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TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller knows all about the type of success a mid-major program can have.
After all, before Miller enjoyed the desert warmth at the University of Arizona, he coached successful mid-major Xavier to new heights, leading the school to both an Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen. For that reason, Miller understands what mid-majors can do to major programs, after his Musketeers upset teams like Purdue, West Virginia and Wisconsin during his time at Xavier.
Those victories have Miller focused on his team being prepared for Wildcats of another background — Weber State. The WSU Wildcats finished with a 19-11 season but have gone 18-7 since a 1-4 start. Miller has an advantage in scouting Weber, as his brother, Dayton coach Archie Miller, faced off against Weber State last year — a 62-61 Weber road victory. For those reasons, Miller said Weber is not an opponent to be taken lightly.
“In talking to my brother, they’re an extremely well-coached team who has a skilled group of players,” Miller said in a press conference Sunday. “(Weber guard Davion Berry is) certainly a special guard and probably one of the big reasons why they’re here in the NCAA tournament.
Anytime you play a team that is that prolific on offense, that has shooters like Weber State does; they're the team who can be successful in the NCAA tournament," Arizona coach Sean Miller said.
“We’re going to play a regular-season champion, a tournament champion. Somebody (Weber coach Randy Rahe) who has been in the tournament before, and (has) a fantastic 3-point shooting team. Anytime you play a team that is that prolific on offense, that has shooters like Weber State does; they’re the team who can be successful in the NCAA tournament.”
Arizona has earned a No. 1 seed in the West region, something that Miller noted is an achievement but one that doesn’t mean anything if his team doesn’t perform throughout the tournament. Arizona cruised through the Pac 12 conference tournament in Las Vegas, routing numerous opponents, including the University of Utah. However, the Wildcats fell to UCLA in the championship game — something that Miller has used as a motivator.
“One of the things that we talked about in Las Vegas after the UCLA game was whether we won this conference championship or didn’t, it’s about next week,” said Miller, referring to the NCAA tournament in an interview with Arizona play-by-play announcer Brian Jeffries Sunday. “You really turn the page on Selection Sunday, and recognize that making the tournament is not easy to do. Having a high seed in the tournament is like … wow. And then, being able to advance from 64 (teams) to 32 (teams), that’s difficult.
“Our guys are really excited. We’ve been at this for a while now, and hopefully we’re going to be at our best. That’s what it’s about; can we play a really good game on Friday against Weber State?”
Miller noted that his focus is on his Wildcats performing at their best.
“It’s about us playing really well,” he said. “The seed, the history of the seed — if we were fortunate enough to advance, that’s all for the outside world to talk about. It’s part of the greatness of the tournament … but we have to focus on the task at hand.
“Our focus is to do what we do, to be as excited as any team that’s playing here on Thursday and Friday in the first round. (We want) to take advantage of playing in San Diego; of not traveling a far distance. And, to have as good of a performance as we can.”
