Sean Miller of Xavier has accepted the head coaching job at Arizona, ending the Wildcats' sometimes frustrating search for a high-profile replacement for Hall of Famer Lute Olson.

The university announced the hiring yesterday after a confusing few hours in which it was first reported by several media outlets that Miller had turned down the job.

The 40-year-old coach met with Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski and informed the school he was leaving after five years, then told the players in a meeting later in the afternoon.

"I did my best to follow my heart," Miller said.

He was scheduled to be introduced today at a news conference in Tucson.

Miller led the Musketeers to the Elite Eight last year and received a contract extension through the 2017-18 season. Xavier reached the round of 16 again this season.

The hiring came four days after Tim Floyd turned down Arizona's offer and decided to remain at Southern California.

In a news release, Arizona said terms of the contract would be available at today's news conference. It is believed the school was offering at least $2 million per year and may have sweetened the proposal to seal the deal.

Olson took a leave of absence in the 2007-08 season but planned to return last fall. Just before the season started, he retired for health reasons.

Russ Pennell took over as interim coach with the understanding that he would not be Olson's permanent replacement.

MEMPHIS

ASSISTANT PROMOTED

Memphis has hired Josh Pastner, an assistant under John Calipari, as the Tigers' new basketball coach, a school spokesman said yesterday.

The university scheduled a news conference for noon Central today to introduce the 31-year-old Pastner, said athletics spokesman Bob Winn.

Calipari left Memphis for Kentucky last week after nine seasons with the Tigers.

Pastner worked one year under Calipari after six years as an assistant at Arizona, where he also played.

Memphis finished 33-4 this season.

ELSEWHERE

Wooden Award: Tyler Hansbrough has a chance to repeat as the John R. Wooden Award winner. The North Carolina senior, Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair and Oklahoma's Blake Griffin were named finalists yesterday for the award given to the men's college basketball player of the year.

Maya Moore of Connecticut and Courtney Paris of Oklahoma were selected as finalists for the women's award. The winners will be announced Friday at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

Washington State: A Washington State official has told The Associated Press the school has hired Portland State's Ken Bone to be its basketball coach. Bone would replace Tony Bennett, who last week left for Virginia.

Florida State: Leonard Hamilton is staying at Florida State after agreeing to a new five-year deal. Hamilton, 60, is 131-96 in seven seasons at Florida State after taking the school to its first NCAA tournament in 11 years.

Boston U: Boston University has hired Patrick Chambers, the associate head coach at Villanova, to be the school's next basketball coach. He succeeds Dennis Wolff, who was fired last month.