In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Xavier’s coach Sean Miller led his team to a close win over Kennesaw State, but it was a meme of him sweating that went viral on social media
As the Musketeers fell behind in the game, a picture of a much younger and sweatier-looking Sean Miller began to circulate on social media. The picture of Miller turned into a popular meme that is still used today, even though not everyone knows where it came from.
Xavier coach Sean Miller sweating meme explained as memes goes viral on Twitter
Sean Miller’s team was again one of the best in the tournament in 2016. In the first round of the tournament, No. 6 Arizona was playing No. 11 Wichita State, and it was clear early on that the Wildcats were in for a tough game.
And it was clear that Sean Miller didn’t take long to feel the pressure. Still 10:17 was left on the clock, and the Shockers were ahead by a score of 12-8.
Everyone who had Xavier advancing ๐ pic.twitter.com/8Ms5F6adPs
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) March 17, 2023
The Wildcats ended up losing the game by a score of 65โ55. Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star asked Sean Miller about the sweaty shirt incident 20 days after it happened. Sean Miller said it was a new shirt he had never worn before, and he didn’t have an undershirt on. He said he “regretted a lot” that he wore it to the game.
“It seemed like something happened to me, like I was sick or I was a raving lunatic on the sideline, that I sweated at a level that’s never been seen before,” Miller explained. “But the truth be told, I tried a new shirt that was positioned to me as being more breathable and they were right, which means less material.”
Sean Miller’s viral sweaty shirt moment brings unexpected benefits
As it turned out, Sean Miller had been through days like that before. He said that he always sweats that much during the game and that he should have tried on the shirt first.
Sooooooo… Sean Miller is kinda sweaty. pic.twitter.com/D6aEdsnjFR
— CBS Sports College Basketball ๐ (@CBSSportsCBB) March 18, 2016
The viral moment did have some good points, though. He was glad that people talked more about him and less about how bad his team did. He also said that he got a lot of undershirts and dress shirt replacements.
Sean Miller said, “I will tell you, I have recieved boxes.” “I received a box from the CEO of Tommy John. I have received five different types of shirts…”
It looks like the free shirts haven’t always worked. Miller was seen sweating through his shirt again when his team, the Wildcats, played Baylor in December 2019.
Xavier Musketeers pull off incredible comeback in first round
In their first round game on Friday, the Musketeers gave one of the tournament’s highest-seeded teams quite a scare. Xavier was seven points behind at halftime and 13 points behind at one point in the second half. It looked like Xavier would soon be eliminated in the first round, just like the other top-seeded teams.
But the Musketeers came all the way back. Going on a run of 24-6 points in the last 9:05 of the game to win 72-67 and avoid an upset by the Owls.
Update on Sean Miller pic.twitter.com/ztU7lKSJHi
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 7, 2019
Sean Miller’s shirts seemed to stay together during Friday’s game, but if he makes it at least to the second round, he will be under a lot of pressure to make sure he doesn’t look too sweaty.ย Sean Miller may have to deal with the meme about him sweating for the rest of his coaching career. But he wants to be remembered for how well his teams do on the court.
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