Arizona Wildcats Basketball: Kevin Parrom Could Return To Practice This Weekend

The Arizona Wildcats have faced two quality mid-major opponents thus far and snuck away with a victory in both games. It certainly wasn't pretty, but at the end of the day, a win is a win.

Fortunately for Sean Miller and UA, Kevin Parrom could return to practice as early as this upcoming weekend. The junior wing has been participating in conditioning drills for the last week and is able to partake in shoot around with his teammates, though is yet to practice with any kind of contact. That could change in the very near future, as Miller explained to the Arizona Daily Star:

"I can only hope Kevin, with all the bad things that have happened to him, can return to form," Miller said. "I think there's maybe a chance he can start practicing here this weekend. I do think he makes us a better team especially if he can regain his form.

"But we all know, when you don't practice for seven weeks and you have a gunshot wound, you're probably not going to start off where everyone wants you to."

Kevin also tweeted this on Thursday morning:

Workout ... Tryna get back to 100% ... Cant wait to practice

Should Parrom be able to return this weekend, it keeps the possibility of the New York native playing in Madison Square Garden on November 17th against St. John's. That would certainly be quite the story should Parrom suit up next week, especially with it coming just two months after sustaining the gunshot to his left leg.

While everyone knows of Parrom's ability and talent on the court, Arizona fans need to show patience with him. He is coming off a very serious injury and it will take some time for him to get back into the flow of the game. Once he does, though, Miller could see his young team takeoff to the next level.

For more on the Wildcats, check out Arizona Desert Swarm.

Arizona vs. Duquesne Final Score: Wildcats Win 67-59 Behind Jordin Mayes and Jesse Perry

For the second game in a row, the Arizona Wildcats needed a big second half in order to get past a quality mid-major opponent. Thanks to huge performances from Jordin Mayes and Jesse Perry, UA came away with a 67-59 victory over the Duquesne Dukes.

Mayes, for the second night in a row, stole the show in the second half and hit three huge three-pointers that changed the complexity of the game. He finished the evening with a career-high 19 points and will likely continue to start over Josiah Turner, who is still learning the college game.

Perry recorded his second double-double in as many games and continues to be a solid force in the paint for the Wildcats. Sean Miller praised Perry in his post-game interview and called the strides he has made since joining the team last season "remarkable". 

Angelo Chol did not start the game, though he played in favor of Kyryl Natyazhko throughout most of the contest. Chol finished with six points and eight rebounds and was able to disrupt multiple shots around the basket. He may not start in the next game, but one has to believe he will be the starting center sooner rather than later.

Arizona trailed 32-30 at halftime and the two teams were evenly matchup until midway through the second half. Brendon Lavender ignited a rally with a three pointer and the 'Cats did not look back after that. The game certainly wasn't pretty for all 40 minutes, but this team continues to improve and the potential is there.

The next time Arizona will take the court will be Sunday afternoon against Ball State. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. from Tucson.

Arizona vs. Duquesne: Wildcats Look For Another Victory In 2K Sports Classic

Fresh off a victory on Monday night over Valparaiso, the Arizona Wildcats have less than 48 hours to prepare for the Duquesne Dukes and their hectic style of play.

Head coach Ron Everhart has led his program to a record of 83-75 since taking over in 2006. The Dukes lost their two leading scores from last year, a team that was on the fringe of an NCAA Tournament appearance throughout most of the season. Despite falling short of a bid, they managed to enter the CBI Tournament and win their first game over Montana before falling to Oregon by two points.

Of the players returning, B.J. Monteiro is back and ready for his final year with the Dukes. T.J. McConnell averaged 10.8 points-per-game last season, converted 40.8% of this three-point shots and was among the nation's best in stealing the ball. Senior guard Sean Johnson will see a lot of playing time on Wednesday night as well.

Without having any footage from 2011 to go off of, Duquesne, on paper, looks to be a very solid team capable of pulling the upset. They press throughout the entire game and will force Josiah Turner and Jordin Mayes to make smart decisions with the ball. The Dukes lack size in the paint, but honestly, Arizona does too at this point in the season.

Matchup To Watch: T.J. McConnell vs. Kyle Fogg

Lineup Changes Coming? Arizona started Monday's game they way they had for both exhibition games (Turner, Fogg, Hill, Perry, Natyazhko), but as Turner and Natyazhko struggled, Jordin Mayes and Angelo Chol solidified themselves in the second half. They may not start, but look for both players to see playing time early and often on Wednesday night.

TV: The game will be aired live on ESPN2.

Online Stream: ESPN3.com

Final Score Prediction: Arizona 81 - Duquesne 70

Arizona needs to be careful. This is a very talented and experience Duquesne team and they are capable of scoring a lot of points. If UA continues to be careless with the basketball, an upset could be on the way in Tucson.

This all being said, I have to believe Sean Miller will have the Wildcats more than ready for the hectic style of play the Dukes will bring. Expect an outcome similar to what transpired on Monday, with UA pulling away midway through the second half.

Arizona Wildcats Defeat Valparaiso Crusaders 73-64 In Season Opener

After a shaky first half of play, the Arizona Wildcats used a big second half to propel themselves to a 73-64 victory over the Valparaiso Crusaders.

Senior guard Kyle Fogg led the team with 16 points and Jesse Perry earned the first double-double of his career with 14 points and 10 rebounds. In his first game as a Wildcat, freshman Nick Johnson converted eight free throws in route to a 14 point, six assist game.

Arizona started off slowly and struggled with turnovers until finding their grove late in the first half. With a lead of just 32-30 at the half, the 'Cats scored 41 in the second half and gradually pulled away. The final score was closer than the game actually was; UA led by 20 points with just over four minutes to go and late free throws and three pointers inched the Crusaders back into the game during the final seconds.

While Perry, Fogg and Johnson led in scoring, it was the second half performances of Jordin Mayes and freshman Angelo Chol that stole the show. Mayes converted two three-point shots and finished the game with eight points after failing to score in the first 20 minutes. Chol's stat line is not overly impressive -- 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 5 fouls in 23 minutes -- but his defensive impact was felt all game with four steals and solid rotations around the basket.

With Kyryl Natyazhko battling foul trouble and the inability to be an effective offensive player, Chol could be the starting center sooner rather than later. And while some believe freshman Sidiki Johnson should continue to get chances to contribute, Sean Miller had a very telling quote after the game.

"Hopefully he can work to get better," said Miller, "but I'm not counting on it." 

Those are big words from a head coach and he has made it known he was not happy with Johnson's progress thus far. UA can only hope Sidiki takes this criticism and uses it to make great strides in practice the next few weeks. The team needs his size and strength in the paint.

There were rough patches for Arizona throughout the game, but the season opener should be viewed as a success. 

Next Up: The Wildcats have just one day of practice before returning to McKale to face the Duquesne Dukes. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

Arizona vs. Valparaiso: Wildcats Begin College Basketball Season In 2K Sports Classic

Basketball season is back in Tucson. We have a breakdown of the Crusaders, a key matchup to watch for, the TV viewing info and a final prediction.