TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona coach Sean Miller used strong words to deliver a stern message to his team at Tuesday's weekly gathering with the media.
"I don't think anyone would walk in here and be proud of our defense and our effort level and commitment in that Oregon State game," Miller said.
It only gets harder this week when Colorado and Utah, a prohibitive frontrunner to challenge UA for the Pac-12 Conference title, come to McKale Center.
Arizona junior Brandon Ashley said Arizona's recent losses have "definitely opened our eyes a lot" and will benefit the Wildcats in the long run. Arizona is 14-2 overall and 2-1 in the Pac-12 Conference.
In Miller's 18-minute press conference, he spoke about the possibility of playing zone defense and used the word "selfish" to describe the Wildcats' struggles on both ends of the court.
"When guys aren't giving great effort on defense, to me, that's something where there's a severe penalty," Miller said. "That's the one trademark each one of us wants to have and as coaches want to have your team play hard day in and day out, game in and game out."
Last year, defense was Arizona's calling card. This year, although the numbers are still strong, it's clear that the Wildcats are having trouble stopping penetration to the basket. It's for that reason that he said they will implement some zone defense.
"We say it here a lot," Miller said, "that if you're a totally committed team on defense it's really hard to say that our team is selfish. If you have a team that picks and chooses how hard we play on defense, then I think everyone would have the right to call our team selfish."
He said in those cases players are more concerned about "how the game is going for you" and "you're disappointed that you didn't get a shot in the last few minutes," causing your concentration to be focused on the past and not the present.
"You start to think about the NBA, then you get a phone call or text message at the end of the game to say you're not doing enough on offense and the whole thing goes to . . . "
It was a week ago when Miller was talking about how team chemistry is a day-to-day and moment-to-moment issue. He's reminded his players that great teams realize that team success brings individual success.
"Not everybody believes that, but it's ongoing," Miller said. "It's about working at it every single day in today's climate of college sports, especially basketball, because guys can leave; guys can leave in a year or a semester."
Before the season started, it was thought as many as four UA players -- Ashley, freshman Stanley Johnson, Kaleb Tarczewski and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson -- could leave early for the NBA. But their individual and collective success will play a large role in how they're evaluated by the pros.
"It's about working on that team unity and togetherness every day," Miller said. "It's not easy, it's difficult. This team in particular is a tremendous challenge to make sure we are united about Arizona, about team and about defense every day . . . and it can suck the life out of you."
Miller had a similar issue two years ago when the team started 14-0 before stumbling at the start of the Pac-12 season before regrouping and ending its season in the Sweet 16.
"We had pockets inside the Pac-12 where we unraveled defensively," Miller said. "It didn't cost us a great season because we ended in the Sweet 16, but it cost us a conference championship or the next level. Our defense never became excellent."
Last year, Arizona's defense and chemistry were superb. This year's team has the misfortune to suffer by comparison.
"You saw what it felt like to be the best, or among the best," Miller said. "Where we are at this year is in between."
--Former Arizona forward Craig Victor will transfer to LSU and be eligible for the second semester next season, according to Greg Holmes, Victor's AAU coach from New Orleans Elite. Victor, a top 50 recruit, played eight games for the Wildcats, averaging 3.1 points and 1.1 rebounds.
--Miller will return to his role as assistant coach for the USA Basketball U19 Team for the 2015 World Championship. Miller and Providence's Ed Cooley will serve as assistants to Florida coach Billy Donovan, reprising their roles for the 2014 U18 National Team that went 5-0 and won a gold medal. The 2015 championship will be played June 27-July 5 on the Greek Island of Crete.
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VIDEO: Sports Guys Anthony Gimino, Steve Rivera, Jake Fischer and Matt Moreno discuss the Oregon State loss and this week's games vs. Colorado and Utah.
