65 College Basketball Teams In 65 Days: Arizona Wildcats

This is a little something I like to call preview season, which by my watch starts on September 1. From that date until the start of the season we have 65 days. In those 65 days I’ll give a team preview each day. There’s going to be no rhyme or reason for the order we go in these 65 days. It will just be 65 teams I think are worthy of a detailed preview. We’ll have other previews throughout the time leading up to the season as well – conference breakdowns, player rankings, team rankings, etc. But, these will just be team previews. 

Arizona Wildcats

2017-18 Record: 27-8, 14-4 in Pac-12, 1st in Pac-12, lost to Buffalo in Round of 64
Top Returning Scorers: Dylan Smith (4.3), Brandon Rudolph (3.7), Ira Lee (2.4)
Notable Losses: Deandre Ayton (NBA), Allonzo Trier (NBA), Rawle Alkins (NBA), Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Dusan Ristic (graduation)
Newcomers: Ryan Luther (Pitt transfer), Chase Jeter (Duke transfer), Justin Coleman (Samford transfer), Devonaire Doutrive (4-star), Brandon Williams (4-star), Omar Theilemans (4-star), No. 22 recruiting class
Head Coach: Sean Miller, 10th season, 247-73

2018-19 Outlook

So, uh, last year was something, huh? I mean you had Book Richardson getting arrested, the reports about Sean Miller paying Deandre Ayton, Sean Miller being suspended for a game, Arizona starting to figure it out and then losing to Buffalo in the first round. It wasn’t exactly a banner year and this year is going to be weird for different reasons. Because of the FBI investigation and ESPN reports, Arizona lost a couple of key recruits – Jahvon Quinerly (now at Villanova) and Shareef O’Neal (now at UCLA).

Now, that said, Sean Miller did save the roster thanks to two grad transfers. Ryan Luther smartly left Pitt and followed Pitt native Sean Miller to Arizona. He’s bringing 12.7 ppg and 10.1 rpg to give Miller some strength in the frontcourt as he can pair him with Chase Jeter. That’s the same Chase Jeter who played at Duke and then sat out last season due to transfer rules. Right there is a front court that at least has high-major experience. Ultimately it comes down to what Chase Jeter do we get? Do we get the All-American from high school and guy with a ton of potential? Do we get the one that was inconsistent and couldn’t stay in the Duke rotation?

One of the downfalls to last year’s team was the lack of fit roster wise. Miller kept trying to play Ayton and Ristic together and it was a mess. That’s why they were so bad defensively and sort of jammed up offensively. This year you at least have the more traditional big in Jeter and a guy in Luther who can stretch the floor. We should see Arizona get back to its regular defensive scheme and just fit better this year, despite not as much talent.

The other reason Luther is going to be important here? Arizona was 302nd last year in 3PA/FGA. Obviously a lot of that had to do with playing through Ayton in the post. But, it also was just crowded as I mentioned with Ristic and Ayton there plus guys like Alkins and Trier who like to attack off the bounce. This year, that number should be much better, which is key in college basketball. You don’t have to launch threes, but you need to be at least average in getting attempts up.

Now, Arizona does have a ton of depth, especially on the wing. I do love that about the roster this year. It’s just a matter of who can take the jump. Brandon Randolph and Dylan Smith are probably going to start. Off the bench you have Ira Lee, Emmanuel Akot and Devonaire Doutrive (all between 6’5″ and 6’8″). Expect Miller to use all of these guys and being able to switch or aggressively hedge defensively. Look for Arizona to try and turn teams over more than usual this year and get easy buckets.

This is obviously a down-talent year for Sean Miller and Arizona. But, I do like the roster versatility they have and the depth. As I mentioned, they need to get a jump from someone like Randolph or Smith. Miller will also look at a freshman for point guard duties, which means expect some games of inconsistency. I don’t think they are winning the Pac-12, but I think they make the NCAA Tournament. It’s just going to be like a 9 seed instead of a 4 seed.