2013 Basketball Guide

11

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ROAD TO THETOP

BASKETBALL GUIDE

2013

Stay on the friendly side of Arizona basketball head coach Sean Miller, because that charming smirk can turn to stone in seconds with a glare sharper

than a steak knife. Flailing his arms and screaming his

lungs out at every game, Sean Miller is one of the most intense personalities in all of college hoops.

His passion isn’t just limited to the court, but is evident at the podium as well. Who could possibly forget the famous emotional rant Sean Miller gave to the media following the Wildcats’ Pac-12 Tournament finals loss to UCLA in March?

A wide-eyed Sean Miller said, “He [Mark Lyons] touched the ball,” multiple times during his postgame press conference that night, making animated gestures with his hands to stress his point. Sean Miller made it obvious he was heartbroken about the way his seniors’ last conference tournament ended.

“He’s always been in our corner,” said sophomore power forward Brandon Ashley about Sean Miller. “There were times he thought guys threw cheap shots at us and he definitely let them know. He’s never been one to hold his tongue for the refs when he feels his players have been cheated out of something or if we’re at risk.”

With his father, John Miller, serving as the head basketball coach at Blackhawk High School in Beaver Falls, Pa., Sean Miller was born into the sport. He became his father’s point guard in high school, and was known nationwide for his flashy ball handling skills.

As a 12 year old, he was already being interviewed by ESPN.

John Miller was at a coaches clinic when me met a ball handler named “Crazy George” who had the reputation as the “greatest ball handler in the world,” said a 12 year old Sean Miller to the reporter.

John Miller asked Crazy George if he could teach “a little kid” and he gave John Miller a book called “Keep the Ball Rolling,” the pre-teen Sean Miller said.

Sean Miller even made an appearance on “The Tonight Show” with television legend Johnny Carson in 1983 when he was in his teens.

Once Sean Miller took the reins in 2009, it didn’t take long for him to bring a winning tradition back to Wildcats basketball. He accumulated a 96-43 record in the desert with an Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA tournament and a 48-24 Pac-12 record over four years. It is the second-best since the conference expanded to 10 teams in 1978.

Now in his fifth year coaching the program, Sean Miller has landed top-10

recruiting classes each of the past three seasons. Three of his former players, Derrick Williams, Solomon Hill and Grant Jerrett, have been selected in the NBA draft, with Williams going second and Hill 23rd overall in the first round.

“He [Sean Miller] showed me that he really wanted me, showed me that he cared,” said freshman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, one of Sean Miller’s 2013 McDonald’s All-American freshman recruits. “He just did the little things that kind of interested me in coming to play at Arizona.”

This season, Hollis-Jefferson is a key part of one of the best, if not the best, recruiting classes Sean Miller has ever put together. A couple of other key freshmen include Elliott Pitts and Aaron Gordon, the most valuable player of the McDonald’s All-American Game.. Gordon was also MVP of the U.S. gold medal team at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship in Prague.

Because of the freshmen, returning players and transfer point guard T.J. McConnell running the floor, Sean Miller is faced with more hype than ever entering this season.

“I think we had a lot of expectations last year and some unrealistic ones when I first came here, just because of our great history and tradition,” Sean Miller said. “But I really don’t worry about it and I don’t think our team should because part of why you want to be here, as a coach, as a player, why we have 14,500 people

at our Red-Blue [game], is we do have high expectations. We embrace those but recognize just because you’re a preseason whatever, or people think you have an opportunity to have the best team, remains to be seen.”

Basketball Guide • Monday, November 18, 2013B2 • The Daily WilDcaT

photo by ryan revock, graphic by marianne bui

Sean Miller signals to his team from the sideline against Augustana on Oct. 28 at McKale Center.

millerSean Miller is in his fifth year coaching Arizona

basketball and has made quite a mark

ryan revock/the Daily WilDcat Head CoaCH Sean Miller yells from the sideline against Augustana on Oct. 28 at McKale Center.

ryan revock/the Daily WilDcat Head CoaCH Sean Miller speaks with Aaron Gordon during the Long Beach State game at McKale Center.

BY JoeY PutreloThe Daily Wildcat

— Follow Joey Putrelo @JoeyPutrelo

— James Kelley contributed reporting to this article

He’s never been one to hold his tongue for the refs when he feels his players have been cheated out of something or if we’re at risk.

— Brandon Ashley,sophomore forward

““

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The Daily WilDcaT • B3Basketball Guide • Monday, November 18, 2013

Almost since the day Aaron Gordon first picked up a basketball, he’s been scouted,

recruited and compared to some of the game’s greats.

And in a time when prep basketball players are on the cover of more magazines than years they’ve been alive, when many use college as just a quick stop before making the leap to the NBA, Arizona freshman Gordon has found a way to avoid being a typical one-and-done prep star.

“Everyone always thinks they’re better than they are,” Gordon said. “In my mind [I might think that], but I would never say it.”

Standing at 6-foot-9 and weighing 225 pounds, Gordon is clearly different than your everyday 18 year old; but the closer you look at the No. 3 overall prospect from San Jose, Calif., the more you see his uniqueness.

“The greatest compliment I can pay him is he acts like he’s 22 years old in terms of the maturity that he has,” said head coach Sean Miller. “But it doesn’t matter if you’re a coach, a manager, an older teammate. If you talk to him, he’s engaged. He listens and he wants to get better. His approach has been drop-dead professional.”

As Gordon grew into his above-average frame, comparisons to NBA all-stars such as Blake Griffin began to arise.

Unlike most young, wide-eyed teenagers, Gordon hasn’t basked in the praise of individuals standing on the sidelines. Instead, he has chosen to ignore the hype and block out the expectations that have been put on him and just stick with playing the game.

“I’ll leave it up to anyone to make the comparisons,” Gordon said. “I know I’m Aaron Gordon and I can only fill my potential.

“All I need is to focus on each game and playing as hard as I can,” Gordon continued. “It relates back to having the desire to play defense. If I go out and play as hard as I can each game, nothing else matters.”

This mentality that Gordon has cultivated over the years has brought him much success.

No matter where Gordon played, he was better than the next guy on the court, claiming the MVP honors at the 2012 Under Armour Elite 24 game, 2013 McDonald’s All-American Game and most recently in

the 2013 FIBA Under 19 World Championships in Prague.

With so much success, it would feel only natural for the most highly touted incoming freshman to expect to be the captain and leader of their college team. But with veterans such as T.J. McConnell, Nick Johnson and Jordin Mayes on the Wildcats team, this might not be the reality.

W h i l e Gordon said he doesn’t mind taking a step back and letting the older Wildcats control this team, he still sees himself as a natural born leader.

“Taking a step back isn’t really the right word,” Gordon said. “Maybe I don’t quite get through to everybody as well as I did in AAU, but as far as being a leader, I don’t think anyone doubts my l e a d e r s h i p skills. I’m just as vocal, just as energetic as I would be at any other time. I’m not going to step back … just because I’m a freshman.”

T h o u g h college may be viewed as just a mandatory quick stop for some highly recruited freshman, the transition can be telling about how prepared for the NBA they really are. The pool of talent becomes larger and the weak get weeded out.

Every game, the team faces some of the best athletes in the world. The demand to be

on top is at an all-time high. Gordon needs to maintain the same mature mentality that has gotten him this far.

As for his talents, Gordon said

he thinks his passing ability and his versatility — as not just a big man but one who can dribble and push the tempo — will make the transition easier, and so do his teammates.

“He’s one of the best I’ve ever played with,” Johnson said of

Gordon. “But I mean him and [freshman] Rondae [Hollis-Jefferson] have gotten so

much better [since they first arrived]. The work they’ve put in is tremendous.”

For the most part, because of his size, Gordon was asked to play with his back to the basket in the frontcourt. But on the Arizona team, Gordon will almost certainly see time in rotations where he will also need to be outside by the perimeter to be a threat to drive and shoot.

While this might be a lot to ask of any young adult, Gordon said he isn’t worried. His athleticism and work ethic are expected to get him into the NBA.

“I’m not trying to impress anybody,” Gordon said. “I’m just trying to be Aaron Gordon, and be here and show my team I’m here to win.”

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cut from adifferent cloth

ryan revock/The Daily WilDcaT (Left) AAron Gordon shoots a floater against Augustana on Oct. 28 at McKale Center.

Aaron Gordon isn’t your typical freshman, but he stays humble amid hype

BY luke dellaThe Daily Wildcat

His approach has been drop-dead professional.

— Sean Miller,head coach

““

keenan Turner/The Daily WilDcaT AAron Gordon looks for a teammate to pass the ball to against Cal Poly on Nov. 9 at McKale Center. — Follow Luke Della

@LukeDella

phoTo by Tyler baker, graphic by marianne bui/The Daily WilDcaT (riGht) AAron Gordon drives the ball against Long Beach State on Nov. 11 at McKale Center.

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THE DAILY WILDCAT • B5Basketball Guide • Monday, November 18, 2013

Wildcats’ men’s basketball

Height: 6’10”Weight: 240 pounds

Year: Freshman Position: Forward

Hometown: Plano, Texas

ZACH

PET

ERS

#33Power: Comeback kid It turns out that, like Peters, your concussions will hold you back for a little bit. Wait three turns until you can go again.

Weight: HeavyPosition: Mascot

Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.W

ILBU

R T.

WIL

DCAT

Power: JokerYou’ve just made the ZonaZoo go crazy. Add three points to your score.


Year: Sophomore Position: Forward

Hometown: San FranciscoBRAN

DON

ASHL

EY

#21Power: Agility The newly confident Ashley just blocked your shot. Subtract two points from your score.


Year: FreshmanPosition: Forward

Hometown: Chester, Pa.ROND

AE HO

LLIS

-JEF

FERS

ON

#23Power: Grand showmanHollis-Jefferson makes a slam dunk. Add two points to your score.


Year: JuniorPosition: Guard

Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz.

NICK

JOH

NSON

#13Power: Defense DemonJohnson’s defense just stopped a three-pointer. Opponent subtracts three points.


Year: Sophomore Position: Center

Hometown: Claremont, N.H.KALE

B TA

RCZE

WSK

I

#35Power: Brick wallTarczewski is in some foul trouble and returns to the bench. You must skip your next turn.

Height/Weight: You don’t need to know thatYear: 5th

Position: Head coachHometown: Ellwood City, Pa.

SEAN

MIL

LER

Power: Master wizardYou’ve just recruited one more player. Steal one card from your opponent.


Year: SophomorePosition: Guard

Hometown: West Covina, Calif.

GA

BE

YOR

K

#1Power: Shooting PhenomYork just sunk that jump shot. Add two points to your score.


Year: JuniorPosition: Forward

Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.MAT

T KO

RCHE

CK#31

Power: Local celebKorcheck rebounds the ball. Your oppo-nent must give you a card.


Year: SeniorPosition: Guard

Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.

JORD

IN M

AYES

#20Power: Veteran leaderMayes unifies the pack. Trade a random card with your opponent.


Year: FreshmanPosition: Forward

Hometown: San Jose, Calif.

AARO

N GO

RDON

#11Power: Ranked rookieGordon could be a one-and-done for Arizona basketball. Subtract one point from your score.


Year: JuniorPosition: Guard

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.

T.J. M

CCON

NELL

#4Power: Prince of point guardsMcConnell transferred from Duquesne to Arizona, so you must transfer one random card from your deck to your opponent.

Shuffle them up and deal evenly. Select randomly from your stack and play your own game of Arizona basketball. Game ends when one player runs out of cards. The person with the most

points wins.

Trading Cards— Compiled by Megan Coghlan

Basketball Guide • Monday, November 18, 2013B6 • THE DAILY WILDCAT

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The UA’s McKale Center represents the heart of Wildcat basketball.

Besides housing one of the most famous arenas in college basketball, it also houses most of the athletic department’s 21 varsity sport offices, locker rooms, weight rooms and study rooms. McKale Center is the largest public indoor assembly building on campus and has endured decades of heavy use .

After the addition of the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility , the relocation of Arizona’s baseball operations to Hi Corbett Field and the move of track and field and soccer to off-campus locations, the home of Arizona basketball is long overdue for a major facelift.

The 40-year-old arena will go through $80 million in renovations that will primarily feature a brand new scoreboard, new concourses constructed to improve access to all

seating and a home for fan amenities like restrooms and concessions . The project is being designed by AECOM and will be split into multiple phases.

“We are going to start phase one as soon as we have the financial model in place that [UA] President [Ann Weaver] Hart and the Arizona Board of Regents can approve. Our hope is to be pretty aggressive with our time frames,” said Greg Byrne, vice president and director of athletics . “We’re out raising money every single day trying to make that a reality. The scoreboard will be in place by the time the Pac-12 season starts. If everything stays on schedule, that will happen the last week of December.”

Byrne said he doesn’t know how much of the money has been raised so far.

While the original plan was to renovate over two consecutive men’s basketball offseasons, Byrne said the department still isn’t sure how many phases the project would take.

Around campus, the McKale Center renovation is big news.

Communication junior and Wildcat basketball fan Eric Eisner said he believes McKale Center’s renovations will impact the program in four ways .

“I think the fans are going to have a much more modern game experience. It will feel more like you are stepping into a Staples Center or Madison Square Garden ,” Eisner said. “I also think it will affect our current athletes and will help in recruiting new talent.”

Eisner also said he thinks a remodeled McKale Center will make the arena more of a prime location to host tournaments and other sports events in the future.

However, while some fans see the renovations as a necessity, others don’t seem to think there is much of a need for it.

Ben Berger, a religious studies junior and frequent game attendee, said he has sat in the first row of the

ZonaZoo in McKale Center for every game he has attended.

“To tell you the truth, I do not believe that McKale [Center] should be dramatically renovated or changed,” Berger said. “There is so much history in that building, and even without renovations, we are getting top-10 recruiting classes.”

He said the only things that should be renovated are the weight rooms and locker rooms, the same way they were renovated for the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility.

Byrne said the renovations will only add in making McKale Center into one of the best environments in the nation for college basketball.

“But it will also truly impact sports like women’s basketball and gymnastics,” Byrne said, “and will be a great tool for us to use more so than just for men’s basketball game days.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIZONA ATHLETICS McKALE CENTER opened 40 years ago, but in terms of attendance, remains one of the country’s most popular arenas. McKale Center will soon get $80 million worth of renovations.

McKALE

BY EVAN ROSENFELDThe Daily Wildcat

— Follow Evan Rosenfeld @EvanRosenfeld17

MAKEOVERArizona’s 40-year-old arena set to undergo $80 million in renovations


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It hasn’t exactly been the Dark Ages for Arizona men’s basketball, but after a few rough years, the Wildcats are experiencing a renaissance.

Since Arizona just missed out on the Final Four in 2005 — blowing a 15-point lead to Illinois in Rosemont, Ill. , in the final four minutes of the Elite Eight — it hasn’t been the same.

Sure, the Wildcats came within a basket of making the Final Four in 2011 and made it to the Sweet Sixteen in 2009 and 2013 , but they also missed the NCAA tournament twice and lost their opening game at the Big Dance twice . The Wildcats lost their mojo, employing four head coaches during that span and seeing some impressive streaks end.

First came their string of appearances in the AP top 25 in 2005 . Arizona was in the AP poll a record number of consecutive times from Nov. 30, 1987, to Dec. 12, 2005 . Then came the sellout streak.

From 1987-88 to 2005-06, McKale Center sold out every game . As a Tucson native, I heard tales of people going to Tempe , Ariz., or Phoenix to see

the Wildcats because they couldn’t get seats at McKale Center.

Finally, in 2010, the most important streak ended. Arizona had a streak of 25 straight years of playing in the NCAA tournament , second best all-time .

With eight players drafted , Arizona had talent from 2005-06 to 2012-13, but not the right combination. UA head coach Sean Miller has continually racked up top-10 recruiting classes — the 2013 freshmen were No. 5 according to ESPN — but they lacked the game-changer.

Finally, Miller has his point guard, his quarterback and his floor general.

Ex-Wildcats Momo Jones and Mark Lyons were great players and big-time playmakers, but they weren’t floor generals. The last true one to play at Point Guard U was Nic Wise , and during his 2007 to 2010 era , Arizona had a handful of big names and some fill-in players as recruiting suffered during the UA’s coaching carousel.

Now the Wildcats have a roster full of NBA players, including phenom Aaron Gordon , likely the most hyped freshman ever. Tucson native Sean Elliott or Arizona native Mike Bibby might have rivaled Gordon’s hype, but they played in the 1980s and 1990s before the recruiting hype exploded.

Miller has brought stability to the program, and more importantly, a Point Guard U successor in

T.J. McConnell . The transfer from Duquesne is so much a pass-first point guard that his Twitter handle is “@iPass4Zona.”

With a true point guard and talent like Gordon or junior Nick Johnson , games in McKale Center are starting to feel like the old days when Richard Jefferson , Andre Iguodala and Hassan Adams were slamming down alley-oops and the UA dominated the SportsCenter ’s top plays.

McKale Center is rocking again. The UA even sells out Red-Blue games now. Excitement for the Wildcats is the highest it’s been since 2002, when they were ranked preseason No. 1 and ZonaZoo rioted for tickets.

More importantly, though, Arizona is a complete team again, with a strong front court, a good back court and enough depth to make a deep run in the tournament. Sure, in 2009 the Wildcats made it to the Sweet Sixteen, but they had to have all of the members of the Big Three (Wise, Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill ) clicking to win.

After a rough eight years, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for Arizona basketball, and it’s from the giant jumbotron at AT&T Stadium in North Texas , site of the 2014 Final Four .

Swagger returns to Arizona basketballCurrent men’s basketball team reminiscent of old days

BY JAMES KELLEYThe Daily Wildcat

— Follow James Kelley @jameskelley520

Excitement for the Wildcats is the highest it’s been since 2002, when they were ranked No. 1 and ZonaZoo rioted for tickets.

““

RYAN REVOCK/THE DAILY WILDCAT STUDENTS IN ZONAZOO wave the Bear Down banner. After a few lean years, at least by Wildcat standards, Arizona men’s basketball is once again selling out all of its home games. Since collect-ing a series of highly ranked recruiting classes and now a pass-first point guard in junior T.J. McConnell, Arizona stands near the top of the of the preseason rankings,

Walking the hallways of McKale Center on his official visit a little over a year ago, junior point

guard T.J. McConnell was sold.From 1974 to 2010, the

Wildcats constantly turned out topflight point guards, including eight All-Americans at that position. During that time, the UA earned the nickname “Point Guard U.”

In the past four years, however, Arizona has been in an increasingly downward spiral with the position.

With the Wildcats quickly losing their long-standing reputation, fourth-year head coach Sean Miller was in need of a new point guard. He found McConnell, who played against the Wildcats in 2011 , knocking on his front door.

“When I talked to coach Miller I knew what kind of opportunity I had out here, and I jumped on it,” McConnell said. “When I came here on my visit, they of course told me about all the great point guards.”

Arizona’s last two floor generals, 2011-12 Arizona point guard Josiah Turner and 2012-13 guard Mark Lyons, were probably told the same thing, but where are they now?

Enter two-year starting, Duquesne University junior transfer McConnell: a 6-foot-1, defensive-minded, pass-first, “true” point guard.

The team has had a problem with defense in recent years, and McConnell’s ability to defend can help fix that, Miller said .

“Point guards, they pressure

the other team both ways,” Miller said. “When we have the ball by running their team, and then by pressuring the other team defensively by setting the standard and tone.”

McConnell, a Pittsburgh native who wasn’t highly recruited out of high school , spent his first two years of college playing at his hometown university. During his freshman year at Duquesne, McConnell ranked fourth in the country in steals . His 2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio was the sixth-highest ratio for a freshman in NCAA history .

McConnell improved on his defense in his sophomore season, finishing third in the country in steals .

“I give 110 percent on defense,” McConnell said, “along with everyone on the team.”

Miller would probably argue that wasn’t the case before McConnell joined the team in 2012 and began influencing the Wildcats to have a more defensive mindset.

As a sophomore, McConnell led the Dukes to the 19th best assist-to-turnover ratio and third-best turnover margin in the country .

The year following his transfer , however, Duquesne fell to 307th in steals per game and 231st in assist-to-turnover ratio and had the 302nd best turnover margin . Duquesne finished the 2012-13 season with an 8-22 overall record .

“He makes everyone on

the team play harder. We’ve absorbed his defensive style like a sponge,” said junior guard Nick Johnson.

In comparison, while McConnell was at Duquesne and Turner was the leader of Point Guard U , Arizona ranked 262nd in steals and 83rd in assist-to-turnover ratio and had the 212th lowest turnover margin .

So Miller, a former point guard from Pennsylvania himself, was in contact with McConnell about his potential to not just be a point guard at Point Guard U as Turner was, but to be the next Damon Stoudamire or Jason Gardner .

“When I came here [to visit] I knew this is what I wanted and I know I didn’t make a mistake coming here,” McConnell said.

Following the 2012 season, McConnell packed his bags and headed to the Southwest in hopes of being the next Mike Bibby .

Due to NCAA transfer rules, McConnell was forced to sit out the 2012-13 season . Though limited to just practicing with the team, McConnell still found a way to influence the Wildcats.

“He pushed us in practice,” Johnson said of McConnell last season. “He came in and, of course, immediately was part of the team, but it was as if he had been part of the team all along with how he pushed us.”

With McConnell on the practice squad and fifth-year

senior Lyons taking over the squad for just one year, Arizona actually got worse on defense.

Lyons, a 6-foot-1, athletic, shoot-first playmaker disguised in a point guard’s body, was the answer for the time being. In his only year as a Wildcat, Lyons made big shot after big shot and helped the Wildcats reach the Sweet Sixteen . But for the most part, the team went as far as Lyons took them, and overall, Arizona didn’t resemble a Point Guard U team.

With Lyons now gone, it’s McConnell’s turn to bring stability and take the Wildcats back to the days of Reggie Geary and Khalid Reeves , when point guards respected the name Point Guard U and took pride in wearing the Wildcats uniform.

McConnell doesn’t need to take over the team to do this. His defensive focus as a natural point guard will guide Arizona back to the days when recruits were sold on the history of the program, the same history that brought McConnell to Arizona and that can be seen on the walls around McKale Center.

“I’m just trying to be a leader and be the next great point guard at Point Guard U and try to bring Tucson a Pac-12 championship and national championship,” McConnell said. “Those names [on the McKale Center wall] are unbelievable and if I could be half the point guards they are, I’ll be very happy.”

MCCONNELL BRINGS HISTORY BACK TO

MCKALE

Walking the hallways of McKale Center on his official visit a little over a year ago, junior point

guard T.J. McConnell was sold.From 1974 to 2010, the

Wildcats constantly turned out topflight point guards, including eight All-Americans at that position. During that time, the UA earned the nickname “Point Guard U.”

In the past four years, however, Arizona has been in an increasingly downward spiral with the position.

With the Wildcats quickly losing their long-standing reputation, fourth-year head coach Sean Miller was in need of a new point guard. He found McConnell, who played against the Wildcats in 2011 , knocking on his front door.

“When I talked to coach Miller I knew what kind of opportunity I had out here, and I jumped on it,” McConnell said. “When I came here on my visit, they of course told me about all the great point guards.”

Arizona’s last two floor generals, 2011-12 Arizona point guard Josiah Turner and 2012-13 guard Mark Lyons, were probably told the same thing, but where are they now?

Enter two-year starting, Duquesne University junior transfer McConnell: a 6-foot-1, defensive-minded, pass-first, “true” point guard.

The team has had a problem with defense in recent years, and McConnell’s ability to defend can help fix that, Miller said .

“Point guards, they pressure

MCCONNELLBRINGS HISTORY BACK TO

MCKALE

When I came here on my visit they of course told me all about the great point guards.

— T.J. McConnell,junior guard

““

BY LUKE DELLAThe Daily Wildcat

KEENAN TURNER/THE DAILY WILDCAT ABOVE T.J. McConnell guards a Cal Poly player on Nov. 9 at McKale Center.

TYLER BAKER AND CHARLOTTE DRENKHAHN/THE DAILY WILDCAT

LEFT T.J. McConnell shoots against Augustana on Oct. 28 at McKale Center.

— Follow Luke Della @LukeDella

Basketball Guide • Monday, November 18, 2013B10 • The Daily WilDcaT

After losing two key players from 2012-13, the Arizona women’s basketball team has already

faced some challenges this season. The task falls on the seniors to help the rest of the team overcome those challenges.

Despite having two close losses under their belts from the Iona Tip-Off Tournament last weekend, head coach Niya Butts said she was optimistic about the season.

“We showed a lot of things that were good,” Butts said. “I like our t o g e t h e r n e s s . W e ’ r e understanding and catching on defensively and offensively a lot faster than we have in the past.”

Arizona faces a tough schedule with plenty of road games and a strong Pac-12 conference to compete with. On top of that, a few key players have succumbed to injuries.

Senior forward Alli Gloyd is out for the season with a torn ACL. Plus senior forward Erica Barnes suffered a concussion and has only recently been able to participate in some team activities.

“There are always challenges. We started off with two tough challenges. Our schedule takes us on the road the first couple of games [and] it’s tough to win on the road,” Butts said. “We got a few people banged up, so our job is going to be tough in terms of making sure we balance going hard, having longer practices and having shorter practices.”

Leadership is a challenge for Arizona too, with its former leader and standout player Davellyn Whyte now in the WNBA. Underclassmen are showing progress but the remaining seniors are expected to lead. The team has four seniors this year: Kama Griffitts, Carissa Crutchfield, Barnes and Gloyd.

“All of our seniors are taking on that role in terms of making sure we have what we need to have

and making sure we’re where we need to be,” Butts said.

Crutchfield, a transfer from Oklahoma State, could make a big impact this season. She scored 12 points in Arizona’s game against Michigan. Crutchfield said to expect to see leadership from the seniors this season.

“[My coaches] tell me skills and things to work on,” Crutchfield said. “I try to do that, try to be more of a leader on the court, try to make sure people are in the right and just lead by example. I think that’s what I’ve gotten a little bit better at.”

Griffitts has also already made contributions, having scored 18 points against Michigan and 12 points against Iona. The defense is also expected to win games for Arizona this season.

“Obviously we can score points, we have a lot of offensive threats,” Griffitts said. “It’s just defense that’s going to help us win and having the heart to stop the ball and defend our basket.”

Gloyd has also emerged as a leader despite her season ending injury.

“Even though she’s not on the floor, Alli Gloyd is a huge leader for us. She is a huge vocal leader and we need that,” Griffitts said. “She’s a great positive energy on the bench, in the games and

in practice, and on the sideline she really pumps us up and has definitely taken that leadership role for us.”

Junior guard Candice Warthen has emerged as a leading scorer. She racked up 22 points, four assists and three steals against Iona and 21 points, nine assists and three steals against Michigan.

But for Arizona to succeed this season, the seniors are the ones who will have to step up their play and use their experience to their advantage.

“They have to produce on the floor for us,” Butts said. “We need our seniors to make plays and we need them to set the tone for our younger players —knowing how to close out games, things to do offensively, things to do defensively and how to do them.”

Arizona is chasing a winning season after going 12-18 last year.

“Come watch,” Butts said. “That’s it. We’re working hard every day. We’re going to give it our best shot and we feel pretty good about what the outcome is gonna be.”

Ryan Revock/The Daily WilDcaT SenioR kama GRiFFiTTS looks for someone to pass to against Fort Collins on Nov. 2 in McKale Center. Griffitts is one of four seniors on the team this year, but with the loss of senior Alli Gloyd, Griffitts will be a key player for the Wildcats.

seniors overcomechallenges

We need our seniors to make plays and we need them to set the tone for our younger players.

— Niya Butts,head coach

“

“

BY BrittneY SmithThe Daily Wildcat

Women’s hoops tries to replace

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Finishing games was already a major area of concern for Arizona women’s basketball before the season started and then it lost its first two games in overtime.

Last year, the Wildcats lost 10 games by 11 points or fewer, including an 81-77 defeat in double overtime at the hands of ASU. The UA opened the season with an 82-75 loss at Iona and a 73-71 loss to Michigan.

“[Finishing] is a daily thing,” said head coach Niya Butts. “We emphasize that as a staff, and we try to put them in situations where they have to focus on that.”

Finishing games can be anything from hitting shots down the stretch to getting a defensive stop near the end of the game. Last year’s star Davellyn Whyte is gone, and no one has filled her role as the closer. Whyte demanded the attention of the opposition at all times and was the kind of player who could hit big shots.

Whyte, who now plays for the San Antonio Silver Stars in the WNBA, was selected all-conference by the coaches all four of her years in Tucson. There isn’t one player on the roster who demands that kind of respect, but there are a few who are close. Junior guard Candice Warthen may be the player most likely to assume the closing role.

Warthen led the team in minutes per

game, with 40.7, in its first three contests and has established herself as the most potent scorer on the team by averaging 22 points per game. Warthen missed last season with a knee injury, though.

“I wouldn’t say that I can accomplish all the things that Davellyn did and be who she was,” Warthen said. “I’m good at my own things.”

While scoring is necessary down the stretch, Butts has said defense is something the team continues to work on and is a critical component.

“We’re right there on the edge, and we don’t either have that push through to make that last shot or we don’t have the push through to make that last defensive stop,” Butts said. “We’ve got to do a better

job of finishing.”Defensively, Arizona gave up 73.3

points per game in its first three, which is up from last year’s average of 65.8 points allowed per game. That increase has been offset by a much-improved scoring offense, but the team understands defense is the key to success.

“We’ve been focusing a lot on defense,” said freshman forward LaBrittney Jones. “I think our defense will really impact us finishing games out. It will be a huge thing for us to get over the hump and win games.”

working on being

ryan revock/The Daily WilDcaT

FreShMan GUarD Ashley Merrill drives the ball toward the basket against Fort Lewis on Nov. 2 at McKale Center. The UA is trying to replace the leadership of WNBA player and former Arizona guard Davellyn Whyte.

clutchTired of losing close contests, Arizona women’s basketball head coach Niya Butts is

putting more emphasis on finishing games

BY RoBeRto PaYneThe Daily Wildcat

— Follow Roberto Payne @RPsportreporter


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Arizona women’s basketball will rely heavily on its freshman class because of injuries and the loss of one of the best players in school history.

The graduation of last year’s star Davellyn Whyte and injuries to senior forward Alli Gloyd and senior forward Erica Barnes have forced head coach Niya Butts to insert four freshmen in the rotation: LaBrittney Jones , Dejza James , Breanna Workman and Ashley Merrill .

“We’re looking for them to make an immediate impact,” Butts said.

Jones came to Arizona as the 87th-rated prospect in the nation according to the 2013 ESPNW HoopGurlz recruiting rankings , even after sitting out her senior year of high school with a knee injury .

Big things are expected of Jones, and the freshman forward has backed up that ranking with her play on the court. Jones has started the Wildcats’ first two games and their exhibition , and had per-game averages of 11 points , 7.3 rebounds and 1 block in those three contests.

Her freshman teammates said they feel that Jones can be a key player for the team.

“Off the court, she’s calm,” Workman said. “On the court, she’s the opposite. She goes hard, and she’s really aggressive.”

The departure of Whyte left a hole at guard that the team will look to fill on a committee basis. Part of that committee includes Workman and Merrill, both of whom are back court players over six feet tall . The duo has three combined starts between them (two for Merrill, one for Workman)

and figure to start several more throughout the season.

“I’m a tall guard; most guards are pretty small,” Merrill said. “We’re very versatile. … We all bring different things to the court, and I think that’s what makes us a special group.”

Whyte, who plays for the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA , is first in school history in games played, 126 , and in minutes, 4,243 , and is second on the career scoring chart with 2,036 points .

Rounding out the group of freshmen is 6-foot-1 forward Dejza James , who was a three-star recruit according to the 2013 ESPNW HoopGurlz recruiting rankings .

Apart from Jones, James has made the biggest statistical impact of the freshmen to the team. She averaged nine points , 6.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks through Arizona’s first three games.

“As a unit, I think we’re going to be a really big factor,” Workman said. “We’re going to have to come together … and take some of the responsibility.”

The four freshmen have combined to account for 88 of the team’s 226 total points scored in

the first three games of the season. That total equates to 38.9 percent of the team’s offense . The four freshmen also account for 62 of the team’s 102 total rebounds in those three. That total equates to 60.8 percent of the team’s total rebounds .

“We feel really good about our young folks,” Butts said. “They’ve been working hard in practice, and we feel like they’re going to add a lot [to the team].”

Talented freshman class vital for Arizona

RYAN REVOCK/THE DAILY WILDCAT

FRESHMAN GUARD Ashley Merrill drives the ball towards the net against Fort Collins on Nov. 2 at McKale Center. Merrill is one of four freshmen expected to make an impact this season.

BY ROBERTO PAYNEThe Daily Wildcat

— Follow Roberto Payne @RPsportreporter

Injuries and graduation mean women’s basketball’s four-player freshman class must grow up quickly and contribute right away

We all bring different things to the court, and I think that makes us a special group.

— Ashlet Merrill,freshman guard

““


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1. No. 6 Arizona

With so many highly ranked recruits, this is head coach Sean Miller’s

most talented team, one that is more athletic and defensive-minded than any other school in the conference. The Wildcats don’t have as many early season questions as most teams, but the most major one is who will replace Mark Lyons as the go-to player. The UA is bound to be in a couple of close games this season and someone will need to rise as the man to take the shot.

2. No. 18 Oregon

No school in the conference has come as far as the

Ducks in the past four years. In the short time period, Oregon has gone from a middle-of-the-road conference team to a Sweet Sixteen contender and it’s all thanks to head coach Dana Altman . This season, the Ducks have a lot of talented transfers, but will be led by their young point guard, sophomore Dominic Artis.

3. Colorado

T h e Buffaloes can no longer be

underestimated. They have proven that they will be contenders for at least a few more seasons. Colorado lost starters Andre Roberson to the NBA and Sabatino Chen to graduation but return guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Askia Booker . This Buffaloes team lacks experience but should be able to make up for it in depth.

4. No. 22 UCLA

The Bruins clearly have the talent to contend but

how they adjust to new head coach Steve Alford will be the question. Junior guard Norman Powell is an underrated talent. Another thing to keep an eye on is the improvement of sophomores Tony Parker, Kyle Anderson and last season’s dark horse, Jordan Adams .

5. Stanford

The Cardinal s t r u g g l e d in 2012-13 because of its

guards’ surprisingly low shooting percentage. Center Dwight Powell’s sometimes passive playing style overshadowed what

was a breakout season for the athletic big man. He returns for his senior season and will once again be Stanford’s go-to man. The Cardinal will go as far as Powell takes it.

6. Arizona State

Point guard Jahii Carson might be the best in

conference. If he can play well in big games, the Sun Devils might actually make it to the NCAA tournament. The biggest question for this team will be how Penn State transfer Jermaine Marshall fits into the backcourt with Carson and how he will replace former Sun Devil Evan Gordon at the two-guard.

7. California

You can never count out a Mike M o n t g o m e r y

team. But without Allen Crabbe, the Golden Bears are in search of a new leader. Senior point guard Justin Cobbs is the early season replacement but extremely talented freshman Jabari Bird might be the answer in the end.

8. Washington

The Huskies were left hanging when Aaron Gordon

chose Arizona . The run-and-gun style offense that Washington plays would have been perfect for Gordon and made the Huskies early season favorites. Instead, Washington has one of the deepest teams that can still surprise the conference. If all of the players stay healthy for once, the Huskies could fight their way into the tournament with upset wins.

9. Oregon State

J u n i o r forward Eric M o r e l a n d ’ s 1 4 - g a m e

suspension to start the season will test OSU’s front court. Nevertheless, the Beavers still have size with 6-foot-8 forward Devon Collier and 6-foot-10 center Angus Brandt . Off the bench, OSU also has 6-foot-10 Daniel Gomis and 7-foot freshman Cheikh N’Diaye to take up space.

10. Utah

A f t e r being a joke in 2 0 1 1 - 1 2 ,

the Utes arrived last season as a

legitimate opponent. Sophomore forward Jordan Loveridge is the real deal but center Dallin Bachynski will have big shoes to fill replacing reliable Jason Washburn.

11. Washington State

A veteran and more talented team than Utah, the Cougars aren’t going to get very far if they don’t play defense. Plus, it could cost head coach Ken Bone his job if they don’t.

12. USC

N e w head coach A n d y E n f i e l d

turned Florida Gulf Coast into the darling of the 2013 NCAA tournament. He’ll need a lot more talent if he wants to do that in his first year with the Trojans . However, he does have a talented guard in J.T. Terrell who could make an All-Conference team by the end of the season.


PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12PAC-12 Arizona sits atop season opening Pac-12 power rankings

— Follow Luke Della @LukeDella

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The Wildcats will finally return to the Final Four, because they are deep and talented. They can run out an athletic line up, use bruisers or a combination. The only limit is head coach Sean Miller’s imagination. The UA is so good that I had to strain to come up with a “most overrated” Wildcat and went back and forth when picking a “most underrated.” New point guard T.J. McConnell makes everyone better, on offense and defense, and Aaron Gordon is already a force. By March, “Air Gordon” will be close to unstoppable — remember how Miller suited up Derrick Williams in March 2011 ?

Record: 35-4Postseason: Final FourMost overrated: Nick Johnson , I guessMost underrated: Brandon Ashley

Let me count the blessings this Arizona team has.Junior T.J. McConnell is this year’s true point guard . After sitting

out last year due to transfer rules , he has finally released the monster that roared on the bench for a season.

There’s head coach Sean Miller , who has given the team the most road wins in the Pac-12 since he joined five years ago . He also happens to be a master recruiter. This year’s roster has the FIBA U19 World Championship MVP and No. 4 overall 2013 recruit Aaron Gordon , who has already shown his talent on the court.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is another five-star recruit who has proven his athleticism as a freshman.

I have high expectations for the team that was ranked No. 6/5 in the preseason polls . A squad like this is bound to make the Final Four.

Record: 36-3 Posteason: Final FourMost overrated: Kaleb Tarczewski Most underrated: Gabe York

With the talent on this Arizona basketball team, expectations should be high. A worst case scenario for the preseason No. 6/5 Wildcats would be another trip to the Sweet Sixteen . The best-case scenario is of course a national championship.

There may not be a better defensive team in the nation. And while he may be new, Arizona has an on-court leader in junior point guard T.J. McConnell . The Duquesne transfer has set the defensive standard for the rest of the Wildcats by giving 200 percent effort on the court.

The key to this year’s team will be the development of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Gabe York . If those two can be effective off the bench, the sky is the limit for this team.

Record: 34-5 Postseason: Elite Eight Most Overrated: The water boy Most underrated: Brandon Ashley

Next March, Arizona’s men’s basketball team will return to the Final Four for the first time since 2001 . This year’s team possesses the necessary blend of leadership, experience and talent to succeed and make it far into the postseason.

Highly touted freshman forwards Aaron Gordon and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson , returning sophomores Gabe York and Brandon Ashley and junior guards T.J. McConnell and Nick Johnson are poised to enjoy breakout seasons. McConnell represents Arizona’s first pass-first point guard since Josiah Turner . Gordon is expected to leave for the NBA after this season, becoming the UA’s third-ever one-and-done .

Record: 34-5 Postseason: Final Four Most overrated: Nick Johnson Most underrated: Gabe York

Staff PicksMen’s Basketball

BY JAMES KELLEYThe Daily Wildcat


BY EVAN ROSENFELDThe Daily Wildcat

BY MEGAN COGHLANThe Daily Wildcat

Beat writers and editors predict the outcome of the 2013 season


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Arizona is in for a year of rebuilding after losing its standout, Davellyn Whyte . But the team has plenty of material to rebuild with in a refreshed Candice Warthen , a junior guard returning from an injury , who will be leading the team this year. Warthen has a few freshman under her lead who will be looking to develop more as the year continues, namely in LaBrittney Jones and Dejza James . Fellow seniors Kama Griffitts and Carissa Crutchfield will be looking to contribute some solid points each game. Offensively and defensively, Warthen will be the difference maker in each game this year.

Record: 11-19

Inconsistency and injuries could very well doom the Wildcats this year as the team aims to fill the void left by departing star Davellyn Whyte. She left Arizona as the second leading scorer in program history and won’t be replaced by any one player. Head coach Niya Butts has praised team play and defense as keys to the season but might not have the bodies to thrive in the always-competitive Pac-12 . Butts will rely heavily on junior guard Candice Warthen and freshman LaBrittney Jones as conference play begins in January. Sadly, the season could already be decided by that point.

Record: 12-18

BY BRITTNEY SMITHThe Daily Wildcat

BY ROBERTO PAYNEThe Daily Wildcat

Women’s BasketballStaff Picks

Beat writers predict the outcome of the 2013 season

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The Daily Wildcat

Monday, November 18, 2013B16 • The Daily WilDcaT

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Documents

2013 Basketball Guide