Insider?

[Arizona_Sting]

Anyone that has insider and could post the latest articles on ESPN about Arizona leading the Pac12 and draft prospects.... that'd be great.

 

[CatsTopPac]

Anyone that has insider and could post the latest articles on ESPN about Arizona leading the Pac12 and draft prospects.... that'd be great.

"Good Lookin Out" Gordon, drop some knowledge upon the masses!!!

 

[gordontrue]

Pac-12 Preview

2014-15 Pac-12 Projected Standings

1. Arizona Wildcats | 2. Utah Utes | 3. Stanford Cardinal | 4. UCLA Bruins | 5. Colorado Buffaloes | 6. California Golden Bears | 7. Washington Huskies | Oregon Ducks | 9. Arizona State Sun Devils | 10. USC Trojans | 11. Washington State Cougars | 12. Oregon State Beavers

Rebounding from a downturn that briefly put its status as an elite conference in jeopardy, the Pac-12 announced its return to the national scene in 2013-14.
Technically, the Pac-12 rated better top to bottom the previous season, when a balanced conference had no teams ranked worse than 108th in the country in ESPN Insider contributor Ken Pomeroy's rankings. That balance also applied to the top, however, and despite Arizona and Oregon reaching the Sweet 16, the Pac-12 had little national impact in 2012-13. That changed in a big way last season.

2014-15 All-Pac-12 team
Josh Scott Colorado Jr.
Kevon Looney UCLA Fr.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Arizona Soph.
Joseph Young Oregon Sr.
Delon Wright Utah Sr.

Boosted by the addition of freshman Aaron Gordon and transfer T.J. McConnell, Sean Miller's Wildcats started the season 21-0, including wins in their first eight conference games. Arizona claimed the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press poll in early December and held it for the next two months before losing forward Brandon Ashley to injury and finishing with three losses in its final 10 games, including a defeat to UCLA in the Pac-12 tournament final.

The Wildcats became the first Pac-10/12 team to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament since UCLA in 2008. The Bruins claimed a No. 4 seed, and four other teams (Arizona State, Colorado, Oregon and Stanford) joined them in the NCAA tournament, the largest contingent the conference has sent since 2009. Three of those teams -- Arizona, Stanford and UCLA -- reached the Sweet 16, and the Wildcats came within an overtime of the Pac-10/12's first Final Four trip since those 2008 Bruins before losing in heartbreaking fashion to Wisconsin.

As usual, the conference's success attracted the attention of NBA scouts. Even with its downturn from 2010 to 2012, when it sent a combined six teams to the NCAA tournament over three seasons, the Pac-10/12 has produced as much professional talent as any conference. The challenge has been retaining it. Alas, six Pac-12 players went in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft -- the most of any conference -- including four early entrants. Three more (two underclassmen) were selected in the second round.

The group that departed leaves just five players of the 15 named to last season's all-conference teams. But more talent is on the way. Arizona (No. 7) and UCLA (No. 10) both reeled in top-10 recruiting hauls, according to ESPN RecruitingNation, with Stanford (No. 15), USC (No. 16) and Oregon (No. 40) also ranked.

The success of the two Los Angeles schools points to the importance of getting the right coaches in place. In a year-plus on the job, both Steve Alford (UCLA) and Andy Enfield (USC) have sold recruits on their vision. The Bruins already have two commits from ESPN 100 recruits for 2015, while the Trojans have one.

Nobody has to tell Arizona about the importance of finding the right coach. After an ugly end to Lute Olson's legendary run in Tucson, the Wildcats could have lost their perch atop the conference with the wrong hire. Instead, Miller has proved the perfect choice, leading Arizona to the Sweet 16 three times in the past four seasons and re-establishing the program as a national title contender.

 

[gordontrue]

(cont'd)
This season brings three new coaches to the Pac-12. A 10-21 season cost Ken Bone his job after five years at Washington State. Since reaching the NIT semifinals in 2011, the Cougars had gone the wrong direction each of the last three seasons, bottoming out in the cellar of the Pac-12. Athletic director Bill Moos replaced Bone with a familiar face: longtime Oregon coach Ernie Kent, who worked for Moos in Eugene. Kent's challenge is to upgrade the talent for a program that has struggled to recruit it to the Palouse.

Talent wasn't the issue for Oregon State's Craig Robinson, who upgraded the recruiting at another Pac-12 school with a remote campus. The problem for Robinson was translating that potential into wins. Ultimately, AD Bob De Carolis decided there was a ceiling for the Beavers under Robinson and made a change well after the season in May. Oregon State hired Montana coach Wayne Tinkle, who has already landed a pair of ESPN 100 recruits for the 2015 class -- his son Tres Tinkle and Stephen Thompson Jr., son of assistant coach Stephen Thompson.

The task is different for Cuonzo Martin, who replaces Mike Montgomery at Cal after Montgomery retired as the third-winningest coach in conference history behind Olson and John Wooden. Since Montgomery arrived in the East Bay, the Golden Bears have enjoyed one of their most successful runs, reaching the NCAA tournament four times in the past six seasons. They were one of the last teams left out of the tournament in 2013-14, so Martin inherits a team that can compete now.

Oregon coach Dana Altman might have been lucky to keep his job. Performance hasn't been an issue; the Ducks almost upset Wisconsin in Milwaukee to reach the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season. However, in May it emerged that, as Oregon was playing in the NCAA tournament, Eugene police were investigating sexual assault accusations against three players (Dominic Artis, Brandon Austin and Damyean Dotson). While no charges were filed, all three were dismissed from the program, and the incident raised serious questions about Altman's oversight -- especially since he admitted to being unaware that Austin was previously investigated for sexual assault while at Providence. After all the changes, the very top of the conference figures to look the same. Despite losing their two best players (Gordon and Pac-12 Player of the Year Nick Johnson), the Wildcats have reloaded. Arizona returns three starters (Ashley, McConnell and center Kaleb Tarczewski), and Miller will again have more five-star players in the frontcourt than starting positions. Sophomore Rondae Hollis-Jefferson might be the team's best player, and incoming freshman Stanley Johnson is ranked as the nation's top small forward recruit. The Wildcats won't start this season atop the polls but will be in the top five.
UCLA, which knocked off Arizona in a thrilling conference tournament final, could again pose the biggest threat. No one lost more production to the NBA and graduation than the Bruins, who had three first-round picks (Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson and Zach LaVine) and also graduated the Wear brothers. Still, talent won't be an issue. The Bruins add 2013 recruit Isaac Hamilton (brother of NBA forward Jordan) after a transfer season as well as five-star forward Kevon Looney and four-star center Thomas Welsh. Guard Norman Powell could be in for a breakout senior season. But the most important player on the roster is Bryce Alford (the coach's son), who will start at the point. But there's little depth on the perimeter between Hamilton, Powell and the coach's son, Bryce, who will move into the starting lineup

The conference's second tier was crowded in 2013-14, with eight teams finishing between 10-8 and 8-10. Attrition might translate into more separation this season. Colorado and Stanford have the best chance of repeating their NCAA tournament appearances. The Buffaloes -- the only team to make the dance in all three seasons of the Pac-12 -- return all five players who started after guard Spencer Dinwiddie (a second-round draft pick) was lost with a torn ACL. And despite the graduation of two starters, the Cardinal bring back the conference's second-leading returning scorer in guard Chasson Randle. With a strong recruiting class, Stanford will push for second place.

The new threat is Utah, poised to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2009. Two years removed from going 3-15 in their first tour of the Pac-12, the Utes got to .500 behind multitalented junior college transfer Delon Wright, who ranked fifth in the nation with 7.3 win shares. Utah could easily have reached the tournament last season; the Utes outscored opponents by 4.9 points per 100 possessions in conference play but suffered seven of their nine losses by four points or fewer. With Wright returning for his senior season, Utah might not play so many close games this time around.
Just three years ago, California and Washington were the class of the Pac-12. They have dropped down as traditional powers Arizona and UCLA have reclaimed their positions. The Bears still had a chance to reach the NCAA tournament last season before losing four of their final five games. New coach Martin loses senior starters Justin Cobbs and Richard Solomon but can hope that 2013 ESPN 100 recruit Jabari Bird steps up after an injury-plagued freshman campaign. In Seattle, there's some heat on UW coach Lorenzo Romar to get back to the tournament after a three-year drought, the longest of his 11-year tenure. Frontcourt injuries decimated the Huskies' defense, and they need forward Jernard Jarreau to come back strong from an ACL tear and transfer Robert Upshaw to stay out of trouble and make an immediate impact at center.

Arizona State may have saved Herb Sendek's job by reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2009. Sendek's reward? Losing the team's three leading scorers, including sophomore point guard Jahii Carson, who declared for the NBA draft and went unselected. The Sun Devils added four junior college transfers, but it's unrealistic to expect them to take on leading roles around senior Shaquielle McKissic right away.

 

[gordontrue]

(cont'd)

Oregon also suffered heavy defections. The Ducks bring back guard Joseph Young, the Pac-12's leading returning scorer, but just one other player who played more than 100 minutes (utility forward Elgin Cook). Instead of relying on transfers, Altman brought in a talented six-player recruiting class that will have to contribute immediately. One big question mark: ESPN 100 point guard JaQuan Lyle is not enrolled for the fall quarter.

Enfield's recruiting has USC headed in the right direction, but the Trojans will likely need another season -- and another recruiting class -- before they are competitive in the Pac-12. Just one returning player (forward Nikola Jovanovic) posted a PER better than 11 last season. That will put pressure on ESPN 100 guards Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart to lead the offense from the get-go.
Kent is a year behind in the same process. Washington State has some talent on the perimeter in shooting guard DaVonte Lacy, who shot 39 percent from 3-point range, and athletic wing Que Johnson. However, the Cougars will rely heavily on junior college transfers for playmaking and production in the paint, both sorely lacking a year ago.

Oregon State's graduations (Angus Brandt, Devon Collier and Roberto Nelson), transfers (Hallice Cook) and NBA departure (Eric Moreland) have taken a toll on the roster. The Beavers, who will rely for scoring on junior college transfer Gary Payton II (yes, son of the Oregon State legend), may tumble all the way to the bottom of the conference in Tinkle's first season.

 

[gordontrue]

Arizona Preview

Arizona Wildcats

2013-14: 33-5 (15-3 Pac-12)
In-conference offense: 1.08 points per possession (third)
In-conference defense: 0.91 points allowed per possession (first)



During 2013-14, the Arizona Wildcats nailed everything but the finish. In Sean Miller's fifth season in Tucson, the Cats started the season 21-0 -- including wins in their first eight Pac-12 games -- to ascend to No. 1 in the rankings. And while Arizona wasn't quite as dominant after losing starting forward Brandon Ashley to a season-ending foot injury, the team still earned its first No. 1 seed in 11 years and the first by any Pac-12 team since UCLA in 2008.


Now, here's the scary proposition: Miller's crew might be even deeper this season.


Projected starting lineup

Pos. Name Year C Kaleb Tarczewski Jr. F Brandon Ashley Jr. F Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Soph. G/F Stanley Johnson Fr. G T.J. McConnell Sr.




After losing Pac-12 Player of the Year Nick Johnson and conference Freshman of the Year Aaron Gordon to the NBA, the Wildcats won't have quite as much elite talent. But with the rest of the rotation returning, supplemented by a class rated seventh in the nation by ESPN Recruiting Nation, they'll have options.
"We have a lot of competition for certain positions on our team," Miller said. "I think that's the best way I can say that."


Arizona's return to national power has been a few years coming. Since arriving from Xavier to replace the legendary Lute Olson, Miller has done an impressive job of recruiting. By his second season on the job, Miller landed a top 10 class in Recruiting Nation's rankings, something he's now done four years running -- with a potentially even better haul coming in 2015, having already secured commitments from three top 30 recruits.


Adding that level of talent on a constant basis sets up the Wildcats to contend perennially. Until last season, however, Arizona hadn't quite put everything together. Despite a Pac-12 regular-season title in 2010-11 and two deep NCAA tournament runs (once to the Sweet 16, once to the Elite Eight), Miller's team had never secured a top-four seed in the tournament until last season.


The difference was defense. While Arizona had finished in the top 10 offensively twice in Miller's first four seasons, the team's best finish in defensive efficiency was 41st. That changed in a big way in 2013-14, as the Wildcats posted the nation's lowest adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom.com, and led the way in effective field goal percentage allowed (42.3). An enormous front line of Ashley, Gordon and 7-footer Kaleb Tarczewski made the paint a no-fly zone for opponents, who have always had difficulty finding good 3-point looks against Miller's pack-line defense.


The defense remained strong after Ashley was lost for the season. The Wildcats still entered the NCAA tournament 30-4 and as the No. 1 seed in the Anaheim bracket. They dominated Gonzaga to reach the Sweet 16 and outlasted San Diego State to make their second regional final in four years. There, Arizona experienced heartbreak. Down 64-63 in the closing stages of overtime, the Wildcats had multiple chances to win, but Johnson was called for a borderline offensive foul and could not get a potential winning shot off before the buzzer.

 

[gordontrue]

(cont'd)

Again, Miller was denied his first trip to the Final Four. But he'll have another good chance this season. Arizona brings in five newcomers, essentially one at each position, and all will compete for playing time right away. The star is Stanley Johnson, whom Miller compares to Gordon in terms of his combination of ability and maturity.


[+] EnlargeRobin Alam/Icon SMIWill McDonald's All American Stanley Johnson take the reins as Arizona's go-to scorer in 2014-15?




"Similar to what Aaron Gordon brought to the table talent-wise, we're counting on that, but we're also counting on Stanley to bring some of those intangibles," Miller said. "In Aaron, not only did you get a great talent but you also got someone who was like a senior. I think Stanley shares some of those qualities."


Arizona also adds to the backcourt point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, whom Miller calls the heir apparent at the position, and national junior college player of the year Kadeem Allen. Up front, undersized power forward Craig Victor and Serbian center Dusan Ristic add depth that has been missing in past seasons.


For all of the Wildcats' success, they've relied heavily on their starting fives. Last season, it was really a top six after Ashley's injury. Besides the starters and sixth man Hollis-Jefferson, two other players saw a total of 12 minutes in the loss to Wisconsin. The newcomers figure to help Miller go deeper into his bench.


Arizona returns three upperclassmen as starters, including point guard T.J. McConnell. That's notable because it's the first time in Miller's six years at the school he's had a point guard start multiple seasons. (Miller did inherit experienced senior Nic Wise when he arrived in Tucson.) McConnell, a pass-first point guard who boasted the best assist rate of any returning Pac-12 player last season, is an ideal fit given all the talent around him. Now, Miller wants him to step forward as a leader.


"I think that's the one thing that we are looking for from T.J.," Miller said. "Nick Johnson was our unquestioned leader a year ago. It's not that T.J. has to be Nick, but he has to help absorb the loss of leadership when Nick walked out the door."


Up front, Ashley should be back to full strength by the start of the season. A conservative rehab process was expected to get him back to five-on-five action by September, seven months after foot surgery. Ashley added a 3-point dimension during his abbreviated sophomore season, making 11 triples in 22 games, and could provide some needed floor spacing. Tarczewski made huge strides as a sophomore, improving his 2-point percentage from 54 to 58 percent and his free throw percentage from 63 to 76 percent. He figures to be one of the conference's premier centers.


The other two starting jobs will likely go to Johnson and Hollis-Jefferson, a potential breakout candidate in his second (and probably final) campaign in Tucson. After making just two 3-pointers as a freshman, Hollis-Jefferson -- already valuable because of his defense and rebounding from the wing -- has "worked his butt off," in Miller's words, remaking his shot over the summer. While they're likely to start at both wing positions, giving the Wildcats tremendous size at the positions, Hollis-Jefferson and Johnson could also play both forward spots in smaller lineups with more shooting.


That shooting is most likely to come from junior Gabe York and sophomore Elliott Pitts, both off-guards. York, who started 12 games after Ashley's injury, made 57 3-pointers -- second only to Nick Johnson -- at a 38.5 percent clip. In more limited action, Pitts shot 39 percent beyond the arc.


The challenge of the depth is that Miller will have tougher decisions than usual when choosing a rotation, and he'll have to figure things out early. The Wildcats play a typically demanding nonconference schedule, including competing in the Maui Invitational, visits by Gonzaga and Michigan and road games at UTEP and UNLV. Surely, Arizona will have enough talent to navigate those tests.


Without the individual talent of Gordon and Nick Johnson, the Wildcats might not be quite as good as last season's incarnation, at least before Ashley's injury. Still, they'll start the season in the top five and are even favorites to win the NCAA tournament in some quarters. We'll see whether depth can take Arizona to heights the Wildcats have yet to reach under Miller.


Projected 2014-15 conference finish: First

 

[gordontrue]

From Ford's Big Board Top-30

 

[CatsTopPac]

Thank you, kind sir.

 

[Monte Carlo Wildcat]

Nice Gordon. I really like that we're older this year. I'd really like to see us get the ball down low consistently and make more use of kaleb. He showed a lot of improvement from year 1 to 2 and I can't wait to see how he's improved into his junior year.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Thanks brotha! Appreciate it