GAME NOTES: Former members of the Western Athletic Conference, the Arizona Wildcats and the 18th-ranked BYU Cougars renew their rivalry again today as they clash in non-conference play at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City.
The Cougars, who have not played a true home game in Provo since defeating Mississippi Valley State (86-36) back on November 23rd, are undefeated at the moment with a perfect 9-0 mark. On Wednesday night, the squad was in Glens Falls, NY to clash with Vermont, playing the game in the hometown of star and preseason All-American Jimmer Fredette, and responding with an 86-58 triumph.
As for the Wildcats, they too have opened the 2010-11 campaign with a wildly successful run, except for the 87-79 loss to sixth-ranked Kansas during the Las Vegas Invitational two weeks ago. Since then the squad has posted three more wins to move to 8-1 on the season, although the 73-62 victory over Cal State Fullerton three nights ago may have been a bit too close for comfort.
The Wildcats hold a 20-18 advantage in the all-time series with BYU dating back to their first meeting in 1951. The most recent matchup took place three days after Christmas last year as part of the Fiesta Bowl Classic in Tucson where the Cougars captured a 99-69 victory to snap a four-game slide in the series.
In the weakest offensive set of the season thus far, the Wildcats still played well enough to post the double-digit win over Fullerton at home on Wednesday night. Derrick Williams was there to lead Arizona with his double-double consisting of 22 points and 10 rebounds, both of which were game highs on both sides. Kevin Parrom added 12 points off the bench as the only other double- digit performer for the ’Cats as they survived 15 turnovers and shot only 8- of-25 behind the three-point line. Williams, who is on the Naismith Trophy preseason watch list and the John R. Wooden Award preseason watch list as well, leads the program after nine games with 20.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg as he shoots a sizzling 66.3 percent from the floor. Just as impressive is his accuracy out on the perimeter (10-of-13) and at the free-throw line (58- of-72), but without another consistent double-digit scorer to lean on the Wildcats might be setting themselves up for some disappointment when the Pac-10 schedule kicks into gear down the line.
As if perfectly scripted, Fredette returned home to the Empire State and led all scorers with 26 points in the win over Vermont on Wednesday night. Fredette knocked down 9-of-19 shots from the floor and all six of his free- throw attempts, while handing out five of the unit’s 20 assists. Noah Hartsock posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 boards, followed by Brandon Davies with 12 points and both Jackson Emery and Charles Abouo with 11 points and a combined 11 rebounds in the triumph. The Cougars held the Catamounts to just 35 percent shooting from the floor, while BYU shooters made good on 55.9 percent of their attempts. Following the lead set by Fredette and his 22.7 ppg, the Cougars are outscoring opponents by an average of almost 22 ppg at the moment, mostly thanks to a defense that has managed to limit those foes to just 37.5 percent shooting from the floor. Emery, who has combined with Fredette to knock down 43-of-121 beyond the arc thus far, checks in with another 11.9 ppg.
Obviously Williams is a powerful performer for the Wildcats, but until he gets the kind of support he needs on a consistent basis he and Arizona will be vulnerable against opponents like BYU.
GAME NOTES: Former members of the Western Athletic Conference, the Arizona Wildcats and the 18th-ranked BYU Cougars renew their rivalry again today as they clash in non-conference play at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City.
FACTS & STATS: Site: EnergySolutions Arena (19,911) — Salt Lake City, Utah. Television: BYUtv. Home Record: Arizona 6-0, BYU 4-0. Away Record: Arizona 1-0, BYU 1-0. Neutral Record: Arizona 1-1, BYU 4-0. Conference Record: Arizona 0-0, BYU 0-0. Series Record: Arizona leads, 20-18.
BYU 86, Arizona 81