MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Coach Tubby Smith said he's "feeling great" and free of prostate cancer after dealing with the disease for the past year.

The university issued a statement from Smith on Wednesday. The 59-year-old had not previously revealed his condition.

The former Kentucky coach said he had surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., on April 21 to remove the cancer. He said a routine physical and subsequent biopsy last spring showed an early stage of prostate cancer.

Smith said he's thankful to his doctors at the clinic and that he "can't wait" for next season.

Smith's fourth year with the Gophers was his most disappointing, stopping his streak of 17 straight 20-win seasons.