A Tribute to Archie Miller
    Archie Miller.  He's only 5-9.  He's only 160 pounds.  He's not a household name.  He doesn't even play for a top team.  So why in the world would I create a half of my website relating to him?
     Because of the above.  No, Archie isn't the next Michael, nor is he a dunker, or a shot blocker.  He has been played sporadically his freshman and sophomore seasons for a team that didn't even make the "big dance."  But there is lot more to Archie Miller than meets the eye.
     #11 didn't have a great season last year by any standards.  His shooting was off, and he didn't play more than 15 minutes a game (and in some ways, I don't think that's his fault).  But Archie didn't give up.  He went home that summer for an internship and worked tirelessly with his dad on his basketball.  John Miller just happens to be a top high school basketball coach.
     Archie came back for his junior season, and again got fewer minutes than I thought he deserved in the first few games.  Then Damien Wilkins got hurt.  In fact, four Wolfpack players were hurt, and Herb Sendek had no other choice but to start Archie, something I believed he should have done much sooner.
     It is January 2, 2001.  Archie has started every game since November 25th against Charleston Southern, 8 games.  In those 8 games, he has averaged 13.8 ppg and the Pack is 7-1, their only loss coming in a Georgia game that saw Archie play only 25 minutes.  He' s led the team in scoring in one of those games (ODU, 22) and has scored in double figures in 5 of those games.  His three-point percentage is tops in the ACC right now (63%), and his field goal percentage (64%) is second only to Brendan Haywood.  But that's not what impresses me the most.
     Archie Miller was red-shirted his sophomore season.  He had back surgery to repair a slipped disc and also had surgery on his ankle.  He had to deal with physical therapy and recovering from a season away from basketball.  And he did it with class, with gut, and sheer determination.  That's what impresses me.
     Archie said in the 1999-2000 Pack Preview that playing is really no more difficult with his brother coaching on the bench.  He said that he wants to make his family proud, no matter where they are, and that he wants to represent the place from which he came.  Beaver Falls, PA is looking pretty good.
     And when Archie is on the bench, he does anything but sulk .  He is always standing up and cheering on his teammates.  His coaching bloodlines show through, as he persuades and does a little coaching of his own during timeouts.  He can always be seen waving his towel when the Pack score.
     Herb Sendek has said that Archie is the best teammate you could ask for, that he is always encouraging and working hard during practice, that he makes everyone else "at least 10% better."  And when asked by Don Shea on the Herb Sendek Basketball Show what his favorite play to make is, he answered that it's always nice to make three-pointers, but sometimes it's just satisfying to do the little stuff, the stuff that nobody notices, to assist or make a steal for a lay-up.  I notice.
     Miller is a refreshing player, in a day and age that only looks at how many points you produce, or how many accolades you receive.  He does "the little stuff that nobody notices."  Maybe it's time that people start noticing.  Sometimes that "little stuff" can do big things.
     Watch #11 play.  He's something special.  Watch him do the "little things" and notice.  I hope that Coach Sendek finally will.  NC State needs Archie Miller on the court.
     Archie Miller.  He's only 5-9.  He's only 160 pounds.  He's not a household name.  He doesn't even play for a top team.  So why in the world would I create half my website relating to him?
     Because Archie Miller has the big heart that does the little things.  
Archie doing the "little things."