Top 5 Questions Heading Into the 2015 Basketball Season
4. Who will take over as Floor General for T.J. McConnell?
Mar 29, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller (right) high-fives guard Gabe York (1) against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half in the finals of the west regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
It was a huge loss in most fans opinions when we witnessed our Senior Point Guard T.J. McConnell kiss the court goodbye during the last game of the season at McKale, power his team through Xavier to reach the Elite Eight, and continue the streak of wins at home.
But who will fill his giant shoes this season? Here are some options:
Last Years Point Guards off the bench:
- Gabe York (senior)
- Elliott Pitts (junior)
- Parker Jackson-Cartwright (sophomore)
New this year:
- Kadeem Allen (junior)
- Justin Simon (freshman)
- Allonzo Trier (freshman)
Gabe York is playing this summer in the Nike Real Run college and high school summer league to hone in on his skills. Tonight he’s playing against future UCLA and USC players and the game is close from what I am seeing on Twitter. Sounds like he’s representing Arizona well.
Gabe York with a top of the key 3, followed by an acrobatic layup. Magic Boyz within 6, 29-23.
— Devin Ugland (@Devin_Ugland) July 2, 2015
GAME OF THE WEEK: #1 Magic Boyz (5-0) vs #2 ShootersRev (4-1) tonight @ 7pm #NikeRealRun pic.twitter.com/azV5Q0w22h
— DeAnthony Langston (@realrun) July 1, 2015
I think the starting position for Point Guard is Gabe Yorks to lose. He has the experience, he played better last season, had a key play (rebounded his own missed free-throw and put it back for two points), knocking out the Utah Utes from a chance at the Pac-12 Title. Who could forget?
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Parker Jackson-Cartwright probably will make a run at it, but I still see him coming of the bench. What’s better than having a spark plug driving the basket for a lay-up when no one expects it? A concussion caused Parker to miss a couple of Pac-12 games during the season, but he came back and played hard. Coach Sean Miller seems to pull him back to the bench quickly at times, probably will have a season or two to gain the coaches confidence.
Elliott Pitts will continue to be the shooting guard off the bench as well. I really enjoy Elliott’s passion to play, he seems to want to play more than he gets a chance to, but he is always ready and seems to have no fear.
These returning players have some serious competition. Justin Simon for one, Kadeem Allen for two. Allonzo Trier will probably be a starting shooting guard.
It’s going to be a battle, but I think Gabe York will at least start for a couple of games, or maybe Coach Miller changes it up this year and rotates guards depending on which team they play.
This will be interesting.
Next: 3. Will the gamble on experienced players joining the Wildcats next season be the ingredient needed to help reach the final four?