Arizona Basketball

What being ranked No. 1 means for Arizona Wildcats

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If a trophy is all that matters, and to many that is the end-all, being ranked No. 1 in December means nothing more than winning the swimsuit portion of a beauty pageant.

You look good, but where will you be judged in the end?

Sean Miller is making a name for himself in regards to Arizona's success

Sean Miller is making a name for himself in regards to Arizona’s success

For the Arizona Wildcats, who went 11 seasons without a top ranking, today’s news means much more than that analogy. To Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky a No. 1 ranking is Page 8 news. To Arizona, it’s headline news and appropriately so.

The No. 1 ranking indicates Arizona is not a one-coach program. The Wildcats are more than Lute Olson, although he is the reason why Sean Miller is experiencing success today with the foundation he built.

Miller and the Wildcats have proven the program can endure coaching turnover much like North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky have mastered success through the decades.

When Arizona played under interim staffs after Olson’s leave of absence and retirement in 2007 and 2008, nobody thought of Arizona as a No. 1 program.

No one envisioned the Wildcats reaching that status after Miller, with only five years of head coaching experience at Xavier, did not reach the NCAA tournament in his first season with the Wildcats in 2009-10, snapping the program’s 25-year March Madness run.

ESPN’s Andy Katz once wrote about the Arizona coaching position before Miller was hired: “Whoever takes the Arizona job will have a six-year rebuilding job ahead of him.”

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Arizona basketball was in such a state of flux after Olson’s departure that it was viewed as a financially-strapped operation by Katz’s counterpart Seth Davis.

“If Arizona really wants to splurge, they may go after Tubby Smith,” Davis wrote. “Or if they want to save money, Reggie Theus might be the best option.”

Olson made the Wildcats a brand name. Livengood understood the importance of replacing the Hall of Fame coach with a coach who would continue to make the program one of the most marketable in the nation.

Livengood’s failed attempt to hire Tim Floyd turned out to be a blessing. Floyd was fired shortly thereafter by USC because of the alleged improper O.J. Mayo recruiting fiasco. Three of the Trojans’ recruits, including Derrick Williams and Solomon Hill, changed their allegiance from USC to Arizona and Miller.

Arizona is the No. 1-ranked team in the nation.

What does it mean on Dec. 9?

It does not mean that 17 weeks from now Arizona is assured of raising the NCAA trophy at Arlington, Texas.

It means that seven seasons after Olson’s last game as Arizona’s coach, the program has turned the page.

Following the Wildcats’ trip to the Elite Eight in 2011, Miller met with Maryland officials to potentially become the Terps’ new coach. He rejected their offer but his meeting translated to Arizona not being a destination program.

Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne responded by signing Miller to a contract extension.

Turbulence befell the Wildcats again as they failed to make the NCAA tournament in the 2011-12 season. The year had its share of turmoil with high-profile recruits Josiah Turner and Sidiki Johnson making headlines for disciplinary actions before ultimately being kicked off the team.

Arizona’s Sweet 16 season last year got the Wildcats back on track. High-profile recruiting classes the last two years embodies most of the Wildcats’ seven-player rotation. Aaron Gordon is a potential lottery pick. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is a coach’s dream and a budding Tucson celebrity.

Miller went to his roots in Pittsburgh to lure T.J. McConnell, a transfer from Duquesne. McConnell, with a pass-first, defense-is-paramount mentality, is rekindling Arizona’s claim to be Point Guard U. That distinction was hit and miss since Jason Gardner last led Arizona to a No. 1 ranking in 2003.

Nick Johnson is a darkhorse for Pac-12 player of the year with his early-season performances.

The Wildcats have defeated regional rivals San Diego State and UNLV, and triumphed over Mike Krzyzewski and Duke on the East coast in New York City.

Arizona is the No. 1-ranked team in the nation.

What does it mean on Dec. 9?

It does not mean that 17 weeks from now Arizona is assured of raising the NCAA trophy at Arlington, Texas.

It means that seven seasons after Olson’s last game as Arizona’s coach, the program has turned the page. Miller is to Arizona what Roy Williams is to North Carolina after Dean Smith. He is to the Wildcats what John Calipari is to Kentucky after Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith.

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TOTAL APPEARANCES IN AP POLL
Out of 1074 total polls since 1949
Source: CollegePollArchive.com
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North Carolina and Kentucky went through hardships between then and now, just like Arizona. Their tradition-rich programs survived the times. Miller’s recruiting and coaching has made it possible for the Wildcats to emerge as a No. 1 program after they were counted out as recently as five years ago.

Arizona has now reached No. 1 in the last four decades, another sign the Wildcats are here to stay.

Those who say a No. 1 ranking does not mean anything in December are correct. It’s not a championship.

But considering the circumstances, it is a long time coming for Arizona.

As the No. 1 team, the Wildcats must prepare for every team’s best shot, a showdown with Michigan at Ann Arbor on Saturday, and the fast-approaching Pac-12 season.

Arizona looks good in the swimsuit competition a month into the season. They must now show their substance. At least they get that opportunity.

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WILDABOUTAZCATS.net publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report, Lindy’s College Sports and TucsonCitizen.com.

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