Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith, whom The Daily News first reported last week as being “in play” for the vacant University of Memphis basketball head coaching position, is now being identified by national college basketball writers as a leading candidate for the job.

Smith, 64, won a national championship as coach of Kentucky in 1998. He also has coached at Minnesota, Tulsa and Georgia.

Both USA Today sports writer Dan Wolken and Gary Parrish, college basketball columnist for CBS Sports, have indicated that Smith is under strong consideration for the Memphis job.

Wolken said in a story that Smith would accept, if Memphis offers the job.

A source told The Daily News last week that Smith could be a real possibility for the Memphis job. Smith took Kentucky to three Elite Eight appearances aside from the national title run and twice got Tulsa to the Sweet 16.

Doug Gottlieb, of CBS Sports, endorsed the hire. He tweeted that if Smith takes the Memphis job, he will “get (recruits), win, be well liked.”