Mississippi Coach Evans Says No to Offer From LSU

Rob Evans will remain coach at Mississippi, bypassing an offer from Louisiana State.

“The overriding theme with me was our players,” Evans said. “I just didn’t feel like I could walk away from these kids when they have shown so much trust and loyalty in me.”

Without any seniors this season, the Rebels went 20-9, won the Southeastern Conference Western Division title and advanced to the NCAA tournament for only the second time in school history.

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Sherman Dillard, a former assistant coach under Lefty Driesell at Maryland, was hired to succeed Driesell at James Madison. Dillard, 41, has coached the last three seasons at Indiana State, leading the Sycamores to a 29-52 record. . . . Purdue Coach Gene Keady said his pursuit of a national championship is one reason he’s intrigued by the opening at Ohio State. “That’s about all I have left to accomplish. I think that could happen there,” he told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. “I think it can happen here too, but I think it can be done easier in Ohio than it can in some states.” Ohio State is searching for a replacement for Randy Ayers, who was fired after eight seasons.