Miller reportedly accepts Arizona’s lucrative offer
Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports is reporting this morning that Sean Miller had a change of heart and has accepted a very lucrative offer from Arizona.
Wetzel lists the contract terms of $18 million over seven years — $2.57 million per year — with a $1 million signing bonus. The contract must be approved by the Arizona Board of Regents, but that will be a formality, according to sources close to the UA.
Wetzel’s report also indicates that Miller has informed Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski and UA athletic director Jim Livengood. No press conference at Arizona has been scheduled yet, although one can be scheduled as early as tomorrow, a source said.
If the reported contract terms are accurate, Miller will earn more in base salary than some of the more esteemed college basketball coaches in the nation. The only coaches who will be earning more in base salary than Miller would be Kentucky’s John Calipari ($3.96 million), Florida’s Billy Donovan ($3.3 million), and Kansas’ Bill Self ($3 million).
Miller, 40, would be earning more than UCLA’s Ben Howland ($1.97 million), North Carolina’s Roy Williams ($2 million), Texas’ Rick Barnes ($2 million), Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski ($2.2 million), Louisville’s Rick Pitino ($2.25 million), Ohio State’s Thad Matta ($2.5 million).
Keep in mind that these are base salary figures. They don’t include money from shoe contracts, advertisement income, appearance fees, etc.
Former UA player and assistant coach Josh Pastner said he is excited about Livengood targeting Miller as the person who will try to carry on the legacy left by Lute Olson.
“Sean is a good friend and even better coach,” Pastner said. “He is a super hire.”
Pastner did not comment on whether he would join Miller’s staff because of his recent move to Kentucky and the preliminary status right now of Miller’s reported hire at Arizona. As is the norm with any coaching hire, the new coach usually brings someone from his existing staff for familiarity reasons. Reggie Geary, who has continued to recruit for Arizona despite its tenuous situation, has let it be known he wants to be on the next UA staff.
What Arizona fans can expect from Miller:
- A departure from Olson’s transition-style basketball into a more disciplined half-court game with an emphasis on defense. The Musketeers this season allowed the opposition to shoot just 37.4 percent from the field. Miller has shown a propensity for recruiting bruising 6-foot-9 type players who play physical around the basket. Xavier ranked fifth in the nation with an 8.8 rebounding margin.
- One misnomer about Xavier basketball under Miller, however, is that Xavier is not a high-scoring team. The Musketeers averaged 71.7 points per game this season, which rivals Arizona’s 72.3 a game.
- Miller has always preached team balance and has rarely depended on one or two standouts, as the UA has been prone to do in recent years. Nine of Xavier’s players averaged at least 12.8 minutes a game this last season. Miller utilizes his bench frequently from the first five minutes of the game all the way to the end.
- As part of that team philosophy, and building without a superstar, Miller’s five recruiting classes have normally included 3-star recruits on a 5-star scale. There have been occasional 4-star recruits, as rated by Rivals.com, but only four out of 15. He has never inked a 5-star recruit. Miller has a 4-star recruit who verbally committed to Xavier but he is only a junior and will not be able to sign until the November signing period. He is power forward Jordan Latham, 6-8, 210, from Baltimore. Miller does not have any recruits who have verbally committed for the spring signing period, which starts April 15. One highly rated recruit who has not signed with a college yet — 6-6 swingman Victor Rudd, of Henderson (Nev.) by way of Fontana (Calif.) — has listed Arizona and UNLV as his favorites. Rudd, however, was kicked off his Findlay Prep team for disciplinary reasons last month, and it’s uncertain whether he’s on track to complete his academic requirements.
Tags: hire, Livengood, Miller, Olson, Xavier
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April 6th, 2009 at 9:41 AM
This story has gained steam, Goodman from foxsports.com reports it too! We may have found our man!!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 9:41 AM
I really really really hope this report is true. I’m not sure I can handle too much more of this.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:45 AM
ESPN is still reporting nothing, well other than Miller rejected us
April 6th, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Please no more heartache. Sign the dotted line and let’s get the Cats back to where they belong.
Let’s all send Floyd a big thank you for saying no.
Bear down fellow Wildcats
April 6th, 2009 at 9:48 AM
ESPN.com revised the article saying he’s coming! Hallelujah!
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4045199
April 6th, 2009 at 9:48 AM
I’m hesitant.
Hopefully true.
I wonder if Pastner is part of it?
April 6th, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Fingers crossed until it’s official…
Do you think he’ll change his mind, again?
April 6th, 2009 at 9:50 AM
espn is reporting it now too.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4045199
April 6th, 2009 at 9:51 AM
ESPN has come around. Now let’s hope it’s true, and that Miller doesn’t change his mind again.
I thought it was a great sign that Xavier hadn’t scheduled a press conference, but I’ll believe it when Sean is sitting next to Livingood with cameras rolling. Given how wobbly Miller has been, will still be concerned he’ll pull a Majerus.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Lets wait and see. These initial reports from the sports news media have no credibility anymore! Floyd is hired, not hired, Miller turns down UA, and now we are hearing he accepts.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Is there a chance he is bringing any recruits? I know Xavier’s are written acceptances.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:00 AM
WORTH
EVERY
PENNY
April 6th, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Yes, let’s not forget the long list of coaches who were supposedly on their way to Arizona. But this appears to have the best chance of being true, particularly since Xavier has not said otherwise. The biggest risk is that Miller may still be wobbling. Right at this moment, his assistants, players, friends and boosters are contacting him left and right, begging his to stay. He seems like a loyal guy. This can’t be easy for him. Hopefully, if he does come, that will mean he’ll stick around for a good long time.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:02 AM
ITS A GREAT DAY TO BE A WILDCAT!!
Javier is there any truth to the rumor that CALIPARI made this happen by calling Miller and telling him to take the job??
April 6th, 2009 at 10:02 AM
+1 Parallax Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 9:51 am
ESPN has come around. Now let’s hope it’s true, and that Miller doesn’t change his mind again.
I thought it was a great sign that Xavier hadn’t scheduled a press conference, but I’ll believe it when Sean is sitting next to Livingood with cameras rolling. Given how wobbly Miller has been, will still be concerned he’ll pull a Majerus.
————————-
This is the REAL DEAL parallax, because the monetary figures and length of contract are in the story. Anytime, previoulsy, a major college basketball hire was “untechnically” official the term of contract as well as amount of salary was mentioned.
It’s all a matter of logistics ( press conference ) and legal formalities now.
In the Floyd ordeal, nothing was mentioned of terms of the contract. It was all mere speculation.
So, believe it or not, Arizona, finally, has their coach. And baby, Sean Miller will lead the Wildcats back to the Final Four. Vault it!!
April 6th, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Didn’t Livengood also say he would not overpay for a coach? Well it appears he didn’t live up to that promise either. Don’t get me wrong. I am very gald to have someone of Miller’s caliber and thank god this thing may be over, but boy did Livengood botch it. The reason we had to pay him the 4th highest base salary is because Livengood was desparate. Let’s hope he lives up to it. Certainly a far superior option then what was left on the table if he had not changed his mind.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Anyone else having a hard time opening the Star’s website???
April 6th, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Da plane! Da plane!
Is still in Detroit. Most curious to see if it stops in Cinci again tomorrow morning…
April 6th, 2009 at 10:08 AM
We won’t know if Livingood overpaid for quite some time. Even if he did, I don’t fault him. Blame Kentucky for going so hard for Callipari.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:08 AM
+1 Parallax Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 9:51 am
ESPN has come around. Now let’s hope it’s true, and that Miller doesn’t change his mind again.
I thought it was a great sign that Xavier hadn’t scheduled a press conference, but I’ll believe it when Sean is sitting next to Livingood with cameras rolling. Given how wobbly Miller has been, will still be concerned he’ll pull a Majerus.
————————-
This is the REAL DEAL parallax, because the monetary figures and length of contract are in the story. Anytime, previoulsy, a major college basketball hire was “untechnically” official the term of contract as well as amount of salary was mentioned.
It’s all a matter of logistics ( press conference ) and legal formalities now.
In the Floyd ordeal, nothing was mentioned of terms of the contract. It was all mere speculation.
So, believe it or not, Arizona, finally, has their coach. And baby, Sean Miller will lead the Wildcats back to the Final Four. Vault it!!
———————–
When Olson was hired at Arizona back in the day, I told a buddy of mine that Lute would lead Arizona to the Final Four in FOUR or FIVE year’s, and eventually win a national championship- albeit I didn’t expect untill 1997 for the national championship.
That’s how confident I was of Olson, and baby, I have the same emotional, common sense feeling that Seam Miller will get Arizona back to the Final Four shortly.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Great hire for the Cats!!!
After all of the term oil that the program has been through it is nice to finally get some good news.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Miller has a lot more to work with than Olson did in ’83. Despite our problems, we’ve got a solid foundation of fan support, wealthy boosters, NBA alums and twenty five years of history.
Miller appears to be as good a choice as any — and I mean ANY — coach to restore us to elite status. He’s younger than Callipari and younger still than Pitino. Heck, he’s 9 years younger than Lute was when he took the job. He’ll need help establishing recruiting connections on the west coast, but we have Geary and Arizona’s reputation still means something.
Personally, I doubt Pastner returns for a variety of reasons. He’s best off staying with Cal and waiting for the right mid-major head coaching spot to open. But there are many ways to rebuild a program.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Hill said he will make his announcement regarding his future on either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week, and Wise said the coaching situation will weigh on his decision. Keep your fingers crossed for both, though I know Hill is long gone.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Pastner will not say yet if he will join Miller’s staff. It’s too early yet. He has not even talked to Miller, etc. … For all the talk that Miller will play slow-down basketball, Xavier almost averaged as many points as Arizona this season. I updated the post to show some things to expect from Miller.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:20 AM
I dont know if we will be able to afford Pastner with what we are paying Miller. Pastner is making over 300k at Kentucky.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:20 AM
from the Cinci Enquirer, 2:18 pm:
One day after coach Sean Miller reportedly said he would return to Xavier and not become Arizona’s new coach, Miller has accepted the Arizona job after sleeping on the offer. “He’s out. They just told me,” XU’s B.J. Raymond said.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:22 AM
This is pretty much a complete SAVE for: The Arizona Basketball Program; Jim Livengood’s job (and safety I might add); and Robert Shelton’s tenure as President. We now have, in spite of Livengood’s bumbling, a BEST case scenario: We have a Nationally respected coach who will keep Arizona Basketball relevant and fighting for another National Title, and in ten years or so when Miller bolts for Pitt, we can bring in a (hopefully) seasoned winner in Josh Pastner. If I was Xavier, I would be offering the job to Pastner right this second. The real loser in all of this? Memphis. They are now competing against Xavier for a coach, and honestly, at this point Xavier might be the better job – most of their recruits are signed and can’t bolt for Arizona, while Memphis is having a mass Kentucky and Kansas exodus. In the end, damn if the “Arizona” name and tradition didn’t win out. Truly a great day!
April 6th, 2009 at 10:22 AM
http://arizona.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=932626
Small excerpt from Change of heart on arizona.rival.com (goazcats.com0
April 6, 2009
Change of heart?
Josh Gershon
GOAZCATS.com Senior Editor
“Sources say that Miller called some associates, including Kentucky head coach John Calipari, and told them he was once again undecided about what school he wanted to choose.
Calipari apparently told him what he was telling him all along: that he should come to Arizona.
Miller stayed up late re-thinking his decision and still hadn’t made up his mind in the morning. Then he decided he was officially coming to Arizona, as was reported by Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com.’
April 6th, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Let’s not count our chickens yet Bay Cat. But, yes, if we pull this out — whoo hooo!
Miller would seem a great fit at Arizona. This is not the best town to be going after five-star one-and-done recruits. Give us three and four star kids with good character, willing to play team ball, including tough defense. Don’t get me wrong. We clearly need talent to win. But it’s often best to have top-75 types who stick around for four years, rather than top 25s who want to put in a year or two and get out the door.
I’m really psyched. Miller’s exactly the kind of coach we need. By the way, I wouldn’t assume he bolts for Pitt as soon as Dixon moves on to USC or wherever. Miller seems the kind of guy who might prefer to run an elite program from a more remote corner. If he’s successful here, Arizona will be in position to pretty much match any offer. Remember that the football program is returning to profitability, so the entire athletic department won’t have to rely on hoops revenue.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:30 AM
[...] Nice work by Arizona AD Jim Livengood, getting Sean Miller to come coach the Arizona Wildcats… though for beaucoup cash – 7 years, $18 million with a $1 million signing bonus. That’s 2.57 million per year on average, though I am sure it’s structured differently. For more on Miller and recruiting, check out UA Hoops Coach. [...]
April 6th, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Parallax Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Miller would seem a great fit at Arizona. This is not the best town to be going after five-star one-and-done recruits. Give us three and four star kids with good character, willing to play team ball, including tough defense. Don’t get me wrong. We clearly need talent to win. But it’s often best to have top-75 types who stick around for four years, rather than top 25s who want to put in a year or two and get out the door.
______________________________
This is the type of basketball I like. I’m sick of the premadonnas, one and done! I want a player to stay for three or four years.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Don’t know if I’d say “nice work.” Livingood’s cookies are out of the fire, and I’ve not been one to blame everything that’s happened on him. A lot of it was simply unfortunate circumstance. That Coach Olson had a stroke was no one’s fault. That he couldn’t be pushed out from the program he had built was not only no one’s fault, but right. Coach O. put us on the map. He had the right to stick around as long as he thought he could. That Kentucky went bizzerk to land Callipari wasn’t anyone’s fault — at least not anyone at Arizona. That the timing of Olson’s retirement was so poor, that it opened the door for so many recruits to leave, was unfortunate — but whatchya gonna do?
I fault Livingood for hiring Mac and sticking with him, for botching the whole O’Neil fiasco and for being in over his head generally. Not the best AD by any stretch. That fella over at Xavier, Bobinski, looks rather impressive. How much you want to bet he finds a great replacement for Miller (or finds a way to convince him to stay).
April 6th, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Just one positive comment on Livingood. While he might not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, the man has integrity. He does his best to hire coaches with integrity. That’s important and I think it’s why Lute stood by him and perhaps saved his job in light of the whole Mac misadventure which ran the football program into a huge ditch.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:44 AM
This just reported by the Star: “The Cincinnati Enquirer is quoting Xavier player B.J. Raymond as saying Sean Miller will no longer be his coach. ‘He’s out. They just told me,’ Raymond is quoted as saying.”
Here’s the link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/287585.php
April 6th, 2009 at 10:45 AM
let’s pray miller keeps geary around to introduce him to cali recruits. hopefully miller will only stop in tucson for the press conference, then head off to do some serious work. we need players for next season
April 6th, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Well if it happens, I will be very happy. It figures that the hard to please Arizona fans are already complaining about Livengood overpaying and that Pastner should come as an assistant. Sean Miller has turned down a lot of good programs over the last couple years. If Arizona is as prestigious as we want it to be, if we claim it is a top-10 job, we should not complain that we are paying our basketball coach top-10 wages. There is no such thing as a guarantee in this business. Will Miller succeed? All indications are that he should be able to recruit and restore Arizona to a Pac-10 title contender.
As for Pastner, why would he leave $300,000/year at the University of Kentucky for the same job and less money at Arizona? I thought Pastner was worthy of a shot at a head coach at Arizona after all the depressing declinations, but brining in Pastner as an assistant makes no sense.
Reggie Geary on the other hand, makes a lot of sense to keep around. Reggie is from LA, he has been recruiting and working, and could help Miller transition to a new conference, new boosters, and new geography. I hope Miller keeps Geary. He is as much a Wildcat as Pastner, and him having to endure the turmoil around the program the last couple of years has earned him the right to stay on.
Make no mistake, though. Miller is (I hope) is the HC and he will do what he thinks is best. All we can do as fans is buy tickets and support the new boss.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Whew! My employer and my wife and my step-daughter and my friends are all overjoyed with this hire. I wish I had something else smarmy to say, but damn, I think we scored (if LG can get this wrapped up quickly). Everybody breathe… Everything is going to be ALL RIGHT! When do we play ‘SC? I think we have a little score to settle with that clown Floyd…
April 6th, 2009 at 10:54 AM
+2 Parallax Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 10:44 am
This just reported by the Star: “The Cincinnati Enquirer is quoting Xavier player B.J. Raymond as saying Sean Miller will no longer be his coach. ‘He’s out. They just told me,’ Raymond is quoted as saying.”
Here’s the link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/287585.php
_________________________________________________
Its pretty much done when his current player say he gone hes gone. I remember Lockett said that there was no way Floyd was leaving.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:55 AM
**Lockett said I meant Hackett
April 6th, 2009 at 10:56 AM
April 6, 2009
Wildcats hit homerun with Miller
Josh Gershon
GOAZCATS.com Senior Editor
Related Links:
Hiring of Miller big for Arizona
Talk about it in Premium Hoops Suite: Inside McKale
Things didn’t look good for Arizona’s basketball program on Sunday night but Monday night brought the best news possible: Sean Miller had changed his mind and would be the UA’s next basketball coach.
Associated Press
The Sean Miller hire is a homerun.
Perhaps the best coach in the country at age 40 or younger, Miller’s change of heart was absolutely huge for the Arizona basketball program.
After meeting with UA athletic director Jim Livengood and president Robert Shelton in Santa Fe (N.M.) on Sunday, he didn’t know what he was going to do.
“I think the big thing for Sean was, when he came out of that meeting, I don’t think he was certain,” said Senior College Basketball Writer Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com. “It was a quick meeting, he got home and I just don’t know if he felt the connection that they wanted him as much as he thought. It was too quick of a meeting.
“They talked again last night and they went after him harder. It made him feel like he was the guy they really wanted and they sweetened the offer; they made a better offer. I think those two things were the key for him changing his mind.
“I talked to him late last night twice. The first time he said he wasn’t taking it, the second time he said he was having second thoughts.”
Monday morning, Miller made the decision to leave Xavier and coach at Arizona instead. According to Goodman, there couldn’t be better news for the UA program.
“He could be better – and I think he might be better – than all of the guys we mentioned, in time,” Goodman said. “He is a star. If he gets it going in Tucson, he can build it back to what Arizona basketball was a few years ago.”
The UA program is going to need some time to be rebuilt due to a lack of talent, and Goodman says it’s important to understand there’s only so much he can do right away.
“Fans have to understand that the next few years are going to be rough and they’ve got to have patience with him,” Goodman said.
What makes Miller such a good coach is the number of qualities he brings to the table.
“He’s got the attributes of the three things that make a successful head coach,” Goodman said. “He can recruit, he can coach and he’s great with people. He won’t back down from anybody. He’ll go after UCLA, he’ll go after Ben Howland. He has a tough, fiery personality and is a workaholic.”
Arizona may have been after bigger names than Sean Miller, but Goodman doesn’t think UA went after anyone who would have been a better hire.
“I think he’s honestly as good of a hire as anybody they’ve looked at so far,” Goodman said. “People on the surface may not think so because they don’t know his name like they know Jamie Dixon or Mark Few, but this guy has proven it.
“Four years in a row he’s made it to the NCAA tournament and in the last couple of years he’s gotten to the Elite Eight and Sweet 16. He’s done it with guys that are under the radar a little bit. Tough, hard nosed players.”
“I think it’s an absolute homerun.”
April 6th, 2009 at 11:02 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4046754
Watch the video Digger Phelps talking about Miller to ARizona
April 6th, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Whewww I can finally rest and watch Dbacks opening day
April 6th, 2009 at 11:10 AM
First, Javier please dont leave yet, keep reporting on ua hoops and we will keep reading. second, what great timing, we are going to get a ton of exposure from tonights game! all those players with coaches who changed jobs or still unsigned, we have plenty of mins for you, come on over and sign that LOI. Lastly, please everyone show up to the airport, press conference, get the pres. sweet at ventana ready, lets show Coach Miller what Tucson basketball is all about! Bear down cats and get ready to keep the streak alive.
PS i think that chase and jordan could improve their draft status by learning how to play defense from Coach Miller! Come on back and lets go to the final four and stick it up the east coasts a$$!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:11 AM
I agree. Absolute home run. If he sticks around — like Olson did.
I think the fans will be good to Miller. No need to hire Pastner or anyone else. It’s Miller’s program.
Thank God. If it were up to Livingood, we’d have had friggin Tim Floyd. We really dodged a bullet. And know that getting the right man in the job was the first step in making Arizona more than just a great coach but rather a truly elite program. I think we now have everything in place for that to happen. We fans just need to be patient. The streak will most likely end. No problem. 25 years, while not a record, is a great legacy. Now on to more important things — the job at hand. Putting this program back together.
We can now build on the great platform established by Coach Olson. Now we can feel good that his legacy won’t go down the drain.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Hope he doesn’t go Majerus on us.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:12 AM
What are the ‘buy’ games that are mentioned? Easy wins?
April 6th, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Going Majerus on us is not option. Majerus was a broadcaster when he flip-flopped on USC. There is no returning to Xavier now, I imagine. Once you say your goodbyes to your players and your AD, it seems pretty unlikely that you would be welcomed back. I think this going to be a done deal and I can’t wait to hear the analysts eat some crow….
April 6th, 2009 at 11:21 AM
“Going Majerus on us is not option. Majerus was a broadcaster when he flip-flopped on USC. There is no returning to Xavier now, I imagine. Once you say your goodbyes to your players and your AD, it seems pretty unlikely that you would be welcomed back. I think this going to be a done deal and I can’t wait to hear the analysts eat some crow….”
I could be wrong (and don’t want to be a Negative Nancy), but didn’t Bobby Cremins take the job at South Carolina while at Georgia Tech, then change his mind and go back to Tech? My point is, anything is possible….I’m only trying to think happy thoughts but I also realize the unexpected can happen….I just hope it doesn’t happen to us!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Thank God Floyd rejected us.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:24 AM
BLEEZ Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 11:12 am
What are the ‘buy’ games that are mentioned? Easy wins?
_________________________
Somebody mentioned this a little bit ago, but the “buy” games are most likely games that the UA will pay other teams to play. Usually, that means paying a lesser school to come play UA and get a good schlacking.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Vote -1 Vote +1blueleaf11 Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 11:24 am
BLEEZ Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 11:12 am
What are the ‘buy’ games that are mentioned? Easy wins?
_________________________
Somebody mentioned this a little bit ago, but the “buy” games are most likely games that the UA will pay other teams to play. Usually, that means paying a lesser school to come play UA and get a good schlacking
———————————
So much for SOS
April 6th, 2009 at 11:31 AM
BLEEZ Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Vote -1 Vote +1blueleaf11 Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 11:24 am
BLEEZ Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 11:12 am
What are the ‘buy’ games that are mentioned? Easy wins?
_________________________
Somebody mentioned this a little bit ago, but the “buy” games are most likely games that the UA will pay other teams to play. Usually, that means paying a lesser school to come play UA and get a good schlacking
———————————
So much for SOS
___________________
Heh, true. But everybody does it. We played Florida Atlantic & Mississippi Valley State this past year… I think Miller was trying to get more power to make schedule changes… I think that’s what the point of that part of the article was…
April 6th, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Miller’s style of recruiting is what Arizona has needed for the past few years. Getting back to the days of Kerr, Elliott and Terry. Not 5 star prima donnas, but quality players who have a ton of unrealized potential and will stick around for 3 or 4 years. Next year will be a little rough, but by the 2nd year, they’ll be dangerous and by the 3rd they’ll be putting the hammer on people. Can’t wait to play USC, Gonzaga and ASWho.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:31 AM
As for strength of schedule, different coaches have different philosophies. We’re used to doing things Olson’s way. We’re believers in everything he did, having been steeped in it for so long.
Give Miller a chance. Don’t get hung up on everything he does that rubs you the wrong way. He’s not Lute. No one is. There was only one Coach O. That’s one of the reasons it was hard to get anyone to come here.
Let’s be grateful to Coach Miller and give him a chance. A real chance. Years to bring in his own recruits and coach them his way, even if we suck for a while.
It might take time. Think of how long it took Stoops to undo the damage done by Mac. As with the football team, the cupboard is bare. Maybe not quite as bare, but don’t think that just because we’re coming off a Sweet 16, we’re in good shape. We’ll be lucky to be .500 next year. Extremely lucky. Won’t happen, in fact, unless Wise stays and some other good things break our way.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Great hire! I’m not too sure that he isn’t better than Dixon. I think Izzo, Calipari or Pitino would have been better because of their name recognition and instant recruits that they could have brought, but Miller is younger and could be around for longer (although he might bolt for Pitt. after this contract ends).
Javier, do you see Miller snagging any of the top unsigned recruits for this year? I personally don’t see it, but I hope I am wrong.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Okay, I have to say I am stoked. I was a fan of Miller’s all year. I saw him as a loyal, hard working type that would have come to town and stayed for decades in the right environment (which Tucson has). I felt he would be the one guy (aside from Few) that would have stuck around for a long time and developed his own legacy. As much as I heard about his love of Pittsburgh, Tucson is a solid place and the weather is nice. I love this hire, I didn’t think the cat’s should have wasted time going after Floyd, and if Miller comes, UA basketball should return to what i remember watching at desert View in the back room of journalism class, a fun team to watch. (I probably shouldn’t have admitted that one).
April 6th, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Someone said earlier that Hill is announcing his decision to stay or leave on Tuesday or Wednesday… do we know about Wise and Budinger? Have they made up their minds yet? I guess I’m wondering if Miller has time to work them over or not…
April 6th, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Wow, relieved is the word. Can’t wait till a few years from now when we are back to thumping the Pac-10 and USC is on probation. Thank you Floyd for not saying yes. You should have listened to your wife instead of your players, but I’m glad you didn’t for our sake.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:34 AM
not holding my breath. remember when floyd accepted the job too?
April 6th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Yeah, but with Floyd you didn’t have players coming out and saying the school told them their coach was gone…
April 6th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Lucky? Maybe.
Everything turned out well for Lavingood… he landed a good coach, and will win the press confernce.
We will have to wait for the next bad hire to think about firing him.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:37 AM
I was always under the impression that “buy” games were games that the school would schedule to improve either their overall record, or their strength of schedule. I thought they were referred to as “buy” games because the one university would have to pay the other school to be willing to add the matchup to their schedule. I could be wrong, but that’s what I always thought the term referred to.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:37 AM
In fact, you had quite the opposite (with Hackett saying he had talked to the coach and saying Floyd was staying)…
April 6th, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Seth Miller explained it in a message on Starnet:
170 – High profile schools ask for lots of money when they come to play another high profile school (especially when it is on their turf). Miller wanted assurances that he would be allowed to schedule additional games against those schools once he was here. They are called “buy” games by some in the industry. Usually they are set up over several years. For example, the UA will negotiate a 4 year series with Kansas with each school paying a certain amount of money to the other for the matchup. In the 90’s when Syracuse played at the UA there was a reported $500,000. “buy” plus the UA provided accommodations to the players and coaches. In other words Arizona bought that single game matchup.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Ben Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I was always under the impression that “buy” games were games that the school would schedule to improve either their overall record, or their strength of schedule. I thought they were referred to as “buy” games because the one university would have to pay the other school to be willing to add the matchup to their schedule. I could be wrong, but that’s what I always thought the term referred to.
______________________________
Could be- I’m sure it goes both ways…
April 6th, 2009 at 11:43 AM
When will Livengood speak is the question……
April 6th, 2009 at 11:48 AM
blueleaf11 Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Someone said earlier that Hill is announcing his decision to stay or leave on Tuesday or Wednesday… do we know about Wise and Budinger? Have they made up their minds yet? I guess I’m wondering if Miller has time to work them over or not…
________________________
Not sure about Budinger. Hill and Wise were at the Football scrimage (Saturday I belive) and they were interviewed. Hill said the new coach would have no influence on his decision, he just wants to play basketball, and that his mind is made up 100%. Wise said, he’s not sure of his plans yet, but who they hire as a coach will play in the decision. He’s just been working out at the gym, and said he was optimistic that he says all the younger guys working out too.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:49 AM
from cincinnati.com:
Several players gathered this afternoon at Cintas Center. Bobinski has met with the players and told them Miller is gone. There will be a press conference at 4:30 p.m. today at Cintas, with Miller first to talk, followed by Bobinski.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:49 AM
I will add, and someone touched on this earlier –
It could do Hill and Budinger wonders to learn to play better defense. Well maybe not Hill because he’s projected Top 5
April 6th, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Hum, that makes me uneasy. A press conference at XU, and miller announces he is bolting from XU? ….Deja vu?
April 6th, 2009 at 11:52 AM
I thought you did the presser from your new Job (school). I didn’t see Cal have a press conference at Memphis saying he was bolting for UK….
April 6th, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Though, we all know not to take anything for granted. Xavier players are on the record saying Miller is out. Phew, finally. This is an excellent hire. In a few years, we might all be wondering what we were thinking wanting anyone other than Miller. The thing I love most about the guy is the way his teams play in the tourney. Xavier wins the games they’re supposed to win and often the games they aren’t. Miller had a potential Final Four team coming back next year. I read in a Cincy paper that one XU recruit has already decommitted. Now, if he can talk Pastner into taking the associate’s job I think we’re set. BEAR DOWN!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Okay so now that this drama seems to be over, the next order of business is next years team. What’s the status of the big 3? Chase’s draft stock has slipped every year since his freshman season, I hope he doesn’t sign an agent again. Are there any 09 recruits available that we could still land? We gotta keep the streak alive and make the damn east coast media respect us.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Guys, be weary of expecting the streak to continue…We don’t want to be hostile to our next coach, as UK was to Gillespie…The streak is over, and to believe otherwise is naive. We might not get a winning season next year…Odds are we won’t, but I think in two years we will be back on track.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:58 AM
I’m with Icky. The streak is over. The king is dead. Long Live the King!!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:59 AM
I thought I saw on here a few days ago that Chase and Jordan already signed with an agent (both the same one). Is this true? Anyone know on this? I think Hill is ready to go pro, based on his play this year. Chase – not so sure. But if they have signed with an agent, it matters not… Nic should absolutely stay. He will be ‘The Man’ and could do huge things for his draft status.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Hill’s draft stock isn’t so great, actually – he’s been rated the one with the lowest “basketball IQ” that’s left. In fact, the only reason he’s so high in the lottery picks is by default since everyone else really sucks. Past drafts have shown that teams would pick someone like Hill with low “IQ” as a project, and in three years they’re out of the league. With the new CBA coming up and the state of the economy, teams don’t have the luxury of multiple “projects” anymore. Hill will not be an immediate-impact player, so his draft position might take a tumble in round one (a la Arenas).
If Hill’s smart, he’ll think about that and stay one more year to “raise” his “IQ” and solidify his draft position.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:59 AM
12:45 p.m.:
Xavier coach Sean Miller will talk to the Cincinnati media today at 1:30 p.m. Tucson time, followed by athletic director Mike Bobinski. Miller has agreed to become Arizona’s next coach, sources have told the Star.
————————————————————————–
No, no, no. Am I the only one worried about XU having a press conference??????? I just don’t see Miller talking at a press conference in his OWN school, about bolting. Ok, I gotta stop posting.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Good point, Icky. We need to be realistic. Hopefully, we don’t have the kind of season Indiana had this year. But, we should all be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. The next 2 years are rebuilding years and if we can make the tourney it’s just gravy on the cake.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Well, if Bedinger decides to test the waters (again), it doesn’t matter whether he signs an agent. I believe he can’t come back after already testing the NBA draft Waters
April 6th, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Meant Budinger
April 6th, 2009 at 12:06 PM
I am hoping that Miller is attending the press conference at XU b/c the guy is genuinely loyal and wants to say goodbye to the local fans in person.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:07 PM
My take is both Hill and Budinger are gone. If Wise is wise, he stays.
Could Hill and Budinger benefit from another year? Sure. Most players could. But so long as their draft stock is strong, they’ll want to move on (and take the big money) rather than be part of a rebuilding year under a new coach. I don’t blame them.
I hope they carefully analyze their draft stock. I’m sure Budinger will. Hill, not so much. But I’m pretty sure someone will take him in the lottery on potential alone. Talent like his doesn’t come along every day.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:07 PM
You may be right there, Chris. Good point.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:09 PM
i don’t like gravy on my cake.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:12 PM
“Could Hill and Budinger benefit from another year? Sure. Most players could. But so long as their draft stock is strong, they’ll want to move on (and take the big money) rather than be part of a rebuilding year under a new coach. I don’t blame them.”
I wouldn’t blame them for leaving either….but if all players returned under Miller and the possibility of adding a player or two (Rudd perhaps) to a senior heavy roster, it wouldn’t be considered rebuilding. They could bridge the gap between two eras of UA basketball and help us avoid an Indiana like season next year. I know it is only wishful thinking, but anything is possible…
April 6th, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Well, we’ve been “wishfully thinking” for the last 2 weeks, so what harm is a little more??? Gives us something to talk about while waiting for the presser… (trying to make sure I have a little bit left of my fingernails)
April 6th, 2009 at 12:17 PM
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/287598.php
April 6th, 2009 at 12:18 PM
sigh…..I’ll be drinking tonight. He’s a great coach.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Here’s a link for the presser:
http://www.wcpo.com/content/mediacenter/wcpolive.aspx
April 6th, 2009 at 12:20 PM
If you are like me and without ESPN News, a Cinci TV station is airing the presser on-line:
Xavier’s Sean Miller Accepts Offer At Arizona
Breaking News: Miller changes his mind and will leave the Musketeers.
News conference scheduled for 4:30 pm live on Local12.com
April 6th, 2009 at 12:21 PM
If you dont want to watch the press confrence on the internet ESPNEWS will have live coverege of Sean Miller and Xavier.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:25 PM
I agree. There’s nothing wrong with wishful thinking. There is no reason for us to give up hope and claim that the streak is over. Anything can happen. If Buddinger doesn’t get stepped on this year, then theres no way we go on a win streak and make the tourney again. There was also no reason to think anything was gonna happen in 1999 and JT carried the team on his back to National Player of the Year Honors and another trip to the tourney. I am not believing the streak is over until the 65 teams are announced next March. Until then, I wanna know what players we got coming back and which recruits we can somehow get to join our team next season.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Right now, there’s a microphone in front of a curtain with “X” logo. Fascinating!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Thanks for the link Parallax.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:26 PM
the board of regents is saying that a seven year deal CAN’T be offered…
(http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/287598.php)
ummmm, please don’t tell me this is going to fall apart!!!! does anyone know what precludes the university from offering this contract? is there any provision for exceptions?
if this (2nd, 7-year) deal is the one that helped him change his mind and is renegged, are we going to have another change of heart?
April 6th, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Ok, PasadenaJ, just don’t blame Miller if it doesn’t happen. Let’s give the guy a chance. It’s neither fair nor realistic to expect the guy to pick up where Olson left off.
(Wherever that was.)
April 6th, 2009 at 12:28 PM
IMO, Hill would be foolish to stay if he’s a lock for the lottery. That’s just too much money to leave on the table. Budinger and Wise, on the other hand, should be seriously considering coming back. Wise likely won’t be drafted and I don’t see Budinger being ready for the NBA.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:31 PM
+1 Vote -1 Vote +1spoons Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
the board of regents is saying that a seven year deal CAN’T be offered…
(http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/287598.php)
ummmm, please don’t tell me this is going to fall apart!!!! does anyone know what precludes the university from offering this contract? is there any provision for exceptions?
if this (2nd, 7-year) deal is the one that helped him change his mind and is renegged, are we going to have another change of heart?
————————————————————————
I share the same fear. Please tell me Livengood knew he can’t offer 7 year deals, please!!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:38 PM
This just reported by the Star: “The Cincinnati Enquirer is quoting Xavier player B.J. Raymond as saying Sean Miller will no longer be his coach. ‘He’s out. They just told me,’ Raymond is quoted as saying.”
Here’s the link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/287585.php
Its pretty much done when his current player say he gone hes gone. I remember Lockett said that there was no way Floyd was leaving.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:39 PM
whew!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:39 PM
It sounds official!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:39 PM
He is leaving Xavier just said
April 6th, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Recruits still “considering” Xavier or Arizona (i.e. not signed yet):
* 6-10, 250-pound center Kryrl Natyazhko (considering Xavier, could follow Miller to Arizona – also considering ASU, but this could push him to Tucson)
* 6-8, 200, power forward Glenn Bryant (considering Xavier, could follow Miller to Arizona)
* 6-6, 200, swingman Victor Rudd (Arizona is Rudd’s first choice)
* 6-4, 190, shooting guard Sherrod Wright (considering Xavier, could follow Miller)
* 6-8, 210, HS junior power forward Jordan Latham (would be a November signee)
* 6-1, 160, HS junior point guard Terrell Stoglin (would also be a November signee – oral committment to Maryland but said he would consider Arizona if the “right coach” is hired – is Miller the “right coach”?)
April 6th, 2009 at 12:40 PM
We got our man!!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:40 PM
He’s coming to UA!!! Woo Hoo!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:41 PM
On the contract controversy, if memory serves, Boice is from Tucson and probably has McKale season tix.
I’m sure they’ll find a way to finalize the contract.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Right On parallex Wildcat fan. Right On baby!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:44 PM
miller’s on the podium now. it’s over, he’s just saying goodbye
i was scared when i heard that he was having a presser @ XU, but i see it like this: it takes stones to say goodbye in person, not just stealing off in the night. it shows commitment, passion and honesty. it shows integrity and conviction.
that’s all my opinion, hope everyone agrees and is ready to jump behind this guy and support the next era of wildcat bball.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Watching it now, he is a stand up guy to speak to his local media. I think we got ourselves a winner!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:46 PM
(Watching Miller presser online…)
Yes, he’s leaving Xavier and coming to UA!!
Miller sounds like a classy guy. Hope he stays at Arizona for a long time…
April 6th, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Now we just need to hire their AD..
April 6th, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Well, if coach Miller’s number one assistant doesn’t take over for him, then he’s coming to Arizona with coach Miller. Man, I like the sound of that, coach Sean Miller.
Arizona abso-LUTE-ly got a winner in coach Miller.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:48 PM
PURE STAND-UP GUY.
If you didn’t get a chance to see his presser, I think we are getting ourselves – not only a great coach – but a great person as well.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Wow- class act all the way. Nice job Coach, nice job Xavier.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:49 PM
+2 spoons Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
the board of regents is saying that a seven year deal CAN’T be offered…
(http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/287598.php)
ummmm, please don’t tell me this is going to fall apart!!!! does anyone know what precludes the university from offering this contract? is there any provision for exceptions?
if this (2nd, 7-year) deal is the one that helped him change his mind and is renegged, are we going to have another change of heart?
_________________________________________________________________
I looks like ASWho grads trying to sabotage Arizona..
April 6th, 2009 at 12:49 PM
I can breathe again!! I’ve been holding my breath waiting to hear that it’s really true after the roller coaster ride we’ve been this past week.
I just watched his press conference. What a class act! I think he’s going to be a wonderful addition to the Wildcat family.
Thank you for a great website, Javier. I hope you’ll keep it going.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Arizona Wildcats Basketball: Tearful Miller says he’s excited about coming to UA
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.06.2009
1:40 p.m.
Xavier Coach Sean Miller confirms at a news conference that he is leaving for UA, saying he’s excited but that it was the hardest decision of his life.
Miller broke into tears as he explained that the decision was so difficult because “of the people down here,” referring to Xavier. He said Xavier is “second to none and shaped me as a person and a coach.”
But he also said he is excited to go to place that has won a national championship before and can do it again, and that has a quarter-century of excellence speaking for it.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Yeah, was watching that, too. Miller sounds awesome.
It’s done, baby!!
Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, free at last……
To finally stop obsessing and go get some work done!
Man, what a roller coaster, from the depths of hoops despair to the pinnacle. We thought the series was over and we’d struck out, but upon further review, the ball wasn’t foul but was fair and we’ve just won the World Series. What a great freaking feeling!
I’m guessing one of the boosters, or more, got with JL and said “up the ante, let’s get this done”.
So thank you to the money guys for making this happen. This is a big league offer to a big league coach from what we can now rest in as confirmed is a big league program. Yes!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:50 PM
bobinski on the podium now. he’s very complimentary and confirmed miller’s had many job offers…says he knows UA is a huge opportunity and he’s convinced that miller made the right decision for miller
April 6th, 2009 at 12:51 PM
the 7 year board of regents thing doesn’t matter now. Miller has crossed the line, no going back. The deal will not fall apart, it will just be restructured. The substance of it will not change.
We got our man!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Any pictures from this presser?
April 6th, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Javier M, now that Arizona has it’s head coach, how about take on the Wildcat roster for 2009-2010, and the possible incoming recruits.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Thank god its finaly over!!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:54 PM
After watching him speak, we really need to hire their AD… Hope Shelton is watching
April 6th, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Miller might of just saved Levinjoke’s A$$
April 6th, 2009 at 12:56 PM
FYI – the OVERALL NUMBER 1 recruit on rivals.com has Arizona on his list, although it is a long list:
http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=64551&Sport=2
Already received an offer, too. Way to go, Geary.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Sorry 2010 recruit, didn’t mean to get hopes up for 2009-10 season.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:58 PM
I think we landed ourselves a stand up guy here gents. It’s been fun conversing the last couple of weeks.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Haven’t seen this mentioned yet (from USAToday), looks like a Xavier recruit is open to coming to UA:
—————
The news already appears to be affecting Xavier’s incoming class. In Columbus, Northland High recruit J.D. Weatherspoon said he is decommitting to Xavier.
“I want to reopen my recruitment,” he said. “Xavier is still on my list, but I want to wait and see who they get as a coach.”
Weatherspoon told Columbus Dispatch reporter Steve Blackledge that he is wide open and would consider Arizona if Miller offers him again.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Great tidbit, Blueleaf.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Arizona is back on the radar!
April 6th, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Wow, great press conference. Really like our new coach. Really like Bobinski. Another real class act.
To Livingood’s credit, he pulled this off. He brought us a first rate coach and you know personal integrity was at the top of his list. It’s not really Livingood’s fault that he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Truthfully, I hope this is what he’s remembered for. Not all the screw ups, but the hiring of Miller, as well as the other good and great coaches he’s hired over the years.
Dempsey put Arizona on the map by getting Olson. Lavingood screwed up in a really big way with Mac. But he’s just redeemed himself in my book.
Mr. Lavingood — thank you for failing to convince Tim Floyd and, by some miracle, hiring Sean Miller. Thank you for getting us to this place, no matter how convoluted, confused, half baked, hare brained and circuitous the route. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Where did you see the presser by the way? Is it available online somewhere?
April 6th, 2009 at 1:08 PM
I believe it was probably carried live in Tucson- maybe by ESPN too.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Posted it above — but it’s over. Check google to see if you can find a replay.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Miller “won the press conference” in my eyes. Humble, articulate and said all the right things.
To be honest, he came across better than Lute ever did (with the press), even the good Lute.
As Rick said to Louis in Casablanca, “This could be the start of a beautiful friendship”.
Someone needs to send roses and a thank you note to Floyd. He did us the greatest service anyone ever has.
After Miller settles in, let’s start looking for a new AD. The Xavier guy looked pretty good to me.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:13 PM
To X-Man- really sorry that we stole away yet another coach from XU. Obviously as an Az fan, I am excited to bring in Miller, but part of me hates the Yankees-like mentality of a big program stealing away good young coaches from mid-majors. If it is any consolation, your university has had a string of successful coaches and teams, so XU certainly has things in line to continue their success. Best of luck to your squad and sorry for stealing your coach with wads of cash.
Javier, great job on the site. I am sure it is tons of work, but I too would love to see the site continue running. The comments on Azstarnet continue to spiral to new depths, so it would be nice for Cats fans to have a new resource to discuss the beloved teams. Thanks for all the work.
Very excited for the Sean Miller era to begin. I think Hill and Budinger did a classy thing by not declaring their intentions about their draft status. Obviously, both should go in the draft, but I think they did the university a favor by holding off on announcing this and sparing the school from more of a “rats deserting the sinking ship” appearance during the coaching search. Now let’s get some recruits.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Man, if we manage to bring in Rudd, and a couple of those XU recruits and Chase and Wise come back we might not even be bad next year. Unbelievable. I’m still not giving JL any credit. Blind squirrel and all that. Nonetheless, we got our coach and now we just need to bring in the players. Javier, thanks again for the site! Would love it if you keep it going. Either way, first-rate blog.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Wouldn’t it be ironic if Callipari did us a favor both by turning down U of A and also by steering Miller to us. I think there’s a good chance Cal would have skipped town a year later if Kentucky had waited to come calling, whereas Dixon’s not apparently going anywhere in the foreseeable future and, even if he did, Miller doesn’t necessarily seem the type to leave. We also have the advantage of having a higher status program than Pitt which can pay more money and offer other advantages.
I’m extremely happy with this hire. Go Cats!
April 6th, 2009 at 1:17 PM
I love what Lute did for the school, don’t get me wrong. But the guy would be insufferable and beyond pompous. He refused to talk with the Star for how many years? Cmon, grow up.
It’s going to be great to have a coach who is both high quality AND personable, willing to work the media, and knows how to light a fire under his guys. Can you imagine Miller taking the talent we had in the early 90s and losing in the first round to schools like ETS or Santa Clara or Ohio?
I am SO excited for this new era to begin.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:18 PM
boxner, great idea about going after Bobinski. The guy obviously knows what he’s doing. Unfortunately, this probably means JL gets a 5-year extension and retires a Wildcat. Oh well. Water under the bridge. This is too good a day to be harping on Livengood.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Blind squirrel — funny.
Javier — great site. Thank you. You have kept me relatively sane these past days. Would love it too if the site continued.
As for the presser being better than Olson’s; yes, Lute was not always so well spoken. Or rather he had a way of losing it or seeming to be on the edge of losing it a lot of the time. But as a coach he was legendary. He truly placed this program on the map. I think it’s only realistic to expect a drop off with any new coach. Even a hire as great as Miller. Not even Callipari or Pitino are in Lute’s league. That’s the trouble with filling the shoes of a legend. Nobody can.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Javier,
Thanks for the great website. I visited this site more than I care to admit, but it became an important clearinghouse for iinformation. Maybe it can be converted to a sort of Jordan Hill/Chase Budinger Stay in School Website. Either way, it has been fun swapping rumors, opinions, and news with everyone. Let’s get back to the business of winning. Livengood certainly won by hiring Miller. Maybe we can win some recruits and then win some games.
Thanks again, JM.
Barry
April 6th, 2009 at 1:28 PM
I saw the press conference and was very impressed. He looks like a class guy.
This board has been really fun. Javier…thanks for doing this. I like the idea someone had about tracking our recruits as Miller rebuilds.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Idea for the website: “Rebuilding Arizona”… maybe only a one year deal, but why not? You could cover recruiting and such… especially this offseason where Wildcats all over the country are praying for Coach Miller to land some players…
April 6th, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Anyone else find it funny that the “NJIT coach” disappeared like a fart in the wind after this hiring was announced?
April 6th, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Crap, I even scanned through the posts to see if there was a link but I missed it. Oh well, can’t find anything on google yet but hopefully a video will be posted somewhere soon.
Bear Down Sean!
April 6th, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Guess I’m a few minutes late with that one… nevermind.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:31 PM
I think we have the boosters to thank for this hiring. It looks like the improved offer was a big part of the change of mind this morning.
Javier, thank you so much for your insight and your efforts with this website. Especially being out of state, it was really nice to have this kind of information available. Awesome job!
April 6th, 2009 at 1:32 PM
props on the site javier. this has consumed my work and personal life over the past 10 days but it the end im glad we hit a homerun hire to make it all so worth it.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Yes Javier, thank you so much for doing all of this for us, this website has been a great souce of information and conversation. Please continue to do some sort of website for us, if you have the time and energy of course! Thanks again.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:37 PM
+1 barry Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Javier,
Thanks for the great website. I visited this site more than I care to admit, but it became an important clearinghouse for iinformation. Maybe it can be converted to a sort of Jordan Hill/Chase Budinger Stay in School Website. Either way, it has been fun swapping rumors, opinions, and news with everyone. Let’s get back to the business of winning. Livengood certainly won by hiring Miller. Maybe we can win some recruits and then win some games.
Thanks again, JM.
Barry
———————-
Coach Geary is working on finding some “diamonds in the rough:” See Kyle Fogg.
Perhaps coach Miller will retain Reggie, because IF Miller’s No. 2 assistant, Grant, doesn’t get the Xavier, Ohio gig, then Miller will bring him to Arizona. He’s gone on record regarding coach Grant during his telly press conference.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:38 PM
BREAKING NEWS EXCLUSIVE: GARY PARRISH IS REPORTING JOSH PASTNER TO MEMPHIS
April 6th, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Memphis hires Pastner
Josh Pastner will be introduced as the next Memphis coach, a source close to the program told CBSSports.com on Monday.
An news conference is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday.
Pastner is known as an elite recruiter from his time at Arizona, where he played for and assisted Lute Olson before joining John Calipari’s staff last offseason. This is his first head coaching job.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Now that’s a turn of events, and a presser winner. Pastner to memphis? Wow.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:41 PM
If true, great move for Pastner. Hope he has lots of success at Memphis. Couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Wow – that’s a perfect place for him to get seasoned… Of course we have to compete with him for recruits, now.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Javier,
I know it’s been said before. But thank you for putting up this website. It was definitely a great place to go to get the latest info on the UofA hoops coach search. I’m sure it was a lot of work to continuously update and moderate this blog, and I wanted to be sure to say thank you.
Ben
April 6th, 2009 at 1:43 PM
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=AB&Date=20090405&Category=SPT0102&ArtNo=904050803&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1
April 6th, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Definitely great move for Pastner, hope he does well.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Way to go Josh!
April 6th, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Good luck to Josh – now we’ll see if he’s as capable as some here think. My guess is he was waiting to hear the news on our hire before he said yes.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Alright… Now the most important question of the next week:
What do we need to do to keep the big 3 – or even 2 of them – around?????
Do we think it is purely a helpless cause because they are already gone? Javier – Are you hearing anything? I heard Wise was waiting to see who we got as the next coach before making a decision…
Easy to make the case that none of the 3 should go, and you can make the case that any and all should go.
Can you imagine – with divine intervention of course – if all 3 decided to come back to help the school bridge the gap? Talk about Miller walking into a freaking diamond pit. Might be the best thing in the world for Chase to do – come back – maybe he could learn to play defense… (Sorry, couldn’t resist)
April 6th, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Congrats Josh, and good luck IM sure if Pastner is offered the job in 10+ yrs he will take the ARizona job at any time let Pastner get his feet wet. Like Roy Williams alma matter was UNC, assistant under the great D Smith, then took the HC job at KU then left to UNC. Its the same story IM sure if Arizona offers him if Miller leaves in about a decade or so he will take it.
Memphis promotes assistant Pastner to coach, replacing Calipari
April 6, 2009
By Gary Parrish
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
Tell Gary your opinion!
DETROIT — Josh Pastner will be introduced as the next Memphis coach, a source close to the program told CBSSports.com on Monday.
An news conference is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday.
Pastner is known as an elite recruiter from his time at Arizona, where he played for and assisted Lute Olson before joining John Calipari’s staff last offseason. This is his first head coaching job.
Now you can keep your recruits. And this kid is full of energy. He’ll bring a fresh perspective and tons of talent. As an Arizona fan, I was pulling for him after we got rejected by Floyd and Miller (at first). You got a guy who can build a program. Give him some experience so we can steal him in 5 years.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Great move for Josh and Memphis!
April 6th, 2009 at 1:52 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/i/mag/blog/ZooropaTop.jpg
Miller the McKale and the city is officialy yours. And if you win like Lute you will be a God. Miller get ready for big crowds, best attendance in the Pac for 24 straight yrs., and as a UNC fan one of the loudest crowds Ive ever been to.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Great news for Josh. Congratulations to him!!
So how long ’til we get a new arena for UA Hoops? McKale is old and small and the NCAA won’t even book it for the 1st and 2nd Rounds.
If you build it they will come….
April 6th, 2009 at 2:06 PM
The McKale isnt small in fact its the biggest in the PAC10 but Its 40 yrs old they will eventually get a new bigger better one downtown.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:10 PM
The new arena that they are talking about building downtown as part of Rio Nuevo (not sure that’s ever going to happen) is going to be smaller than McKale. Unless UA boosters step in and change something, and there is no information indicating that they will, the new arena downtown is going to be significantly smaller than McKale Center. I think it’s going to be somewhere in the 10,000 seat range.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Don’t know if I missed this anywhere in the feed but does anyone have a link to a video or transcript from the Xavier press conf? Also anyone know when the UA presser will be
April 6th, 2009 at 2:17 PM
If UA is gonna build a smaller arena stay with the McKale for a while let it build traditon and sometimes the older stadiums/arenas get the more better they get (soldier field yankee stadium fenway, wrigley, lamboeu the garden [nyc]) till you have a plan to build a arena with a bigger attendance. Its like playing in Yankee stadium then playing in Dolphin stadium yuck!
April 6th, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Great news, great hire and a great day! This hire will keep UA hoops relevant for years to come. Thanks Javier for a great site to hang out, laugh and cry with other UA fanatics. If you keep it up and running I will definitely be a regular. Later guys, time to get back to my life, watch the game tonight and feel proud to be a Wildcat.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:22 PM
yeah i was watching it on ESPNews but with their east coast bias they only showed like 2 minutes, so i didnt watch the whole thing. ANd no one has posted it and im trying to see the whole thing
http://www.wcpo.com/content/mediacenter/wcpolive.aspx
Heres where they originally but that site took it, i tried to find everywhere youtube espn and many others but couldnt find it
April 6th, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Yes, there’s nothing wrong with McKale that a little sprucing up wouldn’t take care of, particularly with the new practice building. It’s a good facility. Not charming. But big and loud — a great place to pay. If we stay there long enough, eventually it will have charm. Give it another 30 years or so.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:27 PM
CBS reports that Pastner will be the head coach at Memphis. Congrats to Josh I hope you have great success. Good hire for Memphis.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:27 PM
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090406/SPT0102/304060084/1065
the comments on the cincinnati enquirer are kinda funny you should read them.
But honestly them talking about loyalty they should have learned from Memphis fans, even though Miller and Calipari respectively loved their former schools.
But you have to feel bad for Xavier fans who keep losing coach after coach to bcs confrence teams.
But It’s a business. Which means that when MONEY is waved in your face you can’t ignore it. You’d think X fans would get that by now with Gillen, Prosser, Matta and now Miller
For all of you Xavier that are complaining about Miller changing jobs….. If you were offered
1) twice the salary,
2) better league (A-10 vs pac-10)
3) better oppurtunity – TV & recuiting
4) Weather
Now let me see, Arizona is a campus of 40,000 students, has a 15,000 seat arena sold out on a season ticket basis, has gone to 25 straight NCAA tourneys, 4 final fours and has won a national championship. Not to mention they are a member of the Pac-10, the conference with more all sports national championships than any other. Normal winter high temperature in the 60s-70s, does not snow, can play golf all year round…etc. Oh and he gets paid twice as much to work there than in Cincy with a lower cost of living. How long would it take you to figure this one out? You’d be gone in a minute.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:30 PM
It’ll be interesting to see who (Miller or Pastner) takes their team to the final four first.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Can’t find the press conference video but I did come across this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIx4agmtxd8. New coach has got some handles, use to have, anyway.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:33 PM
While Im here the Pac 10 needs to be better at marketing. You can only blame East coast bias for a while. The PAC10 has the biggest cities in any confrence Seatle, San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portlan (kind of). ANd in football you are beat by the SEC who has Knoxville, Baton Ruge, Athens ,Gainsville, Tallahase, Auburn, etc. Come on.
Just needed to say that
April 6th, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Yeah the vols football saturday its crazy here
April 6th, 2009 at 2:36 PM
wish the cats would be that crazy over the football team too but hey its all about Zona Basketball
April 6th, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Pastner to Memphis, just like I said would happen several days ago. The guy is too good to continue to be overlooked. Now watch him convice that top ranked recruiting class to stay. After all, he did have a hand in recruiting them.
Regardless of whether or not Miller turns out to be a “good hire”, this whole ordeal has really been a disaster. Livengood needs to be shown the door. I bet we’ll get to see Josh in Tucson in the coming years, since he and Miller are reported to be friends, they’ll probably set up a home-and-away, so he can come back and remind the Wildcat nation that they should’ve snatched him up while they had the chance.
It really bugs me that he ends up the head coach at Memphis, where he spent 1 year, instead of getting that same opportunity from HIS school. In my opinion, it doesn’t speak very highly of the people running this program.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Tallahasse, i.e Florida State = Not SEC
April 6th, 2009 at 2:40 PM
it think it gainsville
April 6th, 2009 at 2:42 PM
AZ Juice Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Tallahasse, i.e Florida State = Not SEC
_______________________________________________________________
Yeah I meant to say Tuscaloosa (bama)
April 6th, 2009 at 2:43 PM
http://www.azcentral.com/commphotos/azcentral/10509/1/11
nice little profile of Sean Miller
April 6th, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Well we can all end this madness thank god we can all go back to work and school give 110% back and we’re done with the late nights no sleep skiping meals (forgeting to eat) we can all have our lives back!!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Well,
now we’ll get to see how Pastner will do. I think he will do well, and he will no doubt get lots of press and publicity on the media circuit for being so young.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Vote recorded. Thank you.
+1 Zonacat_vols Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Well we can all end this madness thank god we can all go back to work and school give 110% back and we’re done with the late nights no sleep skiping meals (forgeting to eat) we can all have our lives back!!!!
______________________________________________________________
Yup Im just waiting to see if anyone finds and post the Sean Miller press conference I didnt get to see the whole thing (should of know Espnews would cut most of it). And apparently ppl are saying how classy he was, so I want to see that.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:50 PM
then in 10-15yrs he can come be our head coach! Good Luck Josh!!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 3:11 PM
its not the entire presser but has some snippets…
http://www.local12.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=38956@video.wkrc.com
April 6th, 2009 at 3:12 PM
I understand why we would want someone like Geary to help with the recruiting in the west, but wouldn’t our weather be a much bigger draw to players from the mid-west and east coast? I don’t see how Miller’s experience recruiting back there really hurts him getting up and going in Arizona, it might even help him.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:16 PM
great news for Josh.
Given how quickly this was announced on the heels of our announcement with Miller, I’m guessing Memphis had an offer in place and Josh’s response was “I accept unless AZ offers me their job”, and he told JL what the deal was.
Which lends credence to my assumption from yesterday. JL had a sense of urgency because he DID have Josh lined up and he told Miller “look, you’re my guy, the one we want, but we need a decision in the next 24 hours and if you don’t get back to us we’re going with Pastner, who already has an offer from Memphis.” that makes your job look a lot more attractive.
And ironically, I think we also have ASU to thank here. It’s inconceivable to me that Miller woudl’ve accepted this job without soliciting input from Sendek. Obviously, the feedback was positive, so thanks, Herb.
The Pac 10 and the west just got stronger.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:18 PM
CFU….i agree it’s nice to have a coach with east coast and Midwest recruiting ties, but we NEED to have at least someone on staff with west coast connections. It’s our most natural recruiting base, along with Texas.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Pastner has to change a little to be the head guy.
No more hyper behavior – he needs to relax a little and delegate. Don’t know if he can do that.
No more 30 hour days. If he has little success then this could make him bitter.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Yeah, because basketball coaches are never hyper and always relaxed.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:45 PM
you know, Miller coming is huge on several levels.
First, the obvious. We have a great coach for a long time, hopefully.
Second, it affirms to recruits we’re a program to be reckoned with and worthy of their attention. If I’m a recruit and AZ gets turned down by both Floyd and Miller, I’m thinking “what’s wrong with that place, if it’s not good enough for them is it good enough for me?” That issue is now resoundingly resolved.
Third, it affirms to the national media that AZ IS a premier program.
And on that count, it feels like such a relief to have that affirmed as a fan. It’s like Sally Fields at the Oscars years back. “You like me, you REALLY like me”.
After hearing guys like Katz prattle on about how we’re really a second rate program, this feels awesome. Hey Andy go suck on this one for awhile, ya schmuk. There’s simply no way to spin it other than AZ just scored perhaps the best coaching coup of this off season.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:53 PM
You have never met Pastner or know him.
He is abnormally hyper and too hands on.
It will be interesting if he can delegate.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Great post Rick…I would love a few words with Andy Katz.
Great day to be a Wildcat.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:59 PM
If anyone has been wondering what the Rickster (Rick Anderson) has been up to lately go here. Click on “Our crew”
By the way if anyone is ever in Long Beach this bar is totally awesome and theres no beer better than a beer served up by the Rickster.
http://www.joejosts.com/
April 6th, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Hey Andy, remember this?
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4020100&name=katz_andy
What’s that Andy? You can’t talk with your mouth full (of crow)?
April 6th, 2009 at 4:03 PM
All in all looks like a good day. i’m ecstatic to have Coach Miller Tucson-bound. To think everything looked so bleak less than 12 hours ago…
And if rumor is to be believed, I wish the best of luck to Coach Pastner as well.
Finally, thanks to Javier for creating and updating this site. While I have not posted before, I’ve been here daily over the last week and appreciate your hard work and effort. This site was the best reference on the net.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Katz reads this blog and I bet it’s killing him.
Pretty soon we are going to get weird posts defending him.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:09 PM
We all should just forget about TV hacks like Andy Katz especially when we’ve got a guy like Javier Morales all to ourselves! The whole East-coast bias thing is actually kind of tiresome. West-coast schools generally acquit themselves quite well when it comes to recruiting and winning. I don’t even watch ESPN. If anything, the East-coast bias is just a defense mechanism on the part of East-coasters. I mean, really, out west we’ve got the weather, the women, the wide-open spaces. We certainly don’t need the approval of the Eastern media establishment.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Does anyone have any news on if Miller is going to keep Reggie Geary on his new staff at Arizona? Is he bringing all his staff from Xavier?
April 6th, 2009 at 4:14 PM
There’ two things Arizona fan won’t have to be anxious of with Miller and staff’s recruits, the two P’s baby:
Nasty, PHYSICAL toughness, and tough-minded PSYCHOLOGICAL teams. Variables which have been A.W.O.L in Arizona teams since the 2005 season.
In other words, Miller’s previous Xavier, Ohio squads emulated the nasty, physical toughness of the vast majority of Big East teams, and one Michigan St. team.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Vote -1 Vote +1Ben Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Does anyone have any news on if Miller is going to keep Reggie Geary on his new staff at Arizona? Is he bringing all his staff from Xavier?
————————-
IF coach Miller’s No. 2 assistant, coach Mack, doesn’t get the head coaching gig at Xavier, Ohio, then assistant coach Mack will follow Miller to Tucson. Coach Miller mentioned this in his telly conference this afternoon.
As for the coach Miller’s two other former staff members, your guess is good as anyone else in this here forum.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Wazzou hire Ken Bone from Portland State today as an FYI… (Portland State has made the tourney the last two seasons and this season beat Gonzaga @ Gonzaga.)
Busy day in college hoops.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:22 PM
We all know that andy katz sucks the taint of all east coast coaching representatives. its actually really funny how he is its like he hates to report anything good on the west coast. Him and Bob Knight need to stop giving each other the reach around and warm up to this beautiful west coast. Damn man likers
April 6th, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Buddha…..absent since 2005? I’d assert that Lute’s teams have NEVER had those qualities. I can’t recall a single AZ team that I would describe as ‘mean and nasty’ in a good way. We’ve always had ‘nice’ guys, Lute always recruited a certain personality. I love all the guys, but we could’ve used a few more Gene Edgersons and a few less Channing Frye types.
Looking forward to AZ toughening up. If there’s one label in sports I loathe, it’s “soft”. That has accurately described AZ for a long time.
No more.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Ok so here are some scenarios for next year:
Best case Scenario would obviously be for the big three to stay because of the fact that they would be excited for “Miller Time” but since hill has said the coaching situation has nothing to do with it he has made up his mind.
Maybe we get two budinger and wise to lead the team. if kyle fogg keeps developing along with Jamelle horne i think we could potentially have a good year next year.
What people are forgetting is the fact that Arizona could still potentially have a good recruiting class. One person that has been following this situation closely is the Rivals number 28 recruit in the country Solomon Hill. At heart i think all along he has wanted to be a wildcat and has only verbally commited to USC because he wanted to see how this situarion unraveled. So we could very possibly land him.
One other is the 6 10 big man Kyryl Natyazhko. this guy is also ranked highly at 75 according to Rivals.com. although U of A is not on there both Arizona State and Xavier are. with the hiring of Miller At UA it could potentially make him to go south to Arizona.
Kevin Parrom a 6’6″ forward has also committed to Xavier and maybe Miller can sit him down and convince him to come to arizona because i believe when he was asked if he would follow Miller he said he would strongly consider.
And finally one last guy. Victor Rudd out of Findlay prepp in nevada. Rudd has voiced that he wants to be a wildcat and maybe with the hiring of Miller will truely convince him to come to Arizona. but one thing that has happened to rudd is the fact that he has had discipline problems.
Again people i am just wishful thinking and throwing it out there. but this may not be that much of a down year brothas.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Rick obviously has forgotten Michael Wright. Or what about Hassan Adams, for instance.
Khalid Reeves anyone!
Then, there’s Chris Mills and Sean Rooks. I could go on but perhaps Wildcat fandom gets the point.
A short take about Hassan Adams. Does anybody recall his play in the 2003 Elite-8 game against Kansas.
Well, Arizona was having extreme difficulty against Jayhawk 6-9 PF Nick Collison all afternoon. Until, Hassan was assigned to Collison in Olson’s mano-a-mano D. Adams took on the challenge the final seven minutes of that particular game in Anaheim, Cali.
Hassan Man-ed Up against Collison so much, that Nick complained to the zebra’s several times because Adams was in his face. Collison even tried intimidating Hassan a couple of times with swinging elbows but Adams didn’t back down.
Yes sir, Arizona’s had it’s share of tough-minded, physical player’s- albeit not to the great degree of most Big East teams, and one Michigan St. squad.
But that’s going to quickly change with a new Sheriff Miller in the Old Pueblo. LOL
April 6th, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Josh Pastner is named Head basketball coach of the Memphis Tigers!
April 6th, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Old news , phoenix
April 6th, 2009 at 5:25 PM
You wanna see mean and nasty….Eugene Edgerson. Yea that guy was a god amongst men. He was like the Ben Wallace of College before anyone know about Ben Wallace. The 1997 Team had some mean and nasty on it. UA has had lots of individual mean and nasty players. Guys that were tough or had a certain skills that made them a matchup nightmare. Igoudala was mean and nasty in his own right although not on the 1997 team. I always remeber him making people foolishly underrate him. It was like he WANTED you to think he was garbage. Next thing ya know, your getting dunked on. Jefferson, similar in style as Igoudala, cept ya knew he was good and you know you were going to get dunked on. Another mean and nasty couple were Kenny Lofton, and the great Jason Terry. They stole the ball about every 3 minutes on average. I just remember thinking…Is the other team just throwing the ball to them because they know its going to happen anyway?? They were the same player, just different era’s. The MEAN and NASTY leader at Arizona…..Salim! One of the all time greats I think, in our history. He could just shoot. ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, NO PROBLEM. ! Others could be listed but those are the frontrunners. BAM
April 6th, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Solomon HIll is reconsidering AZ….that would be a GREAT hit on FLoyd!
April 6th, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Andrew. Do you have a link to support that?
April 6th, 2009 at 5:37 PM
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/287585.php
April 6th, 2009 at 5:37 PM
6 p.m.:
Solomon Hill, whose verbal commitment to the Arizona Wildcats changed Oct. 24 — one day after Lute Olson’s retirement — is reconsidering Arizona, his father said today. The reason: new UA head coach Sean Miller, who will be formally introduced at a news conference Tuesday at noon.
“I will be talking to Sean this week,” Solomon Crawford, Hill’s father, said.
Hill is a 6-foot-6-inch swingman rated the No. 3 small forward in America by recruiting service Rivals.com. Hill, a senior at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, changed his verbal commitment from Arizona to USC, located just down the street.
— Patrick Finley
April 6th, 2009 at 5:41 PM
2010 Commit De-Commits from Xavier – Open to Arizona.
6-6 Power Forward from Columbus J.D. Weatherspoon. (#135 by Rivals)
The news of Miller leaving sent a ripple effect to Columbus, where Northland recruit J.D. Weatherspoon said he is decommitting to Xavier.
“I want to reopen my recruitment,” he said. “Xavier is still on my list, but I want to wait and see who they get as a coach.”
Weatherspoon told Columbus Dispatch reporter Steve Blackledge that he is wide open and would consider Arizona if Miller offers him again.
April 6th, 2009 at 5:51 PM
How sweet would it be if Hill gives Floyd the finger and comes back to UA to play for Miller?!
April 6th, 2009 at 6:00 PM
arizona would be saved if we could steal rudd and hill.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:05 PM
James Harden to transfer to Arizona?
ok, maybe not….but its fun to go from the poorhouse to the penthouse….might as well get greedy while we are on a roll…
April 6th, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Speaking of Salim, I remember he once smacked the headband off Jason Kapono’s head, and none of the officials saw it. I got a good laugh out of that one!
April 6th, 2009 at 6:13 PM
James Harden to transfer to Arizona?
—————-
Well, that’s probably asking for too much but hopefully Miller can put us in play for Kyryl Natyazhko who was considering both Xavier and ASU. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but it looks like we might be able to salvage a pretty good recruiting class this year. It looks like Wildcat basketball wasn’t just Lute after all.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:23 PM
if we could pull Hill, Natyazkho, and Weatherspoon (none of whom are HUGE reaches), and MAYBE even that insane Victor Rudd fellow…we go from having ZERO recruits to perhaps the best class in the Pac 10….which would entice Wise to stay and run the show….I feel better now.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Weatherspoon is a 2010 recruit. Hill, Natyazkho, and Rudd, would be the most likely scenario.
Arizona should be solid when it comes to guard play next year.
Wise, Fogg, Lavendar, and Judkins as a solid top 4 at the 1 and the 2.
Mix in the three recruits above with Horne, and Jacobsen and Arizona could be a competitive team.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:34 PM
It is not a reach for Chase to stay. He could go over 2,000 pts and his stock stayed the same this year and could possibly go up with a dominat year next year. Also, if Jordan looks at the tape, he will see he needs another year. They might convince themselves to be the bridge from Lute to Miller and keep the streak alive. I don’t think for a minute that is a reach.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Glenn Bryant is another Rivals 150 recruit who hasn’t committed yet who had Xavier on his list. I doubt we’ll get all these guys, but I don’t think Hill ever really wanted to play for anyone else and was just waiting to see who UA would hire. If Miller makes a good impression on Hill’s dad I think Hill will be a Cat next year. Rudd allegedly prefers to play for us but his maturity and academics might be a problem. Although, he’s being recruited by Gonzaga and Few is known for running a clean program. Weatherspoon has already said he’s open to considering UA if Miller asks. No idea where Natyazhko’s head is (he just visited ASU last week), but coming here would allow him to play in Arizona for a coach he was already considering. Also, we have the advantage of offering all these guys playing time in year 1. Even if Wise and Budinger come back, the other 3 starting spots will be open for competition and Miller’s history indicates he prefers a deep bench. Am I being too optimistic?
April 6th, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Jamelle Horne is horrible.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:38 PM
I think you are right on Pistol.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:42 PM
With Josh now at Memphis and waiting in the wings we are set at being a “program” handed down from generation to generation and not just a Lute team if/when Miller makes a break for the Big East. Things are set for the next 20-30 years not to get ahead of myself. My how things change in 24hrs. Livengood did well due to his stupidity.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Javier, or anyone – Assuming Hill and Budinger make the leap to the NBA, how many scholarships do we have to offer?
April 6th, 2009 at 6:48 PM
I am sorry guys for not posting recently. Been tied up on personal projects. Let me just say it’s been an honor putting this site together for some very informed and knowledgeable Wildcat fans. I hope as many people as possible in Tucson can either greet Miller at the airport tomorrow or at McKale Center. Let him know what he’s about to enjoy and respect: Unrivaled fan support in the Pac-10 and even the nation.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:49 PM
If Chase and Hill leave, we have 5.
http://www.athleticscholarships.net/basketballscholarships.htm
The NCAA allows each Division 1 Men’s Basketball program 13 Scholarships and in Division 2, 10 are available. For Women’s basketball 15 Scholarships are offered in Division 1 and 10 in Division 2.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Windy, let’s wait and see on Pastner. I like him and would’ve been ok with him getting the job if Miller had declined but honestly I’m glad he’s taking off the training wheels at Memphis and not here. It’s quite a step up from being a recruiting assistant to being the guy in charge of a D-1 program. I certainly wish him well, but I feel a lot more comfortable with Miller at this point.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:51 PM
OC_Wildcat, 6 scholarships
April 6th, 2009 at 6:52 PM
What time do we meet Miller’s plane or greet him at McKale?
April 6th, 2009 at 6:55 PM
yes Pistol…that is assuming he does well but I think he will have a lot of continuity to work with in Memphis and will convince some of the recruits to stay with him.
Off the subject. Does anyone remember the 2001 final four and Arenas getting mugged at the end of the game against MSU and messed up his shoulder. People forget Arenas was not 100% in the championship game and it would have been a completely different game against Duke if he was healthy
April 6th, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Parallax: I know the press conference is at noon Tucson time. The flight information I am not aware of at this time. I will be back soon to update the site, etc. Thank you.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:01 PM
+2 Vote -1 Vote +1Javier M. Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I am sorry guys for not posting recently. Been tied up on personal projects. Let me just say it’s been an honor putting this site together for some very informed and knowledgeable Wildcat fans. I hope as many people as possible in Tucson can either greet Miller at the airport tomorrow or at McKale Center. Let him know what he’s about to enjoy and respect: Unrivaled fan support in the Pac-10 and even the nation.
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Au Contraire, because it’s been a honor for all loyal Arizona Wildcat fandom to be part of your diligent, endeavor to keep the Wilbur Cat fandom abreast of the latest happenings concerning Arizona’s search for the elusive head coach.
Perhaps Javier M would keep this informative, insightful Arizona blog alive regarding any new incoming player’s, and the likelihood that The Warrior and Chase will go N.B.A, and the bio on Miller’s staff, etc.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:02 PM
+2 Vote -1 Vote +1Javier M. Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I am sorry guys for not posting recently. Been tied up on personal projects. Let me just say it’s been an honor putting this site together for some very informed and knowledgeable Wildcat fans. I hope as many people as possible in Tucson can either greet Miller at the airport tomorrow or at McKale Center. Let him know what he’s about to enjoy and respect: Unrivaled fan support in the Pac-10 and even the nation.
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That would be great. Hopefully its more than 3 of us, like it was with the Xavier fans when Miller returned to Cincy hehe. I’m going to Mckale at noon.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:02 PM
2001 final…it’s been awhile. I don’t know, Duke was probably the better team regardless. I seem to remember the game felt like it was over long before it ended even though the Cats kept it close right up to the end. Duke lead the game almost from the start didn’t they?
April 6th, 2009 at 7:04 PM
FYI. I am class of 91. Wookie (Sean Rooks) was our first baseman on our intramural softball team with Casey Schmidt roaming our outfiled. He transferred to Valparaiso I believe and he was rooming with Tony Clark at the time. Some name dropping. i am now down in Florida at Eglin AFB. not much U of A talk down here in SEC football country.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Gardner had a terrible shooting game against Duke and Boozer and Dunleavey killed us.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Javier, I think we’re all in agreement that this site has been a godsend throughout this process. Not only have you provided some of the most accurate info anywhere, the quality of the posters here has been excellent as well. Very few trolls and as you say, “very informed and knowledgeable Wildcat fans.” I generally avoid posting online but the level of discussion here is well above the norm and it’s pretty clear we all care a lot about our Cats. It would be great to keep this site alive just to have a place where reasonable and thoughtful Wildcat fans can discuss the Cats without having to deal with the usual trolls and ASU fans like so many other sites.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Javier,
yes that would be great if possible to keep this up and running. I can only take so much SEC.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:20 PM
I’ll chime in on my appreciation of this site as well. It’s the only place I know of where mature people can go to discuss hoops without flame wars. Hoops discussions are rarely known for the maturity of the discourse. This place is the much needed and appreciated exception. In addition, we have your insights and insider info. Would love for it to continue.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:25 PM
windy, pete, parallax,
well said, javy’s done a nice job here. let’s hope we’ll have lots of (positive) recruiting stories to gab about in the (very) near future.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Dido here. Posters have been awesome, too.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Solomon Hill would be smart to switch back to AZ. He’s pretty much guaranteed a starting spot, we have Miller and L.A. is a horrible place to live. Three very strong arguments.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Pete you took the words out of my mouth. I don’t post often but check the site 100 times a day. The comments are very informative and quite honestly very funny too.
Dawn of a era fellow Wildcats…it was almost worth the wait
April 6th, 2009 at 7:39 PM
So the presser is noon tomorrow; where, the OK Corral (Tombstone, not E. Tanque Verde)?!?
Kidding aside, many thanks to Javier for this excellent forum. Entertaining and informative. Who could ask for anything more?
Tucson’s loss is who’s gain, Javier? I’m guessing you skipped outta the OP as most of us have to do.
Again, thank you!
April 6th, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Windy
Class of ’90. I ran some of the intramural stuff during my time, played in most of it as well – softball, football, etc. – sure we chewed some of the same dirt out there. (Funny but I do remember Wookie playing out there – how could you forget a 6’10″ guy on first base – one of those images that doesn’t just leave you)
I remember in the mid-80′s you could go and buy tickets at game time at the trailer just outside McKale Center in Lute’s first years. Guys like Rolf Jacobs, Bruce Wheatly and John Edgar on the floor.. The big recruit back then beside Elliott was Craig McMillan… (I think he was the first McDonalds All-America UA had)
April 6th, 2009 at 7:46 PM
I too would like to Thank Javier for this great site. I sure have wasted enough time on it the last week and a half or so.
I would also be interested in Javier continuing this site with recruiting news and updates about the program!
April 6th, 2009 at 7:48 PM
I second the motion. Although since I was recently laid off and should be devoting more time to looking for a job maybe its not such a good idea…… Nah…. I think we should keep it. I am looking forward to seeing some posts from Javier on the recruiting trail, assistant coaches etc. Heck, Once football comes around we could even discuss that.
Thanks Javier.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Well I guess Izzo isnt coming to Arizona since the Spartans just got waxed. haha.. oh well…
April 6th, 2009 at 7:55 PM
By the way. Ken Bone was hired by Washington State today. I believe Ken comes from Portland State.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Javier, THANK YOU FOR THIS SIGHT! Even though my fiance probably wants to kill you for giving me a reason to hold a 60 hour vigil in front of my computer this weekend, this really has been a great site. Your writing has always been informative, even if there was no breaking news; you were a voice of reason over and over. Thanks again, and GO CATS!
April 6th, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Pastner just named Memphis head coach.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:02 PM
OC_Wildcat Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
By the way. Ken Bone was hired by Washington State today. I believe Ken comes from Portland State.
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bone also coached at seattle pacific university (late 90′s) and for lorenzo romar at UW after that
April 6th, 2009 at 8:02 PM
McKale Center next year? SOLD OUT
ASU next year? 7,000-8,000 tops.
They just can’t catch a break
April 6th, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Tyler Hansbrough is the biggest nancy out there. am i the only one that gets more angry every time i catch a glimpse of the guy? Jhill is so much better than he is and he gets no love compared to Hansbrough. i mean if hansbrough is even taken in the NBa i dount he will ever be more than an average bench player. just more of the east coast bias.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:06 PM
ZoneRepe
Remind you of the JJ Redick/Salim Stoudamire crap that went on several years ago?
April 6th, 2009 at 8:11 PM
HAHAHA yeah when i think about it. Salim was THE DAMN MAN!!! seriously i think that guy woke up and pissed excellence. but i dont understand how none of our great U A players will have great years and go unnoticed. example: this year Hill was not only a premeir big man of the Pac but also the nation. the man averaged 18 points and 11 boards. Doesnt even make first second or third team all american. but Dejuann blair averages 17 and 12 and makes it unanimously. its bs
April 6th, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Hey Javier,
I think I can easily echo the same sentiments. This has been a great place for information and analysis. Your access, sourcing and insights have been tremendous and this sight has been incredibly accurate. Your bloggers have all been able to contribute from multiples sources to bring together the best overall picture. And while it was a wild ride, it was great!
Now let’s go see Miller tomorrow and show him what a real basketball school looks like. A good crowd will not only win the press conference, it will win the recruits. Names like Weatherspoon, Hill (Solomon) and Natyazkho could easily be a part of this remarkable story. (Nothing would make me happier than to steal Hill back from Floyd after his little stunt.) What a great tradition to continue.
Go Cats!
April 6th, 2009 at 8:18 PM
http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?Year=2009&School=99&Sport=2
Anyone else see this? I haven’t seen his name mentioned.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Don’t be surprised if the Big 3 opt to stay another year, until I hear it from them that they are leaving let’s hope they stay.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:22 PM
A friend of mine is telling me that Pastner is going to hire Penny Hardaway onto the staff. Has anyone else heard this?
April 6th, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Look Poppa, I’d like the big three to stay as much as anyone, but it’s not gonna happen. Hill would be nuts to stay. Budinger stays only if he’s not a first rounder (alright, maybe a lottery). We have a shot with Wise. I think a good shot with him. After all, where else does he go? If he leaves early, it’s not for the NBA. His best chance is to stick around and get coached by Miller.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Vote -1 Vote +1pizzadog Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
A friend of mine is telling me that Pastner is going to hire Penny Hardaway onto the staff. Has anyone else heard this?
—
I heard he was thinking about hiring Xavier Henry’s dad. I think espn said that
April 6th, 2009 at 8:34 PM
really hope Natyazkho will be swayed to go to UA after Miller gets settled here because we are in a desperate need of some legitimate big men and i cant bear to see Jacobson be our starting center. (prove me wrong alex)
Hopefully Natyazkho is smart and sees he will get a ton of playing time here for a coach he seems to like.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Javier, I appreciate the site and being able to share my passion for the program over the past month or so..
Its been a season of ups and downs and frankly I’m glad its over..
The Sweet 16 will bode well for recruiting and am proud of the team and Russ…
Hopefully he finds a gig soon..
I almost feel like I’m leaving some old friends behind, kinda like when you left your home town and went off to college..
My wife has been patient with me being up late researching the different sites night in and night out.. then ranting and raving over the search process..
It tested us all and I think we all learned from it..
Hopefully Miller stays and makes some nice runs and gets us back to the Final 4.
Couldn’t help but to think back to 05 and 01..
There have been some great posts on here and now that it is over lets get behind our new coach.. I think he will do a great job and make the program what it once was..
Thanks to you all and Bear Down!!!!!!!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 8:45 PM
I agree with Poppa Nutt. We have not heard from Budinger, Hill and Wise as to their plans for next year. Perhaps they were waiting to see who was going to be hired as head coach.
Can you imagine if all 3 are back, along with some good recruits, especially in the 2 and 4 slots, this could be a team that could make the Final Four next year.
Sean Miller would then be national coach of the year.
We can always hope.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Well guys its been a fun bumpy ride but we got to our destination. Lets welcome Coach Miller home with open arms and real Wildcat PRIDE Bear Down Miller Bear Down!
Guys it been fun I’m kinda gonna miss this but hey the up’s, down’s, down’s and then back up its been quit a ride see you all on the Wildcat chat rooms!!
Javier thanks for the site I would have gone crazy with out it, you did a fantastic job with it!
April 6th, 2009 at 8:52 PM
it would be nice if we had the big 3 back. if hil goes wich i think he will it would be nice if Chase and Wise would stay
April 6th, 2009 at 8:52 PM
No chance on Hill. I would say maybe a 10% chance on Budinger. I think he knows he should have come out after his freshman year and his draft stock has never recovered. Miller could do wonders for Chase, but I just don’t see it happening. Nic Wise, however, should be Miller’s top “recruit”. Nic can do more for next year’s team than any recruit.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Nic needs a lot of good coaching and Miller would do wonders with him
April 6th, 2009 at 8:59 PM
I think this ordeal has brought Wildcat nation together and made us stronger Lets go Wildcats and show every one that we have an elite program and ELITE FANS.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Javier if you need help keeping this site up in the future do let me know, this site should continue as an az sports blog.
perhaps we can now name it:
THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT ARIZONA QUARTERBACK!
April 6th, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Scott will be the next Arizona QB. The guy is sick. He won the CIF championship while at Centennial High in Corona, CA. Plus the guy can run too.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:04 PM
http://www.nbadraft.net/2009mock_draft
I didn’t see Wise on here. Any thoughts if he’ll come back and hone his defensive skills? With Bud and Hill projected as lottery picks, how can you not go into the draft?
April 6th, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Just wanted to thank Javier for keeping us all up to date during this arduous process.
It’s a great site and I agree with the people that think it would be great you keep it going as an UA sports blog. Thanks again for giving us all the same info as some of the other UA sites that will remained unnamed, but for FREE AND not jumping the gun.
- DC
April 6th, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Sean Miller to Arizona timeline
Wow! What a day!
Here is a rough timeline of the events from today, as I understood and observed them (times are rough estimates, as I was not checking my watch closely):
Early Morning- Mike Bobinski drives to Sean Miller’s house and has a heartfelt meeting with the coach. The two had talked last night, and had been in constant communication about the situation. Miller had gone to bed with doubts in his mind, and woken up still torn. Bobinski described the conversation as emotional, but ultimately left with his coaching situation up in the air.
Noon- Miller calls Bobinski to inform him that he will be leaving for Arizona. Presumably, Miller and his wife Amy discussed the situation all morning, and ultimately decided to pull the trigger.
1:30 p.m.- The alarm goes out to the players to come to Cintas for a meeting, but they are not told what the meeting is for. Word got out quickly, however, and any already knew before they got in the locker room that Miller was leaving.
1:35 p.m.- As players trickle in they all turn down comment with the media, and head straight for the locker room.
1:40 p.m.- Five players—Dante Jackson, Kenny Frease, Jamel McLean, Derrick Brown and Mark Lyons—are here already. Lyons was the last to arrive, and walked into the locker room for a brief moment, before exiting quickly, chased by Kenny Frease. “This is bull—-!,” Lyons yelled. Frease tried to get Lyons to come back into the locker room, but Lyons responded, “No man! F— this.”
1:50 p.m.- Jackson, Frease and the newly arrived Brian Walsh head outside the locker room to meet others at the West Entrance of Cintas.
“We came to play for Miller,” Jackson said. “Anytime you lose a head coach it is going to be a blow.”
“We just have to regroup and go from here,” Frease said. “Coach Miller was a big part of coming to Xavier, but [potentially leaving] is not something that I want to talk about right now.”
1:55 p.m.- The players are called back inside, presumably to avoid us media folk.
2:00 p.m.- The players claim to be here for a 3:30 lift, but it is revealed the coaches will meet with the players after Bobinski breaks the news to them around 2:30.
2:05 p.m.- There are fans gathering outside of the West Entrance, one of whom has a pair of Arizona shorts that is being stomped on. Obviously, the student body is unhappy.
2:10 p.m.- B.J. Raymond shows up, one of the final few to trickle in. He does stop and talk to the media, unlike some of his younger, more shaken teammates.
Raymond: “Last year there were big things about coach getting ready to leave, and he told us that he was not going to stay forever. You have to be happy for coach. We knew that Xavier was not a place that you want to end [your career]. So he went down to Arizona, they offered him about twice as much, and that is good for him. You can’t be mad at him, but I am sad to see him leave… I talked to the younger guys and told them that it did not look too promising because when I was here he never took a visit. I gotta go in there and calm down the younger guys… Basketball is a business. You have to look at it in those terms. You have to perform when you are a player, and you have to perform when you are a coach. And he has performed very well. When you perform well you deserve things; coach deserves this… Even if I was not leaving, you can’t be mad at him… I’m not surprised. I expected it when he took the visit. Something was going down. If he wasn’t leaving this year, I knew that it would probably be next year, simply because he took the visit. But this year’s team is going to be a great team, and they are going to go make a deep run. If it wasn’t this year, it was going to be next year.”
2:15 p.m.- Jordan Crawford had walked in with Raymond, but had a similar reaction to Lyons earlier, and stormed out of Cintas Center without saying a word. This is the second time in two years that Crawford’s coach has left him, and you have to feel for the kid.
2:20 p.m.- Brad Redford is not exactly thinking clearly at the moment, as he forgot the code to the locker room (that he basically sleeps in).
2:25 p.m.- C.J. Anderson just showed up with his son Antoine. He learned about the move from Crawford as Crawford was disgustedly walking back to his dorm room. Anderson said he plans to go talk to Crawford, and try to keep his head on straight, along with the rest of the team.
Anderson: “I thought coach Miller would be here for a while because he signed an extension.… Congratulations to coach Miller and his family. Hopefully he does as well there as he did here… I understand it is a business. He took a lot of things into account. I trust coach Miller, he is a smart guy, and he must have felt like this was the move that he needed to make… I think coach Mack knows the players, and it would be a better transition. The players know him, and he knows the system. It would be a comfortable transition, so I definitely think that Xavier should take a good look at coach Mack.”
2:30 p.m.- Not much is doing here, as the players have come in and the media has been backed far away from the locker room. It would seem from the brief snippets we have gotten so far that the older players always had this moment in the back of their mind, and anticipated it. They knew that this day would come, and the Mack would likely be the guy, so they were not that worried about it. The younger players are more emotional, however. That is likely because they have not heard Miller’s speech about this not being his final destination.
2:31 p.m.- Word is the players are in a meeting now with Mike Bobinski, and are being told what has happened, and what will happen.
2:40 p.m.- The meeting is out, and a select group of players have chosen to speak to the media: Jackson, Jason Love and Kenny Frease. I did not get to Love in time but here are the other two:
Jackson: “It’s tough. I feel terrible for our guys. We are all disappointed and hurt. You hope and pray that he sticks around for as long as you are going to be there. We knew that coach Miller was a hot commodity, and we wish him the best. We are looking forward to continuing our success as a program. Xavier has not been a program that is made by the coach. Mr. Bobinski will initiate the search, and bring in the right guy for our program… Our goal is to make it to the Final Four, and my mindset was working on making myself and our team better to reach that. You hear the rumor and I didn’t pay much attention to it… I knew he wasn’t going to be here forever. I didn’t think he was going to leave this year. If he was going to leave it was going to be last year. I have a lot of respect for him, he recruited me, and he does things the right way… We haven’t spoken to [Miller] yet. We will a little later, and I am looking forward to that… Coach Mack is obviously going to be in the running. He graduated from here. He is ready to be a head coach. I’m going to sit back and trust our athletic director to make the right decision… Xavier is going to be Xavier, and always put a good team on the floor. We are going to play for our program, our fans, and our family. It doesn’t matter who is the coach on the sidelines… A lot of guys are upset right now, and a lot of things are being said out of emotion. They came for coach miller and also to wear ‘Xavier’ across their uniforms… The mood was disappointment in the locker room… We asked questions of Mr. Bobinski, and we will have questions for our staff later… We have to take it in stride, be upbeat and positive. This program is still going to be here, and we are doing pretty damn good.”
Frease: “In my year here, you come to Xavier for Miller. He was a great coach and recruiter. I fell in love with Xavier, and the traditions they have here. It makes it hard to think about leaving… We have big goals for next year. The talent is there, but it just depends. That is the worst part because you don’t know what is going to happen with the players… I have gotten to know coach pretty well, and there has to be something at Arizona. I don’t feel let down… It’s tough because it is a business.”
3:00 p.m.- Lyons had returned from storming out before, and is now ready to leave again before the 4:00 meeting with Miller. He is stopped by Frease again, who asked him to stay and listen to Miller. “What can he possibly say to me?,” asked Lyons. “Why should I listen to him?”
3:15 p.m.- A lot more waiting here, as Miller is expected to address the team at 4:00. Brown, McLean, Lyons, Anderson (C.J. and Antoine), Stephen Duckett and Jackson are all hanging around in the Auxiliary gym, casually shooting. Jackson leaves to make a phone call, muttering, “They are not better than us. They are just more appealing.”
3:25 p.m.- The press conference has been set for 4:30, with Miller and Bobinski to speak
3:30 p.m.- High school junior J.D. Weatherspoon has de-committed from Xavier. Weatherspoon is a very emotional kid, and likely denounced Xavier in a spur of the moment decision. I tend to believe Xavier still has a good chance with him if they were to hire Mack, especially if Mack hires the right assistant coaches. As for other recruits, I would assume that Emanuel Richardson is already picking out a house in Tucson with the way things played out. So he might end up taking 2009 recruit Kevin Parrom, 2010 recruit Jordan Latham and 2011 recruit Nadir Tharpe out to Tucson with the staff.
4:00 p.m.- The Xavier coaching staff, minus Miller, has addressed the Xavier team in the locker room. After the meeting James Whitford and Terrell Holloway shared a hug, with Whitford tearing up at the moment.
4:05 p.m.- Whitford is in a more jovial mood when talking to Raymond, with Chris Mack also in the conversation. Whitford is nowhere to be seen, but Whitford (and later Miller) and director of basketball operations Travis Steele are wearing neutral clothing—odd for men that wear Xavier apparel every day to work. Mack is wearing a Xavier polo shirt, however. Whitford jokes with Raymond that he should come out to Tucson to be an assistant coach, since he has been one already for four years. He says they have one spot open on the bench, leading me to believe that Mack may have already been given the job.
4:15 p.m.- Miller arrives with his son Braden. He has not addressed the team personally yet, as he was not part of the meeting in the locker room earlier.
4:25 p.m.- Mack is stalking around the media room, hanging out in the back and talking with administrators. He is giving me the impression that he may be introduced as the head coach here any moment, and is ready to speak. One of the other writers asked him if he wanted to hop up on the podium and accept the job, to which he just laughed and shook his head.
4:27 p.m.- Frease and Jackson are at it again, speaking outside the press room. Both are reiterating how they are disappointed, but not upset. Frease mentioned how it is going to be tough to lose Whitford, who was the post-player coach.
4:30 p.m.- Miller comes in to the press conference. I will not do any transcribing, since it has already been widely disseminated. I will, however, say that the go-to quote about Xavier not being able to win a national title was overblown. “I would never leave Xavier unless I felt that it was a place where I can win a national championship. I don’t want to say that you can’t win one here. But it is a place that has done it before, and has that quarter of century worth of excellence stamp to it.” Miller was saying that he was attracted by the tradition of a place like Arizona, of which a championship is a part. He was not slighting Xavier, merely pointing out that the place he is going to has been to the mountaintop. In my opinion, the big moment was when Miller choked up when talking about Bobinski, and what he means to him.
4:40 p.m.- Bobinski is on the stand now, and I will not get much into what he said, either. I will say that he did not sound like he had made up his mind on a coach, but that is what you have to say if you are an Athletic Director, of which there are few better than Mike Bobinski.
5:00 p.m.- After the press conference Crawford, McLean and Redford were in the Auxiliary gym shooting around. Bobinski went in to talk to Crawford, who was obviously still shaken. The doors were closed, but Bobinski repeatedly made motions indicating he was talking about the program growing in the future.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:16 PM
BOY THAT LYONS KID WASNT HAPPY HUH?
April 6th, 2009 at 9:41 PM
PGU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIx4agmtxd8
April 6th, 2009 at 10:25 PM
yes..i agree,great job on the site!.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:31 PM
It’s been great reading this site and all of the Bear Down Nation’s thoughts and concerns. Thanks Javier! Bear Down Arizona!!!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Hill will become an instant legend at the UofA if he stays, improves his defense and rebounding, gets stronger and tougher and takes the Cats to the final four…if he won a NC he would be compared to Amare and he would also become the #1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft.
Miller you have one to two days, and a little longer for the HS seniors, to pull off one of the greatest recruiting classes in the history of ARIZONA BASKETBALL. What a fun way to start your AZ career!
Hopefully, I will see a lot of you in about 12 hours.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:44 PM
btw, i hope all the recruiting by the posters convinces javier to stay another year with the cats! again, great site, i enjoyed every second of it so please keep it going.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:16 PM
from the cinci enquirer website:
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
What’s the better coaching job?
Arizona
2584
Xavier
2330
Total Votes: 4914
remarkable!
Vovici Online Survey Software
April 6th, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Here’s a link to the entire Xavier press conference on video:
http://www.wlwt.com/video/19108595/index.html
April 7th, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Javier why oh why did you leave the newspaper scene, you are good at this kind of thing.