Pac 10 Fans Home
Pac 10 Football
Pac 10 Basketball
Pac 10 Baseball
College Fansites
Pac 10 Apparel
Pac 10 Tickets

Impressive Start to Sean Miller’s Tenure, but More Work to Do

Arizona basketball has long been a pillar of excellence, with 25 straight NCAA tournament appearances to prove it. Eleven conference titles, four final four appearances, and a national championship reinforce how dominant the Wildcat program was under Lute Olson. Do you find yourself watching the NBA playoffs? Numerous former Wildcats fill the screen: Andre Iguodala (Sixers), Mike Bibby (Hawks), Jason Terry (Mavericks), Luke Walton (Lakers), Channing Frye (Blazers), and Jarryd Bayless (Blazers). Some things never actually change. In the world of recruiting, though - things can change in a hurry.

Sean Miller and his newly assembled coaching staff are putting together a “stretch run” for Arizona’s 2009 recruiting rarely seen in the annals of college basketball. While most pundits expected Arizona to take a few years to start landing top recruits again, Miller is quitely proving them wrong. He landed two ESPN Top 100 players in his first week - Solomon Hill (Small Forward) and Kyryl Natyazhko (Center). Hill originally committed to Arizona in 2007, but backed out following Lute Olson’s sudden retirement. Natyazhko ranked Xavier high on his list when Sean Miller was there and followed him to Tucson. Although Arizona was unable to land Lamont “MoMo” Jones or Jarrid Famous (USC, South Florida), there are other possible recruits still available.

> Browse the selection of Pac 10 apparel & merchandise online as well as Pac 10 tickets through Pac 10 Fans and partner sites.

Tremayne Johnson, a Junior College player with 3 years of eligibility remaining, has already verbally committed to Arizona before Miller was hired and most expect him to sign with Arizona soon. Coach Miller and assistant Emanuel "Book" Richardson recently made a point of going to New York to see Bronx wing Kevin Parrom. Parrom actually signed a letter of intent to play for Xavier, but backed out after Sean Miller left. He is now considering Arizona - to follow Miller and his staff. Another possible last-minute recruit is Colin Borchert, a highly-ranked Power Forward from Glendale, AZ.

Another aspect to watch is how Miller works with current point guard Nic Wise, who has already declared for the NBA draft. Wise has said he will not hire an agent - leaving open the possibility of returning to Tucson to play for a fourth head coach in four years. Having an experienced point guard goes a long way in college basketball - especially when trying to implement a new system. Current Wildcats Jemele Horne, Zane Johnson, and Kyle Fogg will find the transition easier if Wise is running the point.

Sean Miller certainly knows he has more work to do, both with the current roster and on the recruiting trail. Even with the excellent players joining the team in 2009-10, he still only has one player who averaged more than 6.8 points per game - Nice Wise. If Wise ultimately does not return to play for Arizona, Miller will essentially have five new starters. Garland Judkins, a freshman, began 2008 as a starter, but was suspended from the team for the final two months for failing to meet team obligations. Miller recently told the Arizona Daily Star that Judkins would rejoin the team and has a “clean slate.” Miller will have to continue to build the roster if his Wildcats are to make a 26 th straight NCAA tournament appearance in 2010 (one shy of North Carolina’s record of 27 straight).

By Tommy Comer
DFN Sports Staff Writer