Arizona Basketball head coach Sean Miller held a regularly scheduled press conference covering many things from the upcoming season and more.
It was a busy day for Sean Miller and the Arizona Basketball team, and despite rumors buzzing of the Wildcats potentially receiving their Notice of Allegations on Thursday, it was the regularly scheduled press conference by Miller that instead dominated the news cycle.
No need to fear folks, this was not a press conference that was called by Miller or the University of Arizona to address the Notice of Allegations or anything like that, no, this was a regularly scheduled press conference, just like that has been done many times before.
Arizona Wildcats
And in case you missed some the main talking points, the theme of the day was ‘No Comment’. Just as we have had heard many times before, it is that Miller will not and more importantly CANNOT address or comment on the investigation.
So anyone hoping for any insight or commentary on the Allegations, you’re going to have to remain patient still.
Instead what Miller discussed in the press conference was, the Wildcats’ upcoming schedule, the current roster and expectations among other things.
Coming in, this will be a season unlike any other. Aside from the Corona Virus pandemic affecting the 2020-21 season, things will look a bit different this year.
For starters, the Wildcats have had to replace their entire starting line-up this off-season and will be using a very inexperienced group, the “least-experienced he’s ever coached” said Miller. However, they won’t shy on talent.
But perhaps one of the major benefits for the Wildcats will be playing a large sum of games at home. And because of Arizona’s great testing protocols and accessibility as a campus, this is surely feasible.
Additionally, another major benefit for Arizona this year, will be to have incoming guard James Akinjo immediately eligible. Being one of Arizona’s more experienced players this year, he will add an element to the Wildcats this season that will be heavily relied upon, and also I feel the teams’ success is also contingent on the play of Akinjo.
Already Miller has been quite complimentary of his guard this off-season, and in his press conference on Thursday afternoon, that was surely the case once again. “He’s got an inner toughness that you either have it or you don’t,” Miller said. “He brings a lot of leadership qualities.”
Lastly, the biggest takeaway were Miller’s comments on Lute Olson, who recently passed away. “Coach was one of the great coaches of any sport during his lifetime,” he said, and ever since coming to Tucson from Xavier, Miller’s goal was to continue to build on Arizona’s strong reputation.
As an ‘Ode to Lute’, it is a “real possibility” that the Wildcats wear a patch this upcoming season, and the team could even sport Lute Olson era throwbacks in the future too! I know this is a move that would surely be welcomed not only by me, but by other fans as well!
You can watch and follow his press conference here!
At Zona Zealots, we’re curious to see how this season plays out and can’t wait for the Wildcats to finally suit up! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!