Plenty of coverage in Cinci in the last few days on the hiring of former Pitt great, Sean Miller as basketball head coach of Xavier, replacing Thad Motta. Kind of makes sense, when the only big issue regarding UC is, “When does Huggins sober up return from suspension. From the shot taken at OSU’s hiring process (also mocked by national columnists) to the ‘no brainer’ decision on the hiring. Then there is the assembling of a new staff. Of course there is the obligatory article about Miller’s coaching bloodlines. Finally, a 5 question sitdown with the new coach.

1 What is your favorite moment as a player? (Miller is a former All-Big East point guard at Pittsburgh.)

A: When I was a freshman (in 1988), we played Syracuse on the final Sunday in March. Both teams were tied for first place, so it was for the Big East championship, and it was the largest Carrier Dome crowd for a basketball game at the time.

We went in there and won it, and it was an amazing moment to win the Big East title against a team like that Syracuse team.

2 What did you think last season when you saw ESPN replay the Jerome Lane dunk? (Lane, who played with Miller, broke a backboard on a dunk in 1988 after Miller threw him a pass on a fast break.)

A: It reminded me of how much weight I’ve gained since my playing days. That clip right there is keeping me alive.

That was a Big Monday game on ESPN, so for him to do that on that stage was amazing. It had very little to do with the pass.