Potential Miller Suspension?

[D-West & PO-Z]

https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/expert-suspension-likely-to-follow-sean-miller-to-xavier-if-ncaa-charge-against-him-holds/article_f2fe54f4-a888-11ec-b225-3b2af3c04dbf.html

Saw this article today. Says Miller faces a potential 9-15 game suspension. That is more than I thought it would be. Didn't Pearl get a 2 game suspension for similar charges?

Anyway, to me none of it changes anything with regards to the hire and my excitement, just more curious if others have seen anything anywhere else on what we should expect for Miller suspension wise? And also when? This next season? After?

[GoMuskies]

If Miller misses his first non-conference, oh well. It would just make his top assistant hire for his first year that much more important.

[IM4X]

If Miller misses his first non-conference, oh well. It would just make his top assistant hire for his first year that much more important.

So far, the current assistants look up for the challenge.

[drudy23]

I was thinking 5 games. Up to 15 seems a little crazy, but either way, he will have already set the tone at that point.

And as Go mentions, it's a great opportunity for the lead assistant. I could live with somewhere between 5-10.

I wonder if Miller's camp gets a chance to negotiate before the final word comes out. I'm guessing his lawyers are probably in contact periodically?

[atljar]

I thought the penalty was likely 6-8, but thats just based on what I have heard/seen, no firsthand knowledge

Crazy thought: Can these NIT games be counted as part of his suspension? ie... We hired him but self imposed some penalty games from the start of his tenure.......

[STL_XUfan]

I was thinking 5 games. Up to 15 seems a little crazy, but either way, he will have already set the tone at that point.

And as Go mentions, it's a great opportunity for the lead assistant.

The man was forced to do a podcast with his brother. Hasn't he been punished enough?!?

[Muskie]

I was thinking it would be around 6. It's crazy that this whole process has dragged on for four plus years now.

[OTRMUSKIE]

If that is the case I would go ahead and schedule cupcakes. Schools like VD, UC, UK, get those on the schedule first two weeks.

[Masterofreality]

Only downside is the Nike Phil Knight Invitational that Xavier goes to next year. That happens in November.
Other than that, a 6-9 game early season suspension for a guy who’s fantastic and here for at least 6 years? I’ll take it.
Sean will have his staff together.

[nuts4xu]

Lot of people think Miller will get less than the 9-15 games. It is all wild speculation until they actual rule on the allegations. Christopher likely had some insight on the range of games, as he was on the rules committee.

[Masterofreality]

Lot of people think Miller will get less than the 9-15 games. It is all wild speculation until they actual rule on the allegations. Christopher likely had some insight on the range of games, as he was on the rules committee.

And was actually a part of the active investigation as Chair

[SemajParlor]

I've seen a few journalists predict 6-12 games. Anyone when know when the Crosstown Shootout is next year?

[SM#24]

Only downside is the Nike Phil Knight Invitational that Xavier goes to next year. That happens in November.
Other than that, a 6-9 game early season suspension for a guy who’s fantastic and here for at least 6 years? I’ll take it.
Sean will have his staff together.

If it's six, we just front load the buy games. Anything much more, it will be tough. We played 4 games before NYC this year. Gavitt game (Ohio St) was third game this year, tough to avoid that one.

[boozehound]

There should be a limit to how long the NCAA has to rule on an infraction. Having allegations hang over a coach's head for years is ridiculous, especially since NCAA rulings can be so random and capricious.

Let's say Miller gets 6 games - is he still allowed to run practice etc. but just can't coach the actual games, or does he have to be away from the program?

Either way, hiring Miller was the right move.

[xu82]

There should be a limit to how long the NCAA has to rule on an infraction. Having allegations hang over a coach's head for years is ridiculous, especially since NCAA rulings can be so random and capricious.

Let's say Miller gets 6 games - is he still allowed to run practice etc. but just can't coach the actual games, or does he have to be away from the program?

Either way, hiring Miller was the right move.

This is an excellent point. For this to linger for so long is just ridiculous!

[UCGRAD4X]

I'm not sure how anybody can predict, especially if you aren't privy to all of the pertinent information.

But mostly because there is no rhyme or reason to anything the NCAA does.

It doesn't need to make sense, so trying to makes even less.

[IM4X]

I'm not sure how anybody can predict, especially if you aren't privy to all of the pertinent information.

But mostly because there is no rhyme or reason to anything the NCAA does.

It doesn't need to make sense, so trying to makes even less.

Exactly.

If Bruce Pearl just got suspended for 2 games for what he did, doesn’t it make sense Sean would get the same thing? Yet we are seeing speculation that Sean could possibly be looking at being suspended for 6 or 9 or 12 or even more games. It just doesn’t seem to make sense.

[paulxu]

Hey...you can build an entire curriculum of no-show classes and papers written by others, to keep players in school...and get no penalty at all.

[principal]

Here is an article from yesterday with a couple of interesting quotes from Book Richardson (I have provided two links to the same basic article because after the second view the first article requires that you sign in):

https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/former-ua-assistant-book-richardson-says-he-broke-additional-ncaa-rules-not-in-schools-infractions/article_440d262c-ecd1-11ec-82c2-8f8a9a95cb5c.html

https://www.ncwlife.com/sports/national/former-ua-assistant-book-richardson-says-he-broke-additional-ncaa-rules-not-in-schools-infractions/article_bba09fb9-4701-5bf8-b34a-e846f0fc5667.html

First, the headline:

"Former UA assistant Book Richardson says he broke additional NCAA rules not in school's infractions case"

Some of the interesting quotes:

"Richardson said two alleged payment streams that are in the school's infractions case "never happened," including $40,000 to obtain fraudulent academic credits and $10,000 a month from UA coach Sean Miller to former UA star Deandre Ayton."

"While Richardson denied Ayton was paid, during a May 2109 federal trial, prosecutors played a wiretapped phone call in which Richardson told Dawkins that Miller had “bought” Ayton by paying $10,000 a month."

"Richardson acknowledged to The Athletic that it was his voice on the tapes but insisted the payments never happened, noting that the FBI did not produce evidence during trial that they did."

If Sean is guilty of making even one payment, I don't know why Book would still be defending him. It sounds as if either (a) he was wrong when he said Miller had bought Ayton or (b) an arrangement was made and, for one reason or another, the payment never happened. Of course it is also possible that the payment was made and he is lying - though I do not know why he is still talking about it AND covering for Miller.

Here is a final quote I found interesting. I would like to know more about him bumping into Sean. Are the two of them on speaking terms? I don't think I've even heard Book say Sean threw him under the bus. I have heard others say it, but I don't think I've heard Book say it himself, which makes me think he is either really loyal or he is taking responsibility for his actions and/or doesn't think Sean threw him under the bus.

"Having touched on other issues in his life since his 2017 arrest in his podcast and other interviews since leaving Arizona, Richardson recounted to The Athletic things such as his three-month 2019 stint in a federal prison, the suicidal thoughts he had after being released and an awkward greeting with Miller at a 2019 club-ball event."

Has anyone heard anything about the pending decision from the NCAA?

[MADXSTER]

It is also possible that Richardson was just straight out lying to Dawkins for whatever reason.

[principal]

It is also possible that Richardson was just straight out lying to Dawkins for whatever reason.

That is possible, I had not thought of that, but for what reason? It also makes some sort of sense - there has to be some reason that both X and SC were willing to hire him, especially when both schools have people who have contacts inside the NCAA and surely know what went on and could confirm whatever they were being told by Sean. I am not overly interested in gossipy stuff like this, but I have always liked Sean and would like to know what really happened, one way or the other.

[murray87]

Which organization has the least credibility? The NCAA or the FBI? Toss-up?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Here is a final quote I found interesting. I would like to know more about him bumping into Sean. Are the two of them on speaking terms? I don't think I've even heard Book say Sean threw him under the bus. I have heard others say it, but I don't think I've heard Book say it himself, which makes me think he is either really loyal or he is taking responsibility for his actions and/or doesn't think Sean threw him under the bus.



3rd option is he is/was reimbursed nicely for his loyalty.

[principal]

3rd option is he is/was reimbursed nicely for his loyalty.

Could be, from which it follows that Sean has kept the lie going and both XU and SC have bought it, and that no one was able to find evidence of one of these monthly 10k payments, otherwise AZ/Sean would have been charged. It doesn't seem to add up no matter which way you go - guilty or not guilty. Maybe the truth will come out at some point.

[atljar]

I would like to know more about him bumping into Sean. Are the two of them on speaking terms?

I read an article recently in the Athletic. Paraphrasing, but Book said that he and Miller havent talked, and he was hurt by it. Basically said I know we cant talk about what happened, but at he (miller) should at least reach out to me and see how Im doing. We worked together for so long and I havent heard a thing from him

[MHettel]

I could very much envision Book completely lying about this in order to give Dawkins the impression that Sean is "ok" with this kind of thing and that maybe it's happening a lot more and at a much higher level than Dawkins might be aware.

[MHettel]

I read an article recently in the Athletic. Paraphrasing, but Book said that he and Miller havent talked, and he was hurt by it. Basically said I know we cant talk about what happened, but at he (miller) should at least reach out to me and see how Im doing. We worked together for so long and I havent heard a thing from him

Why would Miller EVER want to talk to Book? Take a scenario where Book was working alone on this. Book has since said the implicating action of paying Ayton did in fact NOT happen. Sean would have been absolutely opposed to ANY type of cheating or rule breaking, and that means Book was doing it behind his back. The cheating actually did happen during Sean's tenure and his reputation took the hit. Sean will forever be stained by this. He will serve a suspension for the actions of Book.

Book must be a bigger fool than I thought if he thinks betraying his friend/ boss is something that can just be overlooked. Fool.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Why would Miller EVER want to talk to Book? Take a scenario where Book was working alone on this. Book has since said the implicating action of paying Ayton did in fact NOT happen. Sean would have been absolutely opposed to ANY type of cheating or rule breaking, and that means Book was doing it behind his back. The cheating actually did happen during Sean's tenure and his reputation took the hit. Sean will forever be stained by this. He will serve a suspension for the actions of Book.

Book must be a bigger fool than I thought if he thinks betraying his friend/ boss is something that can just be overlooked. Fool.

I think you are very naïve if you think Miller at the vey least wasn't aware of what Book was doing. Maybe it was a don't ask don't tell type thing but Miller is not some innocent victim of Book's.

[MHettel]

I think you are very naïve if you think Miller at the vey least wasn't aware of what Book was doing. Maybe it was a don't ask don't tell type thing but Miller is not some innocent victim of Book's.

Oh. Please feel free to provide any evidence of that statement.

Why in the world would Miller sanction what Book was doing? If he knew, then he had 2 options. Turn himself (the program) in and deal with the
consequences, or choose not to turn himself in, hope he could remain unattached, and then just plead ignorant if it unraveled.

But the buck stopped with Sean. No matter what Book was doing, Sean was responsible.

How did it start? Pick your option:

1). Sean asked Book to start these activities
2). Book asked Sean if he could do these activities
3). Book did these activities and told Sean after
4). Book did these activities and tried to keep it a secret from Sean.

See how easy it is to find the easier path for Book? He was in a high stress, results oriented role where he was paid handsomely to secure talent for Zona. He was a “coach” by title, but his main job was to get players. You don’t think his job was on the line every year?

He’s already admitted to cheating g and lying. Is it that hard to envision him having done all of this while trying to keep it from Miller.

I might be wrong. Hell, I have no idea what Book did and what Sean knows. But I do know people. And some people will resort to some unsavory actions in their own self interest. from what we (now) know of Book, would a scenario where he was a lone wolf really surprise you?
3).

[Xville]

Oh. Please feel free to provide any evidence of that statement.

Why in the world would Miller sanction what Book was doing? If he knew, then he had 2 options. Turn himself (the program) in and deal with the
consequences, or choose not to turn himself in, hope he could remain unattached, and then just plead ignorant if it unraveled.

But the buck stopped with Sean. No matter what Book was doing, Sean was responsible.

How did it start? Pick your option:

1). Sean asked Book to start these activities
2). Book asked Sean if he could do these activities
3). Book did these activities and told Sean after
4). Book did these activities and tried to keep it a secret from Sean.

See how easy it is to find the easier path for Book? He was in a high stress, results oriented role where he was paid handsomely to secure talent for Zona. He was a “coach” by title, but his main job was to get players. You don’t think his job was on the line every year?

He’s already admitted to cheating g and lying. Is it that hard to envision him having done all of this while trying to keep it from Miller.

I might be wrong. Hell, I have no idea what Book did and what Sean knows. But I do know people. And some people will resort to some unsavory actions in their own self interest. from what we (now) know of Book, would a scenario where he was a lone wolf really surprise you?
3).


IMO either scenario is plausible; Book acted as a lone wolf, or it was a don't ask don't tell policy. I'm sure there are several coaches that have that second scenario pop up or at least did before all this stuff basically became legal.

None of us will ever know the truth, and frankly I don't care if Sean did or didn't do it at this point. It's basically legal now so who cares. (yes I know you can't directly pay a player blah blah blah)

[Masterofreality]

IMO either scenario is plausible; Book acted as a lone wolf, or it was a don't ask don't tell policy. I'm sure there are several coaches that have that second scenario pop up or at least did before all this stuff basically became legal.

None of us will ever know the truth, and frankly I don't care if Sean did or didn't do it at this point. It's basically legal now so who cares. (yes I know you can't directly pay a player blah blah blah)

This. ↗️↗️↗️↗️
It’s old news. Let’s all get it behind us.
BTW. College Basketball really is a full time job now. All X kids are on campus working out and playing. No time off.
TBT will be fun. Wish any scrimmage between the vets and X kids was streamed.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Oh. Please feel free to provide any evidence of that statement.

Why in the world would Miller sanction what Book was doing? If he knew, then he had 2 options. Turn himself (the program) in and deal with the
consequences, or choose not to turn himself in, hope he could remain unattached, and then just plead ignorant if it unraveled.

But the buck stopped with Sean. No matter what Book was doing, Sean was responsible.

How did it start? Pick your option:

1). Sean asked Book to start these activities
2). Book asked Sean if he could do these activities
3). Book did these activities and told Sean after
4). Book did these activities and tried to keep it a secret from Sean.

See how easy it is to find the easier path for Book? He was in a high stress, results oriented role where he was paid handsomely to secure talent for Zona. He was a “coach” by title, but his main job was to get players. You don’t think his job was on the line every year?

He’s already admitted to cheating g and lying. Is it that hard to envision him having done all of this while trying to keep it from Miller.

I might be wrong. Hell, I have no idea what Book did and what Sean knows. But I do know people. And some people will resort to some unsavory actions in their own self interest. from what we (now) know of Book, would a scenario where he was a lone wolf really surprise you?
3).

Let me start off by saying I dont give a shit even if Miller ordered it and I am extremely glad he is our coach.

In my opinion, I find it very hard to believe that any college coach isn't at least generally aware of what their assistants are or arent doing.

I don't buy the Rick Pitino defense for Rick Pitino and I don't buy it for other coaches just because I might like them.

I just don't buy the control freak, detailed obsessed coaches having no idea what is going on underneath their noses.

Ultimately as you said, the buck stops with Miller. He will serve a suspension most likely (hopefully a short one for our sakes) and this is all behind him.

I am ecstatic we have Miller. Can't wait!

[XUBison]

Let me start off by saying I dont give a shit even if Miller ordered it and I am extremely glad he is our coach.

In my opinion, I find it very hard to believe that any college coach isn't at least generally aware of what their assistants are or arent doing.

I don't buy the Rick Pitino defense for Rick Pitino and I don't buy it for other coaches just because I might like them.

I just don't buy the control freak, detailed obsessed coaches having no idea what is going on underneath their noses.

Ultimately as you said, the buck stops with Miller. He will serve a suspension most likely (hopefully a short one for our sakes) and this is all behind him.

I am ecstatic we have Miller. Can't wait!

I have to say I agree with this. The fact is, Miller hired Book and was responsible for Book’s oversight. As you and others have said, the buck stopped with Sean, period. Thankfully it did, otherwise he would not be our coach. Now, onward and upward.

[Xavier]

.

See how easy it is to find the easier path for Book? He was in a high stress, results oriented role where he was paid handsomely to secure talent for Zona. He was a “coach” by title, but his main job was to get players. You don’t think his job was on the line every year?

He’s already admitted to cheating g and lying. Is it that hard to envision him having done all of this while trying to keep it from Miller.

.

Yes. Jesus… Don’t be ridiculous.

[MHettel]

Yes. Jesus… Don’t be ridiculous.

You live in your world, I’ll live in mine.

People do bad, dumb shit all of the time and keep it a secret.

[xukeith]

Yes. Jesus… Don’t be ridiculous.

Book did something stupid and got caught red handed. Was Miller involved?, We will never know.

Miller now might set up some agreement for all his staff that if they do something illegal, unethical, they are responsible and will be terminated.

[UCGRAD4X]

I would think such ethics clauses are pretty standard.

[xukeith]

I would think such ethics clauses are pretty standard.

Probably agreeing with Xavier's HR department.