Shimmy Miller has settled quite nicely into her second career as a college basketball analyst. She is one of three Black females on BTN’s women basketball cadre of game and studio analysts this season.
“Last year, I was just on a seasonal [contract from] October to May,” Miller told me after she worked the Big Ten media days in Chicago. We both were there doing interviews, but unlike me, she virtually spoke to every player and coach.
“So, they didn’t have to bring me back and they did, so I’m really grateful,” she said proudly. After over two decades as a basketball coach, Miller loves her second life so to speak.
“I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss the daily interactions with the young women,” she explained. “I missed practices, being on the practice court, but I still get to be around basketball every day.
“I’m just so grateful. I try very hard to live life with an attitude of gratitude,” said Miller, who also worked Chicago Sky broadcasts this season. “I think it helped me become a better broadcaster because I just got more reps,” she continued.
“I just watch a lot of games. There’s a big difference between a player and a coach. We see things differently. I have 24 years of coaching experience, which has really helped me watch the game through a different lens.”
The Big Ten this season is a coast-to-coast league with 18 teams for the first time ever. “I don’t think any team is going to go undefeated in this league,” predicted Miller.
Miller advises to look out for such teams as Maryland, a perennial contender, and Indiana. “I know that Indiana was picked fifth, but don’t be surprised if they end up having a better season than what people think,” she noted.
“[Also] keep your eye on Wisconsin. I’m not saying Wisconsin is ready to be [an] NCAA Tournament team, but what I’m saying is that [junior forward] Serah Williams is a star. [Head Coach] Marisa Moseley has done a great job.
“Somebody asked me if I thought Marisa Moseley was on the hot seat, and I thought that was the most ridiculous question that I’ve ever been asked,” said Miller of the Badgers HC. “She is going into year four, and each year she has gotten better and better.
“Trying to rebuild a program in this league is hard—ask [former Minnesota coach] Lindsey Whalen. It is hard,” stressed Miller.
Miller also had an excellent sit-down interview with USC sophomore JuJu Watkins, whose stellar freshman year was overshadowed by Caitlin Clark last season.
“She doesn’t want to be the next Caitlin Clark,” admitted Miller. “She does not care about the hype. She is not interested in being the face of this league or women’s basketball. She just wants to play.
“She wants to get better. She wants to win,” said Miller of Watkins. “I hope our network isn’t trying to hype her up and put her in the spotlight, because that’s not necessarily what she wants. She reminded me a lot of the WNBA players that I covered. She just was about her business.”
What about Minnesota, the last school Miller coached? She told us how happy she was spending time with juniors Amaya Battle and Mara Braun at media day last month.
“I saw Amaya and Mara. It just made me so happy. I missed those guys,” she recalled.
Miller is happy right where she is. “The analyst that I am is because every day I look at it through a coaching lens. I think I kind of have the best of both worlds.”
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.