2011 Arizona Basketball Preview
Written by Jack Jones - Google +
2010-11 Results
Overall: 30-8
Conference: 14-4 (1st)
Roster
Seniors
Kyle Fogg
Alex Jacobson
Brendan Lavender
Jesse Perry
Dondre Wise
Juniors
Solomon Hill
Kyryl Natyazhko
Kevin Parrom
Max Wiepking
Sophomores
Robert Arvizu
Jordin Mayes
Freshmen
Angelo Chol
Nick Johnson
Sidiki Johnson
Josiah Turner
Head Coach
Sean Miller
Key Losses
Derrick Williams is the big loss after getting drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Williams averaged 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in his sophomore year. During the 2011 season, Williams led the NCAA in True Shooting percentage (.690) and Effective Field Goal percentage (.650), helping lead the Wildcats to a regular season PAC-10 championship and being named Pac-10 Player of the Year.
Williams also contributed to the Wildcats’ run in the NCAA tournament. He made a critical block with less than 2 seconds remaining against Memphis and had a 3 point play against the Texas Longhorns which advanced the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 of the 2011 NCAA Men’s Division I. The Wildcats have also lost their second-leading scorer in Lamont Jones, who averaged 9.7 points per game. Also departed is forward Jamelle Horne, who averaged 18 minutes off the bench while chipping-in 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds a game.
2011-12 Preview
With a 30-win season and Elite Eight appearance, coach Sean Miller attracted enough interest from NC State and Maryland to keep Arizona fans, players and recruits on edge last spring. But after flying to Las Vegas and meeting with Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson on May 7, Miller decided to stay at Arizona, declaring that he is “here for the long haul unconditionally.”
Miller has quickly established critical West Coast recruiting ties. In 2009 and 2010, he landed Derrick Williams, Solomon Hill and Jordin Mayes and, this year, he brings in regional talents Josiah Turner, Nick Johnson, and Angelo Chol.
Miller believes he has the right pieces in place to eventually compete for a national championship, which Arizona hasn’t won since 1997. Arizona should still have more than enough to defend its conference title. It’s just a case of using manpower more than star power. Miller will be expecting all four freshmen to contribute, and he does have a few potential stars in Hill, Parrom and freshman guards Turner and Johnson.
Josiah Turner (6-3, 185 lbs., FR, #11, 27.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.8 spg) finished last season well at point guard, a true, pass-first, big point guard who has the potential to also develop into a rugged defender.
Kyle Fogg (6-3, 190 lbs., SR, #21, 8.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 25.4 mpg) has started 85 games over three seasons, turning into into a well-rounded player last season. Fogg will be fighting for time against Johnson, who will become one of the Wildcats’ star players this season. Miller said he’s prepared to play Fogg at small forward in order to keep both him and Johnson on the floor.
Kyryl Matyazhko (6-11, 265 lbs., JR, #14, 1.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 9.5 mpg) is developing slowly from a big man more comfortable on the perimeter to one who selflessly set screens and put his body on opponents last season.
Jordin Mayes (6-2, 190 lbs., SO, #20, 4.9 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.2 apg, 14.2 mpg) split time with Jones at the point last season. He hit 10 straight three-pointers during a five-game stretch between the Pac-10 and NCAA tournaments. And he set his career high of 16 points, with two assists and two steals, against Texas in the NCAA Tournament.
Brendon Lavender (6-5, 215 lbs., SR, #24, 3.6 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 10.7 mpg) isn’t the Wildcats’ best shooter but he has helped in several critical moments since his freshman season. Lavender had eight points in just seven minutes against Texas, hitting two consecutive threes in the first half when UA built an improbable 11-point halftime lead.
Alex Jacobson (7-0, 251 lbs., SR, #50, 0.5 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 4.5 mpg) doesn’t impact box scores much but he knows how to use his huge frame when needed for screens or fouls.
Nick Johnson (6-2, 195 lbs., FR, #13, 24.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4.7 apg) has explosive scoring abilities that perfectly complemented Turner’s pass-first outlook and skills on their Oakland Soldiers travel team, and they plan to continue the connection at McKale Center. Johnson will have to progress to get on the floor at shooting guard but, with his ability to shoot and drive, he could become a starter.
Solomon Hill (6-6, 225 lbs., JR, #44, 8.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 25.2 mpg) became a regular in the Wildcats’ lineup over his first two years because of his versatility, strength and skill. Hill also scored in double figures five times over the final eight games. In the NCAA West Regional, he notched 13 points against Duke and 10 rebounds and four assists against Connecticut.
Kevin Parrom (6-6, 205 lbs, JR, #3, 7.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 20.1 mpg) is a versatile, tough-minded wing player. He is equally comfortable driving inside, taking a charge or stepping outside to hit three-pointers. He had 13 of his 25 points during the three overtimes at Cal, had 12 points, three assists and two rebounds against Washington in the final of the Pac-10 Tournament, and nine points and three steals in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Memphis.
Miller says he wants to get them both Parrom and Hill on the floor more frequently this season. That could mean moving Hill to power forward or perhaps moving Parrom to shooting guard.
Jesse Perry (6-7, 220 lbs., SR, #33, 6.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 19.5 mpg) gave the Wildcats much-needed grit and rebounding ability on both ends of the floor and became a solid team player. He contributed two steals, three rebounds and four points in the NCAA third round against Texas and, in Arizona’s Elite Eight loss to Connecticut, he had 14 points and seven rebounds.
Sidiki Johnson (6-8, 220 lbs., FR, #1) will be a major contributor inside with his strength and ability to rebound and score around the basket.
Angelo Chol (6-9, 215 lbs., FR, #30, 23.4 ppg, 14.9 rpg, 7.8 bpg) developed into a fearsome shot blocker at San Diego’s Hoover High School and proved a well-rounded scorer as a senior. He will be expected to back up Perry at power forward this season.
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