A Look at the 1997 Champions vs 2017 Arizona Basketball teams
It has been 20 years since the Arizona Basketball team was crowned National Champions. With the anniversary upon us, let’s look at that team vs. now!
Time surely has gone by fast. However, it does also seem like an eternity since Arizona Basketball last won the National Championship in 1997. Now 20 years later, perhaps history could repeat itself this year?
Granted, we must point out, that there are not too many similarities between This team, and the 1997 team. After all, in 1997, Arizona entered the tournament as a four-seed, after finishing in fifth place in the Pac-10 Conference. This year, Arizona won the Pac-12 and is a two seed.
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As that 1997 National Champion team danced their way into the history books, it was an underrated group that did the unthinkable in defeating three, number one seeds on the way to winning the title. A feat that is still unmatched to this day.
Lute Olson’s 1996-97 squad was led by stellar freshman point guard, Mike Bibby, as well as the veteran guard/wing player and Final Four MVP, Miles Simon.
Given the differences of that team compared to this year’s squad, however, we can’t help but notice some similarities.
So where’s the comparison? Well, it may be a bit of a stretch, but obviously, Bibby was a phenomenal freshman player. He had an enormous impact on the Wildcats, averaging over 13 points and five assists per game.
To me, Lauri Markkanen compares in some ways to Bibby. Position and production aside, Markkanen also has had a huge impact on this years’ Arizona team. Also a freshman, the Finnish big man is averaging over 15 points and seven rebounds per game.
When he’s out on the floor, his presence is felt, and he seems to help make his players around him a bit better.
Additionally, when all is said and done for Markkanen at Arizona, he too will likely be a lottery pick like Bibby was, once he decides to go pro.
The other comparisons? To me, Allonzo Trier is somewhat comparable to Simon. Both veteran guard/wing players, Simon and Trier, were/are the ‘assumed leaders’ of their squads. Trier this year is averaging over 17 points, five rebounds and two assists per game.
Simon in 1996-97 averaged over 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists. More interesting enough, Simon too was suspended for part of the 1996-97 season. As you may recall, Trier missed the first 19 games of this season.
Also, Simon had huge production in the NCAA Tournament that year, helping guide the Wildcats to a championship. Trier? Well, the jury is still out, but perhaps we will see his shining moment.
Through the Pac-12 Tournament, Trier’s offense was on display, averaging over 20 points and five rebounds while being named the Conference Tournament MVP.
Hopefully, with him appearing to be in his mid-season form, hopefully he can carry over that success into the NCAA Tournament, and hopefully have similar contributions to what Simon did.
Lastly, the Wildcats in 1997 had a deep bench along with their strong starting five. That ’97 team also had Michael Dickerson who actually led the team in scoring that year, a veteran center in AJ Bramlett, Bennett Davison, an athletic junior college transfer, backup guard Jason Terry and forward Donnell Harris among others.
This season, the Wildcats too have a solid rotation of players, getting great contributions from veteran center, Dusan Ristic, the junior college transfers, Kadeem Allen and Keanu Pinder, backup guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright who is a bit like the big shot Terry was ’96-’97. Also, Arizona gets great contributions from freshmen Rawle Alkins and Kobi Simmons (albeit not of late).
So there are not a ton of comparisons, just a few similarities. Also being that it is the 20-year anniversary, perhaps Arizona can see a bit of that magic. We know Sean Miller certainly wouldn’t mind.
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Either way, we’re proud of this team, and what they’ve done. They are playing some great basketball, and hopefully, that continues for the next couple weeks! Bear Down, Arizona!