SB Nation Arizona - Arizona Basketball: Sidiki Johnson Officially Leaves Programhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2012-02-09T12:33:14-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22509612012-02-09T12:33:14-07:002012-02-09T12:33:14-07:00Arizona Wildcats Look To Extend Winning Streak Against Colorado Buffaloes
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<p>The Wildcats need to keep winning if they hope to reach March Madness.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats">Arizona Wildcats</a> are coming off an improbable sweep of California and Stanford, two teams ranked in the top-tier of the conference. No one was expecting the two wins, especially after the Wildcats had lost their third game in two weeks by two points or fewer. Now, with a ton of momentum on their side, the team returns home to the McKale Center to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/colorado-buffaloes">Colorado Buffaloes</a>, who are tied for second place in the conference and one game ahead of UA in the standings.</p>
<p>The Buffaloes knocked off Arizona by one point last month, winning 64-63 at the buzzer. The Wildcats played well on the road and should have probably won, but awful execution down the stretch caused them the game. With a sellout crowd expected tonight, expect the 'Cats to come out looking for revenge.</p>
<p>Colorado is a talented team that can certainly win tonight, but they're pretty bad on the road and lost some questionable games early in the season. In conference play, the team is 1-3 away from Boulder (with their lone win coming over an awful USC squad) and have lost their games by an average of nearly 15 points. Five of their remaining seven games are on the road, with a home stand with the Bay Area schools also looming.</p>
<p>CU features four players averaging double digits in points, and they are led by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/28442/carlon-brown">Carlon Brown</a>, who had 19 against Arizona in their previous meeting. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52413/austin-dufault">Austin Dufault</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123371/andre-roberson">Andre Roberson</a> and Spencer Dinwiddie are the other three scoring threats, and they all shoot higher than 40% from behind the arc.</p>
<p>This is a huge game for both teams, and the Wildcats should be able to win at home, especially given Colorado's recent struggles on the road. Look for a raucous and recharged crowd at McKale Center to be the difference tonight.</p>
<p>The game is scheduled for begin at 7 p.m. in Tucson. ESPN will broadcast the game this evening with Jon Sciambi and Fran Fraschilla calling the action.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-wildcats/2012/2/9/2787462/arizona-wildcats-basketball-colorado-buffaloes-previewScott Coleman2012-02-02T12:20:04-07:002012-02-02T12:20:04-07:00Ailing Arizona Wildcats Look To Bounce Back In Bay Area Against Cal Bears
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<p>The Wildcats are desperately looking to salvage their season and a win over the Bears would be huge.</p> <p>Not much of anything has gone right for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Wildcats</a> this season. Maybe they used all their good fortune up during the NCAA Tournament run last season, maybe we're seeing the impact of not having steady recruiting classes for three years, maybe it's just bad luck. But if this team wants to have any hope of salvaging their season, they need to at least give the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/california-golden-bears" class="sbn-auto-link">California Golden Bears</a> a battle on Thursday night.</p>
<p>It won't be easy.</p>
<p>The Bears are a very strong team and are currently tied for first place in the Pac-12 with Washington. They play very well at home and have called for a 'Gold Out' of the arena, although it was going to be a raucous atmosphere either way. California has a record of 17-5, including a 7-2 mark in conference play, and have two players (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123296/allen-crabbe" class="sbn-auto-link">Allen Crabbe</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53339/jorge-gutierrez" class="sbn-auto-link">Jorge Gutierrez</a>) who are in contention for Pac-12 Player Of The Year. Those two are flanked by point guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99907/justin-cobbs" class="sbn-auto-link">Justin Cobbs</a> and big man <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/28829/harper-kamp">Harper Kamp</a>, who are talented players in their own right.</p>
<p>With no <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100845/kevin-parrom" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Parrom</a> for Arizona, it's tough to see the Wildcats winning on the road this evening. Combine the loss of their sixth man with the effects of losing three of their last five games by a total of five points and it's not tough to see why morale is down at this point.</p>
<p>All we can ask for is a good effort and a close game. I'm sure we'll see the former, but I'm not very confident about the latter.</p>
<p>Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. in Tucson and the game can be seen live on Fox Sports Net Arizona.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-wildcats/2012/2/2/2766870/arizona-wildcats-basketball-cal-bears-previewScott Coleman2012-01-26T12:31:33-07:002012-01-26T12:31:33-07:00Arizona vs. Washington State Preview: Josiah Turner, Kevin Parrom Prepared To Step Up
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<p>Arizona returns home needing a big victory over the Cougars on Thursday night.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Wildcats</a> are coming off a devastating loss to Colorado and need to come away with a sweep of the Washington schools this week if they want to have any chance at the 2012 NCAA Tournament. The team currently sits 1.5 games back in the Pac-12 standings and cannot afford to overlook the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/washington-st-cougars" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington St. Cougars</a> with Saturday's showdown with Washington looming.</p>
<p>The Cougars are a decent club and enter the game with a record of 11-8 overall, including a 3-4 mark in conference play. They are led by big man <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100923/brock-motum" class="sbn-auto-link">Brock Motum</a>, who averages 15.4 points and six rebounds. He clocks in at 6'10 and could give the UA plenty of problems with his size on Thursday evening. While he may come off the bench, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124641/faisal-aden" class="sbn-auto-link">Faisal Aden</a> is their biggest threat to break out on any given night and averages just over 15 points a game.</p>
<p>Other than these two, WSU features quite a few role players who work together well to get the job done. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100921/reggie-moore" class="sbn-auto-link">Reggie Moore</a> does a solid job running the offense and averages more than five assists on a nightly basis. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146458/davonte-lacy" class="sbn-auto-link">DaVonte Lacy</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53726/marcus-capers" class="sbn-auto-link">Marcus Capers</a> won't light up the scoreboard, but they are both quality players in the backcourt.</p>
<p>As for Arizona, Sean Miller mentioned multiple times in his weekly press conference that it was time for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145025/josiah-turner" class="sbn-auto-link">Josiah Turner</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100845/kevin-parrom" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Parrom</a> to see a bigger role. Not only do both figure to see a few more minutes going forward, but Miller went on to say Turner has "earned his trust" and will become the go-to guy down the stretch with his ability to make plays happen. He will continue to start, while Parrom will likely remain on the bench as a sixth man.</p>
<p>The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. from Tucson and will be nationally televised on FOX Sports Net. Kevin Calabro and Marques Johnson will be on the call from McKale Center. The action can also be heard on 1290 AM The Source and 107.5 FM, with Brian Jeffries and Muehlebach handling the broadcast duties.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-wildcats/2012/1/26/2739706/arizona-wildcats-basketball-washington-state-preview-start-timeScott Coleman2012-01-25T10:27:31-07:002012-01-25T10:27:31-07:00Arizona Wildcats Unveil New Nike Hyper Elite Platinum Basketball Uniform
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<p>The Wildcats will be wearing gray for the first time ever this season.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Wildcats</a> got new jerseys for the first time in nearly a decade last year, sticking with their traditional red, white and blue color scheme. The UA is getting yet another jersey this time around, although it is nothing like you have seen them wear before.</p>
<p><b>More: <a href="http://www.azdesertswarm.com/2012/1/25/2732839/more-photos-from-the-nike-hyper-elite-platinum-launch-in-nyc?utm_source=article&utm_medium=position2&utm_campaign=relatedlinks"><i>Photos from the Nike launch</i></a></b></p>
<p>Nike has unveiled the all-new Hyper Elite basketball uniform that was given to various top-tier programs around the nation, including the Wildcats.</p>
<p>Here are a few of the photos, courtesy of <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8532386/type/dlg/sid/sbn/http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikebasketball/en_US/" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Nike</a> and <a href="http://www.azdesertswarm.com/2012/1/25/2732292/arizona-wildcats-launch-new-nike-hyper-elite-platinum-uniforms#storyjump" target="_blank">AZ Desert Swarm</a>.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/894482/zona_3.jpg"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/894482/zona_3_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Zona_3_medium"></a> <br id="1327512377078"></p>
<p>Another photo:</p>
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<p>And a third:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/894462/UA_3.jpg"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/894462/UA_3_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Ua_3_medium"></a></p>
<p>Pretty awesome if you ask me. Others are not huge fans of the unconventional look in college basketball, but most recruits would likely think otherwise. The Wildcats will wear these on February 25 against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/ucla-bruins" class="sbn-auto-link">UCLA Bruins</a>, which is scheduled to be a national telecast from McKale Center.</p>
<p>What do you think of the new uniforms? Do you like the Oregon football-esque feel they'll bring to the program, or would you rather have the old school uniforms from 1997 back? It's a tough call.</p>
<p>Let us know on Twitter! You can follow us <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/sbnarizona" target="_blank">@SBNArizona</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ScottColeman_UA" target="_blank">@ScottColeman_UA</a>.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-wildcats/2012/1/25/2732494/arizona-wildcats-new-basketball-jersey-nike-platinum-elite-uniformScott Coleman2012-01-05T12:12:54-07:002012-01-05T12:12:54-07:00Arizona vs. UCLA Preview: Wildcats Battle Bruins In Early Pac-12 "Showdown"
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<p>Arizona squares off with their Pac-12 rivals at 9 p.m. this evening.</p> <p>When the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats">Arizona Wildcats</a> head west to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/ucla-bruins">UCLA Bruins</a>, the game is always one to watch. Between the incredible history of both programs and the sheer talent that will be on display on Thursday night, the game figures to be one of the better Pac-12 matchups of the season. Unfortunately for both programs, neither are at the level they hoped to be at this point in the season and both are desperate for a conference victory.</p>
<p>The Wildcats enter with a solid record of 10-4 and won their first conference game against Arizona St. this past weekend. The Bruins have seen very little go right in 2011-2012; the team is 7-7 on the season and dropped their first two Pac-12 games last weekend. With the UA's hope to dance come March Madness and UCLA's hope to get out of the cellar, fans should expect an intense showdown between heated rivals this evening.</p>
<p>The biggest issue Arizona will have with their foes tonight will be their size. The Bruins biggest strength -- both literally and figuratively -- is Josh Smith, who clocks in in nearly seven feet tall and upwards of 300 pounds. Conditioning and foul trouble have been an issue this season, but when he has the correct mindset, Smith is capable of dominating the paint.</p>
<p>In addition to Smith, Travis and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99815/david-wear">David Wear</a> are both solid forwards who can cause matchup problems with their size and athleticism. Twin brothers, both stand 6'10 and are big enough to hold down the paint when Smith is on the bench. It will be interesting to see how the UA approaches these two; will Sean Miller try to match size-for-size with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145027/angelo-chol">Angelo Chol</a> and/or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100844/kyryl-natyazhko">Kyryl Natyazhko</a>, or will he use <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100849/solomon-hill">Solomon Hill</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100845/kevin-parrom">Kevin Parrom</a> to check the two power forwards?</p>
<p>On the wings, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124521/lazeric-jones">Lazeric Jones</a> is playing very well and is the Bruins leading scorer. Sophomore guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124520/tyler-lamb">Tyler Lamb</a> has the ability to score baskets in a hurry and went off for 26 points in his last matchup with California. Guard play has been one of Arizona's biggest strengths this season and that will need to continue if they want to slow down Jones and Lamb.</p>
<p>This game could go either way and will likely be determined in the final minutes. Despite having to travel to Los Angeles, the Wildcats should feel right at home at the Honda Center, which is where the team made their Elite 8 run this past season.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-wildcats/2012/1/5/2684894/arizona-wildcats-basketball-ucla-bruins-preview-pac-12Scott Coleman2011-12-28T16:56:29-07:002011-12-28T16:56:29-07:00Arizona vs. ASU Basketball: Wildcats, Sun Devils Prepare For Pac-12 Opener
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<p>A recap of UA and ASU's basketball seasons thus far, with a preview for Saturday's showdown.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats">Arizona Wildcats</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-st-sun-devils" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona St. Sun Devils</a> have one of the more heated rivalries of any two schools on the west coast. After an instant-classic was played just a few months ago in football, the two programs will now square off in Tucson at the McKale Center to kick off the first season of Pac-12 play.</p>
<p>SB Nation Arizona will be both recapping the season thus far and will be previewing the Arizona-ASU game that will be played on Saturday afternoon. To kick things off, Scott Coleman and Cody Ulm exchanged questions about their respective teams to give an in-depth look at the current state of the program. This will be a multiple part series, so be sure to check back for any and all updates.</p>
<p><b>With conference play finally here, is this where you expected your team to be:</b></p>
<p><b>Scott Coleman: </b>The Wildcats lost a ton from the team that made the Elite Eight last season and challenged themselves with one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation. Their preseason ranking of No. 15 was too high and just about everyone knew it.</p>
<p>With respectable road losses to Florida and Gonzaga, as well as a neutral site loss to Mississippi St. and a home loss to San Diego St., it's tough to be too disappointed thus far, although the players will tell you they should have won the Florida and/or SDSU games. The two best wins come over St. John's and Clemson, which is a bit concerning figuring neither will make the NCAA tournament.</p>
<p>As far as the players go individually, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100849/solomon-hill">Solomon Hill</a> has done a very nice job stepping up as the go-to guy on the court for most of the season. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53333/kyle-fogg">Kyle Fogg</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123167/jesse-perry">Jesse Perry</a> are doing a nice job as seniors, although both had disappeared at times. Of the freshmen, Nick Johnson has been everything UA fans could have asked for and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145027/angelo-chol">Angelo Chol</a> is developing at a rapid pace. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145025/josiah-turner">Josiah Turner</a> has been foolish with some of his off-court decisions, but he appears to be headed in the right way.</p>
<p>The big wild card for Arizona was the gunshot wound <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100845/kevin-parrom">Kevin Parrom</a> sustained. Should the junior wing been completely healthy from the start of the season, he might have been the best overall player on the team. Now, because of the injury, Parrom continues to recover and is clearly still affected by the wound when he takes the court.</p>
<p>Sean Miller has this program in the right direction and most feel confident heading into conference play that does not figure to be too challenging. If Turner and Parrom are able to stay on the court and play at a high level, the team could really make a run come March. That run is far from certain at this point, though, and will require everyone to contribute, something that has seldom happened to this point in the season.</p>
<p><b>Cody Ulm:</b> It would be easy for me to sit here and claim the Sun Devils are exactly where I expected them to be after following up last year's Pac-10 cellar-dwelling team with what's shaping up to be a repeat of ineptitude. But to make that assertion would be a lie. Delusions of grandeur aside, I was expecting this team to "rise" into the 6-9 region of the newly formed Pac-12 standings, especially with such a cherry non-conference schedule to work out the kinks early. Now though, that's looking about as likely as Herb Sendek growing a new luscious head of hair.</p>
<p>The Devils have yet to give a complete effort this season, with every breakout performance being countered by at least three off-games from key contributors. Although <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100856/trent-lockett">Trent Lockett</a> has slightly improved his scoring and rebounding from last season, he hasn't taken that next step that most fans expected to see in his junior year. Averaging only 10.2 points and 5.2 boards over the last six games, four of which have been losses, he hasn't exactly stepped up when needed to as the most veteran player on this squad.</p>
<p>Perhaps that's because he's been asked to handle the ball more than normal with the return of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145028/jahii-carson">Jahii Carson</a> never coming to fruition and Iowa State transfer Chris Colvin falling flat on his face. Colvin, who had the looks of a breakout star after an impressive preseason, has blundered almost every opportunity Sendek has given him early in his ASU career, committed only one less turnover (32) than assist (33) and even being suspended once for breaking a unspecified team rule. This lack of a true consistent point guard has caused the Sun Devils to give the ball away at a Pac-12-leading 16.3 turnovers a game. Some of this can be attributed to the fact that Sendek might not have the right personnel to execute his newly-implemented run and gun offense but it doesn't take a trained eye to see that if it's one type of play this ASU lineup excels in, it's sloppy.</p>
<p>Furthermore, despite being one of the few rosters in all of college basketball with two seven-footers, the Devils still haven't had anything close to reliable center play through the first twelve games. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100855/ruslan-pateev">Ruslan Pateev</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123172/jordan-bachynski">Jordan Bachynski</a> both go have gone through head-scratching spurts throughout the early going and one might have an easy case at arguing that they possibly have even regressed.</p>
<p>Yes, I know it's hard to tell, but there has been some pleasant surprises like the emergence of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123174/keala-king">Keala King</a> as one of the conference's most well-rounded players and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123168/carrick-felix">Carrick Felix's</a> new found deep stroke, but sitting at 4-8, I'm putting the over/under of conference wins at four, and that's only because Arizona State has the good fortune of playing the dreadful <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/utah-utes">Utah Utes</a> twice.</p>
<p>Grade: D</p>
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https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-wildcats/2011/12/28/2665223/arizona-wildcats-asu-sun-devils-basketball-pac-12Scott Coleman2011-12-23T09:00:01-07:002011-12-23T09:00:01-07:00Arizona Wildcats Basketball Midseason Report Card
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<p>How have the 9-4 Wildcats performed this season? We break it down.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Wildcats</a> had a lot of questions entering this season. With non-conference play officially over, which Wildcats made the grade and which ones came up a little short? Here is a breakdown of each player:</p>
<p><b>Kyle Fogg: A-</b></p>
<p>Fogg took over 30,000 shots in the offseason and it has paid dividend greatly thus far. A senior guard who has started almost every game in his career, Fogg has been lethal from behind the arc and is one of the better defenders in the nation. His shot was a little inconsistent to begin the season, but he's locked in right now.</p>
<p><b>Brendon Lavender: B</b></p>
<p>Lavender is a player who I always felt should play more than he has and he may have earned himself some more playing time after an 18 point outburst against Bryant. His numbers may not look great, but he's shooting nearly 60% from behind the arc and is the best pure shooter on the team. When committed on the defensive end as well, Lavender is a very crucial piece of the Arizona puzzle.</p>
<p><b>Jesse Perry: A</b></p>
<p>Perry was asked to step up in the absence of Derrick Williams and the senior big man has done exactly that. He has brought toughness and a tenacity that is unparalleled by most and leads the team in rebounding at nearly eight a game. Perry is yet to have a breakout game, but you can pencil him in for double digits on almost given night. </p>
<p><b>Solomon Hill: B+</b></p>
<p>Hill is arguably the best player for the Wildcats, but inconsistent play and shot-happy tendencies can be frustrating to watch. Still, though, Solo's numbers speak for themselves; he's averaging nearly 13 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, all while improving his defense. When Hill plays aggressively, it's tough to stop him. When Hill plays aggressively, Arizona is a different team. Now it's just a matter of playing aggressively every time he takes the floor.</p>
<p><b>Kyryl Natyazhko: D</b></p>
<p>Natyazhko played well as a freshman in the Red-Blue Game. It's been all downhill since then. Blessed with the size and strength to be a difference maker in the paint, the junior big man seldom rebounds and is a liability on the defensive end of the court. A loss of playing time has resulted from his struggles and it's tough to see Kyryl playing more than a few minutes in conference play.</p>
<p><b>Kevin Parrom: Incomplete</b></p>
<p>It's tough to grade Parrom after everything he has been through. He's fortunate to be alive, let alone playing basketball. He's the heart and soul of this team and will continue to improve every day.</p>
<p><b>Jordin Mayes: C+</b></p>
<p>Mayes can shoot the basketball well, but he sure isn't much of a point guard. In nearly 300 minutes of play, Mayes has recorded nine assists and has turned the ball over 13 times. That's not cutting it at all. To his credit he has scored the ball with a little more consistently in the month of December, but the 'Cats still need more out of him as a ball distributor.</p>
<p><b>Angelo Chol: B-</b></p>
<p>Chol entered college having just three years of organized basketball under his belt and everyone knew his game would be a work in progress. With the non-conference season wrapped up, it's safe to see why his name rocketed up scouting boards the way it did last year. Chol is already impacting the game on the defensive end with his length and athleticism, and he is making strides on the offensive end as well. Still incredibly raw, the kid has limitless potential going forward.</p>
<p><b>Nick Johnson: A</b></p>
<p>Johnson has been everything the Wildcats could have asked for and has earned himself a spot in the starting rotation. He has done it all for the UA, scoring nearly 11 points a game, all while playing stellar defense and even running point guard at times. Coach Miller raves about Nick on a daily basis and it's easy to see why. The kid is special and will only get better.</p>
<p><b>Josiah Turner: C</b></p>
<p>Turner has been his own worst enemy thus far in college, getting himself suspended twice for either not showing up to practice or missing it entirely. When he is on the court, though, it's easy to see why he was a top-10 prospect be seemingly every scouting service in the nation. Gifted with incredible quickness and an ability to make plays happen, Turner has the potential to be a star. Will he continue to improve or get himself in trouble with the coaches? That may be the biggest determining factor for how far Arizona goes in 2012.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-wildcats/2011/12/23/2651420/arizona-wildcats-basketball-report-card-sean-millerScott Coleman2011-12-17T09:00:36-07:002011-12-17T09:00:36-07:00Battle In Seattle 2011: Arizona Wildcats Face Gonzaga Bulldogs In West Coast Showdown
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<p>We have a breakdown, the TV schedule, the projected starting lineup and more.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Wildcats</a> are hitting their stride at the right time and are busily preparing for arguably the biggest game left on their schedule: the Battle If Seattle, in which they will take on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/gonzaga-bulldogs" class="sbn-auto-link">Gonzaga Bulldogs</a>. These two programs have played hard-fought games in the past and we should expect no different on Saturday.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs, who enter with a record of 6-2, are a young team that have struggled to play consistently on both ends of the court in 2011. Of their six wins, their best one likely comes over a mediocre Washington State team, while their losses came against Michigan State and Illinois. The team struggled in their last contest against Oral Roberts, a game they won by six points at home.</p>
<p>The Zags are led by head coach Mark Few, who is 315-83 since taking over the program in 1999, and will be playing in front of a pro-Bulldog crowd in Seattle. GU is led by big man <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29773/robert-sacre" class="sbn-auto-link">Robert Sacre</a>, who could give the UA fits all game with his size and strength around the basket. A 7'0, 260 pound fifth-year senior, Sacre averages 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds on a nightly basis. Expect a double team to come more times than not when he catches the ball in the post.</p>
<p>Gonzaga's second leading scorer is freshman guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145404/kevin-pangos" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Pangos</a>, who drew comparisons to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/28248/jimmer-fredette" class="sbn-auto-link">Jimmer Fredette</a> after hitting nine 3-pointers in the second game of his career. Since breaking out for 33 points, Pangos has played well, although he has struggled with his shot in recent weeks. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145405/gary-bell" class="sbn-auto-link">Gary Bell</a> is another freshman guard who will see a lot of playing time, and he's averaging nearly nine points a game.</p>
<p>In what should be the matchup of the game with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100849/solomon-hill" class="sbn-auto-link">Solomon Hill</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100845/kevin-parrom" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Parrom</a>, junior forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/101222/elias-harris" class="sbn-auto-link">Elias Harris</a> does a bit of everything for the Bulldogs. The 6'7 wing scores the ball from all over the floor and leads the team with 8.4 rebounds-per-game. </p>
<p><b>Young guards galore: </b>Between Pangos, Bell, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/101220/david-stockton" class="sbn-auto-link">David Stockton</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145025/josiah-turner" class="sbn-auto-link">Josiah Turner</a>, Nick Johnson and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123166/jordin-mayes" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordin Mayes</a>, the Battle In Seattle will feature six underclassman guards that will see a lot of playing time. Each trio is capable of carrying their team offensively, and whichever side gets better production from their trio will likely come away with the victory.</p>
<p><b>TV Coverage: </b>CBS will air the game nationally, with tipoff coming at 1 p.m. in Seattle. That's 2 p.m. in Tucson and 4 p.m. on the east coast.</p>
<p><b>Projected Starters: </b>Jordin Mayes, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53333/kyle-fogg" class="sbn-auto-link">Kyle Fogg</a>, Nick Johnson, Solomon Hill, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123167/jesse-perry" class="sbn-auto-link">Jesse Perry</a></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-wildcats/2011/12/17/2641917/arizona-wildcats-basketball-gonzaga-bulldogs-battle-of-seattle-tv-scheduleScott Coleman