Memphis chooses Hardaway as coach

Former Memphis All-American Penny Hardaway is returning to his alma mater as its men’s basketball coach.

Memphis will announce Hardaway as its coach Tuesday, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press. Memphis has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday.

Hardaway, 46, will replace Tubby Smith, who was fired after going 40-26 in two seasons.

Hardaway is a four-time NBA All-Star who will make his college coaching debut. He starred for Memphis teams that posted a combined 43-23 record and made consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 1992 and 1993.

After retiring from the NBA, Hardaway went into coaching. He built a top AAU program and coached Memphis East High School to three state titles after coaching a middle school team.

Purdue coach Matt Painter said he does not expect starting center Isaac Haas to play again this season — even if the NCAA approves a brace to protect his fractured right elbow.

The 7-foot-2 senior was injured in an NCAA Tournament win over Cal State Fullerton. Team trainers fitted Haas with a large brace to protect his arm and he worked out with his teammates Saturday but he was wearing a brace that would not have allowed him to play for safety reasons.

The Boilermakers play Texas Tech on Friday in Boston in a Sweet 16 game.

Charlotte hired Virginia associate head coach Ron Sanchez as its head coach. Sanchez has been an integral part of two-time national coach of the year Tony Bennett’s staff for 12 years, helping build Washington State and Virginia into national powers.