Top 5 Fan Favorite Players of the Sean Miller Era

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3. T.J. McConnell 

T.J. McConnell loved playing at McKale Center.  During his college career he only lost one game at the famous arena.

It was 2011.  McConnell, at the time, played for Duquesne.  The Cats beat T.J’s squad that night but something about Tucson rubbed off on the point guard with East Coast roots.  

Luckily he transferred the next season and led the Cats to two straight Elite Eight appearances.  The fans loved McConnell and he loved the fans.  He would often brag about the Arizona Basketball fan base, and how they were the best fans in the country.

McConnell was one of those players you loved if he was on your team, but hated if he wasn’t.  T.J.’s tenacity and confidence made him look cocky to opposing fans, but Arizona fans ate it up.  

One of the saddest things I have ever seen in Arizona Basketball history was at this year’s Elite Eight, when a tearful T.J. came off the court for the last time and embraced Sean Miller.  He apologized to Coach Miller for not taking him to the Final Four.  

T.J. had nothing to apologize about.  His leadership and play took the program back to heights it had not seen in many years.  T.J. will go down as one of the best point guards to play at Arizona.  I hope an NBA team gives him a shot,  to show off his skills at the next level.

Next: No. 2 : Nick Johnson