Montini: Sean Miller says he's innocent, but would you send your star recruit to UA?

University of Arizona basketball coach Sean Miller aggressively and assertively proclaimed his innocence at his press conference Thursday.

Does it matter?

To him, personally, yes.

But what about the university's basketball program?

ESPN is not backing down

In response to Miller's denial ESPN, which first reported that Miller discussed a pay-for-play arrangement for a recruit, issued a statement that reads in part:

Sources told ESPN's Mark Schlabach last week that FBI wiretaps intercepted phone conversations between Miller and Christian Dawkins, an employee for ASM Sports agent Andy Miller. According to sources familiar with the government's evidence, Sean Miller and Dawkins discussed paying $100,000 to ensure that Deandre Ayton would sign with the Wildcats.

Miller and Dawkins had multiple conversations about Ayton, sources told ESPN. When Dawkins asked Miller if he should work with assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson to finalize their agreement, Miller told Dawkins he should deal directly with him when it came to money, the sources said.

The Arizona coach did not mention ESPN by name in his comments Thursday and did not take questions after making his statement.

ESPN stands by its reporting on Miller and the FBI investigation.

What this means, essentially, is that the issue is still up in the air.

Which begs the question, if your kid was a star basketball player would you send him to UA?

So, would you send your kid to UA?

Earlier this week, Shareef O’Neal, the highly-recruited son of NBA great Shaquille O’Neal decommitted to UA and signed with UCLA.

It’s not like the news about UA is completely out of the blue.

One of Miller’s assistant coaches, Emanuel “Book" Richardson, was one of four NCAA assistant basketball coaches who last year were arrested by the FBI for corruption and bribery involving agents and players.

Miller proclaims his innocence.

ESPN stands by its story.

Dealing with that dark cloud overhead

The Arizona’s basketball program remains under a dark cloud.

Would you send your kid there?

If you’re like Shaq, you wouldn’t.

And if Miller can’t draw top recruits should UA keep him as coach?

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