As Arizona State heads into the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2019, the person who drove them to this defining moment has had to stay behind owing to an undisclosed illness.

Molly Miller, in her first season as Head Coach, has been unable to join the team in Iowa City for the First Four matchup against Virginia due to the mystery malady.

However, the Sun Devils seem to be doing just fine, as senior guard Marley Washenit weighed in on the situation during a pregame press conference.

"Obviously, we want Molly at everything that we do, but at the same time, there's not a drop-off when she's not here. Our practices this week have been amazing, and we've had great coaches who have stepped up and led the way for us," Washenit said.

She added, "And just because she's not physically here with us doesn't mean she's not doing things behind the scenes. She's been doing the scouting. She's been up late watching film, and she's been communicating to us as well."

Miller previously coached the Antelopes for five seasons and led them to their first NCAA tournament berth last season after a 30-game win streak.

She posted a 117–38 record at Grand Canyon, which attracted interest from at least two SEC programs before she ultimately took over the Arizona State Sun Devils women's basketball program.

Who Might Fill In for Molly Miller?

ASU has yet to announce an interim coach, so Assistant Head Coach Stephanie Norman will likely fill her spot should the 40-year-old not join the team before their game against Virginia.

Norman is herself an ASU graduate and has played for the Devils from 1984-88.

She was with Louisville for 18 years before returning to Arizona last year, forming a partnership with Molly Miller.

The duo helped the Sun Devils improve their win total by 14, the largest margin of improvement among the Power 4 programs.

“It's sort of a precarious situation because obviously our leader is not here, and we're hoping for the best so she can recover and be with our team. That's kind of the status,” Stephanie Norman said.

She added, “It's hour to hour. I'm hoping she's taking care of all of the things that she can in her power. We miss her dearly, but at the same time, we have a job to do, so we're focused on that."

Speaking of what lies ahead, Arizona State must get past Virginia on Thursday to enter the Round of 64, where it could face the seventh-seeded Georgia on Saturday.

And while the team might be doing just fine, it's only natural that they'd want Miller's presence on the courtside.

Do you think Molly Miller will make it before the game against Virginia? Let us know!

Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Arvind Rao