Arizona has Terrific 2015 Campaign
After advancing to the elite eight, the Arizona Wildcats’ men’s basketball season came to an end with a loss to the Wisconsin Badgers, 85-78.
Their season record finished with a 34-4 mark which was their best season under coach Sean Miller.
Stanley Johnson was the team’s MVP this season, in my opinion, scoring 13.8 points a game and averaging 6.5 rebounds. He has been one of the best freshman, if not players, to come out of Arizona’s basketball program. He will be an All-American whether it is first, second, or third team as well as being voted a top freshman. If Johnson declares for the draft, look for him to be taken in the top five.
TJ McConnell had an outstanding senior season to wrap up his days in Tucson. He averaged 10.4 points a game as well as 6.3 assists. He had a huge tournament with his biggest game being against Xavier in the sweet sixteen.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson most likely wrapped up his days at Arizona with 11.2 points a game as well as 6.8 rebounds.
Kaleb Tarczewski has one more year of eligibility but could sneak into the second round of this years draft.
Gabe York came into this season looking for a starting sot but just could not beat out McConnell. He helped the Wildcats tremendously off the bench being their 6th man averaging 9.2 points a game.
The Wildcats also went 16-2 in Pac-12 play, also their best being under Miller. Although after this season they will lose McConnell and most likely Johnson and Hollis-Jefferson, they will be strong again next season.
With Miller being the recruiting guru, they have landed 2 five-star recruits and 2 four-star recruits for the 2015 class. Five star recruits include Allonzo Trier and Ray Smith.
Trier is a 6’4 shooting guard from Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Maryland and was selected to the McDonald’s All-American game in Chicago on the April 1. He is the 15th best recruit according to 24/7 Sports.
Ray Smith is a 6’7 small forward from Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Their four star recruits include Justin Simon and Chance Comanche. Simon is a 6’4 point guard out of Brewster Academy in New Hampshire and Comanche is a 6’9 center from Los Angeles.
Five star recruit Ivan Rabb also has declared Arizona and Cal as his top two choices as he will choose sometime in April.
Next season Arizona will be as strong as ever with their new freshman and returners such as Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Elliot Pitts and York. Look for another top-10 poll to start the season as well as another deep tournament run.