Arizona Basketball: Mark Lyons' turnover issues not a big concern

Mark Lyons is the starting point guard on a team that averages nearly 82 points a game and is currently ranked No. 8 in both national polls. A sloppy game against Southern Mississippi notwithstanding, the Arizona Wildcats have had their way with every team they've faced this season.

So why is there so much talk of Lyons' struggles?

Through six games, the senior guard is averaging more turnovers than assists. He's also averaging 12.3 points per game and is shooting nearly 40 percent from behind the arc. Is there reason for concern? Mike DeCourcy of Sporting News doesn't think so:

The people picking apart his assist/turnover ratio -- 14 assists, 18 turnovers -- haven't bothered with a few details. First, Arizona is 6-0 and winning by an average of 21.8 points. Second, the way Arizona is built it always has at least two, and sometimes three, players on the floor aside from Lyons who can create offense so his personal numbers in those categories are less impactful. Third, his coach is not displeased. At all.

"He's been good," Arizona coach Sean Miller told Sporting News. "He wants to learn. He brings toughness and shooting ability. We're a lot better with him than without him."

Sean Miller has never been one to throw his players under the bus, and his recent comments about Lyons' perceived struggles should speak volumes to those concerned about the point guard play in Tucson.

As long as the Wildcats continue scoring the ball at an efficient rate -- they rank 13th in KenPom.com's offensive efficiency rankings -- there really isn't anything to worry about. We'll see how Lyons reacts to the criticism on Saturday night as UA hits the road to take on Clemson.