Arizona Basketball: Why Sean Miller should remain as head coach

The 2018-19 basketball season is now over. Here a few reasons why Sean Miller should remain head coach at the University of Arizona.

It has been a rough year and half for Sean Miller and his staff to say the least. From assistants coaches getting arrested to others being fired it has been a constant change among the coaching staff at Arizona. Not to mention, Coach Miller personally is still dealing with ESPN that accused him of paying Phoenix Suns center DeAndre Ayton to play for the Wildcats. Even though there is still little evidence to support this claim.

To top it off, the Wildcats had a subpar year when it comes to the standard that has been set at the University of Arizona. All this would make one believe it is time for Miller to pack his bags. Not so fast! Here are a few reasons he should stay in Tucson:

Arizona Wildcats

Support Coach Miller has received. The first reason why he should stay is because of the support he has received. The University and its fan base has been nothing but supportive of Coach Miller even after a report by ESPN that did so much damage over the past year and a half.  During his most trying times, Dave Heeke and Wildcat Nation remained loyal in their support of coach Miller. Name another university that would have acted in the same manner during the same situation? Many would be hard pressed to find another university that is so steadfast in their love and support of their coach.

Miller even recognized that in the final game at McKale Center as he thanked the fans for being there all season long. He was always quick to point out how grateful he is to be the head coach of such an amazing program.

Player commitment. The second reason to why Sean Miller should remain coach is the commitment he has to the players both returning and incoming freshman. For starters, lets talk about the Wildcats who have the chance to return for another year under coach Miller. Can’t teach experience and that’s why these returners will bring to this team next season.

Brandon Williams, who had a sensational year as a freshman but was hindered by injury late in the season will look to be a leader come next year alongside Mannion in the backcourt. There is also Ira Lee who showed flashes of bouncing back to his normal self late in the year. Next year should be a break out year for Lee if he continues to trust the process with the opportunity to be a starter.

In addition, Chase Jeter will look to have a senior season to remember. As long as he stays injury free, he will have the experience and understanding of what it takes to win at Arizona. Miller will depend on Jeter to make his presence known on both sides of the floor. The addition of the incoming freshman will open up the opportunities even more for him.

Then there is Brandon Randolph and Dylan Smith. Both had up and down years. Randolph started out the season shooting well, but then his shooting percentage and confidence dropped. Smith, went through major droughts on offense, turned the ball over quite a bit, but was one Arizona’s better defenders. Each will need to get that confidence back to be impact players next season. Miller will rely on these two to provide a significant amount of minutes either off the bench or possibly in a starting role.

Last but not least is Alex Barcello and Devonaire Doutrive. Both weren’t consistent enough, but did enough to be part of the rotation. Barcello, who is considered to be the “purest shooter” on the team, was unable to find his confidence or rhythm this season, even though his playing time increased. Doutrive’s athleticism gave him opportunities to form on the big stage and that he did against the Beavers. He is certainly is a work in progress and the amount of playing time he gets next season will be limited from. Miller will more then likely use both of these players off the bench, which will be another key factor for the Cats to make a deep run in March.

Then comes the group of guys that are coming to play for coach Miller next year. This group of recruits are ranked number one nationally and provide the Wildcats an amazing chance to bounce back. The two main recruits are Nico Mannion and Josh Green who will add much needed length and athleticism to the team next year. Most likely both of these recruits will find themselves in the starting five next year.

It does not stop there as others will be following them to Tucson. Both Terry Armstrong and Zeke Nnaji will add size and speed to the front court, plus add to this team’s transition game. Finally and it is hard to miss him standing at seven feet tall is Christian Koloko. His defensive skills and presence in the paint will provide the Wildcats with the extra size causing their opponents to think twice before driving it to the rim. Similar to Doutrive, Koloko is a work in progress but by year two and three he will find his stride.

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Pursuit of his first final four. The last reason why Miller should remain the Wildcats head coach is the pursuit of his first final four. After years of hard work both on and off the court, granite some being tougher than others, Miller has a legitimate chance of fulling that dream next year. Not only just reaching his first final four but also bringing back that shiny trophy to Tucson. Once again, restoring order in NCAA college basketball.

For all these reasons, Sean Miller should be back next year as coach of the University of Arizona. Next year he has the chance of washing away the sour taste from the past year and half. With that being said we must continue to show our support for Coach Miller as he is doing everything in his power to get this program back on track. Bear Down, Arizona!