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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 16, 2006
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I can't express how happy I am when I look at the frontcourt situation next year. There are three starters in Jeff Withey, Jordan Hill and Jamelle Horne, that should all play at their natural spots. No more being on the short end of the mismatches. Withey at 6'11, Hill at 6'9" and Horne at 6'6" all provide great size for their respective positions. Even better, they don't sacrifice athleticism or speed at those positions. There is going to be great length which should really help rebounding and defense.
Off the bench probably comes Negedu, unless Olson sticks with the small lineup nonsense in spite of finally having personnel to do otherwise. Emmanuel Negedu should play the power forward spot most of the time he's on the floor. His energy will be a welcome addition off the bench. He should help with rebounding and can defend smaller, faster players. When he's in Hill or Withey will shift over to the center spot. Even if one of the starters get in foul trouble, there's a good chance Arizona's two post positions will be manned efficiently and won't absolutely take them out of games.
Zane Johnson can also give some time at the three backing up Horne. Fendi Onobun can probably fill some time at both the small and power forward spots, but I think the players listed above have a better chance at getting playing time. Onobun just hasn't developed very well. All in all, the frontcourt situation looks pretty good considering the players stay healthy and continue to improve.
The backcourt is a different story but at the same time they are bringing in Jennings -- the most offensively skilled high school point guard they have ever recruited -- to run the offense. Considering Arizona's roster, I'm also thinking it's good timing that the three-point line gets extended. More space means more navigating room for Jennings. It should help Arizona's halfcourt game. Hill, Withey and Horne all have decent range on their shots and can slash to the basket. Jennings will pile up a lot of assists with those guys around him. I'm thinking things aren't as bad as they seem lately.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 20, 2006
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AZCATSFAN: I totally agree with your assessment about the front court next year. The thing that worries me, however, isn't their frontcourt. It's their backcourt. Arizona lacks a true shooting guard. I'm sure that Johnson has a great shot, but without having the ability to create his own shot, it is a gaping hole in Arizona's offense. That is my only concern as of right now.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 16, 2006
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I'm really high on Brendon Lavender. From what I've seen, I have no clue why this kid isn't a top 50 recruit, much less top 100. Maybe he's struggled with consistency, but when a player shows the ability to do something he can usually do it again. What I've seen is good height and length for the position, a smooth shot and the ability to create off the dribble going left or right. The only fallback is that he doesn't appear extremely quick, but I still think he is a much better defensive option at shooting guard than any other player on the team, so my hope is that he starts in the backcourt along with Jennings. I think this would be the best rotation if Budinger doesn't return:
C Withey 6'11"
PF Hill 6'9"
SF Horne 6'6"
SG Lavender 6'4"
PG Jennings 6'1"
6. Wise 5'9"
7. Negedu 6'7"
8. Johnson 6'8"
Wise brings speed, energy, penetration, outside shooting and distribution to the backup point guard spot. His defensive impact is still up for debate. Negedu will add energy, defense, rebounding and toughness as a backup power forward. Johnson has the best outside shot on the team and can move back and forth from shooting guard and small forward. Onobun and Jacobson might see some time, but I don't think they'll be part of the normal rotation.
The way I see it is that Arizona is going to start four potential future NBA draft picks in its lineup. If Olson tries to get Wise on the court just because he is one of the top 5 players on the team I think they'll suffer. Who knows what will happen. I seem to be in the minority in wanting Wise coming off the bench, but I think it's for the best. Lavender won't be any worse than McClellan was post-injury, and if McClellan were filling that slot this season I think people might feel all right about the backcourt situation.
I really wish Budinger would just come back. After getting over the loss of Bayless that we all knew was coming yet still didn't like, my view of the team's situation changed. Even if Budinger doesn't return, the team should be in decent shape. At the least the frontcourt combined with Jennings should make this team worthy of at least a #5 or #6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The season should be better than any of the past three. Once the tournament comes around they could make some noise.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 28, 2007
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Zane isn't 6' 8"... he's a generous 6'5"....not trying to nit pick your post... I do agree with most of it...he deffinitelly has a sweet stroke...I like Lavender too... I think he's got great potential...Whitey needs a little work... that doesn't mean he won't start next year though... I like your thinking about Chase... Assume its a bonus if he comes back, but don't plan for it...
My only reservation is that I've been excited for the last 3 seasons and AZ has failed to deliver since the Stoudamire-Frye senior season (2005??).. No doubt the potential is there and with the Pac 10 probably not quite as strong as last year... a 5 or 6 seed is more than feasable...
I respect your opinion on Wise, while I probably rate him a little higher than you do...(we don't need to start debating this, lol) He was a great spark plug last season (and his imporvements were astronomical and I see him getting better with confidence (assuming he stays)....
it's probably to hard to predict the starting line-ups this early because so much can happen, but I like your post.. plus, it wouldn't be any fun for us not to speculate, right?...
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 16, 2006
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How I put 6'8" is beyond me. If he was 6'8" he'd be a heck of a player for us. He'd be playing small forward and killing teams with that jumpshot of his. But you're right about his height. That was just a typo on my part.
I've been disappointed as well in recent seasons, but I think there were major reasons for underperfprming then that aren't around any more. For the better part of Shakur's career I voiced my support in him, saying that he did things well as a point guard that people overlooked. However, his shot never developed. In fact it got worse. By the time his junior and senior seasons came around and he took over more of a leadership and scoring role teams knew how to defend him. Because he was a one-dimensional player, defenders played off of him, giving him room to shoot and only concerning themselves with stopping his penetration. That seriously limited the point guard's role in Olson's system. The point guard needs to be able to create his own show at all three levels, drawing the defense up and allowing him to take advantage of his speed by penetrating and kicking the ball out.
Last year under Olson would have been better. The roster was set up better for him to succeed. Although Shakur was a better defender than Wise in my opinion, Wise would have been a better point guard on the offensive end in Olson's system. Now that Jennings is there I think it will be even better. Although Wise is a better shooter than Shakur, he still allows the defense to play a little off him because he is so short. A player doesn't need to be as close to get his hands up high enough to distract or block a shot. Jennings has the same kind of speed and penetrating ability but is taller and longer. Defenders will have no choice but to guard him tightly and that should allow Jennings to get around defenders and hit players for open shots or dunks.
In addition to the point guard issue in those seasons where Olson's teams struggled, I think talent was just down. I'm still a bit surprised that Adams and Williams haven't found homes on a bench in the NBA, but those were the best players on the team for a couple of years there. The fact that they haven't found professional success, as well as Shakur and Radenovic, is a telling sign. The 2006 and 2007 teams just didn't have the talent that other schools had. I'm not sure that will be the case this season. Who knows, though.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 28, 2007
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ya, Jennings is slippery as heck with the ball...so quick and agile...
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 13, 2008
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Great assessment AZCATSFAN. I'll also hold out hope that Chase Budinger stays at Arizona, making the front court even stronger. His presence would also take some of the pressure off the shooting guard spot because of his ability to hit the jumper as well as drive to the basket. Of course that will depend on the feedback he gets from the pre-draft camps.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 19, 2006
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Couple of points ...
Jennings -- the most offensively skilled high school point guard they have ever recruited -- Are you actually serious? He may have the best stats in a whilebut have you seen him play?
I have seen 3 games, all on TV - I don't count the McDonalds crapola- He is devastating to rim, just out quicks guys, runs the break and finishes and shoots that rainbow three ... and thats about it. Against high school guys. Plus he plays for an allstar academy with 6 or 7 other D-1 guys on the roster, Now having said that, He's what 6' and a buck 75? Life in the Pac-10 is going to be way different, look at what Bayless went thru the 2nd half of the season getting the snot beat out of him and Bayless has a man's body. Jennings won't be able to slip to the 2 if Wise in the game unless Lute zones... which he will. Plus he's going to have to get used giving up the rock FIRST and then creating off the return. Don't get me wrong, he's the #1 this and that and he maybe the nexty Allan Iverson and all but slow down doggies.
Withey is a skilled big man who played 4A in SoC | |
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