#2 Arizona Wildcats Tip Off This Weekend
By Gabe Encinas
It’s an exciting time in Tucson, as Friday marks the Arizona Wildcats first basketball game of the season. Gone are the two leading scorers for Arizona in Nick Johnson and Aaron Gordon, who are both doing their thing in the NBA. But back are some of the most experienced players in the country and in come some of the most dynamic freshman in Stanley Johnson, Craig Victor, Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Dusan Ristic.
Starting off the season ranked #2 in the country makes this a National Championship-or-bust kind of season. Many believe that if Brandon Ashley didn’t get hurt after starting the season 21-0 last season, Arizona would have been crowned National Champions. And now, this city wants nothing more than a second national championship banner in McKale.
TJ McConnell will run the offense once again as the lone senior on the roster. Gabe York seems to be Sean Miller’s guy at the two guard, despite the hype behind Stanley Johnson. Either Miller thinks very highly of Gabe York, who has really developed on both sides of the ball, or he wants to send a message to Stanley Johnson, making him earn his starting role. Tucson’s favorite, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson returns for his sophomore season as many speculated he would declare for the NBA Draft after last season. His high motor on defense and relentless on offense will surely be the difference in many games this season, count on it. Brandon Ashley is finally 100% healthy after fracturing his foot last season and he’s ready for redemption. After making such great strides, Ashley might be Arizona Wildcats most complete player. Kaleb Tarczewski also returns for his junior campaign and looks to improve once again. After leading the Pac-12 in field goal % last season, Tarczewski should be one of the most dominant big men in the country.
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With the projected lineup full of experience, next come the freshmen. Stanley Johnson is expected to be a one-and-done lottery pick in this years NBA Draft and for good reason. His athleticism allows him to be a force on both sides of the ball, which should eventually get him into the starting lineup come Pac-12 play. Stanley is impressive, there’s no denying that, but it’s Dusan Ristic who seems to be the most pleasant surprise. Coming in at 7-0 245lbs, Ristic shows great offensive rhythm in the post. Before it seemed as if he was just good depth should Tarczewski get into foul trouble, but now it’s likely that he will be very involved in the success of this team. Now coming in at 5-9 160lbs, is Parker Jackson-Cartwright. Great quickness, pesky defense and superb vision will give no team a break when he’s in for TJ McConnell. And then there’s Craig Victor, 6-9 power forward who is fairly balanced and should develop nicely throughout the season.
The Arizona Wildcats also bring in KaDeem Allen, the #1 JUCO prospect who led the NJCAA in scoring last season. Once thought of as the guy who will have the ball in his hands in the final seconds, Allen is likely to redshirt. Having Allen would have been nice off the bench, but Sean Miller knows what he’s doing and there shouldn’t be a rush to get him going. With Elliot Pitts returning after playing a good amount of minutes in the tourney, it makes sense to give KaDeem Allen one more year with the program, especially if Miller only plans to go about 8-9 deep.
It all starts on Friday against Mount Saint Mary’s and the Cats are back at it on Sunday as they take on Cal State Northridge. So sleep tight, Wildcats. We’re almost there.