Watch: 10 best things Sean Miller said at Arizona Wildcats' media day
Basketball season is upon us.
New season, new squad
Updated
Sean Miller walked into the press conference room at McKale Center Monday, which meant it's the start of Arizona Wildcats basketball season.
Last season, the expectations for Arizona was high, national championship high. And with a first-round loss to Buffalo, Arizona's magical season came to an end and the Wildcats would lose their entire starting lineup in Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Allonzo Trier, Rawle Alkins, Deandre Ayton and Dusan Ristic. Plus, bench spark Keanu Pinder graduated.
Now, UA returns Brandon Randolph, Emmanuel Akot, Dylan Smith, Ira Lee and Alex Barcello. The Wildcats also add Duke transfer Chase Jeter and graduate transfers Justin Coleman and Ryan Luther. The freshmen: four-star point guard Brandon Williams, Devonaire Doutrive and Omar Thielemans.
The Wildcats will look much different this season, but Miller is optimistic about his squad heading into the new year. Miller spoke to the media before Monday's media day, here's what he had to say.
Preview of Arizona
UpdatedArizona head coach Sean Miller on the outlook of this year’s team: pic.twitter.com/Rvcxd0O55j
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) October 1, 2018
Sophomores
UpdatedSean Miller says the sophomores in Brandon Randolph, Ira Lee, Emmanuel Akot can have a major impact for the Wildcats this season. pic.twitter.com/FPgw6vKWEH
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) October 1, 2018
Rallying around Ira Lee following DUI citation
UpdatedSean Miller on Ira Lee: “Our job is to make sure he’s in a healthy environment.” Lee was cited last month for DUI. pic.twitter.com/a46D5fgA60
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) October 1, 2018
Graduate transfers
UpdatedSean Miller on adding graduate transfers Ryan Luther and Justin Coleman: pic.twitter.com/4Ee1IfPVSw
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) October 1, 2018
Brandon Williams' versatility
UpdatedSean Miller on Brandon Williams’ role for Arizona: “We always planned on playing him at both guard positions.” pic.twitter.com/Ic6RiGqK9d
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) October 1, 2018
Coaching Deandre Ayton
UpdatedSean Miller on meeting with @suns coach Igor Kokoskov about coaching Deandre Ayton: “They’re building something special and Igor has a great basketball mind.” pic.twitter.com/6tc6cCtZKR
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) October 1, 2018
Federal investigation
UpdatedSean Miller references his statement from last season when asked about the federal investigation of college basketball. pic.twitter.com/DCCEtah3dc
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) October 1, 2018
Omar Thielemans
UpdatedSean Miller on Belgian forward Omar Thielemans and the adjustment from FIBA to college basketball: pic.twitter.com/zvTsaA3oE6
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) October 1, 2018
Pac-12 conference
UpdatedSean Miller on the outlook of the Pac-12 this season: pic.twitter.com/ugLfkgU2Ta
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) October 1, 2018
Team captains
UpdatedSean Miller says Chase Jeter and Justin Coleman are Arizona’s team captains this year.
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) October 1, 2018
More information
- Greg Hansen: Sean Miller's Act III is a reboot, not a rebuild
- Watch: 6 best things Kevin Sumlin said in Monday's press conference
- Arizona Wildcat forward Ira Lee prepared to face consequences for super extreme DUI
- Should UA quarterback Khalil Tate sit out to rest his sore ankle? It’s complicated
- Khalil Tate has been limited in practice; kicker change coming for Arizona Wildcats?
- Federal prosecutors likely to mention Sean Miller, Deandre Ayton, others in fraud trial
- Four-star Minnesota forward Zeke Nnaji puts Arizona in top 5 finalists
- ‘He’s battling through it’: Injury still slowing Arizona Wildcats QB Kahlil Tate
- Ex-Arizona Wildcat Deandre Ayton posts double-double in Suns debut
- Defense attorney: Arizona Wildcats were prepared to spend $150K to land recruit
- The Wildcast, Episode 133: On Colin Schooler's consistency, Khalil Tate's damaged ankle
- Wildcats freshman Brandon Williams followed heart, Stanley Johnson to Tucson
- Five-star guard Josh Green to announce college choice Thursday
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