Brad Stevens released a statement confirming he will stay at Butler in response to media reports indicating he was being pursued by Illinois.

“I am happy and extremely grateful to be the head coach at Butler University, and I am already looking forward to next season and the start of our postseason workouts in April,” Stevens said in a statement released by the school. 

Stevens owns a 139-40 record in five seasons as coach of the Bulldogs.

Illinois is targeting Brad Stevens as its next head coach, according to a report.

The Illini previously pursued Shaka Smart, who is staying at Virginia Commonwealth.

Stevens, 35, has a 139-40 record in 5 seasons at Butler and led the Bulldogs to back-to-back Final Four appearances in 2010 and 2011.

Third-seeded Detroit defeated top-seeded Valparaiso by a final score of 68-50 to win the 2012 Horizon League Tournament.

Ray McCallum was named Tournament MOP and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammates Jason Calliste and LaMarcus Lowe, along with Ryan Broekhoff and Kevin Van Wijk of Valpo.