Arizona Basketball: Is it fair to criticize Sean Miller’s post-season results?

Arizona Basketball head coach Sean Miller has faced much criticism for not being able to get past the elite eight but is it a fair critique to make. We take a look at both sides.

There are many that criticize Sean Miller and his inability to make it to the Final Four with the talent he has had as head coach for Arizona Basketball. He’s been able to recruit some of the best since he came to Tucson but has been unable to find a way to get past the Elite 8 in March. Because he doesn’t haven’t a Final Four on his coaching resume at Arizona, is the criticism he has received fair?

With the talent he has this season, expectations were high, but his team hasn’t found a way to win close games and find themselves now 5th in the Pac-12 conference. Their overall record this season is 19-8 and two, maybe even three of those games they should have won. Whether it’s been poor executing down the stretch, losing big leads or missed free throws, the Wildcats have yo-yoed all season long.

This year’s team still can possibly win 3 or 4 games, get a decent seed in the Pac-12 tournament and make a possible deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Miller will once again face the pressure of making it to the Final Four. I’m sure he’ll be sweating, just a little bit, once again.

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

The first year he was head coach and last season, the Wildcats didn’t make the NIT or NCAA Tournament. But in the eight years, his teams made post-season, Miller made the elite eight three times, had two Sweet 16 appearances, lost twice in the first round and one loss in the first round of the NIT Tournament.

Yes, with the Wildcat players he has coached, he should have at least one Final Four to show for it. Unfortunately, though, bounces or fouls didn’t go his way, especially against Wisconsin in the 2013-14 tournament when they lost by one-point.

That season was one of Miller’s best teams and got unlucky with Brandon Ashley getting injured after the team had gone 21-0. If Ashley hadn’t got hurt, the Wildcats more then likely could have a legit chance to possible not just get into the Final Four, but win the whole thing.

Now in his 11th season, Miller has had the talent of guards and bigs, experience players and highly talented incoming freshman play for him. He’s won Pac-12 regular-season five times, Pac-12 Tournament, three times, but hasn’t gotten to a Final Four. That’s what matters in the eyes of fans.

With the talent he’s had, from Derrick Williams, Nick Johnson, Ashley, Aaron Gordon, T.J. McConnell, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Stanley Johnson, Allonzo Trier, Kadeem Allen, Rawle Alkins, Lauri Markkanen and Deandre Ayton, it’s easy to see from an outsider perspective as a fan why players like these should be resulting in Final Fours and championships.

What people need to remember is it’s not that easy to win six games in a row, on the biggest stage, against the best teams in the country. When a team isn’t performing well and can’t get the job done, it’s just not on the head coach but on the players as well.

At the same time though, if the head coach makes certain decisions that could impact the outcome of the game, then yes the coach is to blame. But the same can be said for the players on the court as well. If they are unable to knock down the open shot, miss a free, turnover the ball and not able to block out, that’s on them, not the coach. It goes both ways.

It’s easy to criticize Sean Miller for his lack of results during the NCAA Tournament, but it’s important to keep an open mind and understand the big picture and what it truly takes in getting to the Final Four and the chance to win an NCAA Championship.

Miller thoughts on this past week and week ahead facing his team:

At Zona Zealots, let us know your thoughts whether you agree or disagree. This season isn’t over yet and we look forward to seeing what happens comes March. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!