Flip Saunders was back in Minnesota on Friday and, no, it wasn't to interview for the coaching position that will open at his alma mater.

He's focused on his Pistons, who were at Target Center to play the Timberwolves, the team Saunders coached for nearly 10 seasons before being fired almost two years ago.

Asked repeatedly over the past several weeks about returning to the university he played for and coaching the Gophers, Saunders has maintained that his desire is to win an NBA championship with the Pistons.

On Monday, Saunders said U. of Minnesota AD Joel Maturi, who forced coach Dan Monson to resign at the end of November, could cross Saunders' name off the list of candidates.