We know how all this ends, so we’ll start at the beginning. In truth, I never – ever – wanted to be the Arizona men’s basketball beat guy back in the early 1990s. I all but refused, as did Dave Petruska when it was going to be either him or me in taking over for former beat writer Cindy Somers. I had heard many a time that head coach Lute Olson didn’t like the media, and often was surly with the bunch. But I took it and don’t regret one minute of it. Two books and thousands upon thousands of stories later it all ends for the Citizen. I have no regrets. How can there be? In 18 years of covering the team, I’ve covered 625 Arizona games (minus two for the birth of my first child). But this will be a testament to the Arizona program: UA is 476-149 in my time (missed wins not included). That’s an average of 26.4 wins and 8.2 losses a season. Amazing. Thanks for the ride. Thanks for the winning. It’s better to cover a winner than it is a loser. And, Lute wasn’t that bad. He seemed to always return calls. And in this business that’s all you can ask – beginning to end. I have many memories of covering the Arizona basketball team the last 18 seasons, but here are my top three:

1) The national title run

The thing I’ll remember the most is the mad scramble after the game. When Kansas star Raef LaFrentz missed a 3-pointer from the corner in an attempt to tie the game against Arizona in the Sweet 16, the UA Wildcats were overjoyed in the 85-82 win. UA had knocked off what was perceived to be the most dominating team of that season in 1997. Jason Terry jumped on the scorer’s table. Players searched for hugs. It was bedlam crazy. Heck, I remember frantically calling the airlines to see what I needed to do to change the paper’s airplane tickets just in case Arizona defeated its next opponent (turned out to be Providence) in the Elite Eight. C-R-A-Z-Y. It helped Arizona gain confidence, paving the way to a national title. Against No. 1 Kansas, it played near flawless basketball, save for giving up an 11-0 run near the end of the game to make it close. “It had to be a perfect game,’’ Jason Terry said at the time. “We had to do it all.’’ Arizona did, behind freshman guard Mike Bibby’s 21 points in a kid-cool performance. “This was big because the whole nation was watching,’’ Terry said. “We had a lot of doubters and it feels good when you stick a fork in them.’’

2) Wildcats in the pros

Apparently 1997 was a big basketball year. Back in the day when there was a huge following for UA hoops young and old, I spent nearly two weeks traveling back and forth from Chicago to Salt Lake City following the Chicago Bulls. The reason? Former UA stars Steve Kerr, Jud Buechler and Brian Williams were with the Bulls and playing in the NBA Finals. I was able to write about Michael Jordan’s 38-point performance as he played with horrible flu-like symptoms in Salt Lake City in pivotal Game 5. Many thought he wouldn’t play at all, but he found a way and had an incredible game as Chicago won, 90-88, to go up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Then came the NBA Finals, Game 6. I can’t remember how I felt, but I do remember the basketball gods had me there to tell the story. And Kerr was the story. With Chicago needing a basket in the game’s final seconds, who will the Bulls turn to? Of course, Jordan. Not so fast. It was Kerr who hit the game-winning shot (with an assist from Jordan), furthering Kerr’s legend as a sharpshooter. He later would say hitting that “big shot was my most memorable moment.’’ When the Bulls had their day to celebrate in front of thousands of fans, Kerr used his typical humor to explain the play. “When we called timeout with 25 seconds to go we went into the huddle and Phil told Michael, ‘I want you to take the last shot,’ and Michael said, ‘I don’t feel real comfortable in these situations. Maybe we need to go in another direction.’ I thought to myself, well, I guess have to bail out Michael out again.’ ’’

3) UA’s collapse vs. Illinois

Sometimes I think back and still can’t believe it. Arizona had a 77-63 lead with 3:20 remaining and an 80-72 lead left with just more than a minute left and couldn’t hold off Illinois in the Elite Eight in 2005. It would have solidified UA coach Lute Olson’s legacy, as it would have been his sixth Final Four. All Arizona needed was one basket to stem Illinois’ late-game run. It couldn’t get it. And eventually it lost, 90-89 in overtime in Rosemont, Ill. Being on the losing side of that game was “unbelievably painful,’’ Olson said in his autobiography, ‘Lute: The Seasons of My Life.’ “This game ranked close to the 2001 loss to Duke in the championship game as the toughest of my career. As hard as it was for me, I’d been through more than a thousand games, for the team this was just devastating. I felt awful for our seniors.”

Moment with Candrea

I also covered two Olympics for the Citizen: 2000 in Sydney and 2004 in Athens. The 2004 Games affected me the most when UA softball coach Mike Candrea led Team USA to a gold medal. Candrea’s team dominated, not that it was a surprise in going 9-0 and outscoring opponents 51-1. It was his humility, poise and pride in the journey. It came just five weeks after his wife, Sue, died of a brain aneurysm while on the pre-Games tour. I remember him in the dugout, hand on chin, taking in the team celebration on the field. Heartfelt and memorable. “I thanked them all for the greatest moment of my life,’’ he said at the time. “I love this team.’’ And, through it all, he didn’t get a medal. Coaches don’t get medals. “That’s not what this is about,’’ he said.

———

RIVERA’S ALL-STARS

FIRST TEAM Mike Bibby, G 1997-98 Gilbert Arenas, G 2000-01 Channing Frye, C 2002-05 Jordan Hill, F 2007-09 Andre Iguodala, F (left) 2003-04

SECOND TEAM Damon Stoudamire, G 1992-95 Khalid Reeves, G 1991-94 Jason Terry, G 1996-99 Luke Walton, F 2000-03 Michael Dickerson, F 1995-98

THIRD TEAM Jason Gardner, G 2000-03 Jerryd Bayless, G 2008 Chris Mills, G 1991-93 Richard Jefferson, F 1999-01 Sean Rooks, C 1989-92

• Includes players from last 18 seasons, when Rivera covered UA.

———

TOP UA PLAYERS BY DECADE

2000s Luke Walton, F ‘00-’03 1990s Mike Bibby, G ‘97-’98 1980s Sean Elliott, F ‘86-’89 1970s Bob Elliott, C ‘74-’77 1960s Warren Rustand, F ‘63-’65 1950s Ernie McCray, C ‘88-’91 1940s Link Richmond, F ‘44-’49 1930s Lorry DiGrazia, F ‘36-’38 1920s Harold Tovrea, G ‘21-’24 1910s James Herndon, NA ‘17-’19 1900s Charles Brown, NA ‘05-’06 As picked by Steve Rivera, based on overall play and intangibles. Rivera’s favorite all-time players Great quote: Channing Frye, Gene Edgerson, Joseph Blair. Quirkiest: Tie, Gilbert Arenas and Bennett Davison. Unbelievable talent but horrible quote: Khalid Reeves. Unflappable: Mike Bibby. Unluckiest: Jawann McClellan. Surly, but good: Salim Stoudamire

East player Lance Stephenson, of Coney Island, N.Y., scores two of his 12 points during the second half of the McDonald's All-American boys basketball game April 1 in Coral Gables, Fla. The East team won 113-110.

Sean Miller is off and running. Where the new Arizona basketball coach takes the program – and who he lands – is anyone’s guess.

But this much is known: He has three solid signings from forward Solomon Hill, wing Kevin Parrom and center Kyryl Natyazhko.

Whether New York City shooting standout Lance Stephenson, the No. 8 recruit for next season’s class, is in the mix is unclear. But Arizona may not need him to succeed next season.

There’s no question Stephenson is a dynamic player, but his character – given his desire to get to the NBA as quickly as possible – might not be a good fit for Miller’s system. Why risk it? What’s to gain for one season?

Stephenson, a 6-foot-6 guard-small forward from Coney Island, N.Y., and his coach Dwayne Morton did not return calls left by the Tucson Citizen. His other apparent choice is Memphis.

Even people in Memphis, where former UA assistant Josh Pastner is the new head coach, don’t know what to think. The Memphis Commercial Appeal’s Dan Wolken wrote on Wednesday: “Stephenson’s recruitment has been difficult to read, however, and even the coaches involved are not sure where things stand.”

What’s undeniable is how well Miller has done in such a short time after being named UA’s coach a month ago. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, however, because one of the big reasons UA athletic director Jim Livengood pursued Miller was his ability for getting players.

“Spectacular,” said longtime UA men’s hoops fan George Kalil of Miller’s arrival and quick accomplishments. “Everywhere I go and when I get an e-mail or a phone call, people say to me Arizona could not have gotten a better guy or a better coach.

“People absolutely love him.”

It’s the feeling – or vibe – I’ve been getting in Tucson, too. Here it is in early May and people are talking about basketball.

Recruits. Future. Potential.

“I’m thrilled,” Kalil said. “It’s like this town has been born again.”

Not that the climb had to be that high, lest anyone forget UA has gone to 25 consecutive NCAA tournaments, and just two months ago was in the Sweet 16.

But compared to recent previous highs – UA won the 1997 national title and went to the 2001 Final Four – the Arizona program is down. Miller is capable of returning UA to the elite level. He took Xavier to the Elite Eight and Sweet 16 the last two seasons.

He may not contend for a national title right away, but he’s looking at every player possible.

My guess is UA doesn’t get Stephenson, who also has the option of going to Europe for a season or two before making an attempt at the NBA.

Stephenson already has been labeled a one-and-done player for next season, and coaches don’t build programs with those types. Miller never directly talked about such players in a meeting with the media two weeks ago, but he spoke about building a program with players who were good fits.

It’s hard to say if Stephenson is a good fit.

Good talent, yes.

Steve Rivera’s e-mail: srivera@tucsoncitizen.com

Parrom, a former Xavier signee, commits to UA

Kevin Parrom

New Arizona men’s basketball coach Sean Miller made it a trifecta Sunday, getting recruit Kevin Parrom to commit to the Wildcats after visiting Tucson over the weekend.

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard/small forward from South Kent (Conn.) Prep is expected to sign scholarship papers soon and join signees Solomon Hill and Kyryl Natyazhko to give UA a formidable 2009-10 freshman class. All three could see playing time right away for UA.

Parrom, a Bronx, N.Y., native, visited the University of Pittsburgh last week. He had signed with Xavier, but when Miller left that school for UA, Parrom was granted a release from his letter of intent.

“That’s what it comes down to,” Parrom told the New York Daily News. “I had a great relationship with coach Miller.”

Despite Parrom’s visit to Pitt, it seemed as if Arizona was the front-runner because of his connection to the new UA coaching staff.

South Kent Prep coach Kelvin Jefferson said last week that Parrom was looking for a “comfort level” and a chance to play right away.

With UA having just seven returning scholarship players for next season, there seems to be plenty of playing time available – or at least a chance at playing time.

Jefferson confirmed Parrom’s commitment Sunday afternoon.

“Arizona had the upper hand the whole way – it was just a matter of him getting to campus and walking around,” Jefferson said. “It was (about) getting a good feel for the environment. And he did that.”

In an interview last week, Jefferson said Parrom likely would return from Tucson and talk with his family before making a decision. But he didn’t need that much time.

Parrom committed before he left Tucson. His parents – Kenny Parrom and Lisa Williams – were with him.

“I spoke to his dad and he was excited,” Jefferson said of Mr. Parrom. “The one thing he said to me was, ‘They love their basketball out here.’ He was happy. He’s happy for his son but sad that he’s going far away. He knows this is a really good thing thing for Kevin.”

Parrom is the first UA recruit out of the New York area since guard Khalid Reeves of Queens led the Wildcats to the 1994 Final Four. Parrom left St. Raymond High in the Bronx to play his senior season at South Kent.

He has a good relationship with new UA assistant Emanuel (Book) Richardson, the former director of the New York Gauchos club team before he joined Miller’s coaching staff at Xavier in 2008.

UA isn’t likely done with recruiting just yet. The Cats are after McDonald’s All-American Lance Stephenson, a 6-foot-5 guard from Coney Island, who is New York’s all-time leading scorer. Memphis, coached by former UA assistant Josh Pastner, also is pursuing Stephenson.

The NCAA late signing period ends May 20, although players may accept a scholarship after that date.

Kevin Parrom (right), a shooting guard/small forward from South Kent (Conn.), will play for the Wildcats.

———

MILLER TRIO

Despite getting a late start, new UA coach Sean Miller has landed three top-tier high school seniors for the 2009-10 recruiting class:

• Solomon Hill, F, 6-6, Los Angeles Fairfax High (27th-ranked player overall by Rivals.com; 61st by Scout.com)

• Kyryl Natyazhko, C, 6-10, Ukraine, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla (41st overall by Scout; 81st by Rivals)

• Kevin Parrom, G-F, 6-5, Bronx, N.Y.; South Kent, Conn., High (74th by Scout; 122nd by Rivals)

The University of Arizona looks like a perfect spot for basketball recruit Kevin Parrom.

It has a good coach he’s comfortable with and UA’s situation – few scholarship players are on the team – would provide him a chance to play and have an immediate impact in 2009-10.

Those are some of the reasons the 6-foot-6 small forward is making a recruiting visit to Tucson this weekend.

“He’s looking for a comfort level with the coaches and he obviously has found that with that staff,” said Kelvin Jefferson, Parrom’s prep school coach. “They have a hand in that. He has that relationship. That’s important to him and the family.”

Parrom attends South Kent (Conn.) Prep. He asked out of his scholarship with Xavier three weeks ago, shortly after UA head coach Sean Miller left Xavier for Arizona.

Miller is not allowed to speak about Parrom because he’s now a recruitable athlete. But when Parrom signed his letter of intent with Xavier, Miller gushed about the guard.

“Kevin Parrom is a versatile wing player that can play a number of different positions in our program,” Miller said then.

“We are very excited about Kevin’s ability to contribute to our program on the basketball court. We are equally excited about his ability as a student and who he is as a person.”

When Parrom signed with Xavier, ESPN recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi told a Cincinnati television station that Parrom would be an impact player at Xavier and the Musketeers “struck gold” in getting him.

Jefferson said he likes Parrom’s work ethic and character. He also likes his basketball skills.

Jefferson said Parrom “can shoot the ball and score. He can get to the basket in a variety of ways. He’s a good size. . . . He can rebound and start the break. He makes good decisions.”

Zane Johnson is leaving the UA basketball team.

The player who was to be Arizona’s designated 3-point shooter won’t even be in a Wildcat basketball uniform next season.

Sophomore Zane Johnson has decided to leave the program.

“We wish Zane only the best of luck,” said Arizona head coach Sean Miller in a news release Wednesday. “He felt that opportunities would be better for him elsewhere.”

Where Johnson will go is anyone’s guess. He could not be reached for comment. His high school coach, Buddy Rake didn’t return messages.

After UA lost to Louisville in the Sweet 16 last month, Johnson said he was looking forward to being a team leader, being that he’d be one of only two juniors, along with Jamelle Horne, on the team.

“We talked about it,” Johnson said then, of what next season would be like. “It will be interesting. We might even have a bunch of walk-ons. But we’ll be ready to play. When the new coach comes in we’ll play hard for him.”

Johnson, a former Phoenix Thunderbird High School star, averaged 4.6 points, 1.8 rebound and 0.9 assists per game last season for UA.

Johnson played in 33 games, starting 13. He had a career-high 17 points against Loyola Marymount.

Last season, he hit 39.6 percent of his 3-pointers and 43.1 percent of his shots overall.

As a freshman, he was suddenly pulled out of his redshirt season at midyear when then-UA guard Jerryd Bayless was injured.

Juniors Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger have declared for the NBA and will not return next year to UA. Junior guard Nic Wise has decided to test the NBA waters to gauge if he is a first-round pick. UA has signed only two players from the spring’s recruiting class, making seven total players on scholarship.

Johnson

Sean Miller

It’s been an action-packed two weeks for new Arizona men’s basketball coach Sean Miller, going from here to there and seemingly everywhere for recruits, family and UA.

“Change really makes you hustle,” Miller said Thursday in his first news conference since he was introduced two weeks ago as the new coach. He’s been in Tucson and on UA’s campus just half the time, if that, he said.

His hustle has resulted in two recruit signings – 6-foot-6 Solomon Hill and 6-10 Kyryl Natyazhko – and a few thousand frequent flier miles.

Miller said he’s hoping to add at least one more player, but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.

“(If) we take somebody this spring,” he said, “I’d hope we’d want him a year from now and two years from now.”

Miller declined to speak about Hill and Natyazhko. He intends to talk about his entire recruiting class when it’s completed. It’s not clear where UA stands with Tremayne Johnson, a 6-7 forward who committed to the program in the winter.

In a text to the Citizen on Thursday, Johnson said he had not spoken to Miller yet but “maybe he’s making me his last recruit.”

Miller said he won’t go after recruits just to go after them.

“I don’t even know if there are eight available 2009 prospects that are Arizona good,” Miller said. “For us to make the right decisions with who we scholarship and who we bring in with our first class, I’m more concerned with that. I’m more concerned with having the proper (people) to make our ship sail.”

If no more than two or three recruits are signed, UA still could have a “significant” class next year.

As of now, UA has seven returning players, eight if UA guard Nic Wise were to return for his senior year.

Last week, Wise announced he would declare for the NBA, but he did not hire an agent. Miller said he’s unsure what Wise will do, but they have met a couple of times to discuss his situation.

The NBA has been one of Miller’s strongest selling points to recruits, along with the “high stature of the program.”

“That’s the name of the game (in) being able to continue the legacy coach (Lute) Olson and his staff (have) done for so long,” Miller said. “The reception we’ve gotten as a staff has been terrific.”

The history of the program is selling itself, something that has happened throughout recent years.

Miller said if you look at the NBA playoffs right now, Arizona has a “2-to-2 1/2-hour commercial” with Mike Bibby (Atlanta), Luke Walton (Los Angeles), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia) and many more in the playoffs.

“That’s their dream,” Miller said of recruits wanting to be in the NBA. “They want to make that happen for themselves.”

Miller said one of his regrets about not having been around Tucson much was not being able to spend a lot of time with the current team.

“They understand what’s going on,” he said. “(I’m) getting to know them bit by bit and day by day, making sure they understand that by far the most important thing is that our players get treated the right way.”

Miller has spoken with former interim coach Russ Pennell about the team “and he was very helpful. . . . It really allowed me to get to know the players through the coaches’ eyes.”

Miller said he anticipates freshman Garland Judkins, who had been suspended off and on throughout this past season, to be back on next year’s team.

Judkins had been suspended for the season’s final two months.

“I told everyone of those guys I want to give them a fresh start,” Miller said. “I want to be the coach who really solidifies things. All those guys have been through an awful lot. That’s always the unknown.”

Also unknown is just how good UA will be next year.

Will the Wildcats make it to 26 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, extending the current NCAA mark for appearances? North Carolina has the record at 27.

“For me to walk around and fear that and walk around not to think that’s part of the deal would be foolish,” Miller said of the high expectations.

———

STARTING FIVE?

Possible UA starting lineup in 2009-10:

Pos. Player Cl.

F Jamelle Horne Jr.

F Solomon Hill Fr.

C Kyryl Natyazhko Fr.

G Nic Wise* Sr.

G Kyle Fogg So.

* If Wise doesn’t stay in NBA draft

Latest tally shows that new coach is human after early success

After landing two impact recruits in his first two weeks, new Arizona basketball coach Sean Miller has missed on two others.

In other words, he’s human. Not even Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson could get his guy every time.

Miller picked up commitments and then signatures Friday from forward Solomon Hill and center Kyryl Natyazhko. But the last couple of days, Miller missed on center Jarrid Famous and point guard Lamont Jones, who are headed to South Florida and USC, respectively.

Arizona is still in the running for shooting guard/small forward Kevin Parrom, who was released from his letter of intent at Xavier, where Miller coached before UA.

Even if the Wildcats don’t get Parrom, their future is brighter.

“To me, this is the best-case scenario,” said Dave Telep, Scout.com‘s recruiting analyst, referring to Miller’s two quick signees, “because it’s difficult to walk in and grab guys who can legitimately impact your program in the spring” signing period.

Telep said with UA getting Natyazhko and Hill, “it’s above and beyond what was reasonably expected given this stage of the game. It’s a big deal.”

Parrom, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound swingman, hails from New York City and played at South Kent School in Connecticut. He’s rated No. 74 overall by Scout.com and No. 122 by Rivals.com.

“Kevin, at this point, wants to take a step back and breathe,” Chris Mack, hired as Xavier head coach after Miller left, told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “He wants to examine all of his options, and so we have granted Kevin a complete release.”

Parrom is also considering Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Marquette and Louisville, according to ESPN.com, which says the player has “very good athleticism and quickness.” In addition to those schools, Scout.com said, Parrom is interested in Providence, St. John’s, Virginia Tech and South Carolina.

As for the ones who got away:

• Famous, a 6-11, 235-pound center from Westchester (N.Y.) Community College, visited UA last weekend, according to Rivals.com. He also strongly considered Missouri.

• Jones, a 6-foot guard from Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy, is expected to play a lot for USC because Trojans junior Daniel Hackett declared for the NBA draft.

Telep said Arizona should look forward to a coach “who is committed” to success. Telep said Miller has a reputation for having a “good eye for talent.”

“He’s a tireless worker and you can expect that to happen at Arizona,” Telep said. “He doesn’t waste a lot of time. He has a knack for identifying players and their recruitment. The people who know him will tell you it was just a matter of when (and not if) he had a chance to captain an elite program like Arizona’s.

“He’s the real deal as a head basketball coach. His team will embody his personality: gritty, tough, get-it-done type.”

Archie Miller

The University of Arizona men’s basketball coaching staff is complete. And it will be Miller times two.

Sean Miller’s younger brother, Archie, 31, has joined his brother’s coaching staff.

Archie Miller brings seven years of coaching and administrative experience to his brother’s staff, including the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State under Thad Matta.

He was elevated to Matta’s top assistant in 2008-09, when the Buckeyes posted a 22-11 record, were the runner-up in the Big Ten Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me for several reasons,” Archie Miller said. “One, to be able to coach at Arizona. Two, to be able to coach with my brother, and, three, to have an opportunity to continue to do something special with this exceptional program. It takes a lot to walk away from a place like Ohio State, and this is it,” he said.

Miller’s hiring completes his brother’s staff at Arizona, where he took over April 7. Late last week Sean Miller brought two assistants from his staff at Xavier University, James Whitford and Emmanuel Richardson, to UA.

Archie Miller played basketball at North Carolina State, where he ranks second in school history in career 3-pointers (218) and free-throw percentage (.846).

He helped the Wolfpack reach the 2002 NCAA Tournament and also was an assistant to Herb Sendek at Arizona State in 2006-07.

“Archie is one of the most talented assistant coaches in college basketball,” Sean Miller said. “His playing experience in the ACC, coupled with his coaching in the Pac-10, Big Ten and ACC, allows him to connect with people at all levels. He has a total understanding of the game and will be a tremendous asset with our on-court and off-the-court coaching activities.

“There were two key elements in putting this staff together. The first was familiarity with our system and style of play, and familiarity with me as a coach. The second was that each of these guys can totally relate to young players, to our outstanding Wildcat alumni and to the Tucson community. When you have those two things in place, good things usually follow.”

It’s unclear what the status is of UA assistant Reggie Geary, who was handling recruiting for the Wildcats before Sean Miller was hired.

Geary stayed on the UA staff after interim coach Russ Pennell left at the end of the season. Geary had hoped to become an assistant with Miller’s staff.

Geary said he’s looking into some opportunities but wouldn’t be specific.

NOTABLE: Recruit Solomon Hill has signed a letter of intent to play for the Wildcats this fall, according to a text he sent to the Tucson Citizen.

———

SEAN MILLER VS. ARCHIE MILLER

As coaches

Age 40 31

Current UA head UA asst.

Previous Xavier head Ohio St. asst.

NCAAs* 4 (as head) 2

* At previous school

> Did you know? Both played for their dad, Jim Miller, at Beaver Falls (Pa.) Blackhawk High School. Sean coached Archie at N.C. State when Sean was an assistant there under Herb Sendek. Archie also coached under Sendek at ASU from 2006-07.

———

As players

College Pitt N.C. State

When* 1987-92 1997-2002

Position G G

Height 6-1 5-10

Games 128 122

PPG 10.0 7.7

APG 5.8 2.0

FT% 88.5 84.6

FG% 43.0 42.4

3PT% 41.6 42.8

NCAA bids 3 1

* Both sat out a season with injury.

Nic

Wise

Arizona guard Nic Wise isn’t being faulted for putting his name in the NBA draft and testing the waters.

“This way (Wise) will be in the radar a little bit more,” said Chris Monter of Monter NBA Draft News. “I definitely don’t think it hurts.”

Monter said Wise isn’t a first-round pick.

“He’ll more than likely come back for one more year, but it doesn’t hurt him to get some feedback and maybe he’ll move up on that (particular team’s) draft board (for the future).”

Wise said Thursday he will declare early for the draft but will not hire an agent, allowing him to return for his senior season if he wishes.

“It’s always been my dream to play in the NBA,” Wise said in statement released by UA, “and I feel like I need to take the next step and get some feedback on my game. This will only help me become a better basketball player.”

Monter said he thought Wise has improved through the years, after having seen him throughout his high school career in Houston.

“He’s worked hard on his body, getting in great shape,” Monter said. “He had a terrific year and he was one of the reasons why they made it to the Sweet 16 . . . might as well get the feedback.

“It’s something he might as well look into. Worst-case scenario he finds out from NBA people he needs to work on this or that – whatever it is.”

Wise, a 5-foot-10, 177-pound junior guard, averaged 15.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game in 35 appearances last season. He shot 45.2 percent (177 of 392) from the field, including 41.5 percent (66 of 159) from behind the arc, to go with 84.8 percent (128 of 151) from the free throw line.

He was a second-team all-Pac-10 selection this season and was the Pac-10 player of the week in mid-February.

Wise has until June 15 to withdraw his name from the draft eligible list.

By not signing with an agent and maintaining his coursework, he could return to college without losing eligibility.

Wise is one of 13 Wildcats to declare early for the NBA Draft: Brian Williams (1991), Mike Bibby (1998), Gilbert Arenas (2001), Jason Gardner (2001), Richard Jefferson (2001), Michael Wright (2001), Andre Iguodala (2004), Chris Rodgers (2005), Mustafa Shakur (2006), Marcus Williams (2007), Jerryd Bayless (2008), Chase Budinger (2008 and 2009) and Jordan Hill (2009).

Of that list, only Gardner, Rodgers and Shakur returned to school and completed their eligibility.

The draft is set for June 25 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

UA’s Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill have also declared early for the draft and have hired agents.

———

KEY DATES

June 15: Date players have to withdraw from draft without losing college eligibility

June 25: NBA Draft in New York

<h4>Here's to you Mr. Robinson </h4>

Alexei Ramirez (left) and Jermaine Dye enter the Chicago White Sox dugout before their game against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit. Every player, manager, coach and umpire in Major League Baseball sported jersey No. 42 on Wednesday, the 62nd anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier.

&gt; Go to <a href="http://www.tucsoncitizen.com">www.tucsoncitizen.com</a> for more sports photo galleries.

Center Kyryl Natyazhko, who chose Arizona over Arizona State, expects to get razzed by Sun Devils fans when UA plays basketball in Tempe.

“I felt bad about not choosing Arizona State,” he said in an IMG e-mail/video, “and I’m ready to get extra-specially booed when we play them.

“But the Arizona coaches told me that at away games, we’ll often have just as many fans there as the home team. Plus, the Pac-10 is one of the best conferences in the country.”

There was no official word from UA about recruits signing Wednesday, the first day they can ink a letter-of-intent for the spring signing period. Expected to sign were Solomon Hill, a 6-foot-6, 195-pound forward from Los Angeles Fairfax High School, and Natyazhko, who committed to the Wildcats on Saturday.

Hill moved up one spot to No. 27 in Rivals’ overall rankings, while Natyazhko fell from No. 75 to No. 81. Natyazhko, a 6-10, 250-pound center, averaged 24 points and nine rebounds a game for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

The Ukraine native said he speaks four languages (Ukrainian, Russian, Lithuanian and English) and has become friends with many people, particularly after picking Arizona last weekend.

“As soon as I made my decision, my Facebook went crazy,” he said. “I had like 300 friends; now it’s up above 500.”

Also, an announcement could come soon on Ohio State assistant Archie Miller joining his brother’s staff at UA. Earlier in the week, Ohio newspapers reported that Archie, also a former Arizona State assistant, would join Sean Miller at Arizona.

Rudd signs with ASU

Victor Rudd, a 6-foot-7 forward who played basketball at Henderson (Nev.) Findlay College Prep, said Wednesday that he will sign with Arizona State.

Rudd also considered Arizona and USC. Rivals.com ranks Rudd as the 114th overall prospect in the 2009 class.

“I’ve always liked ASU since when James (Harden) first went there,” said Rudd, who averaged 16 points and eight rebounds last season. “I just felt like I could fit in with their system.”

He joins guards Trent Lockett, Demetrius Walker and center Ruslan Pateev in ASU’s 2009 class.

Arizona Republic

Thomas at FIU

MIAMI – Isiah Thomas sat in his new gym for an hour, at one point turning his gaze toward the Florida International players he’ll now coach.

“There’ll be a lot of ups,” Thomas said Wednesday. “There’ll be a lot of downs.”

And so begins a surprising basketball marriage that got under way when Thomas was introduced as FIU’s new coach, three days shy of the first anniversary of his firing as coach of the New York Knicks. Thomas will not accept a salary in his first season, instead donating that money back to FIU, and will earn somewhere around $275,000 in the final four years of his deal.

That doesn’t count the $12 million or so the Knicks will keep paying him for two more years.

“I did not come here for the money,” Thomas said.

Instead, he’ll have a chance to rebuild his tarnished Hall of Fame image, such as being the central figure in a sexual harassment lawsuit and, according to authorities, being found unconscious in his New York-area home last fall after someone at called 911 to report someone overdosed on sleeping pills.

So he came to FIU, a program that went 13-20 this past season, has lost 20 games in three of its last four years, and made its lone appearance in the NCAA Tournament 14 years ago. There are 42 banners swaying in FIU’s gymnasium and only two have anything to do with men’s basketball.

“I like taking something from the bottom and trying to build it to the top,” Thomas said.

The Associated Press

Weis considered NFL

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis confirms he talked with his family about whether they thought he should quit after last season, though he said he never wanted to leave.

“Like anyone who has a situation that is uncertain, as any husband and father would do, you address it with your wife and you address it with your kids,” Weis said Wednesday after practice. “And you talk about the what if.”

The comments were in response to a Chicago Tribune story Sunday that reported Weis thought about leaving Notre Dame and returning to the NFL as an offensive coordinator.

The Associated Press

Slow start for pitching aces

Cliff Lee knows all about following in CC Sabathia’s footsteps, for better or worse.

The Cleveland Indians left-hander, who opposes his former teammate Thursday in the first game at the new Yankee Stadium, is off to a rocky start after succeeding Sabathia as the American League’s Cy Young Award winner. With a 0-2 mark and a 9.90 ERA, Lee is one loss shy of his total last season, when he was 22-3.

His National League Cy Young counterpart can relate. The San Francisco Giants’ Tim Lincecum, who struck out 265 batters, has endured command troubles in his first two starts. He’s 0-1 with a 7.56 ERA.

At least Lee and Lincecum can look to Sabathia for inspiration. After winning the 2007 AL Cy Young, Sabathia went 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA in his first four starts last season before righting his course. He finished 17-10 with a 2.70 ERA.

USA TODAY

Golf ‘a mental game’

Kenny Perry’s collapse on the final two holes of the Masters, which led to Angel Cabrera’s victory in a playoff, reminded him that golf is a mental game – “that plays a lot with your head.”

“The single most important thing is that (Perry) wants to get in that situation again,” said Bob Rotella, a sports psychologist.

Perry played 16 holes in the final round without a bogey, then made three in the last four.

USA TODAY

NUMBER OF THE DAY

39-2

Final home record of the Cleveland Cavaliers, tied for second on the all-time list:

40-1: x-Boston Celtics, 1985-86

39-2: Cleveland, 2008-09

39-2: x-Chicago Bulls, 1996-97

39-2: x-Chicago Bulls, 1995-96

39-2: Orlando Magic, 1994-95

39-2: Boston Celtics, 1986-87

38-3: x-San Antonio , 2004-05

38-3: Utah Jazz, 1996-97

38-3: Seattle, 1995-96

38-3: x-Milwaukee, 1970-71

x – won NBA title

QUOTABLE

'It would be foolish from our standpoint not to listen to those (trade) opportunities and see what actually exists.'

KEN WHISENHUNT (right),

Cardinals coach, on whether he will listen to offers for WR Anquan Boldin

———

ON THIS DATE

1940: Bob Feller of Cleveland defeats the White Sox 1-0 in the only opening day no-hitter in major league history, at Chicago.

1997: The Chicago Cubs set the mark for worst start in National League history, extending their losing streak to 12 with a 4-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Chicago breaks the overall NL record of 0-11 by the 1884 Detroit Wolverines.

2005: Phoenix’s 116-98 victory over Sacramento ties the Suns with the 1979-80 Boston Celtics for the third-largest turnaround in league history at 32 games. The Suns’ 29-53 record last season was the third worst in team history.

———

SPORTS SOUND-OFF

Miller off to good start with recruits

Re: Basketball player Solomon Hill ready to sign with Wildcats

• New UA basketball coach Sean Miller has found gold in Arizona.

Let me say this . . . in five years at Xavier, Miller was able to obtain four 4-star recruits. In over one week, Miller has half that total, at Arizona. CLAUDIA44

Competition at quarterback good for UA

Re: UA coach Mike Stoops gives spring football wrap-up

• I wouldn’t mind a two-quarterback system with Matt Scott and Nick Foles. It would remind me of the days of Keith Smith and Ortege Jenkins. . . . I can’t wait for September. JUST A FAN

• Smart move not to name a starter. Let Scott and Foles play it out during the season. It will be good competition. GDOG

Arizona's Fendi Onobun puts up a lay up during a practice at the start of the NCAA Tournament in March.

Football could be in Fendi Onobun’s future.

Over the weekend, the former Arizona basketball player worked out for the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills. He was joined by former Wildcat football players B.J. Dennard and Marquis Hundley.

“It is a crash course,” Onobun said, although he worked on getting ready for the workout. “Now I’m just learning about all the terminology, trying to make things happen.”

Last month, in a conversation with the Citizen at the NCAA Sweet 16 in Indianapolis, Onobun wondered out loud if there were any Indianapolis Colts scouts in the building.

“It would be a challenge,” he said. “It’s worth giving it a shot if the opportunity is there.”

The reserve forward never played football, but he has the seemingly perfect build for it. He’s 6 feet 6 inches tall, 250 pounds.

That caught the attention of NFL scouts over the weekend.

“It went really well,” Onobun said.

He said he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. He had a vertical leap of 37 1/2 inches and his broad jump was 10 feet, 7 inches.

“As far as feedback, I heard I ran really good for a guy my size,” he said. “Most tight ends were in the 4.6, 4.7 range.”

At last month’s NFL combine, the best time for a tight end was 4.5 by South Carolina’s Jared Cook, who also had the best broad jump at 10-3. Onobun’s vertical jump would have been second to Cook’s 41 inches.

“It’s cool,” Onobun said of his numbers. “I’m an athlete. I know that. Running and jumping and doing that is not that hard. I did some training with people after the season and during the season, nothing strenuous.

“But it’s a matter of (people asking): Can he take a hit; can he learn the game quick enough?”

Onobun, who just finished his career with the basketball team, said football may be the way to go because “obviously I’m not going to get drafted or I don’t think I will, considering I’ve never played a down. Right now, it’s wait and see.”

Onobun, 22, said former Duke basketball player Greg Paulus has looked into the NFL, reportedly working out in Michigan.

Former Cleveland State player J’Nathan Bullock also expressed interest in the NFL, and Pitt star DeJuan Blair regards the NFL as a potential fallback option if he doesn’t make it big in the NBA, the Sporting News reported.

Onobun said he went to an annual high school football all-star game where his best friend, Martellus Bennett – a Dallas Cowboy – and Paulus played in the game.

“(Paulus) played football and he was good,” Onobun said.

Onobun said what makes all this exciting is, “I’ve never done this before and a lot of people have been in my ear to try it out.”

Onobun, who has not signed with an agent, said he hopes to land in an NFL minicamp.

“My heart is basketball,” he said, “but it’s not like I have NBA scouts calling me. If someone (in football) wants to take a look, what can it hurt? I’ll give it a shot and see what happens.”

Onobun

———

HOOPS TO GRIDIRON

Some notable NFLers who played basketball, not football, in college:

CURRENT

Player, pos. NFL team College

Antonio Gates, TE Chargers Kent State

Marcus Pollard, TE Falcons Bradley

FORMER

Sam Clancy, DE-DT Colts Pittsburgh

Wesley Duke, TE Broncos Mercer

Pete Gent, TE Cowboys Michigan St.

Cornell Green, DB Cowboys Utah St.

Ken Johnson, DE-DT Bengals Indiana

Wayne Moore,OT Dolphins Lamar

Preston Pearson, RB-DB Cowboys Illinois

Lonnie Wright, DB Broncos Colorado St.

6-foot-6 forward Los Angeles forward feels at home here; Sean Miller’s brother on way?

Fairfax High School's Solomon Hill (center) is surrounded by Taft High School defenders during a game in February in Los Angeles. Hill withdrew his commitment to UA in the fall, but recommitted on Tuesday.

University of Arizona basketball recruit Solomon Hill feels like he’s coming home again.

The 6-foot-6, 195-pound forward from Los Angeles Fairfax High School recommitted to UA on Tuesday after decommitting in October and pledging for USC.

“It really does feel like home,” Hill said. “It’s a lot like that.”

Could it be home for others?

The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch is reporting coach Archie Miller will join his brother’s coaching staff at Arizona. Archie, 30, the younger brother of new UA head coach Sean Miller, spent the past season as Ohio State coach Thad Matta’s top assistant.

Sean Miller, 40, had been keeping a job open for his former top assistant at Xavier, Chris Mack, but Xavier confirmed Tuesday that Mack would be the Musketeers’ new head coach.

Sean Miller, who had been on the road, has returned to Tucson but did not return a message.

Rich Paige, the team’s media director, said, “Coach Miller is still working hard to complete his coaching staff.”

National letter of intent for the spring begins on Wednesday. Arizona could have as many as six scholarships to give, with the defections of juniors Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill.

UA is still awaiting official word from junior guard Nic Wise on whether he’ll make himself available for the NBA draft and hire an agent. Or Wise could “test the waters” to gauge NBA teams’ interest and not hire an agent, which is what he told the Citizen he would do after UA lost to Louisville in the Sweet 16.

In the meantime, Sean Miller has been busy in his first week on the job. He’s received commitments from two players and could be in line for more.

When Hill decommitted in the fall – after former UA coach Lute Olson retired – he said he was concerned about UA losing recruits and about its unclear future.

But that’s changed. Hill said he’s “real comfortable” with Miller, and that the new UA coach is doing a great job “in building” for the future.

“He’s been able to set his two feet down and has gotten at it,” Hill said. “I really like that.”

Hill is expected to join center Kyryl Natyazhko, who committed to the Wildcats on Saturday, choosing UA over Arizona State.

Natyazhko, a 6-10, 250-pound center, averaged 24 points and nine rebounds a game for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He was listed as the ninth best big man and the 75th best player overall by Rivals.com. He was listed at No. 68 by Scout.com.

It’s not clear where recruit Tremayne Johnson stands with the current UA coaches. Johnson, a 6-7, 200-pound forward from Los Angeles Southwest College, was offered and accepted a scholarship in the winter. He said he has yet to speak to Miller. He feels that he’s “committed to Arizona.” Johnson said he had planned on meeting with Miller soon, maybe within the week.

Hill said he’s excited to come to UA. He said that although he had yet to speak to USC coach Tim Floyd, that he had spoken to some assistant coaches and “they knew I was leaning to UA.”

“You want to do what’s best for you,” Hill said. “He went to talk to Arizona (about the recently vacant head coaching job). He wanted to see about Arizona. That’s what I did. Arizona is a great situation for me. (Now) I can go to a school and get immediate playing time and at good school.”

Archie Miller was an assistant to coach Herb Sendek at Arizona State in 2006-07 before going to Ohio State.

Archie Miller is a former North Carolina State standout, who ranks second in school history in career 3-pointers (218) and free-throw percentage (.846). He helped North Carolina State reach the 2002 NCAA Tournament.

His hiring at UA would leave the status of UA assistant Reggie Geary up in the air. Geary, who recruited Johnson, was hoping to stay on with Sean Miller’s staff.

Mack, a five-year Xavier assistant and a two-time captain as a Xavier player, will usher in a new era in Musketeers basketball as the program’s 17th head coach. Xavier players rallied around Mack, who was key in recruiting many of them.

His candidacy was supported by NBA player and former Musketeer David West, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. West wrote in a text message that “we should keep it in the house. The program is continuing to grow.”

Kyryl Natyazhko

Archie Miller

———

2009-10 UA RECRUITS

Going into basketball signing day on Wednesday, Arizona had three commitments:

Player Pos. Ht. Wt. School

Solomon Hill F 6-6 195 Los Angeles Fairfax HS

Kyryl Natyazhko C 6-10 250 IMG Academy (Fla.)

Tremayne Johnson F 6-7 200 L.A. Southwest Col.

Solomon Hill (in back) helps cut off Dorsey High's Omari Johnson. Hill has committed to come to UA.

Basketball recruit Solomon Hill is headed to Arizona, after all.

In a text message Tuesday morning to the Tucson Citizen, he announced he’d sign with the UA men’s team.

Hill is a 6-foot-6, 195-pound guard/forward from Los Angeles.

As of the weekend, he had not made up his mind between UA and Southern California, after committing to the Trojans in December.

Hill had committed to UA in the fall but negated that when Lute Olson retired as head coach in late October.

Check back later for more.

Hill

Sean Miller’s impact is already being felt.

Over the weekend, the new University of Arizona basketball coach picked up one oral commitment, while another could come later this week.

Saturday, UA received a commitment from center Kyryl Natyazhko (KAH-rill NAHT-yazh-ko). Then, Sunday afternoon, Solomon Hill said he’s continuing to keep UA on his list along with USC.

Although Rivals.com reported that Hill will be a Wildcat, Hill said Sunday he will decide in about a week.

Hill committed to Arizona last summer, but decommitted when then-coach Lute Olson suddenly retired in late October.

Hill, a 6-foot-6 guard/forward, then chose USC, although he said it was a difficult decision because he liked Arizona.

He is ranked as the No. 28 player in the country by Rivals and No. 64 by Scout.com.

Natyazhko, 6 feet 10 inches, 250 pounds, made his decision official after an all-star game Saturday night in Louisville, Ky. He picked the Wildcats over Arizona State.

“There were some other elements, but it just came down to his relationship with (Miller),” Vince Walden, Natyazhko’s coach, told The Arizona Republic on Saturday.

Miller had recruited him while at Xavier.

Natyazhko averaged 24 points and nine rebounds a game for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He was listed as the No. 9 big man by Rivals and the No. 75 player overall. Scout.com listed him No. 68 overall.

Hill said Sunday he planned to speak to Miller and USC coach Tim Floyd.

“But the situation (at Arizona) looks nice,” Hill said. “They got a recruit (Saturday). I’m weighing my options and looking over it.”

Hill said the Trojans’ loss or losses – guard Daniel Hackett has declared for the NBA and more players may leave early – may become a factor.

That Miller is now coaching Arizona is another.

“I’ve been leaning toward UA but I haven’t talked to coach Floyd,” Hill said. “I just can’t commit to a different school without talking to him.”

Hill said “it was all about business,” but said that before he made a oral commitment to USC in the winter, Floyd told him he wouldn’t like it if Hill looked at other schools to attend.

“He said that if I did that, he’d have to look at other (players), too,” Hill said.

Floyd recently looked into leaving for the Arizona head coaching job before turning down the Wildcats.

“He goes to look at Arizona and I can’t look at another school?” Hill asked. “That was a big thing with me. That’s a reason why UA is becoming a big part of (the decision). . . . I understand the business.”

Miller, less than a week after being named the coach, could have up to six available scholarships for next year’s recruiting class.

Last week, UA juniors Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill declared for the NBA draft.

It’s not clear what junior guard Nic Wise will do. He said it’s “more than likely” he will test the NBA waters to see what his draft status is.

The spring signing period for recruits begins Wednesday.

<h4>It's a bird . . it's a plane . . . it's . . .: </h4>

Ex-Arizona Wildcat Jim Furyk and his caddie, Mike Cowan, point to the sky on the 12th tee during the second round of the Masters on Friday.

Ossie Duran says the judges aren’t doing David “The Destroyer” Lopez any favors.

Giving him wins – something the Duran camp said happened Friday night in a boxing match at the Desert Diamond Casino – won’t help long-term.

“He’s not benefiting from being given these gifts,” said Phillip Schevack, Duran’s adviser. “In the short run he is, but not in the long run.”

Lopez won by unanimous decision in front of a sellout crowd in the main event, which was televised on ESPN2.

Duran, from Ghana, claims he won the junior middleweight fight.

“You could see by his face,” said Duran (23-7-2). “Look at mine, it’s clean.”

Lopez, who is under the guidance of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, had a deep bruise under his right eye. He admitted it was one of his tougher fights in recent bouts.

“He’s a very good boxer who moves a lot,” said Lopez, who improved his record to 38-12. “He has a lot of qualities. But it was a good experience for me.

“It was good to be in the ring with someone like that.”

Lopez added he’d be better prepared for a bigger fight if he gets one. His camp expects one soon.

Lopez struggled in the early rounds but recovered late. He said he had to be tentative early because he didn’t know much about Duran and was cautious.

Conversely, Duran said he saw nothing from Lopez.

“I didn’t see tough,” Duran said. If he’d go to a party – he can’t go to a party (and look good),” Duran said, referring to Lopez’s bruised eye.

Duran said Lopez won because Tucson is like a home court for the Nogales native. In Lopez’s past 13 wins, he’s won seven at Desert Diamond Casino.

“This is like his living room,” Schevack said.

• In other fights Friday: Karl Dargan defeated Rudy Valdez by TKO in the fourth round; Hector Sanchez defeated DeMarcus Corley by unanimous decision; Hylon Williams won by unanimous decision over Derrick Moon; Rock Allen won by unanimous decision over Adan Hernandez; and Tucsonan Eric Woods fell to Andrae Carthron by TKO.

Angels honor Adenhart

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Torii Hunter and John Lackey stood on the pitcher’s mound at Angel Stadium, each holding Nick Adenhart’s jersey, their caps off and heads bowed.

The rest of the Los Angeles Angels took their places along the third-base line, while the Boston Red Sox lined up on the first-base side.

The pregame music went quiet and a hush fell over the red-clad crowd.

The Angels paid tribute Friday night with a moment of silence for Adenhart and two of his friends who were killed about 36 hours earlier in a car crash after being broadsided by a suspected drunken driver.

Andrew Thomas Gallo, a 22-year-old from San Gabriel, was charged with three counts of murder by the Orange County district attorney on Friday. He ran a red light in his minivan and hit the car carrying Adenhart and his friends, police said.

Hours later, Adenhart’s smiling face appeared on the stadium’s video board, followed by clips of him pitching six scoreless innings Wednesday against Oakland in the best game of his brief major league career.

Cameras flashed in the stands as the teams and crowd stood silently.

Then Lackey and Hunter hugged before Lackey carried Adenhart’s jersey back to the dugout.

Hunter jogged slowly toward center field, headed to the black-and-white picture of Adenhart on the wall. Hunter touched the photo next to No. 34 and Adenhart’s name in a black circle, then took his usual position to start the game.

Angels players wore a No. 34 patch on their uniforms. Adenhart’s number also was painted in red on the back slope of the pitcher’s mound, where he had struck out opposing batters two nights earlier.

He was at his locker that night when teammate Joe Saunders leaned over, patted the rookie on the back and said, “Great job.”

D’backs to host 2011 game

PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks and Chase Field have been chosen to host the 2011 All-Star game.

The formal announcement will be made Saturday at a news conference by commissioner Bud Selig.

“I’m excited. It’s a long time coming,” Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said Friday before his team played the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“With the NBA All-Star game, which was well-received here, I know our building can be shown off for the first time in that type of scenario. I’m sure the fans of Phoenix are excited about it and it will be well-received here.”

The Associated Press

NFL Network, Dish agree

NEW YORK – The NFL Network and Dish Network announced a settlement Friday that ends a lawsuit over how the satellite provider broadcasts the channel.

The agreement includes a multiyear deal for Dish to continue carrying NFL Network. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased that our NFL Network will continue to be distributed in millions of homes on Dish Network,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a release.

In January 2008, Dish moved the channel from its most widely distributed, 100-channel package to the second-most widely distributed 200-channel tier. The company claimed the NFL violated their contract the previous month when it simulcast the historic Patriots-Giants game on CBS and NBC.

The two sides had amended their original deal in 2006 when the network began airing live regular-season games.

The Associated Press

NUMBER OF THE DAY

612

Career home runs hit by Ken Griffey Jr., the most among active players. Other leaders:

2. Alex Rodriguez 553

3. Jim Thome 542

4. Manny Ramirez 527

5. Gary Sheffield 499

6. Carlos Delgado 470

7. Chipper Jones 409

8. Jason Giambi 396

9. Vladimir Guerrero 392

QUOTABLE

'You're supposed to show up and have fun going to the ballpark, but it doesn't seem like that is appropriate today':

TERRY FRANCONA,

Red Sox manager and ex-Arizona Wildcat, on playing the Angels a day after Los Angeles pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed

———

SPORTS SOUND-OFF

Coaches will make game fun to watch

Re: UA-ASU hoops rivalry

I have always thought Herb was a great coach. ASU should be very thankful they got him. I am excited to see what Miller and his staff will do for the Wildcat program. I also believe this rivalry between the two schools will bring out the best in both coaches. Seems like it’s going to be even more fun to watch in the years to come.

JUST A FAN

Re: UA’s new assistant coaches

God I am glad we have three very young coaches that have worked together. I know this will be a great year for basketball for UA. Now we can get down to business with a real head coach.

MARCIPLUS4

Miller has to keep Geary. Without him we lose all connections to California. If (UCLA’s Ben) Howland gets every top player, Arizona will never pass them to win the Pac-10. Geary is a must.

SPORTSADDICT

———

ON THIS DATE

1936: The Detroit Red Wings win the NHL Stanley Cup with a 3-1 victory over Toronto.

1965: Jack Nicklaus shoots a record 271 and wins the Masters by nine strokes over Arnold Palmer and Gary Player.

1989: Ron Hextall scores his second career goal and becomes the first goalie to connect for a playoff goal, and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Washington Capitals 8-5.

2008: Missouri’s Jacob Priday sets a Big 12 Conference record, hitting four home runs against Texas in a 31-12 rout. The senior goes 5-for-5, drives in nine runs and scores six times.