Sean Miller shoulders the blame in the teams’ loss to Oregon

Another close game, another close loss for the Arizona Basketball team. As the team tries to learn from their mistakes, Sean Miller shoulders the blame.

Losing sucks, it’s even worse as Arizona Basketball fans, especially as we always have incredibly high expectations of this team and of Sean Miller. Despite starting three freshmen, the expectation coming in was for this team to hit the ground running and quickly.

Granted with three freshmen, there was a learning curve to be expected, but blowing late leads, make too many crucial mistakes, etc. those are qualities that are not indicative of the typical Miller coached team, or Arizona Basketball as a whole.

Arizona Wildcats

Nonetheless, the Wildcats have three losses this season, all by one point, and all of which Arizona blew a late lead.

On Saturday, history repeated itself for the second time in a span of just a few weeks, especially as Arizona led by six point in the waning moments, only to lose by one in overtime at the hands of the Ducks.

You would think the this team by now would have learned or matured, but alas, it was like watching the same exact game.

Finally taking the podium to address the media like he always does, Miller talked at length following the teams’ game against the Ducks, even previewing the crucial match-ups against the LA schools.

The message following the teams’ close losses this season is simple, it’s all about not delivering.

Coaching at this level is a hard thing to do, and when there are multiple things at play in close game that can result in a win/loss, any decision(s) made by a head coach can easily be scrutinized. And when you coach at a premiere program like Arizona, where winning is the expectation, it’s amplified even more.

Many including myself have been critical of Miller, citing his stubbornness, or lack of willingness to change and/ or shouldering responsibility.

Now how much falls on him in those losses to ASU or Oregon, but regardless, he still needs to learn, and even at the age of 51, his learning shouldn’t stop, especially if he still hopes to reach that next level as a collegiate coach.

It’s refreshing to see him accept responsibility, understand there’s things he could do better to help put his team in a position to win, now it comes down to execution. Will he change, and if he does, will he get through to his guys, and will they accept the coaching?

Either way, when you’re a team talking about competing for a Pac-12 title, or making deep tournament runs, some things take luck, but other parts of it require leadership and experience in winning in those clutch moments. So far, Arizona hasn’t had much of either. Hopefully that soon changes!

If Arizona is going to make the tournament and go deep into March, they’re going to start learning and improving from there mistakes, and it has to start now. If not, it’s going to be another early end.

Listen to coach in his weekly press conference!

At Zona Zealots, we’re hopeful the team can play to the expectations of fans, and as always, Bear Down, Arizona!