Tennessee State Set to Fire Richardson

Tennessee State wants to fire basketball Coach Nolan Richardson III, who told campus police he brought a gun into the gym after an argument with an assistant coach on Christmas night.

Richardson, son of former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson, was indefinitely suspended Dec. 26. Athletic Director Teresa Phillips said he was suspended “pending termination proceedings.”

He is “not allowed on the campus premises, nor is he allowed any contact with athletics personnel,” she said in a statement.

Phillips filed a complaint with university police that was obtained by Associated Press on Tuesday. Bringing a weapon on the campus violates Tennessee law and is grounds for immediate dismissal.

Only four Tigers showed for practice Christmas night, and Richardson was upset that more did not attend, the report said. He blamed it on a misunderstanding by assistant coach Hosea Lewis.

*

Arizona forward Luke Walton expects to return Thursday night against Washington State after sitting out four games because of another sprained ankle.

The 6-foot-8, 245-pound senior has sprained his right ankle four times this season, most recently on Dec. 30 in the second-ranked Wildcats’ win over Boston University for the Fiesta Bowl Classic championship.

*

Virginia Coach Pete Gillen apologized for criticizing Atlantic Coast Conference officials after a 75-63 loss to North Carolina State over the weekend.

“I was frustrated and I was just trying to point out some things,” Gillen said. “But I didn’t do it in the right manner and through the right channels and I apologize for that. I was wrong.”

*

Jason Parker, the high school All-American who began his college career at Kentucky, has been given medical clearance to start working out with South Carolina, Gamecock Coach Dave Odom said. Parker, who is recovering from torn knee ligaments, still has some academic hurdles to clear before he can suit up.