Sean Miller blown away by campus at Texas: 'It's actually breathtaking'

New Texas basketball coach Sean Miller is getting settled into his new digs. And part of that is making the media rounds to get his name out there as the pivotal portal season begins.

Miller hopped on The Paul Finebaum Show on Wednesday to discuss all things Texas. Including his first impressions of the campus, which was described by Finebaum as a wondrous place.

“You’re exactly right. I’ve spent a lot of time in the state of Texas, not necessarily Austin,” Miller said. “I’ve never coached against Texas on their court, so it was really my first time. And it really shocked me. I didn’t expect it to be as big, like you had mentioned, and the uniqueness of the campus, the facilities, the football stadium, the brand new basketball arena, Moody Center, which we have. It’s all right together.”

The 40 Acres, as they’re known, are some of the most beautiful square miles in any college town. But what’s impressive about Texas is that it’s located right in the heart of Austin.

“It’s almost as if Austin and our campus becomes one,” Sean Miller said. “And it’s actually breathtaking. It’s hard to describe.”

Sean Miller discusses challenge of SEC

Another topic that was front of mind for Finebaum on Wednesday was how Miller will fare in the daunting SEC. It’s not for the faint of heart.

And Sean Miller knows that as well as anyone after taking down an SEC team to start the NCAA Tournament action. He explained.

“For a minute there you thought the entire Sweet 16 was just SEC teams,” he said. “It’s awesome what the SEC has done. First of all, to have that many teams in the tournament… ironically at Xavier we played Texas in that first four matchup. And you looked at the record of Texas in the SEC and then you played them, they were very talented, very good team. Capable, I think, of beating any team virtually that’s in the NCAA Tournament. And I thought that really was the first sign for me.”

There were other signs, too, though. Miller knows the challenge.

“Then when we played Illinois, Kentucky was in our region and we had the opportunity to watch Kentucky get ready to play their game,” Sean Miller said. “The size and the athleticism in the basketball league now of the SEC is just maybe unlike it’s ever been. So no doubt, I said yesterday I think if you want to be against the best right now — and the strongest steel is forged by the hottest fire — you can find that in the SEC in basketball.”