LOS ANGELES — Nearly 20 years ago, Thad Matta and Sean Miller were a couple of fledgling assistant college basketball coaches sharing a small office at Miami of Ohio trying to find their respective ways to the big time.
Tonight at Staples Center, they lead their respective big-time programs in an NCAA Tournament West Region showdown to get to the Elite Eight when Matta’s No. 2 seed Ohio State plays Miller’s No. 6 seed Arizona.
“Sloppy,’’ is how Matta recalled Miller as a roommate yesterday. “The thing about Sean that I’ve learned over time is whenever we’d go somewhere, he’d forget his wallet.’’
Turning serious, Matta called Miller “a special friend,’’ adding, “I’m very, very excited he’s here. I don’t like the fact that we’re playing him, but I’m as happy as I can be for him.’’
When the NCAA Tournament field was set, Miller and Matta spoke on the phone, knowing there was a possibility the two might meet in the Sweet 16, and here they are. Ohio State is 28-7 and has won its last 10 games. Arizona is 27-7.
“[Matta is] certainly my best friend in coaching and a guy that means a lot to me,” Miller said. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him.”
Their friendship began in 1994 when the two were assistant coaches on Herb Sendek’s staff at Miami University in Ohio. Ironically, they were on the staff together in 1995 when Miami of Ohio upset Arizona in the NCAA Tournament.
“I wouldn’t be here today without him,’’ Miller said of Matta. “I learned a lot from him. Thad is a tremendous coach because he is so unassuming and he doesn’t bask in the limelight. He probably doesn’t get enough credit for just the bottom line — and that is the great success he’s had.
“If you just go by numbers, wins, championships, especially in that conference [the Big Ten], the ability to get the Final Four, you could make the argument that he’s well on his way to a Hall of Fame career as one of the game’s best coaches.’’
When it was suggested to Miller the West Region is the “least sexy’’ of the four Sweet 16 matchups, he said, “I know the team we’re playing [tonight] can win a national championship.’’