Sean Miller is keeping busy

[GuyFawkes38]

I know I might get some criticism for keeping everyone updated on Miller.

But I still like the guy. And here's a refreshingly honest Miller interview on this off season and the challenges ahead for the AZ program:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsCyKsalxfA

[LutherRackleyRulez]

raccoon = FAIL!!!!!!!



http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/photos/2009/04/07/l113792-2.jpg

[AZtoCA]

Did Miller's X teams have trouble scoring against the ZONE D.

For some reason anytime we played a ZONE D we couldn't score.

[GuyFawkes38]

Did Miller's X teams have trouble scoring against the ZONE D.

For some reason anytime we played a ZONE D we couldn't score.

It wasn't a major issue.

Throughout the Miller era here at X we had really good 3 point shooters, including power forwards who could nail 3's at the 40% range.

I don't think there is anything about Miller's offensive philosophy which leads to difficulties with the zone. I'm guessing for AZ this year, difficulties against the zone probably stemmed from inconsistent shooting and inexperience (Miller was lucky to have both of the areas covered here at X).

[Muskie1000]

I seriously disagree - everytime the zone was thrown at us, we looked like deer in the headlights. Zone has not been our friend.

[Masterofreality]

Did Miller's X teams have trouble scoring against the ZONE D.

For some reason anytime we played against a ZONE D we couldn't score.


It wasn't a major issue.


Uh, yeah it was. We did not do well against Temple nor St. Louis when The former coach was here and both of those teams play a lot of zone. Guy seems to have selective memory. There was a lot of paiing around the perimeter with not enough cutting to the post or attacking the gaps.

Chris Mack's offense has been much more effective against a zone. He wants his guys to attack more. Raccoon was too passive in his philosophy.

[GuyFawkes38]

I seriously disagree - everytime the zone was thrown at us, we looked like deer in the headlights. Zone has not been our friend.

really. I don't remember it being a problem because we shot so well and Lavender knew what he was doing. Are you guys just referring to last year with Jackson and the young Holloway at the point?

[Xman95]

Couple things to keep an eye on, as they were pretty big topics during Miller's time here:

1. Difficulty inbounding the ball.
2. Inability to either draw-up or execute a play at the end of a half or out of a timeout.

They don't seem like huge problems, until you see them happen over and over. #1 is definitely an issue that Miller never seemed to solve.

[GuyFawkes38]

Even though I was quite young, I vividly remember us sucking against the zone during the Gillin and Prosser era because our offense centered around slashing to the hoop. But I don't remember it being an issue for Miller. Maybe I'm off.

[AZtoCA]

Well Anytime Miller's ARIZONA played a MAN D team we looked great and the game was easy

When the ZOne was there
we picked up 4 losses to bad untalented teams that play only ZOne (Oregon St. and Washington ST.) (Those losses cost us out Tourney Bid)

The team looks like a "deer in headlights" when the ZOne shows up

This year we didn't have great outside shooting, but we had plenty of talent no reason to loose to (Oregon St. and Washington ST.)

It just didn't seem like we had the right plan for attacking the zone

SOunds like some of you think it might be a "Miller Quirk"

[xsteve1]

Couple things to keep an eye on, as they were pretty big topics during Miller's time here:

1. Difficulty inbounding the ball.
2. Inability to either draw-up or execute a play at the end of a half or out of a timeout.

They don't seem like huge problems, until you see them happen over and over. #1 is definitely an issue that Miller never seemed to solve.

We still have these problems. Miller was pretty good at drawing up plays from TO's. C'mon guys he's a great coach and is a big reason we are where we are.

[gladdenguy]

Who cares about the fat racoon. he sucks and so does Arizona.

[BBC 08]

I know I might get some criticism for keeping everyone updated on Miller.

But I still like the guy. And here's a refreshingly honest Miller interview on this off season and the challenges ahead for the AZ program:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsCyKsalxfA

Duff could make that cake.

:logo::shield::sword: <--- lol wut?

[Xman95]

We still have these problems. Miller was pretty good at drawing up plays from TO's. C'mon guys he's a great coach and is a big reason we are where we are.

I don't really think he was. He got better, but "pretty good" is not how I would describe him.

And please don't think I'm trying to discredit the things he did while at X. I absolutely think we are in a better place because of his five years in 'nati. But it doesn't mean he's perfect as a coach (or that I have to still like him or his $750 million...or whatever the hell they threw at him.)

[Xman95]

Duff could make that cake.

And Miller would eat it.

[Xman95]

SOunds like some of you think it might be a "Miller Quirk"

Actually the "Miller Quirk" is probably his constant coughing on the sidelines.

[gladdenguy]

And Miller would eat it.

Nice XMan!!!

[MuskieFan151]

really. I don't remember it being a problem because we shot so well and Lavender knew what he was doing. Are you guys just referring to last year with Jackson and the young Holloway at the point?


I specifically remember a game during the 07-08 season when the zone defense mutilated our highly talented offense. I'm sure you all remember the beat down at Arizona State.

It was frustrating staring at the screen, yelling and trying to get Lavender, Brown, CJ, BJ, etc. to attack the basket. The sun devils had a 2-3 zone that gave us fits. It seemed to me that Miller just couldn't change the offense correctly at any point during the game. Sendek didn't change the defense after half time, so there's really no excuse. But hey, maybe it was just a bad game.

[drudy23]

Screw Miller.

Deep down he knows he made the wrong decision...that's why it was so hard on him to leave...he knew it was about the money...and he knew he was leaving a perfect situation.

Forget him...let's focus on getting back to the Sweet 16...where this program lives.

Why not X? Final Four baby...there's no reason we can't get there.

[wkrq59]

But remember, Drudy, we always will be the "Little Buick that might," at least in some people's (cough!cough!) opinion.
And of course, there was no chance to win a national championship here.
But hey, he's gone, we're still going and let's just Bobby McFarren it- Don't Worry, Be Happy...:sword::sword::eek:

[GuyFawkes38]

Q, as always, makes a good point.

Money is a good thing. If Miller made his decision to make more money, I'm alright with that.

[xuwin]

Well Anytime Miller's ARIZONA played a MAN D team we looked great and the game was easy

When the ZOne was there
we picked up 4 losses to bad untalented teams that play only ZOne (Oregon St. and Washington ST.) (Those losses cost us out Tourney Bid)

The team looks like a "deer in headlights" when the ZOne shows up

This year we didn't have great outside shooting, but we had plenty of talent no reason to loose to (Oregon St. and Washington ST.)

It just didn't seem like we had the right plan for attacking the zone

SOunds like some of you think it might be a "Miller Quirk"

Xavier plays strong against zones this year because they have 3 outstanding guards that can penetrate the zones off the dribble. Last year they didn't have 2 of them and the other one was just a freshman. Miller had to use a 2 guard (Jackson) at the point and did a great job considering. Once Miller has the proper personnel he will do fine. These three guards that Xavier has now were brought in by Miller and I'm pretty sure he would have had similar success with them against zones and man defenses if he had stayed. That said, he is still not one of my favorite people because of the way he lied his way out of here.

[danaandvictory]

I think part of it is the fact that Miller hates to play zone. It's damn tough to practice against a zone when guys on your team haven't been taught to play one.

[Snipe]

The best revenge is living well.

[Flexo]

The best revenge is living well.

True, but there's something to be said for watching somebody sitting in a Lexus on the side of the road cranking the engine trying to get it started, and then blowing past him in a Buick with your middle finger sticking out of the window.

[xnatic03]

True, but there's something to be said for watching somebody sitting in a Lexus on the side of the road cranking the engine trying to get it started, and then blowing past him in a Buick with your middle finger sticking out of the window.

rep points for that one

[xu05usmc]

Couple things to keep an eye on, as they were pretty big topics during Miller's time here:

1. Difficulty inbounding the ball.
2. Inability to either draw-up or execute a play at the end of a half or out of a timeout.

They don't seem like huge problems, until you see them happen over and over. #1 is definitely an issue that Miller never seemed to solve.

These are the problems with 97% of all college basketball teams. I think it has to do mostly with players and not coaches. Coaches cannot teach a player vision, athleticism, or other variables like that. My theory is that watching the cream of the crop college teams and any NBA team do those things with such ease corrupts us to believing it should be easy for everyone.

[Muskie]

Use the following Arizona Thread please.