Miller Rumor

[sweet16]

<<besides win a big east title >>

Your points re why X is more attractive now than it was even a few years ago are all valid, but your "besides" isn't insignificant, especially to a Pitt grad.

I'm not so sure about that. More bucks and going back home obviously can't be discounted but if you're talking just basketball related aspirations consider this.........the only metric that really seems to matter anymore is how deep you get in the tourney. I don't think anybody cares anymore how many B10, A10, ACC, Horizon, etc league titles you've won if you flame out every year in the 1st round. So does Miller think his ability to go deep with/at Xavier is equivalent to or better than other places? Right now he has gone deeper than 310 other schools and is one game away from an E8.

[Mr. Neutral]

This year, sure. But the question is always "where's my best opportunity to go deep in the tourney year after year?". If the answer is X, he stays. If not....

[jaxalum]

Keeping him this year is critical, most importantly to solidify/lock-up the 2008 class. They have all signed LOIs, but if Miller leaves, they have the option of petitioning the NCAA to void their LOIs (letter of intents). On paper, the 2008 class is the best ever at Xavier. The 09 class has the potential to be excellent as well.

If there is anyone that can keep Miller at X, it's Bobinski. I've read that he's already putting together another financial package, for after the season, that will put Miller over 1 million. If Miller intends to stay I hope he makes that sentiment as clear and as early as possible, as the longer it drags on, the more it hurts recruiting (allows negative recruiting to flourish....Staten may have thought that Miller would not be around when he got to X)

I understand the idea of wanting to better ones' self/job. Just maybe Miller has realized that he can ACTUALLY compete at the highest level here at X(signing an elite class like the 08s getting to the second weekend of the tourney twice in 4 years) Thats really what these coaches are after.....the ABILITY AND CHANCE to win at the highest level. If Miller believes he can do that here, he will stay. Understand though, buyouts and penalties will not stop the elite BCS schools from pursuing a hot, winning coach.

[Xman95]

The article on ESPN.com is right on. If we want to make the statement that we are among the big boys to stay, then we have to make sure the coach stays. If we continue to have a revolving door located at our head coach's office, we'll continue to be looked at as a stepping stone school. We'll be seen as a place good coaches go to sharpen their skills before moving up to the big boys. Keeping Miller is far more critical than it was to keep Skip or Matta. Times have changed and we need to show the mindset and commitment to hoops at XU has too.