Miller to remain Arizona coach

When Arizona hastily called a news conference Thursday afternoon, it appeared coach Sean Miller’s tenure in Tucson could be coming to an end.

Instead, the coach vehemently denied a report claiming he discussed a six-figure payment to a recruit. Less than three hours later, the school president announced Miller will remain the Wildcats coach.

“We have no reason to believe Miller violated NCAA rules or the law,” university President Robert C. Robbins. “We will continue to pursue every avenue of inquiry available to us during this active and federal investigation to fully understand the facts.”

ESPN reported last Friday, using anonymous sources, that the FBI had Miller on a wiretap discussing a $100,000 payment to Wildcats freshman Deandre Ayton to attend the school. Miller made a statement to the media inside Arizona’s McKale Center, denying the report and saying he looked forward to shifting his focus back to basketball.

“There was no such conversation,” Miller said. “These statements have damaged me, my family, the university, Deandre Ayton and his incredible family.”

Porter getting closer:

Missouri F Michael Porter Jr. is another step closer to a possible return.

Tigers coach Cuonzo Martin said the 6-foot-10 freshman will practice for the rest of the week and will be a game-time decision against Arkansas on Saturday.

“It really comes down to how Mike feels,” Martin said. “We’ll go from there.”

Porter was cleared to return to all basketball activities Feb. 22 and didn’t play in Missouri’s last two games despite appearing in warmups.

Michigan survives:

Duncan Robinson hit a goahead 3-pointer with 2:15 left in overtime as the No. 15 Wolverines (25-7) survived foul trouble and poor shooting to beat Iowa 77-71 and advance to the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals in New York. Charles Matthews had 16 points for Michigan while Tyler Cook and Luka Garza each scored 13 points for the Hawkeyes (14-19).