ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 19 Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
9. Arizona Wildcats (17-14, 8-10 Pac-12) LW: 10
It was Senior Day in the McKale Center. And while the pregame ceremonies were about Justin Coleman and Ryan Luther, coach Sean Miller captured all attention postgame as the afternoon went from bad to worse in Tucson.
Not only did Arizona lose at home to Arizona State for the first time in nine years – the second time at home under Miller – but comments made by the tenth-year coach alluded to a potential farewell far more devastating than the loss of any senior.
Following the 72-64 defeat, Miller emotionally addressed the crowd and said, “There’s no place that’s more magical than the McKale Center. There are no fans in the world that are more loyal. It has been an amazing honor to coach in McKale Center for the last 10 years. Thank you for everything.”
Miller’s remarks come in wake of being subpoenaed to testify in a federal trial stemming from an investigation into numerous Division-1 basketball programs.
If, in fact, this is his final season at Arizona, Miller is unlikely to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. At 17-14, the Wildcats concluded the regular season in ninth place but will have a chance at an improbable run through the conference tournament.
Arizona has cut the nets in Las Vegas three times over the past four seasons and though the road to the championship is difficult, the Wildcats won’t be an easy team to oust. T-Mobile Arena tends to be adorned with red and blue this time of year, creating a home-court advantage nearly six hours from Tucson.
The Wildcats open the Pac-12 Tournament against No. 8 seed Stanford on Wednesday.