Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the fans, parents, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The ACC Tournament tips off this week in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD will be covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of articles in the week ahead. Jon Teitel commences our coverage with an interview of Miami Sunsation Lilly Miller.
You are from Farmington, MN: what made you choose Miami? The weather, obviously! I spent my 1st 2 years of college at Minnesota, which was fun, but I wanted to experience something new.
You are majoring in Pre-Physical Therapy with minors in psychology/sports medicine: why did you choose those subjects? I had a lot of hip issues when I was younger and have been in and out of physical therapy ever since middle school so this is a way that I can help others with their own physical problems.
You are a senior: what is the post-graduation plan? I am going to stay in Miami and explore some schools: I am just playing it by ear.
You have been dancing for most of your life: how did you 1st get into it, and what is the best part of being on the dance team? My neighbor when I was growing up owned a dance studio so that is how I got into it. The best part is that I have met my best friends on the team and they will be with me throughout my entire life.
You volunteer at dog shelters: how much importance do you place on community service? The service opportunities I have are some of the best parts of being at this school. I am obsessed with dogs and to take 1 out for a day and help them is something that I love doing.
You have been on the team for 4 years, which means you got to experience last year’s legendary Final 4 run: did you get to dance in Albany/Kansas City/Houston? We were only in Albany but we did perform at a lot of watch parties on campus. We all love “Coach L” and it was amazing to see a bunch of athletes that we know make that run!
This year’s team got off to a great 11-2 start but has faded down the stretch: is it harder to dance for the fans when the team is not doing as well? No: we still love dancing regardless of how the team is playing.
What has been your favorite memory from this season: going to the Bahamas, beating Clemson at home in January, Senior Night vs. BC last week, other? That Clemson game was the most fun. We have 1/2 our team do a dance in the 1st half and 1/2 in the 2nd half: the stadium was so loud throughout the game and the fans were super-hyped.
How does your school decide who gets to go to DC, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? Our coach decides who gets to go. Traveling for postseason basketball games is different from football games and so fun. We are a newer dance team so the chance to get our name out there a little more is nice.
Any predictions for the conference tourney? We are taking it all: ACC champs!