Video: Wes Miller Discusses Michigan/Arkansas Exhibitions
The Bearcats will travel to Ann Arbor Friday night for their first of two preseason exhibitions (they'll also face Arkansas). On Wednesday, Wes Miller met with the media to discuss the exhibitions, as well as several other topics surrounding his program.
Jalen Haynes Injury Update
Miller confirmed that forward Jaylen suffered a lower-body injury at the end of Monday's practice:
"Don’t have one more than the statement we made yesterday… had an injury at the end of practice on Monday. Lower body injury. We know more, we’ll let you guys know."
He emphasized that depth will be key:
"This is why you have depth. We have excellent depth in the frontcourt... Our guys will be able to step into whatever role he was going to fill."
Opportunity for Tyler McKinley & Others
Jalen’s absence opens the door for others, particularly Tyler McKinley, a local standout with a strong upside.
“Certainly Jaylen was going to demand a certain role early,” Miller said. “Tyler is definitely one of the guys who has a chance to step into a bigger role — but it’s going to be collective. There’s so much lineup versatility in our team.”
Miller also mentioned Keyshuan Tillery as a possible contributor, noting the modern game's positionless style gives him flexibility to plug different players into the rotation.
"It's an opportunity for everybody... I think it's easy to look at it as just a straight position-to-position thing... but you could actually fill that void with Keyshuan Tillery. Tyler McKinley is certainly one of those guys."
On McKinley’s offseason:
"He has terrific awareness... he's got a knack for the basketball. The rebounding is real. He's a terrific passer, decision-maker... such a bright player for his age."
Why Michigan and Arkansas?
Despite not being game-ready by his own admission, Miller is embracing the challenge of facing a national brand like Michigan this early.
“We’re not ready to play basketball today,” he said frankly. “And I’m not worried about that. Our job is to be ready when the lights come on for real in early November.”
That emphasis on internal growth over external results has shaped every aspect of this preseason — including the exhibition opponents.
“These are Final Four-type teams we’re playing,” Miller said of Michigan and Arkansas. “It’s not to try to win the game and get everybody excited about how great we are. It’s to become a team that can compete night in and night out in the Big 12.”
He even skipped scouting Michigan altogether.
“I’ve watched zero tape,” Miller admitted. “Dusty May and I talked and said, ‘Let’s not waste time scouting. You tell me what you’re going to do. I’ll tell you what we’re going to do. Let’s just get out there and play.’”
Focus of Exhibition Games
He made it clear that winning isn’t the goal this week:
"This is a tool to develop our team… If we win by 150 or lose by 150, you guys won’t care in January."
"They used to be secret scrimmages… now it’s a tool to get out in front of people with the lights on, which we need to deal with early."
On competing vs. coaching to win:
"From a preparation standpoint… it'll be treated like a game in honestly no way other than just I want to compete like it’s a game when there’s five guys with another jersey on."
Miller also spoke about the benefits of playing these exhibitions publicly — something that used to be limited to “secret scrimmages.”
“We gain the preparation for environment, for distractions, for media attention,” he said. “You don’t get that from a closed-door scrimmage. These games help us learn how to deal with whatever happens — good or bad.”
Teaching Mental Toughness
These public exhibitions give Miller the chance to coach how players handle media and pressure:
"If we win by 20… teaching our guys how not to listen to what people say to their phones."
"If we lose by 20… that’s an opportunity too. You never got that from a secret scrimmage."
He also reminded the team that ups and downs are part of Big 12 play:
“We’ve had some really good practices and some really bad ones. They’re all good for our development,” Miller said. “This week will not determine whether we have a good season or a bad season. But it will help us get better.”
Progress of Jordi Rodriguez
“He’s played professional basketball,” Miller emphasized. “There’s just an awareness about the game that’s beyond what you'd expect from a first-year college player. The physicality and speed will be an adjustment, but he’s ahead in areas most freshmen struggle.”
Rodriguez played in the elite ACB league in Spain, and his basketball IQ has translated quickly.
Update on Lucas Atari
Miller was brief regarding newcomer Lucas Atari:
"He hasn’t been medically cleared yet… and I trust our medical staff implicitly."
Kenyon Martin’s Message
With Kenyon Martin back in the building for Cincinnati’s tip-off dinner this week, the connection to Bearcat history is strong, even if the current roster isn’t aware of the program’s past battles with Michigan.
“Kenyon’s presence is always special,” Miller said. “He let the guys know what Cincinnati basketball is about — in a way only he can.”
"Certain things are reserved for the locker room… but it was just terrific to have our former players back."
"In the modern era, it starts with Kenyon Martin…"
Where the Team Stands Now
With the season opener still weeks away, Miller says they’re not game-ready — and that’s okay:
"We’re not ready to play basketball today. And I’m not worried about that."
"Our job is to be ready when the lights come on for real in early November."
He praised the team’s consistency so far:
"The day-to-day approach has been pretty legit... the progress has been steady and consistent."
Mature Approach to Preseason
On his own growth as a coach:
"Yeah, when I was a first-year head coach at 28, I thought [the first scrimmage] was the national championship."
"I think over time I’ve matured... the idea is to make us the best Big 12 team we can be."
Bottom Line:
Wes Miller was very clear during the media availability. Win or lose, Friday night’s exhibition at Michigan is just a step on the road to November — and to competing in the Big 12.
"This week will not determine whether we have a good season or a bad season at all."