Darius Miller (The Associated Press) |
LEXINGTON¿— Darius Miller isn’t feeling a sense of urgency.
“I’m feeling more comfortable this year than I have the past couple of years,” the Kentucky senior said. “I’m more focused than I was and more comfortable than I was. I feel like we have a great shot (at winning a national championship). I’m excited and more excited than (feeling a sense of urgency).”
Miller is one of three key returnees for the Wildcats this season and his third in Kentucky coach John¿Calipari’s system. Miller began his Kentucky career on a team that competed in the National Invitation Tournament and has been a big part of the program’s rise back to the forefront on the national collegiate scene. The Wildcats reached the Elite Eight two years ago and ended the season as a national semifinalist last year, losing to eventual national champion Connecticut in the Final Four.
“I’ve been through it here,” he said. “I’ve been through UK’s toughest moments and some of its best moments. I know what to expect and how tough it’s going to be, so I’ve got to step up. It’s been a big turnaround and I’ve had a lot of fun with it and it’s been a great experience.”
During the off-season, Miller took a step up in the weight room. Heading into his final season as a Wildcat, Miller shed a few pounds by “running and being in the weight room” during the summer months.”
“I tried to spend a lot of time in the weight room,” Miller said. “I’m playing better (on the court) because of it.”
The team’s roster features a mixture of newcomers and veterans, including sophomores Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb. Miller, Jones and Lamb played an integral role in the team’s success last season, which included the school’s first trip to the Final Four since 1998.
“I think we’re going to have a totally different team,” he said. “We’re going to play different. We have a lot of different talented (players) and personalties on the team. I think it will be a completely different look from last year.”
Miller, one of two seniors on the squad, plans to take a leap in the leadership department. Miller admitted that he “struggled in that area last year” and plans on helping out the team incoming freshmen. Miller said being a leader will require “being more vocal, more accertive, aggressive and being more productive.”
“I’m going to have to be more of a leader than I have been the past couple of years,” he said. “I’m a senior and I have to step up in that category. I have to be productive and make sure everybody knows what to expect and how much it work its going to take to get where we need to be.”
Miller thinks Jones and Lamb know what it takes to be successful, based on last year’s Final Four run.
“We had some rough patches last year, so they know how hard it’s going to be, especially away games in the (Southeastern Conference),” Miller said. “The (NCAA) Tournament is going to be tough and they know that. They’ve been through it all, they’ve definitely have the ablity to be leaders.”
Miller said the current group of players, which includes newcomers Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague, are “having a great time” bonding and getting to know each other.
“All guys are focused and ready and hopefully we can get this done,” he said.
Kentucky coach John Calipari likes the way Miller has been focused during the preseason.
“He'll do whatever this team needs him to do to win,” he said. “That's what he'll do.”
The former Mason County product and Mr. Basketball agreed with his coach and is willing to do what it takes to win a national title in his final season with the Wildcats.
“I’m all about winning and our main goal is winning a national championship this year,” he said. “Hopefully we can carry that out.”
“I’m feeling more comfortable this year than I have the past couple of years,” the Kentucky senior said. “I’m more focused than I was and more comfortable than I was. I feel like we have a great shot (at winning a national championship). I’m excited and more excited than (feeling a sense of urgency).”
Miller is one of three key returnees for the Wildcats this season and his third in Kentucky coach John¿Calipari’s system. Miller began his Kentucky career on a team that competed in the National Invitation Tournament and has been a big part of the program’s rise back to the forefront on the national collegiate scene. The Wildcats reached the Elite Eight two years ago and ended the season as a national semifinalist last year, losing to eventual national champion Connecticut in the Final Four.
“I’ve been through it here,” he said. “I’ve been through UK’s toughest moments and some of its best moments. I know what to expect and how tough it’s going to be, so I’ve got to step up. It’s been a big turnaround and I’ve had a lot of fun with it and it’s been a great experience.”
During the off-season, Miller took a step up in the weight room. Heading into his final season as a Wildcat, Miller shed a few pounds by “running and being in the weight room” during the summer months.”
“I tried to spend a lot of time in the weight room,” Miller said. “I’m playing better (on the court) because of it.”
The team’s roster features a mixture of newcomers and veterans, including sophomores Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb. Miller, Jones and Lamb played an integral role in the team’s success last season, which included the school’s first trip to the Final Four since 1998.
“I think we’re going to have a totally different team,” he said. “We’re going to play different. We have a lot of different talented (players) and personalties on the team. I think it will be a completely different look from last year.”
Miller, one of two seniors on the squad, plans to take a leap in the leadership department. Miller admitted that he “struggled in that area last year” and plans on helping out the team incoming freshmen. Miller said being a leader will require “being more vocal, more accertive, aggressive and being more productive.”
“I’m going to have to be more of a leader than I have been the past couple of years,” he said. “I’m a senior and I have to step up in that category. I have to be productive and make sure everybody knows what to expect and how much it work its going to take to get where we need to be.”
Miller thinks Jones and Lamb know what it takes to be successful, based on last year’s Final Four run.
“We had some rough patches last year, so they know how hard it’s going to be, especially away games in the (Southeastern Conference),” Miller said. “The (NCAA) Tournament is going to be tough and they know that. They’ve been through it all, they’ve definitely have the ablity to be leaders.”
Miller said the current group of players, which includes newcomers Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague, are “having a great time” bonding and getting to know each other.
“All guys are focused and ready and hopefully we can get this done,” he said.
Kentucky coach John Calipari likes the way Miller has been focused during the preseason.
“He'll do whatever this team needs him to do to win,” he said. “That's what he'll do.”
The former Mason County product and Mr. Basketball agreed with his coach and is willing to do what it takes to win a national title in his final season with the Wildcats.
“I’m all about winning and our main goal is winning a national championship this year,” he said. “Hopefully we can carry that out.”
