from USA Today...

Xavier guard Mark Lyons is headed to Arizona to complete his final year of eligibility. Lyons, a fifth-year senior, is expected to play immediately because there is no mandatory redshirt year for graduate students. Lyons confirmed the decision to transfer to Arizona on Twitter.

The move makes sense for Lyons, who originally committed to then-Xavier coach Sean Miller. Miller took the Arizona head coaching gig prior to the 2009-10 season. The Wildcats also needed a point guard since freshman guard Josiah Turner left the program (and is now headed to SMU).

COMPLETE STORY

College Hoops xavier musketeers, arizona wildcats, mark lyons, sean miller

from the Tuscon Citizen:

Arizona has another Miller on board in the basketball office.

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

Miller, 31, brings seven years of coaching and administrative experience to his brother's staff, including the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State under Thad Motta. The Buckeyes posted a 22-11 record in 2008-09, were the runners-up in the Big Ten tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

"This is a very exciting opportunity for me for several reasons," said Miller. "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.

COMPLETE ARTICLE 

College Hoops arizona wildcats, sean miller, archie miller

Several sources are now reporting that assistant coach Chris Mack has been promoted to replace Sean Miller as the men's basketball head coach at Xavier University.

Miller left Xavier last week to succeed Lute Olson at Arizona. Almost immediately, Mack was tabbed as the leading candidate, and his position was strengthened when Miller -- plus most of the players and recruits -- endorsed the 39-year-old assistant, according to CBSSports.com.

Mack was unavailable for comment but said in a release that he was “honored to be named the new head coach.”

“I have enjoyed being a part of our recent success and I am even more excited about Xavier’s potential for the future as we continue to solidify ourselves as one of the elite programs in all of college basketball,” Mack said.

The official announcement will come at a press conference at 1 p.m. on Wednesday (WATCH LIVE) in the Conaton Board Room in Schmidt Hall on the Xavier University campus.

COMPLETE STORY

College Hoops xavier, xavier musketeers, xu, chris mack, sean miller

The Xavier Musketeers are now on the clock.  The Arizona Wildcats have snatched up the programs latest shooting star in head coach, Sean Miller.  Now the nations top non BCS basketball coaching position becomes open.
 
Like his predecessors before him (Matta, Prosser, Gillen and Stack), Miller did not leave the cupboard bare on Herald Avenue.  Xavier is built to make a run into the third week of the Big Dance over the next two to three years due to his efforts.
 
The program will survive but now it has leverage when selecting their next choice as head coach.  Suitors are going to come calling in droves but in the end University is going to make the correct choice to keep the momentum in forward progress.  It is what they do.  It is the Xavier way.
 
Here is a look at some of the top choices for the Musketeers head coaching job...
 
John Groce – Ohio University head coach:  Director of Basketball Operations under Thad Matta, at  Xavier.  He followed Matta to Ohio State as an assistant before taking over the Bobcats last seasons.  He has always been part of winning programs but he was 15-17 in his first year at the Bobcats helm.  Being second fiddle is sometimes better that being  topdog.  The jury is still out about his leadership skills.
 
Chris Mack – Xavier assistant coach:  Player and “Last of the Mohican’s” from the Musketeers MCC days, he is pedigree.  Having been Skip Prosser’s staff at Wake Forest and Miller’s here in Cincinnati makes him a logical choice.  Only set back is that he has never been a head coach.
 
Fran McCaffery – Siena head coach:  has led his squad into the second round of the NCAA tournament the past two seasons.  He is 85-44 in four years with the Saints but is a 15 year veteran of Division I coaching.  Those leadership skills look good on a team that is poised for a deep run in NCCA post-season the next several years.  He just might be to old for the mold.
 
Brad Stephens – Butler head coach:  He is young, confident and runs a program that is set up to emulate the Xavier blueprint.  Has the charisma to take this future squad to the Final Four. The next up and coming coach at all levels.  If Xavier goes after him it will be interesting to see if Butler will step up to the big stage and better the offer.

Brad Brownell – head coach Wright State:  Here is a quiet star at the right age and experience to be successful at his next stop on the ladder. He is an excellent fundamentals teacher and that is a big plus in Xavier’s eyes.  He is 147-73 seven years as a head coach.  He went 80-43 at UNC-Wilmington with two NCAA berths before coming to the Raiders.

fran mccaffery, siena head coach, john groce, ohio university head coach, sean miller, xavier university head coach, chris mack, brad stephens, butler head coach, brad brownell, wright state head coach, xavier musketeers, sean miller, arizona wildcats, thad matta

Yahoo! Sports reported today that Xavier basketball coach Sean Miller has accepted Arizona's offer to become its new coach, one day after reportedly turning the offer down.

The Yahoo report stated Miller told Arizona he would be remaining at Xavier late last night, then asked if he could to sleep on the decision. He then informed XU athletic director Mike Bobinski of his decision today at noon.

The Enquirer has multiple calls in to Bobinski, who has not answered.

College Hoops arizona, xavier, sean miller

Update from CBSSports.com:

Sean Miller, after meeting with his family and staff late Sunday, decided to reject an offer from Arizona and remain at Xavier, sources have told CBSSports.com.

Miller flew on a private plane to Albuquerque, N.M., then drove to Sante Fe, N.M., early Sunday to meet with Arizona president Robert Shelton, athletic director Jim Livengood and a high-powered booster named Paul Weitman. The meeting lasted roughly four hours, and when Miller returned to Cincinnati he was described by a source as about "50-50" in terms of staying at Xavier or leaving for the Pac-10.

Late Sunday, that changed. Miller will return for a sixth season at Xavier.

COMPLETE ARTICLE

College Hoops xavier, xavier musketeers, xu, sean miller, arizona

GETSPORTRADIO.COM - Hoop Scoop (mp3) - Get the latest college hoops talk and tournament outlooks

The Xavier Musketeers were impressive to say the least in their Senior Night thumping of their arch rivals, the Dayton Flyers, as they cruised to a 76-59 victory.

The win locked up the Muskies' third straight A-10 title and ensured them the top seed in next week's conference tournament. Still, even if XU rolls through the A-10 tournament they don't seem to figure to be anything higher than a No. 4 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Both Joe Lunardi's Bracketology on ESPN.com and CollegeHoops.net's version have Sean Miller's group as the No. 4 seed.

It's not a good to spot to be in. With one regular season contest left and the conference tournament ahead, Xavier has nothing to gain. They can lose ground or worse yet key players, but gaining any ground will be hard to do.

Winning games and crossing off goals is all that Xavier has left to do, let's just hope they can avoid a letdown or injuries.

I guess it could be worse you could be a Kentucky or UC fan. They are sitting on the outside looking in both prognostications.

College Hoops xavier, xavier musketeers, xu, sean miller, bracketology

Here's an official press release from Xavier University:

Head coach Sean Miller announced today that 6-4 sophomore guard Jordan Crawford has transferred to Xavier University. Crawford has signed a scholarship agreement with Xavier University. Crawford played in 30 games last season as a freshman at Indiana University.

Jordan Crawford is an exceptionally talented player," said Miller. "He is extremely versatile, which will allow him to play with numerous combinations of players on the floor. He is also a great competitor that has proven himself against the best competition at the highest level of college basketball. Jordan will make a significant impact in our program and will add to our tradition of successful Hargrave Military Academy graduates that have attended Xavier - David West and Stanley Burrell."

Crawford played in 30 games, starting eight times, as an IU freshman in the 2007-08 while logging 25.3 minutes per game. Crawford averaged 9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as a freshman, while helping the Hoosiers finish 25-8 overall and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. He scored in double figures 15 times, including a career-high 21 at Northwestern and 20 against Kentucky in a pair of wins. In fact, IU recorded a 13-2 record when Crawford scored in double figures.

College Hoops xavier, jordan crawford, sean miller

The Xavier Musketeers extended the contact of the men's basketball head coach Sean Miller, adding 10 years to existing contract which will now extend through the 2018 season. Miller led Xavier to an Elite Eight appearance in 2008 and 93-39 mark in his four years at the helm for the Muskies.

Here's the release from the school:
Xavier University Associate Vice President and Athletic Director Mike Bobinski announced today that the University and head men’s basketball coach Sean Miller have agreed to an extended contract that will run through the 2017-18 season. The 39-year-old Miller, who had a six-year contract when he was hired on July 8, 2004, is receiving his third contract extension and the longest ever given to a Xavier University head coach.

The new deal is a 10-year agreement beginning in the 2008-09 season and running through the 2017-18 season. “This agreement represents an unprecedented commitment by Xavier University to head coach Sean Miller,” said Bobinski. “It reflects our strong belief in Sean’s leadership of our basketball program and further solidifies our mutual desire to achieve success at the highest level of Division I basketball.”

“I would like to thank (Xavier University President) Fr. Michael Graham and Mike Bobinski for their incredible support of our basketball program and continued belief in me as the head coach,” Miller said in a statement.

“Today’s commitment reinforces my own beliefs and excitement about our future together. With great anticipation I look forward to continuing to build our program and the challenges that accompany doing so.”

College Hoops xavier, sean miller, mike bobinski

This press release was issued by the school on Friday: 

Xavier University men’s basketball head coach Sean Miller announced today that junior center Charles Bronson has decided to transfer from XU.

“I want to thank Coach Miller and his staff for the opportunity I was given at Xavier,” said Bronson. “My goal in coming to Xavier was to graduate and play basketball in hopes of continuing my playing career beyond college. In my post season meeting with Coach Miller a mutual decision was reached to transfer from Xavier to a program where I’ll be able to achieve those goals. I am on track to graduate and the opportunity to earn playing time at another program is what led to this decision. I want to thank my teammates, coaches and the Xavier community for their continued support as I move forward with my college career.”

Bronson played in 16 games this season, his first as a Musketeer, while averaging 2.1 points and 1.1 rebounds in 4.3 minutes per games. The highlight of his season came when he hit 4-of-5 from the field en route to a career-high 11 points against Virginia.

********************
Bronson's departure creates the needed scholarship for transfer Terrell Holloway, who is leaving Indiana to play point guard for Xavier next season.

College Hoops xavier, charles bronson, sean miller, terrell holloway