Arizona Basketball: Sean Miller Catches Everyone up to Speed

Aside from discussing all of the incoming players, and those returning, Miller touch based on the style of play to expect, and adjustments they’ll be making to cater to the strengths of this team.

“None of these guys are relegated to playing just one position, aside from Parker Jackson-Cartwright. We have to be able to have four perimeter players and one big on the court, and no bigs with two forwards and three perimeter players. It all comes down to who is ready, and who performs the best.” – Miller

Specifically, Miller pointed out the three high-profile guards of Kobi Simmons, Rawle Alkins, and Terrance Ferguson. They are the three perimeter players the coaches expect the most out of for this team.

With so much talent, the question on our minds is how will Miller work them all in? Miller hinted that we should expect to see a different flow from previous years. “We’re always on a quest to be better than we were. But having the ability to play a style, and a system, that puts our best team on the court, our best guys, and allows these guys to grow. We’re really on that path to doing so.”

When Miller was asked about the excitement heading into this season compared to earlier years, and the excitement with such a new crew, Miller responded by acknowledging this year being a major change.

“This year does mark a wholesale change. There is an excitement, and with that, some anxiousness. Guys like Allonzo Trier, Dusan, Ray Smith, how they embrace these players, the chemistry, will set the tone for this group moving forward. Some of the teams who will end up in Phoenix in the Final Four are at the same stage, considering who they’ve lost and who’s coming in. This is a big 4-5 months for that group (Chance, Dusan, Keanu, Lauri, Ray).”

The one subject Miller brought up before anyone could ask was the non-conference schedule. This has been a topic discussed a lot lately, and there is a lot of negative feelings from the fans and media. Miller was hoping to answer all the questions and give an in-depth insight into what the process is like.

“There isn’t a coaching staff in the country who works more on the non-conference schedule than us. That does not fall on deaf ears. Looking at our home schedule, I know it’s not attractive. The top flight of college basketball is playing less home and away games, but more neutral sites. I wish we could stay with the same model we’ve had. You get more value than playing at home, but not as much as playing a true away game. We’re judged in March on how we play on a neutral court, so let’s get used to that feeling.”

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Miller and his staff have a lot of youth, but they are confident, mature, and ready to work. I believe we’ll see a new style of offense, aside from the small-ball lineup they could use on any given night. But the difference this year compared to last is they have the ability to adapt to their opponent, example Oregon. This could be the most excited I’ve been about a season in a long time. Bear Down!

NOTES

• Miller was asked to speak on Elliott Pitts: “Nobody wishes him well more than me. I can’t comment on anything else. He finished his academic year, and left in good academic standing, and I wish him well.”
• Miller was asked about the court/field storming ruling: “I think it’s a really smart decision for the Pac-12 conference as a whole. It’s not just the ‘Sean Miller Rule.’ It protects the student-athlete, and that’s what this is all about. I think it’s very fair and very smart, showing a great level of cooperation. Smart move for years to come.”
• Miller was asked about the conference as a whole: “They (Oregon) have a chance, and the makings, of an equally good team to last year with who they have coming back. I’m anxious to see the NBA draft. I can’t imagine another conference have any more top picks than our conference. And with who’s returning, I bet we’ll see 7 or more in the tournament again, and have better results.”
• Miller was asked to elaborate on non-conference opponents: “Our overall non-conference schedule will be as challenging as any team in the nation. We play Michigan State, we’re finishing up a deal playing Texas A&M in Houston this year, we play Gonzaga, and Grand Canyon — and Dan Majerle has done a phenomenal job, and they will be a tough opponent. We are in talks finishing up a series with UCONN and one with Baylor.”