Eye On College Basketball | Cincinnati’s Wes Miller on Taking the Next Step

Episode Title: Wes Miller On How Cincinnati Takes The Next Step | Says This Year’s Team Will Be MORE AGGRESSIVE
Date: October 23, 2025
Hosts: CBS Sports’ College Basketball team (Interview primarily conducted by Matt Norlander)
Guest: Wes Miller, Head Coach, Cincinnati Bearcats

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller as he discusses the next stage for the Bearcats basketball program heading into a crucial season. The interview focuses on how the team will become more aggressive, cope with key roster changes, adjustments in Miller’s approach, and the team’s intentional non-conference scheduling—all in the pursuit of an NCAA Tournament breakthrough.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Crosstown Rivalry & Social Media Banter

• Lighthearted Start:

  • Norlander opens by referencing the Crosstown Shootout and joking about Richard Pitino’s comments.
  • Wes Miller’s take:
    • “I've known Richard a long time… The question is, are we still going to like each other after the crosstown Shootout? That'll be the real question.” (01:34)
    • Miller emphasizes that while rivalries run hot, he personally likes Richard Pitino but remains focused on winning.

• Social Media Approach:

  • Miller avoids social media during the season:
    • “I think I have a rule that I don't open Twitter from the first game until the end of the season.” (01:54)

2. Team Identity: Pace, Connection, Aggressiveness

• Offseason Foundations:
  • Miller details the three main points emphasized since summer workouts:
    • Pace: On both offense and defense.
    • Connection: Genuine intentionality in how the team interacts.
    • Aggressiveness: “We want to make aggressive mistakes, we're okay with mistakes, but we're going to do them very aggressively.” (02:25)
  • Preseason has been productive despite adversity, including an injury to Jalen Haynes.

3. Coping with Loss of Jizzle James

• Roster Adjustment:
  • Jizzle James’ departure is discussed in broad terms—Miller respectfully declines to dive into personal reasons but addresses the impact on court.
    • “The details of Jizzle James’ situation are so personal. I'm not going to address them in the media in any way with anybody.” (04:00)
  • Depth at Guard:
    • Returns of Dae Dae Thomas and addition of experienced Kirk Kreisa, Sincere Harris, and newcomer Keyshawn Tillery provide stability.
    • “We have depth. Does it mean that you ever want to be without, you know, an elite player or a guy that you expected to return? Absolutely not. But we have the depth to sustain it.” (04:54)

4. Taking the Next Step: Program Adjustments

• Self-Examination and Change:
  • Miller continually reviews and adjusts processes, now more intentionally as he matures as a coach.
  • Big 12 Lessons:
    • After multiple years on the bubble, the focus is on “little separators within the details, the controllable details.”
    • “We’ve been on the bubble and right there… There’s some aspects that you’re close to turning it and there’s things you can’t control that affect that. But there’s a lot of stuff you can.” (06:46)
  • Specific changes are strategic, aiming for NCAA Tournament qualification by maximizing details that are within control:
    • “We’ve done some very strategic things to prepare for this year.” (07:33)

5. Building the Non-Conference Schedule

• Strategy and Balance:
  • Miller explains how scheduling is competitive and it’s not as simple as just picking good opponents.
    • “You have to actually, in the non-con, you have to find agreements and contracts and opportunities. So scheduling is its own matrix in its own way.” (08:25)
  • Key matchups:
    • Dayton (at home, considered a "Power Conference" level opponent by Miller)
    • Xavier (Crosstown Shootout)
    • Neutral site games: Louisville, Georgia, Clemson
  • “We have what I’d call five Power Conference-Type games... And then if you look at the rest of the games, they’re not cakewalks. I mean there’s three teams outside of that mix that were NCAA tournament teams a year ago.” (09:31)
  • Balance: Enough home games to keep the team in Cincinnati but still facing a rigorous test pre-conference.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On rivalry and mutual respect:

  • “Let's just say I still want to win the crosstown shootout.” — Wes Miller (01:18)

• On aggression as a team identity:

  • “We want to make aggressive mistakes, we’re okay with mistakes, but we’re going to do them very aggressively.” — Wes Miller (02:32)

• On social media avoidance:

  • “I think I have a rule that I don't open Twitter from the first game until the end of the season.” — Wes Miller (01:54)

• On the experience in Big 12:

  • “You need to be tested early in non con so you can prepare for the test that you’re going to have night in, night out in the Big 12.” — Wes Miller (08:43)

• On always seeking marginal gains:

  • “One of the key values that we’ve had, or key goals... is to try to figure out how we can find little separators within the details, the controllable details.” — Wes Miller (06:41)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:01] – Thoughts on rivalry with Xavier and relationship with Richard Pitino
• [01:54] – Miller reveals he abstains from Twitter during the season
• [02:25] – Coach Miller outlines the three key team emphases: pace, connection, aggression
• [03:21] – Reaction and adjustment to Jizzle James' departure
• [06:07] – Miller’s thought process on offseason program tweaks
• [08:24] – Philosophy and specifics behind challenging non-conference schedule

Tone and Style

• Direct and Honest: Miller is upfront about challenges, candid when declining to discuss personal matters, and clear-eyed regarding his approach.
• Inquisitive and Respectful: Norlander asks thoughtful, pointed questions that reflect the pressures and expectations of Cincinnati’s situation.
• Competitive Yet Reflective: The tone is focused but never brash—Miller’s competitive drive is balanced with a capacity for self-examination.

Summary

This episode provides a focused window into Wes Miller’s strategic mindset as Cincinnati aims to make the NCAA Tournament. Listeners come away understanding that the Bearcats will be defined by aggression, adaptability, and strategic planning—supported by depth, experience, and intentional scheduling. Miller’s reflections and insights make clear that while obstacles and fierce competition remain, the pursuit of “little separators” could be the key to Cincinnati’s next step forward.