[llperez]

Arizona lost starting pf Brandon Ashley to an apparent broken foot injury in the first few minutes in a tough 2 point loss to cal last night. Ashley was averaging 12 pts 6 rebs and shooting 52% from the field and 38% from three where he was one of the better floor stretchers on the squad. Rondae hollis Jefferson will move into the starting lineup and aaron Gordon will be asked to do more, but this team only played 4 frontcourt guys all season and had little depth outside of those 4. Now the starting frontcourt cant possibly all play 40 minutes a night, so who gets the extra minutes now to give the starters a rest?

Zona was off to a great start this year. 21-0, out of conference wins over san diego st, duke and Michigan. Had a shot to finish the year either undefeated or maybe 1-2 losses. Now the question is how far will they fall off as a team? Can they remain top 10 caliber?

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

 Michigan State has dealt with constant injury issues through out the intire season and has remained in the top 10 until maybe now after the loss to Georgetown. It’s going to come down to good coaching, and contributions from guys that don’t usually play. If Arizona has been this good all year, I think they should be able to keep it together pretty well. 

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

 Michigan State has dealt with constant injury issues through out the intire season and has remained in the top 10 until maybe now after the loss to Georgetown. It’s going to come down to good coaching, and contributions from guys that don’t usually play. If Arizona has been this good all year, I think they should be able to keep it together pretty well. 

[ChewyParticipant]

 I love this Zona team. They get solid leadership and shooting from McConnell. Johnson is streaky, but explosive on the offensive end. If RHJ and Gordon were going to show growing pains it would have come at the beginning of conference play, so it looks like they both can be relied on for consistant production. Tarc is a great college center and can be good in the NBA.

Now to your post: Ashley was the game changer for me. He was the only front court player that provided outside shooting (RHJ,Gordon and Tarc are NOT shooters). Now teams can pack the lane and hope Nick Johnson has an off night and they become very beatable. I think they are still top 10, but it hurts a lot and I definetly have Cuse, Duke and KU over them now.

I love Ashley as an NBA prospect. His shooting and agressiveness this year really stood out to me. I think he should be a late (last 5 picks) 1st round or 2nd round player right now. As a Bulls fan, if you gave me the choice between Ashley and Erik Murphy with the same pick: I take Ashley 10/10.

[ChewyParticipant]

 I love this Zona team. They get solid leadership and shooting from McConnell. Johnson is streaky, but explosive on the offensive end. If RHJ and Gordon were going to show growing pains it would have come at the beginning of conference play, so it looks like they both can be relied on for consistant production. Tarc is a great college center and can be good in the NBA.

Now to your post: Ashley was the game changer for me. He was the only front court player that provided outside shooting (RHJ,Gordon and Tarc are NOT shooters). Now teams can pack the lane and hope Nick Johnson has an off night and they become very beatable. I think they are still top 10, but it hurts a lot and I definetly have Cuse, Duke and KU over them now.

I love Ashley as an NBA prospect. His shooting and agressiveness this year really stood out to me. I think he should be a late (last 5 picks) 1st round or 2nd round player right now. As a Bulls fan, if you gave me the choice between Ashley and Erik Murphy with the same pick: I take Ashley 10/10.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

It means they’ll have to play a little faster and won’t own the glass as they have. It really sucks because they could really use Grant Jarret or Angelo Chole right now.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

It means they’ll have to play a little faster and won’t own the glass as they have. It really sucks because they could really use Grant Jarret or Angelo Chole right now.

[TenSecondTomParticipant]

 All this means is that their NCAA Championship will be even more remarkable. I still think they are the most well-rounded, superbly coached team.

[TenSecondTomParticipant]

 All this means is that their NCAA Championship will be even more remarkable. I still think they are the most well-rounded, superbly coached team.

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

 Smh, Brandon is one of my fav players to watch. Humble and Hardworking kid. He was playing great, this is a huge loss for them. Brandon wasnt suppose to stay past his Soph year smh, now he has to come back. He worked his way into the lottery but I hope he gets well soon

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

 Smh, Brandon is one of my fav players to watch. Humble and Hardworking kid. He was playing great, this is a huge loss for them. Brandon wasnt suppose to stay past his Soph year smh, now he has to come back. He worked his way into the lottery but I hope he gets well soon

[Dale WorthingtonParticipant]

It’s a huge loss but they still have firepower at the point, on the wing, and in the post. Call me crazy but I think I would still peg them to win it all.

Otherwise, give me Michigan State. Regarding Michigan State, keep in mind that if Payne and Dawson don’t go down, they’re 21-1 and about to be ranked #2 behind The Cuse.

Also, Gary Harris’ shooting touch has come back (14/30 from 3 over his last 5 games; that’s 46.7%).

I really like this year’s Kansas team, too, but they have been too erratic at the point and they have turned the ball over too darn much.

Duke is becoming a major player as well with the emergence of Amile Jefferson down low.

Also, watch the KRAP out for Iowa! They have ridiculous depth, size, and shooting ability on the wing.

[Dale WorthingtonParticipant]

It’s a huge loss but they still have firepower at the point, on the wing, and in the post. Call me crazy but I think I would still peg them to win it all.

Otherwise, give me Michigan State. Regarding Michigan State, keep in mind that if Payne and Dawson don’t go down, they’re 21-1 and about to be ranked #2 behind The Cuse.

Also, Gary Harris’ shooting touch has come back (14/30 from 3 over his last 5 games; that’s 46.7%).

I really like this year’s Kansas team, too, but they have been too erratic at the point and they have turned the ball over too darn much.

Duke is becoming a major player as well with the emergence of Amile Jefferson down low.

Also, watch the KRAP out for Iowa! They have ridiculous depth, size, and shooting ability on the wing.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

From Arizona, kid from my school was being highly recruited by UA so a few of my old coaches went on trips down to their practices. They told me Ashley dogged it in practice everyday and would always just be going through the motions, never interested.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

From Arizona, kid from my school was being highly recruited by UA so a few of my old coaches went on trips down to their practices. They told me Ashley dogged it in practice everyday and would always just be going through the motions, never interested.

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