It appears Kentucky has closed in on its next basketball coach.

CBS Sports is reporting the Wildcats are in talks with BYU’s Mark Pope, citing sources. According to reports, the hope is to have a deal done as soon as Thursday night.

Furthermore, CBS reports, via multiple sources, Billy Donovan was not “aggressively pursued.” In addition, there was no contact with Rick Pitino.

Pope, 51, is 110-51 during his career at BYU and led the school to the NCAA Tournament this year, where they lost to Duquesne in the first round. The Cougars also beat Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse, 76-68, on Feb. 27.

Pope, who won a national championship at Kentucky as a player under Rick Pitino in 1996. In fact, Pitino, per NJ.com, endorsed his former player for the job.

“I love Mark Pope and his family and he would be an unbelievable choice,” he said.

Kentucky has been on the clock since Scott Drew recently said he would remain as Baylor’s men’s basketball coach, stating his desire to “bring more championships” to the program. He had been linked to the Kentucky coaching vacancy after John Calipari’s departure to Arkansas.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.