Former Arizona great Miles Simon returned to McKale Center on Monday night, this time with a new perspective. Simon, who was the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in 1997 when the Wildcats defeated Kentucky to win the national championship, covered Arizona’s game against Valparaiso as an analyst for ESPNU.
The Daily Wildcat caught up with Simon to talk about the Wildcats, where they stack up in the Pac-12 and his life away from Arizona.
On being back in Tucson
“It’s always great coming back to Tucson, man. Seeing old friends and fans and being in McKale Center is always a special time.”
On how connected he still is with the team
“I haven’t talked to Coach (Olson) in a little while but I talk to Sean quite a bit because I see him on the recruiting trail and with my job. I like to stay in touch with what they’re doing. Obviously, I go to practice and do my preparation for the game so I’m in pretty close contact and I know a lot of the guys on the team.”
On how he likes broadcasting
“This is my fourth year broadcasting. I love my job. I can’t complain. It’s one of the best jobs in the world man. I’m going to do Wednesday’s job also.”
On Arizona’s win over Valparaiso
“The team played great tonight. Defensively they were much better in the second half. Their depth can just wear people down.”
On how Arizona stacks up in the Pac-12
“They’re going to compete for that Pac-12 title. I think Cal’s very good. I think they’re my favorite to win the conference right now because of their experience and the players they bring back. They bring back pretty much all of their best players. UCLA’s certainly going to be tough to reckon with but the ‘Cats, especially when they get Parrom back, and Josiah and Nick continue to — Nick already looks comfortable — once Josiah gets more comfortable in that point guard role, the ‘Cats are going to be tough.
On what he likes about this year’s team
“Solomon didn’t play great tonight, but I think can be maybe the best player on the team because he’s the most versatile. He can guard multiple positions, play a couple positions on the offensive end. I love that Fogg was putting it on the floor tonight. He was really attacking the basket, which is a great time for them. And then Nick Johnson, that guy’s going to be hard to keep out of the lineup. He just does so many good things, and I think you have to be encouraged by the play of Chol.”
On Miller’s job as a recruiter
“This is a national program so that’s the way it should be. He’s recruiting players that Arizona should recruit and that Arizona is known for getting. He’s never recruited me, but I can tell that he’s personable and he’s a straight shooter and he tells it like it is. He’s going to tell guys do you want to be part of a winning program and a toughness mentality and you seen an exciting style of basketball, up tempo, play defense hard, and great facilities on top of that, I think those are easy selling points.”
