Arizona Basketball: Sean Miller and Xavier Head Coach Chris Mack Meet Again in Sweet 16
By David Rosen
Former Xavier coach Sean Miller will face his former assistant coach Chris Mack this Thursday in the Sweet 16. The winner will advance for a chance to go to the Final Four.
Their paths cross again! The two former friends, Sean Miller and Chris Mack, meet again in the same round, three years later! The last time these two met in the NCAA Tournament was in 2015, in the Sweet 16. T.J. McConnell led the Arizona Wildcats to a 68-60 hard fought victory.
This time around, things are no different. Both coaches have their teams playing well deep into March. Xavier has been the ‘bracket buster’ team since they upset higher seeds Maryland and Florida State.
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The Wildcats’ road to the Sweet 16 has not been quite the same, but their impressive wins over North Dakota and St. Mary’s has earned them a chance for a Musketeers rematch.
At this point in the tournament, finding any sort of advantages over the opponent can make all the difference in a close game. Sean Miller and Chris Mack know each others coaching style so well thus finding that edge will be difficult. The winner will be the one who has that ‘ace up his sleeve’ move that the other won’t expect.
This past Monday on the Jim Rome show, coach Mack talked about the pact that he and Miller made after the 2015 win by the Wildcats. They agreed that since the Wildcats won the first time around, Miller would let Xavier win this time. Here was Miller’s response:
"“And Chris rolled over on his pillow — right? — and he woke up,” Miller said, chuckling.”"
The relationship they have off the court makes this matchup on Saturday entertaining to watch.
Xavier's Chris Mack on talks w Sean Miller: "I usually listen to him complain about his, you know, 30-4 team or whatever their record is."
— Bruce Pascoe (@BrucePascoe) March 20, 2017
With all the media attention around their friendship, both coaches will need to put that aside on Saturday night. That won’t be a problem for Coach Miller (said on the Jim Rome show on Monday):
"“I think the thing you find as a coach, there’s relationships and story lines throughout the tournament, and you can’t get too caught up in the emotional aspect of it, because at the end of the day, it’s really about the team.”"
Even the players understand what is at stake. Musketeers senior guard Malcolm Bernard had this to say:
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The rivalry between the two friends will be put to the test with so much on the line! Miller vs. Mack, who will win the battle on the court and the sideline? Zona Zealots highly suggest to tune in at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday night on TBS and find out! BEAR DOWN!