I'm what most would consider a basketball nerd. Today, I was scanning through the NBADraft.net's 2009 mock draft when I noticed that there was one team whose name I kept seeing very early in the draft. That team was Arizona. It struck me as somewhat odd since I hadn't heard much about them among next year's contenders. The nerd in me forced itself to research this team. Turns out, not one expert has them ranked in the Top 25 of next season. Here are the three Arizona Wildcats that are all projected to go in the top 17 of next year's draft.
Brandon Jennings, 6-1, PG, Freshman: He appears to be a sure lottery pick while many have him in their top 5. Trust me when I say this, he is the best point guard the NBA draft will have since Chris Paul. He is a Kenny Anderson clone who can score in bunches while making everyone around him better. If he improves his defense, he will be able to wreak havoc on both ends of the floor with his quickness and speed.
Chase Budinger, 6-7, SG, Junior: Many compare this player to Grant Hill. Budinger is a freak athlete who is NBA-ready yet still shows much potential. You also can't forget that he has a 40-inch vertical which he uses to his advantage when he attacks the basket. Last season, Chase averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting 38% from long range.
Jordan Hill, 6-10, PF, Junior: Another fantastic athlete that has the size to bang in the post. His wingspan allows him to play bigger than he really is as well. The only knock on him is his hustle and effort, which, at times, can be lackadaisical. Nonetheless, he is a great pick in the top 20 of next year's draft. As a sophomore last year, Hill averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks while shooting 68% from the field.
With two top ten picks in the backcourt, it leaves you to wonder how a team like Arizona could not be mentioned with next year's elite. Of course, Hill and Budinger were there last year with Jerryd Bayless. Somehow, someway, they managed to play lousy, going an average 19-15. What would make this year any different?
For one, Lute Olson will be back on the sidelines in Tuscon after a year-long hiatus from coaching. Also, they have a solid recruiting class. Joining the superstar Jennings will be Jeff Withey, a center ranked as the #35 overall recruit in the 2008 class. Jennings should make up for the void Bayless left when he forewent his last three years of eligibility to enter his name in the NBA Draft. The Oak Hill star will add a playmaking ability that was missing in Bayless's repertoire. Withey should also get some solid minutes on a team that lacked a true center last year.
Nic Wise, who played almost thirty minutes per game as a sophomore, will be returning and should help the backcourt when needed. Jamelle Horne should embrace his bigger role in the Wildcats' frontcourt this year, too. In fact, of the six players that received the most playing time last year, four are returning.
Quite frankly, I can't understand why there is no hype for this team. They have their Hall of Fame coach coming back as well as two first round draft picks to go along with the #1 point guard in the Class of 2008. Arizona has great potential in the upcoming season. Hopefully, come March, every one of those experts that skipped over them in the preseason will be kicking himself or herself. I'll be at my computer saying, "I told you so."
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Consecutive Playoff Streaks
Comments (30)
intresting.
"Cleveland" is gone | 06/21/08, 04:33 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood stuff G.O.A.T
GO HEELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nickb23- Vote Bullet Bob | 06/21/08, 04:33 PM
Report Offensive Comment[shakes head at Nick] GO BLUE DEVILS!!!!!!!!!!!
But thanks for reading, Nick and Cleveland.
G.O.A.T. | 06/21/08, 04:35 PM
Report Offensive CommentWow...did not know that the Arizona Wildcats would have that good of teams. Good blog GOAT.
DYHARD SI DOUG HEFERNAN | 06/21/08, 04:38 PM
Report Offensive CommentGOAT...you like both teams though.
DYHARD SI DOUG HEFERNAN | 06/21/08, 04:45 PM
Report Offensive CommentI like the Duke Blue Devils though.
DYHARD SI DOUG HEFERNAN | 06/21/08, 04:49 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood analysis GOAT. I've never really read about Jordan Hill.
Denis24: Dream > Redeem | 06/21/08, 04:51 PM
Report Offensive Commentthis is a good blog,learned about next years draft class
Ny | 06/21/08, 04:53 PM
Report Offensive CommentThis was pretty good. It was informative, but entertaining at the same time.
GO GOPHERS!!!!!!!
0x NBA/NFL Champion | 06/21/08, 04:54 PM
Report Offensive CommentThanks for reading, guys.
Dyhard, I slightly favor Duke.
Ox, thanks, but I think you need to find a different, nay, better, team to root for. haha
G.O.A.T. | 06/21/08, 05:03 PM
Report Offensive CommentJennings is my boyyyyyy.
DJTG_2010: USAIN BOLT! | 06/21/08, 05:12 PM
Report Offensive CommentJennings is my boyyyyyy.
DJ is Dr. Cool. | 06/21/08, 05:12 PM
Yeah, yeah, I know. But did you hear that he is considering playing over in Europe next year instead of Arizona? We'll find out for sure on Monday, which is the day of his first class is Tuscon. It's a very bad sign for Wildcats' fans if he doesn't show.
G.O.A.T. | 06/21/08, 05:14 PM
Report Offensive CommentGreat analysis. But. John Wall is better than him. Saying this only after seeing him get schooled by Derrick Rose his senior year. Rose schooled everybody, thats a given yeah. But he single-handedly beat that team, that had numerous star recruits. He just kind of gave-up in the game. If you have heart, you don't do that.
Crean n' Crimson- The Weisguys | 06/21/08, 05:27 PM
Report Offensive CommentWell, my other favorite team is Maryland, and I thought it better than to begin a Duke-Maryland debate. But you've left me no choice...
GO TERRAPINS!!!!!
0x NBA/NFL Champion | 06/21/08, 05:32 PM
Report Offensive CommentAlso, why the hate? They won like nine games in 06, and they almost made the tournament last year. I think I sense some jealousy :)
0x NBA/NFL Champion | 06/21/08, 05:33 PM
Report Offensive CommentCrean n' Crimson, thanks, and I watched the game you are referring to as well. He was struggling, yes, and he may have given up a little bit, but that was his junior season. He has matured since then. John Wall is great though.
Ox, I will refrain from arguing. Let the upcoming season do the talking. Also, jealousy doesn't belong in the same sentence as the Gophers. And "almost" only counts in horseshoes.
G.O.A.T. | 06/21/08, 05:42 PM
Report Offensive CommentThe reason this team is not heard more often than UNC or UCLA, their teams are better. If UNC doesn't win the National CHampionship in '09, then it would make you think of great teams that had great starting fives: Fab Five, Illini '02, UK '92 (Laettner Shot). Theres more I know, I can't think of them.
Crean n' Crimson- The Weisguys | 06/21/08, 05:46 PM
Report Offensive CommentNice blog, GOAT. If Duke plays Arizona this will be a great game. Hopefully the Devils blow them out. :-P
Cheezhead | 06/21/08, 05:48 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood blog, for some reason Arizona just underperforms. The talent is always there but winning is always out of their grasp.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 06/21/08, 05:52 PM
Report Offensive CommentCheez, as much as I'd love to agree with you, I don't know if a blowout would be in the forecast.
Crean n' Crimson, I understand what you're saying. However, this Arizona team has a chance to succeed unlike last year's squad. Jennings is an upgrade from Bayless, in my opinion. Lute Olson is back on the sidelines. You also can't forget that last year's team was EXTREMELY young, and experience they gained will prove vital this time around.
G.O.A.T. | 06/21/08, 05:53 PM
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