FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- University of Arkansas Chancellor John White said Sunday that he fully expects to see basketball coach Nolan Richardson complete his seven-year contract with the Razorbacks.

After a lengthy response to a question about his close relationship with Kentucky coach Tubby Smith, Richardson said Saturday, "If they go ahead and pay me my money, they can take the job tomorrow."

Having lunch prior to the Southeastern Conference indoor track meet, White said he could understand how Richardson would say something like that in the "heat of the moment."

White said he knows how competitive Richardson is and how much he wants to win. "He puts the most intense pressure on himself," White said. "I fully expect to see him complete his contract at the University of Arkansas."

The coach earns about $1 million per year, and a buyout would cost the university more than $7 million.

Richardson was unavailable for comment Sunday, but basketball sports information director Robby Edwards said he had no indication Richardson wanted to leave Arkansas.

Prior to the Arkansas-Kentucky game Saturday, Richardson and Kentucky coach Tubby Smith spent a considerable amount of time visiting on the court.

After Kentucky won 71-58, a reporter asked Richardson about the lengthy visit.

Richardson and Smith have been friends for years and Richardson said he knew his friend had been under a lot of pressure. He said Smith was a good coach and that he had a good team and then began talking about the tradition at Arkansas and the difficulty of living up to expectations.

He then made the remark about leaving if the school bought out his contract.

Asked after the news conference what prompted his comment, Richardson did not directly answer the question. Instead, he said twice more that the university can replace him by buying him out.

Richardson said he perceives that some people want him gone as coach, including "the press and whoever else rips (me) every chance they get."

Richardson is in his 17th year as head coach at Arkansas. The Razorbacks have been to the NCAA Tournament 14 of the past 15 years and have been participated in a postseason tournament 16 straight years.

Saturday's loss dropped Arkansas to 13-13 overall and 5-9 in the Southeastern Conference. The Razorbacks finish the regular season with a game Wednesday night at Mississippi State and a home game against Vanderbilt on Saturday.

An NCAA bid is unlikely unless the Razorbacks win twice this week and win at least a couple of games in the SEC tournament. The NIT is a possibility.