Arizona Wildcats Basketball

BR Video

Arizona's Rawle Alkins commissioned a new poster Saturday night when he dunked all over USC's Elijah Stewart in the second half of the Pac-12 Championship Game.

The sophomore guard finished the night with six points and six rebounds as the Wildcats ran away with a 75-61 win after trailing by three at halftime. 

Deandre Ayton—who fed Alkins for the emphatic two-handed hammer—led all scorers with 32 points (14-of-20 shooting) and 18 rebounds as Arizona made a statement in advance of March Madness.

Deandre Ayton has been on a rim-hating tear since the ESPN report came out Feb. 23 that Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller discussed a $100,000 payment for Ayton to play for his team.

Miller, of course, vehemently denied that report in a statement last Friday, and others have poked holes in the reporting. Whether or not there's any truth to that report, Ayton is going to be the No. 1 or 2 pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

On the basketball floor, Ayton has left little to prove. He is one of the best big man prospects to enter the draft in the new millennium, joining a short list that includes Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, Greg Oden and Dwight Howard.

The hit rate on supernatural bigs, as you can see with that list, is high. Oden's knees kept him from ever realizing his potential, but the others have all been great successes.

So why would anyone think twice about drafting someone other than Ayton No. 1?

His name is Luka Doncic, the Real Madrid star who is tearing up the EuroLeague at 19. ESPN's Fran Fraschilla recently said that Doncic has Gordon Hayward's athletic ability (and I'd add skill) and Manu Ginobili's brain.

No center has entered the NBA with a physique as impressive as Ayton's since Howard, and unlike Howard, he has an offensive skills package closer to that of an Embiid or a Towns.

Let's take a look at what Ayton could do in March to separate himself from Doncic. 

Drain Threes

Ayton is further along in his offensive development at this age than arguably anyone on the list below. Only Davis was a more efficient scorer in his one-and-done freshman season, and that was largely because his offensive workload was much smaller.

Ayton has shown off the ability to do just about anything. He can score off post-ups, shooting 60.2 percent in those situations, according to Synergy. He runs the floor hard and is excellent in transition; he's able to catch passes on the run and finish. His strength and ability to explode off the floor makes him nearly impossible to stop once he gets the ball within a few feet. He's shooting 84 percent at the rim, according to Hoop-Math.com.

His feel offensively is not at the level of Embiid's, but he does have good feel and is a capable passer.

While most players with his build—think Howard and even Oden—typically are not good shooters, he is. He shoots 43.2 percent on two-point jumpers, according to Hoop-Math.com, and he's made 11-of-32 (34.4 percent) three-pointers.

Ayton's range is limited. I'm not sure he could comfortably shoot an NBA three, but his stroke is fluid enough that there's hope.

It's also worth noting that Towns has turned into a steady three-point shooter, and Embiid and Davis are capable of hitting that shot. None of the three shot as well as Ayton has when they were in school.

Miller is typically hesitant to have his bigs shoot a lot of threes unless his name is Lauri Markkanen, but the the only thing Ayton has left to do offensively that would get scouts drooling is drain a bunch of threes. Since that's not likely, if he continues to shoot well from mid-range, NBA teams will be confident his jumper is part of the arsenal. 

Dominate Defensively

The defensive end is the area where most of the question marks come up.

Ayton plays for a coach who typically has dominant defensive teams, and the Wildcats rank 91st in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom.com. (It's the first time they've been outside the top 40 since 2011.)

A lot has been made about the difficult fit for Ayton, who is often forced to play out of position at power forward when he's alongside fellow center Dusan Ristic. This is a valid hypothesis for why the Wildcats have struggled, and the numbers show there is some merit to this argument.

In lineups that include Ayton at center without Ristic on the floor, the Wildcats improve defensively. They're also better with just Ristic and no Ayton.

Playing power forward has provided Ayton with some value, because he has shown he can guard away from the bucket. More importantly, especially in today's NBA, his ability to defend ball-screen situations is better than that of most centers.

The main concerns with Ayton are his instincts away from the ball and his poor shot-blocking numbers. With a 7'5" wingspan and his jumping ability, he should be a much better shot-blocker. That was an area where Embiid, Towns, Oden and Davis dominated in their lone college seasons.

There are some question marks around Doncic as well defensively, but instinctively he's a superior defender.

Ayton does have the physical tools to eventually become a plus defender, and if he and the Wildcats suddenly became dominant on that end during the tournament, that's the one way Doncic vs. Ayton might turn into a non-debate.

But outside of a troubling injury, there's nothing that could hurt Ayton's stock.

The Arizona Wildcats will have to reload for next season as they'll lose some key pieces to the NBA.

On Saturday night, Arizona coach Sean Miller revealed that Deandre Ayton, Allonzo Trier and Rawle Alkins will all turn pro after this season, per CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein.

The trio played a big role in the Wildcats' 24-7 record and second straight Pac-12 regular-season title.

Ayton had a season for the books. He broke Arizona's freshman scoring record, as Greg Hansen of the Arizona Daily Star noted:

The 7'1", 250-pound forward averaged a double-double (19.7 points and 11.1 rebounds) in his lone season in Tucson. Add in 61.2 percent shooting and 2.0 blocks per game, and it was an all-around great showing for the potential No. 1 overall pick.

Ayton has seen recent controversy, however, as ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach reported FBI wiretaps intercepted a conversation between Miller and Christian Dawkins, who discussed giving Ayton $100,000 to sign with Arizona. Miller denied the conversation took place, per Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman.

Trier also found himself in a tough situation recently, having been suspended (and later cleared) because of a failed drug test. He had also been suspended in 2016-17 for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

The 6'5" guard provided a nice on-court complement to Ayton. He averaged 19.5 points, 3.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game as a junior. Even more impressively, he shot 53.5 percent from the floor, 42.2 percent from beyond the arc and 85.6 percent from the line.

Not to be forgotten, Alkins averaged 13.7 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 37.8 percent from downtown. A foot injury limited him to 18 games this season, but he was effective when on the court.

Arizona will have to find a way to replace its top three leading scorers next season while Ayton and Co. ply their trade as pros.

Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller told reporters he got "emotional" when the home crowd at the McKale Center gave him a standing ovation before Thursday night's 75-67 win over the Stanford Cardinal. 

"I really didn't know what to think about it other than it was very, very emotional," Miller said, per ESPN.com's Myron Medcalf. "Tucson and our fans, they've always been the very, very best to my family and myself and have supported our basketball program like no other. And to see them do that is very emotional and something I'll never, ever forget."

Thursday's game marked Miller's return to the sideline after the school announced he wouldn't coach Feb. 24 versus Oregon. The Wildcats lost that game, 98-93. 

The move followed a report from ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach that Miller was overheard on an FBI wiretap discussing a $100,000 payment with Christian Dawkins "to ensure star freshman Deandre Ayton signed with the Wildcats."

Miller issued a statement at a press conference Thursday denying that account. 

"I have never knowingly violated NCAA rules while serving as head coach of this great program," Miller said, per USA Today's Tom Schad. "I have never paid a recruit or prospect or their family or representative to come to Arizona. I never have and I never will. I have never arranged or directed payment or any improper benefits to a recruit or a prospect or their family or representative, and I never will."

Shortly after Miller's press conference, Sports Illustrated's Michael McCann cited a source familiar with the FBI's investigation who said "details of a wiretapped phone call involving Miller were inaccurately reported" by ESPN. 

Specifically, McCann noted "relevant FBI wiretaps in the investigation did not begin until 2017—months after five-star recruit Deandre Ayton had already committed to Arizona in Sept. 2016." 247Sports also reported ESPN's information was inaccurate.

ESPN confirmed to 247Sports that it is standing by its reporting. 

In a separate statement Thursday, Arizona president Robert Robbins said the school has no plans to part ways with Miller. 

"At this time, we have no reason to believe that Coach Miller violated NCAA rules or any laws regarding the allegation reported in the media," Robbins said, according to ArizonaSports.com's Kevin Zimmerman. 

Allonzo Trier will reportedly be back on the floor Thursday when the Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team plays the Stanford Cardinal. 

Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com reported the news, noting Arizona announced Trier was cleared to play. The guard was declared ineligible on Feb. 22 after a failed drug test, although the school appealed the decision.  

Brian Hamilton of The Athletic shared a statement from Arizona when Trier was deemed ineligible that in part said a drug screening "revealed the reappearance of a trace amount of a banned substance":

Trier was also suspended during the 2016-17 campaign after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He won his appeal but was held out until the drug was cleared from his system and he passed a follow-up drug test.

The 6'5" junior guard is averaging a career-best 19.6 points per game this season as Arizona's second-leading scorer behind freshman big man Deandre Ayton. The Wildcats are coming off an overtime loss to Oregon on Saturday, but they are still atop the Pac-12 standings at 12-4, a half-game ahead of the USC Trojans.

Trier isn't the only one returning for Arizona, as head coach Sean Miller said he plans on returning for Thursday's contest and continuing to coach the team moving forward, per Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports.

Miller missed the loss to Oregon after ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach reported he was overheard talking to Christian Dawkins, a runner for a sports agent, on an FBI wiretap about a $100,000 payment to secure a commitment from Ayton.

The coach called the report "completely false" Thursday, per Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman, and Sports Illustrated's Michael McCann reported "details of a wiretapped phone call involving Miller were inaccurately reported."

With Trier and Miller back in tow, Arizona will look to clinch a Pac-12 regular-season title with two games remaining until the conference tournament.

University of Arizona president Robert C. Robbins publicly supported Arizona Wildcats head basketball coach Sean Miller in the wake of allegations Miller discussed a $100,000 payment related to freshman center Deandre Ayton's commitment to the school. 

"I believe that if the FBI had evidence that Coach Miller had done anything, that you would have seen him indicted," Robbins said Thursday, per Caitlin Schmidt of the Arizona Daily Star.

ESPN's Mark Schlabach reported the FBI had wiretaps of Miller discussing a payment for Ayton's commitment with Christian Dawkins, assistant to ASM Sports agent Andy Miller.

According to Schmidt, Robbins didn't deny the possibility of Miller being on an FBI wiretap:

Robbins added the university is behind both Miller and Ayton:

Robbins also said he doesn't believe Miller violated any laws or NCAA guidelines, per Schmidt, and that he expects Miller to coach Thursday's game against the Stanford Cardinal and remain on the sideline for the rest of the season. Miller didn't coach Arizona in the Wildcats' 98-93 loss to the Oregon Ducks last Saturday.

A Monday report from 247Sports' Evan Daniels, Brian Snow and Josh Gershon disputed the timeline in ESPN's reporting about the wiretaps, as did a Sports Illustrated report Thursday.

ESPN issued a pair of corrections, first reporting last Sunday the call between Dawkins and Miller about Ayton's recruitment occurred in 2016. However, the network followed up Thursday to confirm its initial report of the call happening in 2017.

According to 247Sports, the FBI's wiretaps had been limited to calls between June 19, 2017, and Sept. 25, 2017. By that time, Ayton was already a member of the Wildcats, signing with the school in November 2016.

The Sean Miller saga took another turn Thursday. 

Citing a source familiar with the FBI's ongoing probe into corruption and bribery in college basketball, Sports Illustrated's Michael McCann reported "details of a wiretapped phone call involving Miller were inaccurately reported" by ESPN.  

The story in question was first published by ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach, who reported Arizona's head basketball coach was overheard talking to Christian Dawkins on an FBI wiretap about a $100,000 payment for Deandre Ayton. 

According to McCann, "relevant FBI wiretaps in the investigation did not begin until 2017—months after five-star recruit Deandre Ayton had already committed to Arizona in Sept. 2016."

Evan Daniels, Brian Snow and Josh Gershon of 247Sports first reported the wiretapped calls referenced were made between June 19 and Sept. 25 of last year and not during Ayton's recruitment. 

Miller issued a statement Thursday at a press conference and denied any wrongdoing. 

"I have never knowingly violated NCAA rules while serving as head coach of this great program," Miller said. "I have never paid a recruit or prospect or their family or representative to come to Arizona. I never have and I never will. I have never arranged or directed payment or any improper benefits to a recruit or a prospect or their family or representative, and I never will."

Miller was also adamant he never spoke to Dawkins about paying Ayton to secure his commitment to the Wildcats. 

"Let me be very, very clear: I have never discussed with Christian Dawkins paying Deandre Ayton to attend the University of Arizona," he said. "In fact, I never even met or spoke to Christian Dawkins until after Deandre publicly announced that he was coming to our school. Any reporting to the contrary is inaccurate, false and defamatory."

ESPN said Thursday it stands by its reporting in response to Miller's comments.

Arizona head coach Sean Miller made his first public comments Thursday in the midst of the reported payment scandal involving freshman star Deandre Ayton. 

Per ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach, FBI wiretaps intercepted a conversation between Miller and Christian Dawkins discussing a $100,000 payment to Ayton in an effort to ensure he played basketball for the Wildcats.

Miller said Schlabach's report is "completely false," per Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman.  

He also denied ever discussing Ayton in a conversation with Dawkins, per CBS Sports' Seth Davis. 

"Compliance with NCAA rules is extremely important to us...I have never knowingly violated NCAA rules while serving as head coach of this great program," Miller said, via Brian Hamilton of The Fieldhouse.

Per Ari Alexander of KVOA News 4, Miller will remain with Arizona and coach the team. 

Arizona president Robert Robbins also met with the media to support Miller's comments.

Per Caitlin Schmidt of the Tucson Star, Robbins told reporters the school has no reason to believe Miller violated any laws or NCAA rules. He added he believes the FBI could have wiretapped conversations with Miller. 

"I do believe that there are wiretapped conversations that the FBI may have with Coach Miller on there, along with hundreds of other coaches across the country," Robbins said.

Robbins also said he believed if the FBI had evidence against Miller, the Wildcats head coach would have been indicted. 

Robbins said Ayton has Arizona's complete support and the FBI has discovered in interviews with him that neither he nor his family received any benefits. 

"Ayton obviously is a very talented basketball player, but he's also a remarkable young man. The way he carries himself is exemplary," he said.

ESPN stated after Miller's press conference that it "stands by its reporting on Miller and the FBI investigation."

Miller didn't coach Arizona in its game against Oregon on Feb. 24 in light of Schlabach's report. 

"I believe it is in the best interest of our team that I not coach the game tonight," he said in a statement, via Sports Illustrated's Daniel Rapaport. "I continue to fully support the University's efforts to fully investigate this matter and am confident that I will be vindicated. For now, my thoughts are with our team. They are a great group of young men that will support each other and continue their pursuit of winning a Pac-12 championship."

When asked why Miller didn't coach in that game, Robbins said the school didn't have all the details at the time and felt it was best for Miller to return to Tucson as Arizona conducted an investigation.

Per ESPN.com's Myron Medcalf, Arizona's board of regents has called for a special meeting at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday to discuss "legal advice and discussion regarding University of Arizona men's basketball and the multiple-year employment contract for the head men's basketball coach."

Sarah Harper, Arizona board of regents spokesperson, told Medcalf that the meeting is "not noticed for any action" regarding Miller's employment status with the university. 

Miller has been head basketball coach at Arizona since the 2009-10 season. The 49-year-old has led the program to five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including back-to-back trips to the Elite Eight in 2014 and 2015.      

The University of Arizona's board of regents will hold a meeting Thursday to discuss the contract of head men's basketball coach Sean Miller.

According to ESPN.com's Myron Medcalf, the board issued an agenda notice that said the meeting is for "legal advice and discussion regarding University of Arizona men's basketball and the multiple-year employment contract for the head men's basketball coach."

Board spokesperson Sarah Harper told Medcalf that no final determination will be made on Miller's future with the school during Thursday's meeting.

Last week, ESPN's Mark Schlabach reported that FBI wiretaps intercepted a conversation between Miller and ASM Sports agency worker Christian Dawkins in which they discussed paying center Deandre Ayton $100,000 to commit to Arizona.

Miller did not coach the Wildcats in their 98-93 loss to Oregon last week. In a statement released before the game, Miller said it was "in the best interests of the team" to sit out.

Ayton remains eligible, and he continues to be a leading candidate for National College Player of the Year honors, with per-game averages of 19.9 points and 11.2 rebounds.

According to Medcalf, Miller is signed through 2022 at a salary of $2.6 million per season.

The 49-year-old is in the midst of his ninth season at Arizona, and the team owns a 242-73 record during his tenure.

The Wildcats have reached the NCAA tournament six times under his leadership, including five Sweet 16 appearances and three trips to the Elite Eight.

Arizona is 22-7 this season, and it holds a half-game lead over USC for first place in the Pac-12.