Xavier hopes its coach will stay, even though program is no UCLA

PHOENIX -- UCLA superstar Kevin Love said all the right things Saturday until he was asked where Xavier is located.

The All-American hesitated like he never has around the basket.

Will Indiana or LSU come calling for Xavier's Sean Miller? (AP)

"Cincinnati?"

Correct for $100.

Now let's move on to the lightning round. Would it be easier for UCLA to play a full, concentrated 40 minutes in this West Region final if this were, say, Duke?

"I'd be lying to you if I said it wouldn't be," Love said.

That's the meat of the matter. A school with 3,800 students and a superhero's nickname ("X"), going against the game's leader in national championships.

Similar matchups have occurred before, but for Xavier the fallout, win or lose, is familiar for a school its size. No matter what the result on Saturday, Xavier could lose its coach, because it's ... Xavier.

Rising star Sean Miller, 39, makes in the $1 million range. A recent contract extension ties him to the school through the 2015-16 season. The former Pittsburgh guard has spent nine years in the big time as an assistant at Wisconsin, Miami, Pittsburgh and North Carolina State.

"As great as it is to be a part of the tournament, it's equally like a train wreck when it ends," Miller said. "It's like everyone forgets about you the instant you lose."

That's why for Xavier to get to San Antonio still would have to be somewhat of an overachievement. The school has had one McDonald's All-American in its history (current guard Drew Lavender). UCLA's stars are able to buy a string of McDonald's when they sign their first NBA contract.

"I don't think it would be fair to Sean or to the public at large, to consider him that cliché coach who is just going to chase the dollars," AD Mike Bobinski said. "He's a different guy."

How different we'll find out shortly after Saturday's game. LSU needs a coach. Bobinski said his guy isn't going there. Xavier played at Auburn in early January before a crowd of 4,570. That, Bobinski said, told his coach a lot about the SEC and where basketball ranks at some places in that league.