Arizona State coach Molly Miller does not travel with team to First Four due to illness
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Arizona State women’s basketball coach Molly Miller is battling an illness and did not travel with her team for its NCAA First Four matchup on Thursday night against Virginia. “It’s sort of a precarious situation because obviously our leader is not here and we’re hoping for the best so she can recover and be with our team,” Arizona State associate head coach Stephanie Norman said in a news conference on Wednesday. Miller, 40, hopes to join the Sun Devils in Iowa City either late Wednesday night or Thursday.
Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p. m. ET at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
“It’s hour to hour,” Norman said. “I’m hoping she’s taking care of all of the things that she can in her power. We miss her dearly, but at the same time, we have a job to do, so we’re focused on that.
” Miller, who is in her first season as Arizona State’s head coach, directed the Sun Devils (24-10) to their first NCAA Tournament berth in seven seasons. Arizona State was 10-22 last season, while Miller was guiding Grand Canyon to a 32-3 record, a 30-game win streak and the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth. Arizona State’s 24 wins this season are the program’s most since 2016.
The winner of Arizona State’s game against Virginia (19-11) faces seventh-seeded Georgia (22-9) at 1:30 p. m. ET on Saturday.