Adreian Payne’s selection of Michigan State and coach Tom Izzo is not all that surprising, especially after he took another visit to East Lansing last weekend to watch the Spartans play Iowa in football.

That should have been a dead giveaway of where the Dayton (Ohio) Jefferson center was headed. It sparked all the rumors that ran rampant leading up to today’s press conference. Nice try, though, West Virginia fans. I am sincere in writing that the students’ display for Payne there during Midnight Madness was impressive, albeit over the top (in my opinion).

What does this mean for Arizona? Personally, I wish the relationship between Portland (Ore.) Jefferson forward Terrence Jones and the UA coaching staff still exists — he’s that good people — but I get it that Jones was not firm in his decision to officially visit Tucson and the Wildcats had to concentrate on more realistic candidates.

Players like Jones don’t come around often. I also realize that being on the outside, not knowing the inner-workings of Jones and the UA coaches, my opinion is just that — an opinion. You can choose to agree or think I’m bonkers. That’s up to you.

One of the more telling aspects of UA coach Sean Miller’s segment today at the Pac-10 Media Day was his final statement.

Somebody asked what it will be like coaching in Lute Olson’s shadow.

“Returning this program to a dominant level takes a lot of good fortune and a lot of hard work, but that’s the challenge of being the next coach,” Miller said. “I want to continue so many of the great things that have already taken place. … Part of it is to have the great players who have played and worn the uniform at Arizona. That, to me, is the greatest challenge going forward, is to continue that part of it.”

Miller has succeeded thus far despite the setbacks this week — Rod Odom’s de-commitment and Payne’s decision to go elsewhere. Give him time folks. Good news will come, perhaps sooner than you think. There is a talented point guard named Ray McCallum Jr. visiting Tucson this weekend. Getting him on board would be one heck of a way of adding to those great players who have worn an Arizona uniform.

Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com, who has been accurate with his reports of UA basketball in the past, informed people through his Twitter page tonight that 5-star center prospect Adreian Payne will decide between Michigan State, Kentucky and West Virginia and make an announcement Thursday night.

Payne’s coach, Art Winston of Dayton (Ohio) Jefferson High School, informed Bruce Pascoe of The Arizona Daily Star and CatPause.com (Kentucky’s Rivals.com site) that his player still has Arizona on his list.

But rumors and reports such as that from Goodman suggest the UA is on the outside looking in at the highly-rated player.

My opinion is this: It says something about UA coach Sean Miller’s recruiting ability to have Payne remotely interested in the UA in the first place. Like many recruits far from Arizona, Payne likely has not watched the Wildcats play much and is not familiar with the Pac-10. His interest in Arizona is based solely on his relationship with Miller and the UA assistant coaches.

Losing out on these top recruits will not happen in future years, especially on the West coast, once Miller shows what he can do at Arizona. Recruits love familiarity. Look at what happened when the Lute Olson fiasco unfolded and he was forced to retire for health reasons. Recruits scattered. Once they become familiar with what Miller is trying to do, top-flight recruits like Payne will make Arizona a realistic finalist for their services.

Kurt Stubbs, a correspondent for JJ Huddle’s Ohio High sports service, told me this morning that those close to Dayton (Ohio) Jefferson center Adreian Payne are indicating that the 5-star prospect is down to West Virginia and Kentucky.

“But I have heard West Virginia and Michigan State,” Stubbs said. “WVU has remained constant, and that is where he spent Midnight Madness. Safe money is on WVU at this point.”

No mention of Arizona. This is not all too surprising. Rumors and reports recently have suggested that West Virginia is the leader of the group. Payne, 6-10, 210, has visited Arizona, Michigan State, Kentucky and West Virginia. Sources have indicated that Payne might have reservations about attending Arizona because of its distance from his Midwest home.

Various sites have indicated that Payne will hold a press conference Friday to announce his decision. Payne has remained silent about the process, which has been the case since he started his visits.

Meanwhile, Terrence Jones’ mother Linda Mashia-Jones confirmed with me last night that Arizona’s coaches and her son are no longer communicating. Jones is another 5-star recruit from Portland (Ore.) Jefferson who is a distant cousin of former UA guards Damon and Salim Stoudamire.

When asked if she would consider contacting the UA coaches, Mashia-Jones said, “I don’t think so. If we change our mind, I will let you know.”

Arizona’s coaches are focusing their attention on Detroit Country Day School point guard Ray McCallum, who officially visits Tucson this weekend and will attend the Red-Blue scrimmage Sunday at McKale Center.