Jan 23, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; The Arizona Wildcats student section waves a flag at the beginning of the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at McKale Center. Arizona won 69- 57. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Wildcats Basketball Season (2014-2015): As we say goodbye to our Wildcats on the court, we say hello to the NBA Draft and high school recruits.
This article is our first ZonaZealots roundtable discussion, I wanted to ask our writers their opinions on this last season and the upcoming season. The three ZonaZealots writers, Shereen Rayan, Miguel Gonzalez and myself have answered lingering questions on this season and the teams bright future ahead!
Let’s start with our starting five. This year 4 out of our 5 starters will be leaving to enter he NBA Draft. With three stellar high school recruits filling in the shoes, will they step up to the challenge? You be the judge!
Next: Then there was one
Mar 7, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23) , guard Gabe York (1) , guard T.J. McConnell (4) , center Kaleb Tarczewski (35) and forward Brandon Ashley (21) watch from the bench during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at McKale Center. Arizona won 91-69 to win the regular season Pac-12 championship. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
1. With the majority of the Wildcats starting five leaving for the draft, what expectations do you have about next season with these new high school additions?
Shereen:
These incoming freshman; Chance, Justin, Ray, and Allonzo are stars in their own right. They can do it all, and they can dunk! It’s going to be interesting seeing them come together as a team and putting their ego’s at the door. They all seem to know each other, played against or with each other at some point. They have a common goal, and they all are coming to Arizona to learn from Coach Miller and win a championship.
I feel Chance was under-utilized sometimes in High School as he towered over most of his team and was available for the ball most of the time. Any time he got the ball, it was an easy basket or a monster dunk. They will be competing against Kadeem and Ryan who have been chomping at the bit to get into a game and show us their skills as well. The question is who will rise to become the leader of this team? Right now I am seeing Gabe York as a possibility, he will be a senior and you saw glimpses of T.J. in him in the tournament.
Miguel:
I think we have a great incoming class of freshman. It is a toss-up really in most rankings between us and Kentucky, but I think that we have the group of kids that want to learn how to improve their game as a whole. They want to improve both as individuals and team players. Just looking at Stanley from this year imagine 4-5 other guys of his caliber spending at least one whole year together? Now that is a scary thought, especially when you add in the guys from this year that played and the couple that red-shirted.
Listened to a lot of the guys when they were preparing for the Ohio State game. They couldn’t stop raving about how good Kadeem and how a lot of them thought he was as good as anybody they had faced this year. I’m so excited to see what he can do on the court. Then you put Ryan Anderson on the court finally after a year learning behind 2 great players, on both sides of the ball in practice and that’s another huge advantage.
Finally adding the experience of Miller as their coach and Gabe learning from arguably the best point guard to touch an Arizona jersey, that’s going to be fun to see. Might be a big learning curve but think we turn some heads.
Ryan:
With four top 100 high school prospects, according to ESPN, plan on moving out to Wildcat Country. I think next season should be a good one. The Wildcats are ranked up there with Kentucky when it comes to recruiting for this upcoming season. Freshmen: Chance, Justin, Ray, and Allonzo as Shereen and Miguel already stated are individual stars on their own. But it will be interesting to see how Coach Miller will bring his troops together and try to make another run in the NCAA Tournament.
My expectations for next season will be optimistic. I truly believe that Coach Miller will get our boys into shape and ready for opening tip. There might be some growing pains since they are freshmen but I could see Allonzo stepping up to become our leader with some veterans to lead our youngsters to grind through tough games ahead. Should be another exciting season to remember!
Next: Shimmy Shimmy
@quackarazzi
2. On Tuesday Rondae Hollis Jefferson declared for the NBA Draft and Brandon Ashley followed Wednesday. According to Shereen’s recent article, Rondae is a projected late first round pick. What round will Ashley get picked? Will they improve once they make this jump to the NBA?
Shereen:
Brandon will convince teams of his preserving attitude and be pointing to the end of the Pac-12 season for highlights. Brandon started the season out hesitant post injury, but came back with vengeance towards the end of the season. I don’t always believe the projections. Remember Aaron Gordon went earlier than expected? I think teams are looking at who Brandon’s coach was in college and how he has been groomed.
Hopefully he goes earlier than any draft board is projecting, but probably in the second round. If he is left on the board, possibly Golden State will pick him up for their D-League team and he can work his way up from there. There is a number of Arizona Alum working for the team. Just like Aaron Craft (@acraft4) of the @DLeagueWarriors who has recently been named Defensive Player of the Year! Brandon too can rise above like this on a D-League team, just in case he doesn’t get drafted which I think he will.
Miguel:
I think Brandon lands somewhere in the 2nd round. Someone takes a chance and he develops into a good player. I believe Brandon at the end of the day is the better of the two because he can play both ways but has the offensive edge on RHJ going into the draft.
I think Rondae would have benefited most from one more year of college play. I don’t believe the NBA is the best place to work on your jump shot and i think that is where his downfall comes. His Defense is amazing and think he makes an impact on whatever team takes him. I think Miller has built both into good players, and both guys have great heart and determination that makes them great. I think they are all-star caliber but it won’t be easy and don’t think we see either in full effect until a couple of years.
Ryan:
As both of my colleagues have stated but Ashely will probably be selected in the 2nd round. Rondae will be taken in the first round. I absolutely agree with them. I believe he will produce with his stellar defense and rebounding on the next level. Ashely’s length and outside shooting ability, hopefully a team is willing to take in him and develop into a solid NBA player. Throughout this past season Brandon always reminded of an NBA Legend in Tim Duncan. I believe he could turn out hopefully very similar with their similar style of play and competitive drive. Hey, maybe the Spurs will pick him up and develop into another NBA Superstar!
Next: The Greek God of Thunder
Mar 26, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Xavier Musketeers forward James Farr (2) falls on top Arizona Wildcats center Kaleb Tarczewski (35) during the second half in the semifinals of the west regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
3. Zeus as our only starter returning, will Pitts, York and Jackson-Cartwright step up their game and make another run in the NCAA tournament? Win it all?
Shereen:
I think everyone will step up their game, and experience counts for a lot. Experience in college playing in front of huge crowds is a little different from playing in high school, it’s a bigger stage. Thus I would love to see Zeus step up and quietly lead the team with Gabe York becoming the floor general. Both of these guys are going to have lots of young competition, so it will probably be an organic process to see who rises to the top. My guess is PJC will be coming in from the bench as the spark plug who drives the basket and scores those crucial baskets sparking the team to pick up where he leaves off.
Miguel:
I think Gabe becomes the leader having learned from TJ. He can hit the big shot but i think this year he learned how to also set up someone else for the big shot and that will be a great thing. Like Shereen I want to see Zeus be a quiet leader and dominate down low, he showed glimpses of it in the late running, and i hope it only gets better. I think Pitts plays a similar role to this year as the guys that can spark off the bench but wont kill us when he is in the game. He is a good player but not sure he is our starter. PJC fills also a similar role compared to this year, He is another good player but size worries me. Both need to play a part if we want to get to our first Final 4. I think it takes a bit but we do make a run late.
Ryan:
I want to believe that our one of freshmen will become a leader for our squad next season but that will take away from our veterans. Gabe York will have a career shooting year as our leader and take command of our offense. Zeus, as a quiet and unsung leader, will lead by example as he continues to become a dominant center in the Pac-12. Pitts would take over York’s role as 6th man and hopefully he can start to drain his three’s as he was at the beginning of this past season. PJC I think will receive more playing time taking the ball our the floor as our starting PG.
Even though size might be an issue, I believe that PJC learned from T.J. and will continue to develop into a stellar point guard. We need all our players doing their part in order for us to make a run to the Final 4.
Next: West co represent
Feb 21, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Gabe York (1) celebrates after scoring against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at McKale Center. The Wildcats won 57-47. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
4. As we suffered a devastating defeat from Wisconsin in the Elite 8, the Wildcats lacked the talent to hit from downtown. Will Coach Miller go out and find a sharp shooter to boost our three-point shooting?
Shereen:
No one feels more devastated than Coach Sean Miller who I am sure felt horrible he and his team were outscored in the second half, plus he would have stood to make a hefty bonus if he made the final four. This was supposed to be his year and he took each game as they came and kept his cool the whole time it seemed, classy press conferences.
I think he has two sharp shooters already, he needs the current roster to practice three-pointers from now until the start of the season: York and Pitts. I mean Dekker didn’t get proficient over night, he is seasoned and practiced all four years.
Miguel:
I believe that if we play that game again there is no way that Wisc has a shooting night like that again. I think Wisc shot something like 50% in the final 3 games not including the last half of the title game. I believe the boys know that it just wasn’t our night. We played a good game but when someone scores 30 points from three’s what can you really do? I think York and Pitts do lead the team in 3’s, another year under their belt and I think they will reach Dekkers level. No need to look ft a three point shooter just yet.
Ryan:
The Wisconsin defeat still leaves a bitter taste in our mouths for the past two season. Coach Miller will plot a chance at getting back to the final four in the near future. Dekker did have a phenomenal night shooting from behind the arc which will probably not be replicated anytime soon.
Both York and Pitts could satisfy our three-point shooting but only so far. I would like to think that Coach Miller will emphasis and improve our overall three-point percentage. It was not like last season with Nick Johnson leading the way and making those clutch shots to win games. Our new recruits should solidify our shooting.
Next: T.J. was sad
Mar 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard T.J. McConnell (4) reacts following the 85-78 loss against Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the finals of the west regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
5. Look back at our three loses against UNLV, Oregon State and ASU. Did those games affected us in the tournament in a positive way? Could we have been the other undefeated team along with Kentucky entering March madness and why?
Shereen:
I think they did affect the team in a positive way. Stanley needed to be calmed down and refrain from hogging the ball to win games, but ended up calming Coach Miller at the end of the ASU game toward the end of the season. He clearly matured through the process.
Also, the team learned they didn’t like the feel of losing, and crowds storming the court, and they went on a winning streak all the way up until they lost to Wisconsin in the tournament.
Each game taught them new things:
1) Our centers will get called early for fouls from Pac-12 refs, so they need to back off.
2) People will be saying nasty things to you on the court and from the stands, you HAVE to ignore them.
3) Don’t lose your cool coach, if you do, then the team will follow
4) In any given game, anyone from the team can step up to spark the team (ie. York, Korcheck, Ristic.)
This helped them learn how to adjust and it seemed to work until Frank got away with fouling and flopping and Sam starting raining three’s all over the Wildcats. Nothing much you can do about that!
Miguel:
I believe that our season deserved a little more credit then it got. I mean 4 total losses all on the road or on a neutral court? Honestly if not for Kentucky I think we are a bigger deal. I think all 3 of those losses prepared us for the road to the tournament and was a great positive for the team. They had some huge wins on the way to that loss against Wisc and they played some demons on the way. That big win at Utah, Winning the Pac-12 Tournament, getting revenge and handling a good Ohio St team, and finally beating Millers old team and assistant in a great game.
Lets also not forget that the three losses came at vulnerable times of the season. I believe the UNLV game came right before Christmas break and the player’s mind on going home. That OSU game came at the end of a long road trip to the state of Oregon, think it was like a 7 day road trip or something like that. Finally ASU came after a 7 day layoff for ASU and they had time to prepare for us. Again happy that we were challenged and lost those games though because not only did it teach us how to compete, think it also eased some of the pressure of the season. Mean we all saw the pressure Kentucky was under.
Ryan:
The three loses at UNLV, Oregon State and ASU were very disappointing my eyes. Overall I did think that our squad did need to lose a game to set us straight. We were playing a little too overconfident in those games and that is why we let them slip away. It did not affect our season in a negative way per se, but helped us gain momentum and focus going into the PAC-12 tournament.
After those loses Coach Miller and the rest of the Cats seemed relaxed. Unlike Kentucky who was on edge the entire tournament until the Wisconsin defeat. It would have been tough continuing into the tournament as the second undefeated team. Nerves would have rattled us on those close games against UCLA and Xavier. Nevertheless I do not regret how this season eventually turned out.
Next: Stanimal
March 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) cuts down the net after the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference tournament against the Oregon Ducks at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Wildcats defeated the Ducks 80-52. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
6. Tell us the most memorable moment this past season. Why?
Shereen:
There are a couple for me:
1) Stanley calming down Coach Miller after a bad foul call, he literally hugged him! I knew right then Stanley had grown and matured, seeing a man mature right in front of your eyes is something amazing
2) York’s put back after missing the free throw in the Utah game in Utah. If every player played like that all the time, the put back points alone would win us more ballgames.
Miguel:
I have two also:
1) Yorks put back to finish off Utah was probably the biggest one for in-game memory. That was such a hard-fought game and a huge boost for him personally. I believe that shows the fight all of our players have at Arizona.
2) TJ kissing the A in the middle of McKale on senior night. Need I say more? Mean what a showing of love for everything U of A.
Ryan:
1.) My first game of our season against Gonzaga. It was a close game throughout but we were able to pull it out in the final minutes. Going through the phases our cardiac cats were giving to everyone in attendance.
2.) Rondae Hollis-Jefferson dunk against UCLA in the PAC-12 Semi-final game, were he shimmied down the court. Classic!
Next: College basketball awards
7. College basketball awards were this past week. Utah’s, Delon Wright, is also nominated for this award along with our own Wildcats Stanley Johnson and T.J. McConnell. What Wildcats will walk away with the award? Do you think more of our players deserve more?
Shereen:
Unfortunately this year, anyone voting has not resoundingly voted for our Wildcats. T.J. McConnell did not get Player of the Year, Coach Miller did not get Coach of the Year although Arizona only had two Pac-12 losses during the season, and I could go on and on.
Stanley Johnson didn’t win the Wooden Award, he actually was dropped out of the top 10, though he did make through to the top 15. What he did win was the Julius Erving Best Small Forward Award, it was so exciting for me as I watched the screen as his image popped up as the winner, YAY!
I was hoping that T.J. wins the Cousey award; he was is one of five players, but that award went to Utah’s Delon Wright.
It just seems that if you weren’t in the final four, then as a player your stock goes down, and you don’t get the award. But who knows, our players sure did earn any award they are given or are finalists for. Look at Frank, he got Player of the year after making the finals, don’t necessarily think he might have gotten this without being in the championship game.
Miguel:
SO on top of what Shereen already pointed out in her first response on this I have never been big on awards because at the end of the day we live on the west coast and I don’t believe a lot of the people who hold a vote watch very many of our games. I always listen to analyst and “college experts” on ESPN shows talking about how they have a hard enough time staying up to watch us play. So there for I can only think the voters probably don’t get to see all the great things our players are. I have never been big on who wins what awards because it’s not always a fair vote, and if you aren’t winning a title what is it all for?
That being said I was happy to see Stanley get nationally recognized. I also do believe that we had arguably the best point guard and coach if not just the league but in the nation. On top of that how does Rondae not win one defensive award nationally much less, the Pac-12 defensive player of the year?
Ryan:
With only three of our Wildcats being nominated for any kind of awards, I do find it hard to believe the none of them walked away with anything. To agree with what Miguel stated everyone else on the East Coast is asleep when we play ball. Those voters do not get the opportunity to see our true talent and excellent coaching. It is unfortunate but pushes our players and coaches to do better. I am happy Stanley Johnson was recognized but hope voters will tune into our games in the future. Our players deserve some of these awards.
Next: Coach Miller
Mar 7, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller signals to his players during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
8. Coach Miller recently has been a ton of heat from Alumni after Wisconsin beat us down. He told those fair weathered fans to root for Arizona State, if you are not on behind us. The Alumni are pressing Coach Miller to win. Are they in the right for criticizing him about this past season and is his job in jeopardy?
Shereen:
They are absolutely wrong! Each season his team does better and better as I outline in the article Arizona Wildcats Basketball: Sean Miller’s Best Season Yet! Fans are totally unrealistic sometimes; they forget that these are 19-23 year olds, not grown men in the NBA. I think fans have lost their senses and are wrapping up all their own feelings of success into the Arizona Wildcats basketball team. Its their religion, they live for it, and they forget these coaches and players are human beings, not video game avatars.
They also forget that we were one of the top eight schools in the country last year and under 10 points away from being one of the top four.
Miguel:
I couldn’t agree more with Shereen more!! I understand the frustration but to say anything negative and think that coaching is the problem is so far off. I mean really? We were 3pt from it being 3 straight elite 8’s, and a total 8pts I think from 2 Final 4s in 4 years. I mean really come on lets not blame coaching and maybe realize the other team just had a better day or were the ones holding the ball for the last shot. I don’t believe coaching is anywhere to blame! especially when you think about Miller brought back to life a program that needed him at the biggest time. I cant wait to see not when but how many banners he can hang next to the Final 4 and National championship banner. I don’t believe Miller is anywhere in jeopardy and he will be here for a long which still.
Ryan:
When this news broke I was very upset that anyone would criticize Coach Miller for how this season turned out. Yes, the alumni want us to win as soon as possible but it is not like our coach is to blame. He has been nothing but spectacular with only a few hiccups. We just faced better teams in the end, plan and simple. His job in not in jeopardy anytime soon but with a few more outs from the NCCA Tournament, alumni might groan for a change.
Next: New engery
Mar 26, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats mascot celebrates the 68-60 victory against Xavier Musketeers following the second half in the semifinals of the west regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
9. Allonzo Tier, recently committed to Arizona next year. In the McDonald’s All American game he lead the West team with 17 points in a 111-91 loss. Will he bring this new energy to the Wildcats and become our leader for next year?
Shereen:
Allonzo is all Arizona, he is so excited to come to Arizona, and he wants to bring his friends to the school as well! He is already playing at a college level. It will be interesting to see how he plays against college players. He has no fear on the court, and I don’t know if he will be the leader or not, but he certainly will fuel everyone on the team to be the best they can be.
Miguel:
Again I agree with Shereen, I think this guy sets the bar for recruiting in Arizona. Nothing against Stanley but I don’t remember him being as enthusiastic or pitching Arizona like this. I think Allonzo’s skills speak for themselves, but now to have a TJ kinda kid that loves and respects where he is coming to play, that is a scary combo and I cant wait to see how good he and this team can be.
Ryan:
I was interested to see our highly regarded recruit in this All-American game. He was playing at another level. Even though his team lost the game he put on a show, showing Tucson what to expect next season. Allonzo’s energy will give us a jolt that we need along with our other three recruits. Cannot wait for next season!
Next: Pac-12 Champs repeat
Feb 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) and the Arizona bench react late during the second half against the Utah Utes at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Arizona won 63-57. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
10. The Pac-12, known as the conference of champions, will become ultra competitive for the top spot in the conference. Will the 2015-2016 regular season end with another Pac-12 championship? Who will be our biggest threat next season? (Utah, UCLA or ASU)
Shereen:
Utah, UCLA and Oregon; I think their coaches will attract great talent now that they made the tournament. Oregon is losing one key player, the Pac-12 player of the year, and UCLA already just lost Kevon Looney to the NBA draft, but haven’t heard they have lost many more. UCLA was a young team last year, so they will be even better this year.
Miguel:
Utah, UCLA are probably the biggest threats this year. Oregon loses their floor leader and I don’t know if they have the talent coming in to replace that kind of player. ASU is not going to be a big threat with the hiring of a new coach and not really competing much this year cant see them being a real threat. That being said I think we still win the regular season title, Tournament I think we are in the final but it’s so hard to beat teams twice much less 3-times if it’s a team we have already faced twice in the year before the tournament.
Ryan:
Those three team will be our biggest challenges next year. But lets not forget not to underestimate the PAC-12 as a whole. We have a strong conference that everyone seems to underrate. I believe that we will defend our PAC-12 Championship but with three young freshmen navigating through the tournament will be a voyage.
Here is an ArizonaWildcats.com season highlights video with Brian Jeffries:
Next: What's next for the seasons Arizona Wildcat Basketball team?