Sean Miller Introduces New Chants to Zona Zoo

The Stakes Have Just Been Raised

When's the last time any Arizona sport got any type of love from the national media? Even this year with football where things are going well, it seems like the press likes to focus on the schools with more tradition like Florida and Texas. But today on the nationally televised show "College Gameday" it was said by multiple ESPN correspondents that if Arizona beats California tonight, then they would host the show down in Tucson next week for the Oregon matchup. This would be the biggest event to hit Tucson in decades and it would give Arizona the national coverage that it truly deserves. At 6-2, Arizona goes into California to play a team that is missing Jahvid Best after obtaining his second concussion in eight days. These last 4 games for Arizona could either make or break them and all of Tucson is starting to feel the buzz. Lets hope that Arizona wins tonight so the rest of the nation can start to feel that same buzz. 

Arizona Wildcats by Position: Power Forward

Jamelle Horne

                                 

           Hometown: San Diego, California 

          6'7 220 lbs. 

       #42

           Junior 

 Coming out of high school, Jamelle Horne was ranked as the 22nd best recruit in the class of 2006. In his first two years at Arizona, Horne has showed flashes of pure brilliance like when he scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Kansas. But Horne has also commited some questionable fouls that eventually cost Arizona two games last season. 

This year, Horne has a fresh slate to show Arizona fans what he is truely capable of. After spending the summer working out with now Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, Horne learned a lot and said “He (Evans) taught me about toughness (and) about being a dog and not letting (an opponent) breath – and taking your heart. That’s the type of player Tyreke is.’’ Toughness is what this young Arizona team will need this season and Horne will be one of the leaders along with Nic Wise. 

Horne will have to post consistent numbers this season. During the first exhibition game, Horne looked like the best player on the court scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. If this type of production become consistent, Arizona will be in good shape. Horne is a excellent finisher around the basket and has a tremoundous vertical leap. His perimeter shooting has come a long way and he has no fear about shooting the ball from deep. Expect Horne to be the vocal leader for this Arizona team and Horne know this. “I’ve got to be a guy who gets into us in the huddles and gets into us in timeouts,’’ he said. “When we’re down by 10 I have to be that guy this year.’’ With such high potential, Horne should be one of the better players in the Pac 10 and expect him to contribute much more this season. 

Arizona Basketball Exhibition Recap

76

92

After a long and exciting offseason , the Arizona Wildcats took care of 

Augustana College 92-76. In a game that was full of many ups and downs, Jamelle Horne was a major bright spot and led Arizona with 19 points and 10 rebounds while freshman Derrick Williams finished with 14 points. Nic Wise played only 19 minutes but also added 13 points. 

UP:

• The five freshman all contributed on the offense side of the ball. Kevin Parrom looked sharp with 12 points on 5/9 shooting

•  Garland Judkins looked to be rejuvenated playing 15 min shooting 4/5 for 9 points. 
• With Kyle Fogg out battling the flu, Brendon Lavender stepped into the starting position and played well on defense.                    
• Ten man rotation implemented by Sean Miller showed promise and depth with each person contributing and competing.
• The announced attendance was 13,000. USC had 800 people attend their first exhibition game.  

      DOWN:

• The defense was at times and to quote Sean Miller "alarming" especially concerning the five freshman. The Wildcats were not able to keep the Vikings away from the basket and off the free throw line.
• Although the Wildcats finished plus 7 in rebounding, the Vikings seemed to be in better position to clean up the boards. 
• Wildcats had 15 turnovers and committed 24 fouls.  
• Derrick Williams (right) turned his ankle and will have to wear a boot for a few days but should be 100% for NAU.  

Next Game: Western New Mexico @ Arizona Tuesday Nov. 10th 7pm

Red and Blue Game Recap

Quick Hits:

Star of the Game: 

Lamont Jones was one of the major stars of the day scoring 21 points. He played with intensity but at the same time, he was able to have a good time with his teammates. At one point during halftime, Lute Olson made an appearance at Mckale during halftime and Jones went into the stands and shook hands with the father of Arizona basketball. I can see Jones quickly becoming a star at Arizona and he even took time to shake hands with some fans after the game. 

Comedy Hour: 

Jamelle Horne seemed to have a better shooting stroke but he was more evident on the defensive end where he had 3 blocks and stayed body to body with his opponent. At one point, Kyle Fogg was dribbling the ball past half court and Horne dove for Fogg's legs drawing the intentional foul. It provided good laughter for the fans and the team after Horne was called for two infamous last second fouls last season which cost the team two losses. 

Growing up Fast:

All five freshman looked to be in good shape for the upcoming season which is good news for Wildcat fans. Kyryl Natyazko looked solid inside scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds at the post position. Solomon Hill had his moments and Kevin Parrom seemed to be wise beyond his years. Derrick Williams had a few flashy alley-oop dunks and with his length, he was able to rebound the ball well.

Veterans Shine:

With Nic Wise nursing an injured ankle, Kyle Fogg and Brendan Lavender showed that they knew what they were doing. Fogg made the shots he took and Lavender hit a couple 3's. Miller never seemed to be yelling at either player and each were smart with the ball. 

Sean Miller Postgame

Injury Update

Nic Wise recently sprained his ankle during practice and will not be able to make the Pac 10 media day on Thursday. He was seen limping around Mckale Center and his status for the Red and Blue game is unknown. 

 

Upcoming Game

Fans should expect a more competitive Red and Blue game this Sunday then in seasons past. Because the starting lineup is not set, each player will be playing to earn one the the 5 spots. Kyle Fogg expects that “It should be a good game,” he said today, when he and Brendon Lavender were made available for media interviews. “It’s not going to be as sloppy as you guys think because we’re really working hard on a lot of five-on-five stuff.”

Arizona Wildcats By Position: Power Forward

            Derrick Williams

Hometown: La Mirada, California

6'9'' 235 lbs. 

#23

Freshman

  Although Derrick Williams may be one of the least known of the five incoming freshman, he may be the most skilled. He was not heavily recruited out of high school but Williams says this was because “I don’t think a lot of people knew about me, to be honest with you, because of where I played high school basketball,” Williams said during media day two weeks ago. “La Mirada is not a big school".

Williams first committed to Tim Floyd and USC but quickly de-committed after Floyd was fired. After reopening his recruitment, Williams picked Arizona over Memphis. Expect Williams to share much of the playing time with junior forward Jamelle Horne and even getting some time at the center position. He has a tremendous ability to dunk the basketball and while watching his high school tapes, one can say he can be an Andre Iguadala type player for Arizona. Williams can rebound the ball and even has the ability to step outside the perimeter hitting close to 40% of his 3's during his senior year. One could expect to see an athletic lineup if Williams was asked to step into the 5 spot and play center with a lineup of Nic Wise, Kyle Fogg, Solomon Hill, and Jamelle Horne. I dont know about you but that would be a fun lineup to watch.

Watch this video if you want to see Williams dunking ability