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There’s no denying that Arizona State’s Molly Miller is one of the fastest-rising head coaches in women’s basketball today. Miller, 40, has won at every stop she’s made and just led the Sun Devils to the NCAA Tournament in her first season in charge.
And yet, despite that fact, Miller isn’t currently with her team for the First Four in Iowa City and could miss the Sun Devils’ game against Virginia on Thursday night.
So, what’s the deal?
ASU WBB head coach Molly Miller did not travel with her team to Iowa on Tuesday.
She hopes to return to the team in time for the Sun Devils’ NCAA Tournament First Four game against Virginia tomorrow.
Her players spoke on the impact of her absence today:@FOX10Phoenix pic.twitter.com/Ym2ZNFvxyT
— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) March 18, 2026
Arizona State Coach Molly Miller Got Sick At The Worst Possible Time
Miller did not travel with her team to Iowa City on Tuesday because she reportedly came down with an illness just days before ASU’s first tourney appearance since 2019.
“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,” Arizona State associate head coach Stephanie Norman said during Wednesday’s pregame news conference.
So, will she be with the team in time for Thursday night’s 9 p.m. ET tip-off? Things are touch-and-go.
“It’s hour to hour,” Norman said. “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.”
But Arizona State players aren’t fazed. At least, not publicly.
“Just because she’s not physically here with us doesn’t mean she’s not doing things behind the scenes,” senior guard Marley Washenitz said. “She’s been doing (scouting). She’s been up late watching film and she’s been communicating to us as well. So, yes, we miss her presence physically but she’s always there with us doing things.”
Miller burst onto the scene by going 180-17 in six seasons at D-II Drury. She then spent five years at Grand Canyon University, where she went 117-38 and led the Antelopes to their first Division I NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025 before moving to Arizona State, where she’s only continued to succeed.