SB Nation Arizona - Arizona basketball 2012-13: Wildcats enter upcoming season with high expectationshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2012-10-26T18:27:48-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32442592012-10-26T18:27:48-07:002012-10-26T18:27:48-07:00Solomon Hill, Grant Jerrett shining in practices
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<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Two players have emerged for the Wildcats as they continue preparing for the regular season.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Wildcats</a> are now two weeks into practice and have their first exhibition game of the season next Wednesday. As coach Sean Miller continues to evaluate his very deep and talented roster, two players have really begun to emerge: <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/177169/grant-jerrett" class="sbn-auto-link">Grant Jerrett</a>.</p>
<p>Hill, who some are picking to win Conference Player of the Year, has started a majority of his games with the Wildcats. After bulking up to play the four last season, he has worked diligently in the offseason to trim down as he transitions back to his customary wing spot.</p>
<p>Here is the latest from UA's head coach, courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="http://azstarnet.com/sports/blogs/pascoe/article_caa5fe1c-1fc1-11e2-8929-001a4bcf887a.html#.UIsbLQdmWJs.twitter">Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star</a>.</p>
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<p>"Watching Solomon now, he's focused, he's better, he's ready, he's hungry to leave a winner and words can only do so much. It's actions that are more powerful. How Solomon has approached every drill, every day is really inspiring for our team. I'm proud of the way he's established his attitude early on."</p>
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<p>Jerrett, a five-star freshmen, displayed a great inside-outside touch at the Red-Blue Game and led both teams with nine rebounds. Miller also paid Jerrett a serious compliment with a Derrick Williams comparison.</p>
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<p>"Grant, his greatest gift, and he reminds me of Derrick Williams (in this), is that he has no external expectations," Miller said. "When we talk to him you never have to remind him that he's still in college, that this is his role, to preach `team' because you worry about him thinking about other things."</p>
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<p>As for who will likely start Wednesday's preseason game with Humboldt State, it seems likely that Hill and Jerrett start. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52527/mark-lyons" class="sbn-auto-link">Mark Lyons</a> and Nick Johnson will also likely start given their experience. That leaves one spot in the paint, likely for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/177165/brandon-ashley" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandon Ashley</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145027/angelo-chol" class="sbn-auto-link">Angelo Chol</a> or <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/177171/kaleb-tarczewski" class="sbn-auto-link">Kaleb Tarczewski</a>.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-ncaab/2012/10/26/3561442/arizona-wildcats-basketball-solomon-hill-grant-jerrettScott Coleman2012-10-21T17:52:31-07:002012-10-21T17:52:31-07:00Wildcats shine in Red-Blue Game
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats">Arizona Wildcats</a> played their annual Red-Blue Game in front of a capacity crowd at the McKale Center on Sunday afternoon. With the team ranked No. 11 to begin the season, all eyes would be on the 'Cats as the fan base got to see their team in action for the first time in the 2012-13 season. Let's take a look at what stood out most.</p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52527/mark-lyons">Mark Lyons</a> is the real deal. For a guy no one expected to be at Arizona this time six months ago, he might just end up being the best player on the court each night. Lyons is incredibly quick and did a nice job setting up his teammates all game long.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Of all the freshmen, Grant Jerrett was the most impressive. He displayed his ability to stretch the floor while hitting multiple shots from outside of the paint, and was attacking the rim on both ends. He also led both teams with eight rebounds and displayed soft hands when on the receiving end of a couple fast break passes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Kaleb Tarczewski is a horse. For a team that had no size last season, 'Zeus' will command a ton of attention in the paint. He remains a work in progress as he continues adjusting to the added muscle he put on during the offseason, but the potential is there. It was also impressive how well the guards fed him the ball around the basket.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100845/kevin-parrom">Kevin Parrom</a> looked healthy and backed up the reports of his jumper being the best on the team. Regardless of whether he starts or is the sixth man off the bench, Parrom might just be the key to how far this team goes this season.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Other than Lyons, Nick Johnson was the most impressive player on the offensive end of the court. He led both teams with 17 shot attempts, making eight of them. He was 4-for-8 behind the arc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Gabe York might not see a ton of playing time in his freshman year, but he could be a huge asset off the bench as an instant-scoring threat with his 3-point shot and gaudy athleticism. York also won the dunk contest.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">It's scary to think how good this team can be. When watching on Sunday, there really wasn't an area where I saw a real weakness. The defense will need to improve a bit, but that's the case at this point every year. It's going to be a fun season in Tucson.</span></li>
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<p>For more UA news and analysis, follow me on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottColeman_UA" target="_blank">@ScottColeman_UA</a></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-ncaab/2012/10/21/3536236/arizona-red-blue-game-2012Scott Coleman2012-10-18T15:18:01-07:002012-10-18T15:18:01-07:00Red-Blue Game to be streamed online
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<p>The Wildcats will stream this year's Red-Blue Game online for those unable to attend the exhibition scrimmage.</p> <p>The University of Arizona said on Wednesday morning that its annual Red-Blue Game is sold out for the second consecutive year. For those unable to attend, the Wildcats have announced the game and all the festivities will be streamed online. Everything is set to begin at 2 p.m. PT on Sunday, Oct. 22.</p>
<p>You can find the<a target="_blank" href="http://t.co/GCYLClu1"> live stream here</a>, courtesy of the Pac-12 Network. Athletic Director Greg Byrne first announced the news on his <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Greg_Byrne/status/259052166029922304">Twitter</a>.</p>
<p>As for this year's Red-Blue Game, Arizona will honor the 1988 Final Four team. Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr, Lute Olson and many others from the team will be at the McKale Center as UA reflects on its run 25 years later. <span>Channing Frye</span> is also expected to return as he battles a heart condition that will keep him from playing in 2012.</p>
<p>This year's team will participate in a dunk contest, as well as a full scrimmage that typically runs 20-30 minutes. For a team that begins the year ranked No. 11 in the USA Today Poll, all eyes will be on the 'Cats this weekend.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-ncaab/2012/10/18/3523296/red-blue-game-2012-online-stream-arizona-wildcatsScott Coleman2012-10-17T10:02:15-07:002012-10-17T10:02:15-07:00Wildcats basketball starts year at No. 11
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<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>The Arizona Wildcats are back at the top of the college basketball world to begin the year.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats">Arizona Wildcats</a> are ranked No. 11 in the USA Today Top 25 to start the 2012-13 season. The Wildcats are the highest ranked Pac-12 team.</p>
<p>Arizona finished with a 23-12 record and 12 conference wins last season, but it wasn't enough to make the NCAA tournament in a down year for the league. The Wildcats return plenty of talent from that squad, including senior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100849/solomon-hill">Solomon Hill</a> and sophomore Nick Johnson. Their non-conference schedule will being at Nov. 11 against Charleston Southern in Tuscon.</p>
<p>UCLA is the only other Pac-12 team in the poll, and they are ranked at No. 13. The Bruins also missed the NCAA tournament despite a 11-7 league record.</p>
<p>The Pac-12's two most storied programs look to battle for the conference title this year. They meet twice, with the first game coming on Jan. 24.</p>
<p>Keeping with the theme of historically dominant programs returning to prominence, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/indiana-hoosiers">Indiana Hoosiers</a> will open the year at No. 1. Rival programs Louisville and Kentucky are at Nos. 2 and 3, while Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Michigan round out the top five.</p>
<p><b>Full top 25 rankings:</b></p>
<p>1 Indiana</p>
<p>2 Louisville</p>
<p>3 Kentucky</p>
<p>4 Ohio State</p>
<p>5 Michigan</p>
<p>6 North Carolina State</p>
<p>7 Kansas</p>
<p>8 Duke</p>
<p>9 Syracuse</p>
<p>10 Florida</p>
<p>11 Arizona</p>
<p>12 North Carolina</p>
<p>13 UCLA</p>
<p>14 Michigan State</p>
<p>15 Creighton</p>
<p>16 Memphis</p>
<p>17 Missouri</p>
<p>18 Baylor</p>
<p>19 UNLV</p>
<p>20 San Diego State</p>
<p>21 Wisconsin</p>
<p>22 Gonzaga</p>
<p>23 Notre Dame</p>
<p>24 (tie) Florida State</p>
<p>24 (tie) Texas</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-ncaab/2012/10/17/3516998/college-basketball-rankings-arizona-top-25-usa-today-coaches-pollCraig Powers2012-10-12T12:54:35-07:002012-10-12T12:54:35-07:00Arizona basketball is finally back!
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<p>Following a disappointing season in 2011, the Wildcats return this year with the highest expectations the program has seen in years.</p> <p>Someone asked me the other day, "When was the last time national experts were picking Arizona to make the Final Four in the preseason?"</p>
<p>I sat there for a couple minutes and finally came to this conclusion: it has been way too long.</p>
<p>As basketball practice officially begins on Friday evening in Tucson, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats">Arizona Wildcats</a> will take the floor with a ton of hype and lofty expectations. Talk of a national championship has surfaced and we're still a couple of weeks away from the regular season opener. And while no UA player expects anything to be given to them this season, even they can't help but get excited.</p>
<p>The University of Arizona is a basketball school. Yes, the football team has the full support of the athletic department and the fans, but hoops will forever be king in town. Our season is right around the corner, and it could be one of the best in school history.</p>
<p>It's time to get excited. Basketball is officially back.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/desert-dirt-commentary/2012/10/12/3494874/arizona-wildcats-basketball-2012-sean-millerScott Coleman2012-10-11T06:01:38-07:002012-10-11T06:01:38-07:00Seasoned UA players ready to meet big expectations
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<p>Some have felt Arizona is not ready for the publicity that comes with a high ranking at the beginning of the year. The players could not disagree more.</p> <p>As the upcoming college basketball season nears, many national pundits have the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats">Arizona Wildcats</a> ranked in the top 10. Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports picked UA to win the Pac-12 and reach the Final Four. Doug Gottlieb picked the Cats to win the national championship.</p>
<p>Yes, <i>the</i> national championship.</p>
<p>With such high expectations, many wonder if this team is not mentally prepared for the side effects. After all, this is the same program that was ranked in the top-20 polls last season just to fall flat on their faces before exiting to Bucknell in the first round of the NIT.</p>
<p>Nick Johnson was a member of last season's team that fell short. Johnson says he learned a lot in his freshman campaign, and that the experts liking Arizona doesn't bother him.</p>
<p>"You welcome it, but you also can't give into the hype," said Johnson. "You have to put in the work and everything will take care of itself."</p>
<p>While hindsight is 20-20, there were plenty of glaring weaknesses with last year's team that are simply not present with this year's squad.</p>
<p>A lack of size? Sean Miller went out and added three five-star freshmen to control the paint.</p>
<p>A lack of a proven point guard? <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52527/mark-lyons">Mark Lyons</a> has started 66 games in the last three years.</p>
<p>Depth? Look for the Cats to go 10-deep during non-conference play to begin the season.</p>
<p>The pieces are all in place for a memorable campaign in Tucson. And while some fans may not be fond of the high ranking to begin the year, the players couldn't be more welcoming to the added pressure each time they take the floor.</p>
<p>"It's great," Lyons said of the preseason expectations. "But weren't not <i>that </i>good. We've got to get better every day and honor the process."</p>
<p>It's safe to say everyone learned their lesson in Tucson last year. Get excited about the team, but don't let perception become reality. Given the amount of veteran leadership and talent on the roster, it's tough to imagine coach Miller allowing his team to fall into the same reckless patterns they were in a season ago.</p>
<p>With hard work, a commitment to improving every day and even a little bit of luck along the way, perhaps these Wildcats can live up to their lofty expectations come next March.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-ncaab/2012/10/11/3487542/college-basketball-rankings-arizona-wildcatsScott Coleman2012-10-10T19:34:29-07:002012-10-10T19:34:29-07:00Korcheck ready to contribute for hometown Wildcats
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<p>Matt Korcheck, who transferred in from a junior college this summer, is the only player from Tucson on Arizona's roster.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arizona-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Wildcats</a> have been fortunate enough to build their program the last few decades without the aid of local Tucson products. Sean Elliott is a native Tucsonan and is arguably the greatest player in UA history, but other than him, it's been few-and-far-between in terms of Tucson kids to take the McKale Center floor.</p>
<p>Matt Korcheck, who played his high school ball at Sabino High, spent the last two years at Cochise Junior College. As he began weighing his options for the next portion of his basketball career, UA was always in the back of his mind.</p>
<p>"I had quite a few other schools I could have chosen from, but I always knew deep down that if Arizona came calling then that would be the place," said Korcheck.</p>
<p>"Growing up here, it's a dream come true."</p>
<p>Korcheck, who is redshirting this season, is still making a big impact in practices. At 6'10 and 225 pounds, coach Miller has been thrilled with the way he has battled in the paint with sophomore <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145027/angelo-chol" class="sbn-auto-link">Angelo Chol</a>, as well as incoming freshmen Brandon Ashley, Grant Jerrett and Kaleb Tarczewski.</p>
<p>"Matt is as hard of a working kid as I've been around. He's physically tough because he's older," said Miller at Arizona's Media Day. "And with Brandon, Grant, Kaleb and Angelo, they benefit a great deal by being able to practice with and against him everyday."</p>
<p>As Korcheck continues to get accustomed to the daily routine at Arizona, he is willing to do whatever it takes to better the program. That means working hard in the weight room, being a good teammate on and off the floor, and preparing for a big role next season.</p>
<p>"I guess what I would want to accomplish is help the team as much as possible. Practice against them in my redshirt year and hopefully contribute the next two years after that."</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-ncaab/2012/10/10/3486686/arizona-wildcats-basketball-media-dayScott Coleman2012-10-10T17:55:37-07:002012-10-10T17:55:37-07:00Wildcats star freshmen reflect on UA commitments
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<figcaption>Jeff Gross - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Brandon Ashley, Grant Jerrett, Kaleb Tarczewski and Gabe York, who make up the most-touted freshman class in school history, discuss why they decided to become Wildcats.</p> <p>Recruiting is the name of the game in college basketball. If a coaching staff is unable to lure the nation's best talent to campus, it's awfully tough for that program to achieve success when the calendar flips to March every year.</p>
<p>Sean Miller gets it. And through his tireless efforts on the recruiting trail, he has secured the highest-ranked freshman class in school history.</p>
<p>Take a look at 6'8 forward Brandon Ashley. A native of the Bay Area, he had offers to just about every program on the west coast. John Calipari and the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kentucky-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Kentucky Wildcats</a> even came calling in the weeks before he made his final decision. In the end, though, Ashley felt like UA just presented the right package.</p>
<p>"When a player chooses a college, he wants somewhere where he feels comfortable, where he has a relationship with the coaches and with the players," said Ashley, who was picked by one national pundit as the Freshman of the Year earlier in the week.</p>
<p>"Arizona was the perfect fit for me."</p>
<p>Grant Jerrett was the first player to commit to UA's 2012 class. A 6'10 forward capable of banging in the paint and also stepping out to shoot behind the arc, Jerrett's commitment back in November of 2010 was a huge building block for the Wildcats' recruiting efforts.</p>
<p>All players begin their college careers with hope of one day playing professionally. At Arizona, a player has access to the Richard Jefferson Gymnasium, an NBA-caliber weight room and one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the nation with Chris Rounds. For Jerrett, who has added 27 pounds since arriving on campus in June, these facilities and amenities were some of the main reasons why he wanted to become a Wildcat.</p>
<p>"Definitely. They played a huge role on why I decided to come here," Jerrett said of UA's facilities. "And not just that, but the fans, the coaching staff and the future teammates I would be playing with."</p>
<p>For guard Gabe York, who has played both the point and off-guard position in recent years, it was his belief in coach Miller to transform his game and make him the best player possible that helped him decide on UA. Making the jump the high school ball to the Division-I level is arguably the biggest adjustment a player will have to make in his entire career.</p>
<p>"I'm trying to make the transition from playing the two to the one, and knowing that Sean Miller played the point guard position in college at Pitt made me think he was going to help me more than anyone."</p>
<p>And then examine the situation Kaleb Tarczewski was facing as the top-ranked center in America. The final player to commit to Arizona this past year, everyone felt like he was a lock for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kansas-jayhawks" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas Jayhawks</a>. It would be coach Miller's toughest challenge yet to secure the seven-foot, 255-pound behemoth.</p>
<p>Many schools tried to lure Tarczewski to town. Whether it be with the promise of a starting spot or the loudest fans around, he heard it all. And while the first-rate facilities and a program's history were nice bonuses, nothing could top coach Miller's ability to be personable and never ask him to make a decision he wasn't comfortable making.</p>
<p>"He's probably one of the best," said Tarczewski, reflecting on how well the head coach sold the University of Arizona.</p>
<p>"With coach Miller, it almost feels like he's part of your family. That's really why I chose to come here."</p>
<p>--</p>
<p>Follow me on Twitter: <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ScottColeman_UA">@ScottColeman_UA</a></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-ncaab/2012/10/10/3486114/arizona-wildcats-basketball-media-day-predictions-rankings-sean-millerScott Coleman