Moving to smaller line-ups could be beneficial for Arizona Basketball

Basketball is changing, in particular college basketball is as well. Here’s why Sean Miller and Arizona Basketball need to get with the times.

Ever since John Naismith conceptualized the game of basketball by cutting a hole into the bottom of a peach basket, the sport has undergone many changes in its 100+ year history. And that could also certainly be said for Arizona Basketball as well.

For years, the sport has traditionally been played with two guards, two forwards and a center. All more or less being split up according to height and size, with shorter players being guards, and taller players being forwards centers.

Arizona Wildcats

While that is somewhat still the case for the most part for many teams and line-ups, nowadays with the evolving athlete, you’re starting to see more and more position-less basketball as some call it.

Athleticism, mixed with size has created some anomalies away from those “traditional players” and it is revolutionizing basketball! You can see it the emergence of teams like the Golden State Warriors (2015-19), or even the Phoenix Suns of the mid 2000s.

You are starting to see teams trend away from “traditional rosters”, and it’s even trickling down at the collegiate level. Look no further than the 2018 NCAA Champion, the Villanova Wildcats.

That team of course was dependent on strong, veteran guard play, but the Wildcats’ biggest players on roster that year Omari Spellman, and Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, both standing 6-feet-9-inches.

Perhaps Arizona could use a bit of the “smaller ball” line-ups. Allowing more athletes on the court that could play multiple positions… a Kevin Durant/Kawhi Leonard-type if you will. Although I’m not saying that there are many of those kind of players out there that Arizona can get, because believe me, there are not.

However, what I am saying is having a “big” who can play the stretch four at times, and can provide versatility to your line-up beyond just standing in the post, is something I think could be worthwhile for us.

It seems like Sean Miller’s “best teams” at Arizona were with Kaleb Tarczewski at center, and those teams got killed by a versatile, good shooting and “positionless” team like Wisconsin.

Perhaps Miller could benefit in having smaller line-ups a la the 2017-18 Villanova Wildcats. To me, I feel like he could have more versatility with his rosters, and maybe even get better results defensively against teams, especially on the perimeter.

Anyways, this is just my feeling. Do you agree or disagree? Let us know, and as always, Bear Down Arizona!