PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns appear close to hiring Jeff Hornacek as their head coach. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Sunday that the Suns are in contract negotiations with Hornacek, although no deal has been finalized. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no public announcement had been made. The comments came after azcentralsports, which includes the Arizona Republic, reported Sunday that Hornacek reached agreement on a three-year contract. If all goes as anticipated, Hornacek would be introduced at a news conference Tuesday. Hornacek, assistant coach for the Utah Jazz, played six seasons for the Suns and was part of the trade that sent Charles Barkley to the Suns from Philadelphia. Hornacek went on to have his best pro seasons as a sharpshooting guard alongside John Stockton in the Utah backcourt. He replaces interim coach Lindsey Hunter, who took over the team when Alvin Gentry and the club agreed to part ways in mid-January. Hunter was strongly backed by general manager Lance Blanks, who was fired at the end of the season and replaced by ex-Boston Celtics assistant general manager Ryan McDonough. The survivor in the revamped cast is Lon Babby, who got a two-year contract extension as president of basketball operations. The 50-year-old Hornacek faces a daunting task rebuilding a once-successful franchise that compiled the worst record in the Western Conference and second-worst in franchise history at 27-55 last season. Only the franchises inaugural season was worse. The first chance to improve the roster will come when the Suns make the fifth pick in next months draft. They also have the 30th selection. Attempts will be made to improve through free agency but the team is saddled with contracts with some players who will be hard to move. Hornacek also interviewed for the Charlotte job but Phoenix had an inside track because of his past ties to the organization and because he still has a home in the area. Hornacek played 14 seasons in the NBA after being drafted late in the second by Phoenix. He eventually became part of a high-scoring backcourt with point guard Kevin Johnson, but he was sent away in the blockbuster Barkley deal. Hornacek spent less than two seasons with the 76ers before being traded to Utah, where he played alongside John Stockton for six-plus seasons, helping the team twice reach the NBA Finals. Hornacek averaged 14.5 points per game, topped by a career-best 20.1 points in 1992, his final season with Phoenix. He retired from the game in 2000 and after working with the Jazz in various roles became a full-time assistant coach in 2011.Air Max 200 Schweiz . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". Air Max 200 Damen . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. http://www.vapormaxkaufenschweiz.com/vapormax-herren-schweiz.html . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Air Max 200 Herren . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. Air Max 200 Outlet . PAUL, Minn.HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer took a few minutes during the third quarter to give a spirited lecture to star guard Victoria Vivians as she sat on the bench following a few bad plays.There was really no need to hurry. Breanna Richardson made sure the Bulldogs would be just fine.Richardson scored a season-high 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead No. 5 Mississippi State over Southern Mississippi 72-50 on Saturday.The performance made for two special days in a row for Richardson.Im proud of that kid, Schaefer said. We were at graduation last night. She and I didnt roll in here until 12:30 this morning. For her to come back and play after graduating last night is kind of appropriate. She really played well -- aggressive and physical underneath.Chinwe Okorie added 18 points for the Bulldogs.Mississippi State (9-0) never trailed, jumping out to a 21-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.The Bulldogs exploited their considerable size advantage in the post during the early run, with the 6-foot-1 Richardson and 6-foot-5 Okorie converting easy opportunities.Southern Miss (7-2) cut the lead to single digits a few times in the second and third quarters, but couldnt hit enough shots to make things close. Brittanny Dinkins led the Golden Eagles with 18 points.We just couldnt ever get over that hump, Southern Miss coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. But Im proud of how we fought. Weve just got to sharpen up the mental side of it so when we play these types of teams we can overcome some frustration.Mississippi State won handily despite a subpar game from Vivians, who finished with 11 points on 5 of 15 shooting. Richardson was there to pick up the slack, shooting 7 of 9 from the field.ddddddddddddI actually shocked myself, Richardson said. I honestly didnt know I had that many points and rebounds. I just came out, felt good, got into the rhythm of the game and played hard.SCHAEFER SCOLDS DEFENSESchaefer made it clear he was disappointed in the play of Morgan William, Roshunda Johnson and Vivians, the teams three starting guards, especially on the defensive end.Its the worst defensive team Ive ever had, Schaefer said. I know we held them to 50, but our lack of commitment defensively really irritates me.NO OUTSIDE SHOTMississippi State won despite just making 1 of 11 3-point attempts. Before Saturday, the fewest 3-pointers the Bulldogs had made in a game this season was two against Texas.BIG PICTUREMississippi State: The Bulldogs continue to plow through their nonconference schedule without a loss. This wasnt Mississippi States best performance -- especially by the guards -- but the team continues to find ways to score even when the outside shots arent falling.Southern Miss: The Golden Eagles have had a lot of success so far during nonconference play, but Mississippi State was a huge step up in competition. Southern Miss had solid guard play for most of the game, but couldnt keep the Bulldogs from getting easy inside looks.UP NEXTMississippi State: The Bulldogs travel to play Arkansas-Little Rock on Tuesday.Southern Miss: Southern Miss is off for more than a week before playing California in the Puerto Rico Classic on Dec. 19.---Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP ' ' '