We here at Section 30 would like to congratulate UNC’s Wes Miller on his newsworthy effort against the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday. While the Tarheels did suffer a humiliating defeat at the Dean Dome, the effect Miller had on the game was not missed by Wes’ hometown newspaper, the Charlotte Observer. The Observer took a minute off from it’s Panther’s coverage to break us off this nugget regarding Miller’s performance against the U.
Miller, who is 5-foot-10, faced a tough matchup with Miami’s Guillermo Diaz. Miller fought through screens on each possession to harass Diaz, who is bigger (6-2) and quicker. But Miller stole the ball once from the Miami guard, and played a season-high 28 minutes.
As the Observer notes, Miller was able to apply the clamps to Miami’s all ACC contender Guillermo Diaz, holding him to a paltry 24 points, including 4-7 from the bonus-sphere.
Miller’s shining moment came when he recorded his first steal. Ever. Late in the first half, Diaz attempted to perform and “off the hizzle” and bounce the ball off Miller’s forehead. Diaz missed Miller’s forehead and loged the ball halfway down Miller’s throat, causing a turn-over.
After the game, the low-key Miller was as modest as ever. Miller spoke of Diaz’s play throughout the game, and laid out his plan for stopping him. “He’s really quick, so what I tried to do was stay in front of him. When that didn’t work, I tried to fall on the floor and get my feet tangled up. No way that foul gets called in Chapel Hill.”
Miller sees his work against Diaz as a stepping stone and has set some lofty goals for the remainder of the season. “I hope to keep Redick under 40. That wouldn’t be too bad for a former walk-on,” Miller says with a smile.
No it wouldn’t, Wes. Not too bad at all.