[JNixonParticipant]

19: Arizona Wildcats

Frontcourt- Derrick Willaims, the 2^nd pick in the 2011 draft, is a big loss of course. Not only on the team, but possibly the entire Pac-12 conference. He was probably the only player in the nation who could get you 20 points on 10 shots a night last year. His offensive talent will be missed, and he worked to make himself the player he developed into. Solomon Hill, a 6’6 240 Jr. PF will probably man Williams’ spot. Hill is a physical and strong guy who isn’t the talent Williams was on offense, but he can be productive on that end. Hill has some ability to stretch and hit jumpers, with range out to 22 feet, and he’s not afraid to get scrap points either. He does little things like setting screens correctly and boxing out well. He needs to work on his post game, and he’s also a mediocre rebounding and defensive presence, mostly because of his lack of height. Look for 12 ppg and 6 rpg from Hill next year. 6’7 220 Sr. Jesse Perry is a PF as well, and he played solid time as a JUCO transfer last year (19 mpg). The wiry tweener can play inside and out a little, and is solid and active athlete. He’s not a great one on one defender, but he does play with a good understanding of positioning. It wouldn’t hurt for him to step up his scoring and rebounding a little more, maybe like 8 ppg and 5 rpg. Also figuring to fight for rotation time will be Fr. Angelo Chol, a 6’8 225 PF with athleticism and a muscular frame, and 6’8 230 Fr. Sidiki Johnson, a physically impressive player for a newcomer. Chol, a southpaw, has a strong-hand jump hook but nothing else in his post arsenal, but he can block shots, rebound his area, and catch dump-offs and finish with power and explosion. He should look to show better defensive positioning, because he will be foul prone with his current approach to D (he hunts blocks). Johnson has a college-ready body already, but he’s still developing skills facing up and with his back to the rim. He’s a good athlete, who will likely factor some in transition, offensive rebounds, and on garbage plays when he plays. His body is ahead of his skills though. 7 foot Jr. Kyryl Natyazhko is a big body who gets time just by virtue of his how big he is (255 lbs). He’s not going to score (he does have a better touch than you’d think though) and he fouls like a mad man, but he gets back-end rotation minutes because the team can use his size. The wing will be held down by a combination of off-guard/SF Kevin Parrom, a 6’6 Jr. and fellow off-guard/SF 6’3 190 Fr. Nick Johnson (see guards). Parrom is a long guy who attacks the rim aggressively, and is a decent shooter. He shot a high % last year, but he’s more of a mid 30’s 3-point guy than the 41% he shot last year. Parrom is also a quality defender and rebounder from the wing who willingly competes, and he has the length to defend taller wings. There is no Derrick Williams in the group, but there are a lot of bodies with experience and youth. The Wildcats will continue to play strong team D, and they should be better on the glass.

Backcourt- MoMo Jones being gone to Iona is a little bit significant. He was the leading assist man and 2^nd leading scorer, stepped up when it matters for them most times, and was a good talent. He can be replaced, and he probably will be. The PG spot will likely be inherited by Fr. Josiah Turner, a smooth 6’3 guard who has the talent to be an immediate impact player for the team, and he will need to be. He is a physically impressive guard prospect, with a frame that will look NBA PG-esque sooner rather than later. Turner plays the game at a nice pace, and has mastered the art of the hesitation dribble. He also is a pretty good scorer and a promising playmaker for others too. He’s not an explosive athlete, but he doesn’t really need to be. He does need to improve as a shooter, where he’s pretty mediocre right now, and he’s not a natural PG either. He has crude mechanic shooting the ball, as he shoots with his elbows out and the ball in front of his face. Turner has talent, but he will need to develop on the fly as well. He’s a 2 or 3 year prospect I think. The depth for the PG spot will be Jordin Mayes, a 6’2 Soph. He’s got a nice jumper and he plays under control and smart. The wing spot will be held down by Sr. Kyle Fogg, and Fr. Nick Johnson. Fogg has a lot of experience, and will man the starting SG spot more than likely. He can shoot the deep ball, and make pull-ups too, while he also offers unselfish passing and can play PG in a pinch if he needs to. He’s not very strong though. Nick Johnson, a highly touted recruit, is a physically mature 6’3 195 wing with some bounce to him. He can finish around the rim and he’s smooth about it so he can take you by surprise with his leaping skills. More than a leaper though, Johnson can stick jumpers too and has 3-point range and is effective pulling up from mid-range. He’s not more than basic as a ball-handler, and his defense isn’t great at all. Some scouts say Johnson has limited upside as a player and in his physical profile, as he has a short wingspan and already plays a mature game and has a developed build. He should either start or play extended minutes as a 6^th man. Any additional SG depth will be provided by 6’5 210 Sr. Brandon Lavender and the swingman Parrom. Lavender, who has good size, in a perfect world be one of the teams designated shooter off the pine, but that’s been the hope for the last 3 years. He just isn’t consistent enough at all. There once again will be depth here, but the Fr. will be asked to contribute heavily with Jones and Williams gone and no other guys in the backcourt being the types to carry an offense.

Overall- Sean Miller has once again proven to be a great coach. Arizona made it to the Elite 8 last year, and they have a lot of players returning and some promising newcomers in the fold too. Josiah Turner is talented Fr., but he isn’t so good that he won’t have to go through rough stretches and learning curves. He will have to grow up throughout the year, and so will a lot of Arizona’s other guys. Derrick Williams was able to carry this team offensively a lot last year, and MoMo Jones also was a valuable contributor. They might not have the starpower like last year, but depth is key and they will have that. Look for Arizona to be a Sweet 16 squad.

 

[llperez]

they are a very deep team. Played about 10 guys everynight last year as well. I think Kyril Natyazhako will get a chance to start and really add some size to the team. Hes not a go to guy or a big time player, but he is no stiff either. He can play and take care of the pain t while the team gets out and runs and guns with a small lineup.

[llperez]

they are a very deep team. Played about 10 guys everynight last year as well. I think Kyril Natyazhako will get a chance to start and really add some size to the team. Hes not a go to guy or a big time player, but he is no stiff either. He can play and take care of the pain t while the team gets out and runs and guns with a small lineup.

[Anton123Participant]

 Do you see Jahii Carson getting any time next season?

[Anton123Participant]

 Do you see Jahii Carson getting any time next season?

[llperez]

jahii carson should be very good and start right away…for the arizona state sun devils

[llperez]

jahii carson should be very good and start right away…for the arizona state sun devils

[Anton123Participant]

 Well I guess i messed up on that one

[Anton123Participant]

 Well I guess i messed up on that one

[scoutguruParticipant]

I think Parrom will more likely be in the late 30’s in regard to his 3pt %. The thing with Parrom is he never forces the issue and takes smart shots. Although his shot attempts will go up next year, I don’t see his efficiency being curtailed a high degree. He just understands how to play; spacing, help defense, and even looks good running pick and roll at times as playmaker. Great pick up by Sean Miller getting him to follow him over to Zona after committing to him b4 when he was @ Xavier.

I usually don’t just simply judge guys based off highlights, but I was watching highlights of Josiah Turner around the time Momo transfered to get a feel of how he plays. The kid’s frame and movements, speed and athleticism on the court immediately sparked an Abdul Gaddy thought in my head. Thing is, as I read from various places, he seems to be more aggressive as a scorer, and less of pure playmaking pg in the mold of a Gaddy. Not saying he will or won’t struggle as much as Gaddy did as a frosh, but he’ll have to get used to this level of play, as all freshman do. Like you said, probably a 2-3 year guy, it seems like ppl know he can be a pro, but like a Ty Lawson, just needs to develop his game and continue to improve over time to get to that level.

[scoutguruParticipant]

I think Parrom will more likely be in the late 30’s in regard to his 3pt %. The thing with Parrom is he never forces the issue and takes smart shots. Although his shot attempts will go up next year, I don’t see his efficiency being curtailed a high degree. He just understands how to play; spacing, help defense, and even looks good running pick and roll at times as playmaker. Great pick up by Sean Miller getting him to follow him over to Zona after committing to him b4 when he was @ Xavier.

I usually don’t just simply judge guys based off highlights, but I was watching highlights of Josiah Turner around the time Momo transfered to get a feel of how he plays. The kid’s frame and movements, speed and athleticism on the court immediately sparked an Abdul Gaddy thought in my head. Thing is, as I read from various places, he seems to be more aggressive as a scorer, and less of pure playmaking pg in the mold of a Gaddy. Not saying he will or won’t struggle as much as Gaddy did as a frosh, but he’ll have to get used to this level of play, as all freshman do. Like you said, probably a 2-3 year guy, it seems like ppl know he can be a pro, but like a Ty Lawson, just needs to develop his game and continue to improve over time to get to that level.

[JNixonParticipant]

Josiah Turner reminds me ALOT of a former Arizona PG, Mustafa Shakur. They both have nice size as PG’s, and they can play SG too, both are solid athletes and both have talent scoring the ball but are only OK floor generals. I’ve seen him play early in his career and now, and he used to be a pass-1st PG at 1st with a broke jumper. He’s more confident looking for his shots off the dribble now, and really looks to score more than create. He can’t shoot very well, but he does attack the rim.

[JNixonParticipant]

Josiah Turner reminds me ALOT of a former Arizona PG, Mustafa Shakur. They both have nice size as PG’s, and they can play SG too, both are solid athletes and both have talent scoring the ball but are only OK floor generals. I’ve seen him play early in his career and now, and he used to be a pass-1st PG at 1st with a broke jumper. He’s more confident looking for his shots off the dribble now, and really looks to score more than create. He can’t shoot very well, but he does attack the rim.

[scoutguruParticipant]

Thx 4 the breakdown. I’ll be sure to watch ’em this season

[scoutguruParticipant]

Thx 4 the breakdown. I’ll be sure to watch ’em this season

[Da1potParticipant]

 They have  a really athletic team and have very good size for a college team….. I’m just not sure how skilled of a team they will have…..

[Da1potParticipant]

 They have  a really athletic team and have very good size for a college team….. I’m just not sure how skilled of a team they will have…..

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 I really hope Turner is better than Mustafa.  It wasn’t till his senior year that he really started to tap into his potential and never really lived up to the hype.  

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 I really hope Turner is better than Mustafa.  It wasn’t till his senior year that he really started to tap into his potential and never really lived up to the hype.  

[Author]

Posts