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IUPUI to introduce Jason Gardner

INDIANAPOLIS -- IUPUI hired former Arizona star Jason Gardner as its new basketball coach Monday.

The school said it would introduce Gardner at a news conference Wednesday. He replaces Todd Howard, who was fired after going 26-70 in three seasons.

Gardner, the 2009 Indiana Mr. Basketball, served as an assistant coach on Josh Pastner's staff at Memphis. Before that he served as an assistant at Loyola of Chicago.

Wherever Gardner has been, he has excelled. He won the Class 4A state title and the short-lived Tournament of Champions crown as a senior at North Central on Indianapolis' north side. He was the 2000 national freshman of the year and the 2003 Naismith Award winner, and led the Wildcats to the 2001 national championship game. He also played professionally overseas for eight seasons.