You knew as soon as the report leaked about Arizona coach Sean Miller being caught on wiretap discussing a $100,000 payment to secure recruit Deandre Ayton, fans would be all over the Wildcats. And that was the case on Saturday night in Eugene.
Oregon Ducks fans came well prepared to taunt Ayton. Some fans were even shown on TV by ESPN holding up a sign resembling a check. The check was made out to Ayton for $100,000 and had Miller’s name in the signature area.
PHENOMENAL sign behind Walton/Pasch tonight in #Oregon #SeanMiller pic.twitter.com/NWtiJYuX00
— TJ Rives (@BucSidelineGuy) February 25, 2018
On top of that, another fan was carrying an oversized 100 Grand bar.
Awesome "100 Grand" candy bar sign brought in by Oregon student to Arizona game.#DeAndreAyton pic.twitter.com/XvtFRemulS
— Lee Miller (@LeeMillerElite) February 25, 2018
The Arizona Daily Star’s Bruce Pascoe reports that Ayton was booed when he touched the ball early in the game. Pascoe also says other signs in the crowd called Arizona “U of Pay.” Oregon fans were well prepared.
In the face of the accusations, an attorney for Ayton’s family released a statement Saturday night saying that Ayton told the FBI six months ago that he never discussed payments with anyone. The statement also said Ayton attended Arizona because of his family ties to Phoenix.
It’s all fun and games until it’s your program under the microscope. From the sounds of things, many more programs need to be worried.
