuesday, March 31, before Arizona traveled to Indianapolis for the Final Four.

"It's absolutely true, there is going to be another coach. This is a great program. I didn't say when. And people are going to speculate all they want," Lloyd said. "Guys, this team has my full focus. Nothing. Nothing. I promise you nothing is knocking me off that path.

"And you guys might call them distractions because you're distracted. That doesn't mean I'm distracted or we're distracted. You know what's pretty cool? Once you get some experience in this deal, and you're a player or you're a coach who has been at it a while, you get pretty good at eliminating the distractions. So, I think I'm pretty good at that and I just can't wait to get to practice today."

Former UNC forward Justin Jackson, a former ACC Player of the Year and 2017 national champion with the Tar Heels, discussed Lloyd’s potential fit at UNC during a recent appearance on “The Field of 68” podcast. 

“I haven’t seen him really say no,” Jackson said. “. … When I look at this Arizona team, it looks exactly like the North Carolina teams under Roy Williams. That, for me, is what’s so intriguing.” 

Lloyd’s buyout dropped from $11 million to $9 million on April 1. He hasn’t affirmed his long-term commitment to Arizona or shut down the possibility of taking a job elsewhere. 

But Lloyd remains adamant that his focus is on helping Arizona win its first national championship since 1997. 

As for the other coach in the Final Four who may entice North Carolina, May hasn't been directly asked about the job in news conferences — yet. But that doesn't mean people aren't connecting dots.

"It’s my understanding that May and Tar Heels athletic director Bubba Cunningham know each other, but that North Carolina has not yet reached out to him," Detroit Free Press columnist Carlos Monarrez wrote March 30.

"... if UNC offers May the job — he and Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd are potential frontrunners to replace Hubert Davis — May should take it," Monarrez wrote. "Yes, because UNC is a basketball school, but also because it’s one of the bluest of the blue-bloods.

Earlier this tournament May was asked what drew him to Ann Arbor and why he believes the Michigan job is “on par or even higher” than traditional blue-blood programs.

“Well, first and foremost, my wife. She was always a big fan of Ann Arbor — the quality of life, everything that comes with the University of Michigan," May said, "And my family has always been a very important part of any decision that I’ve made, especially when you drag them around like I did chasing this dream.

“That’s another reason why I don’t get mad at these low-major guys trying to move up to the mid-major. I was trying to do the same thing, and I pride myself on not being hypocritical. But the opportunity to attract high-achieving people — to be around the brightest students, the best professors, and an alumni base that’s so connected — that meant a lot.

“I think Michigan is really unique. We say in recruiting that we have the academic profile of Stanford with the passion of SEC football for our athletic department as a whole — and usually those two things aren’t merged. So we’re very proud that those two things are aligned at Michigan.”

Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan has also been linked to the position.

Donovan, 60, was a two-time national champion at Florida and has been in the NBA for the last 11 seasons, including six in his current role as Chicago Bulls head coach. His history as a college coach for 19 years with the Gators, including 16 straight seasons with 20 or more wins — and his NBA ties — equip him to help UNC adapt to modern college basketball.

“My main focus is on these guys and this new team,” Donovan said before the Bulls faced the Philadelphia 76ers on Mach 25. “I understand that there’s stuff out there, and I understand that there is going to be certain speculation. But, I have to concentrate on this group, and really, my focus is on what we’re doing here in Chicago."

The hiring picture will become clearer following the completion of the Final Four on April 6, with the transfer portal set to open for a 15-day period from April 7-21

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UNC basketball coach search news, rumors: Who will North Carolina hire?