Steve Rivera Ventures

If there was one University of Arizona men’s basketball player who couldn’t turn the page fast enough on last season it was Jamelle Horne.

He almost laughs when he thinks about it. He’ll use this season – and Wednesday’s first exhibition game (Augustana College) of the Sean Miller era – to get started.

Arguably though, last season was a disaster, save for a game or two where he looked unbelievable, like his 19 points and 13 rebounds against Kansas.

Still, how can anyone who followed the UA program forget 2008-09?

There was that intentional foul against Alabama Birmingham in the quarterfinals of the preseason NIT that cost UA a victory. There was another late-game foul against Southern California that cost another game. And, how about that apology he had to make after saying he made a bet with some San Diego State players (for a dinner) because the NCAA forbids players wagering?

Could the season have been over fast enough? Well, UA reaching the NCAA tournament for the 25^th consecutive time helped. “To get that opportunity to be in the Sweet 16 it was great,’’ he said. “And personally, that Cleveland State game (in the NCAA second round) was like a monkey off my back.’’

Fifteen points and five rebounds does that to a player. He had that against Cleveland State. If Horne, now a junior, could manage to average those types of numbers this season, UA might take it. Then again, Horne has much more potential than that.

Yet, potential is a word used when one hasn’t reached it yet. Maybe this year; maybe not. But Arizona fans are looking forward to possibly seeing the top 25 recruit (No. 21 overall) and a player who was often compared to former UA star Richard Jefferson. And there have been times he shows Jefferson-type moves, crashing the boards for unbelievable put-backs and dunks. And then – sometimes – you get brain-freeze moves like he’s shown he’s capable of.

Yet – through his “clean-slate’’ attitude – new head coach Sean Miller sees a tremendous player in Horne. He went as far as calling Horne out in the preseason press conference.

In fact, Miller said, Horne had a very good fall in preparation for the season. Consistency, talent and work ethic were all part of Miller’s comments. Consistency may be the biggest surprise. Horne, throughout his career, has been as up and down as the recent Tucson weather.

As one of the older players on the team, Miller said, he needs Horne to be less up and down, and show more stability.

“Everything that I’ve asked of him he’s done,’’ Miller said. “My hope is that Jamelle will be a better as a junior than he was a sophomore. That’s the progression I think he’s following.’’

Maturity may play a factor. Also realizing his place may be another. Horne said he was told by the coaching staff they were surprised he hadn’t had a season to match his ability. It got him fired up to hear that. At least it motivated him.

“I guess it’s part of going to college and learning your role,’’ Horne said. “You wait your time. … it gave me flashbacks to high school being in the top 25 (as a player). It made me realize I have to have a big year this year. It’s about that time. The team needs a guy to step up instead of (senior guard Nic) Wise, so, …’’

So, he’s prepared. He spent some of the summer working on his ball-handling and shooting, and spent some of it on the east coast, working out with former Memphis star Tyreke Evans, now with the Sacramento Kings.

“He taught me about toughness,’’ Horne said, “(and) about being a dog and not letting (an opponent) breath – and taking your heart. That’s the type of player Tyreke is.’’

We’ll continue to see what type of player Horne is or will be. In the annual Red-Blue game on Sunday, he appeared to be the most talented player on the court (as he should be) but he also appeared to be less boisterous and showy than in years past. Yet, he says that hasn’t changed. He’ll be vocal because he’s expected to be a team leader, and, in part, that’s who he is.

“I’ve got to be a guy who gets us in the huddles and gets us in timeouts,’’ he said. “When we’re down by 10 I have to be that guy this year.’’

Miller said he’s looking for Horne to be a more “well-rounded player.

“You’re going to see Jamelle improve as the season goes on,’’ Miller said.

Part of that will be Horne realizing “every play matters,’’ Miller said. “He can add value to every single play.’’

Steve Rivera can be reached at steve.rivera95@gmail.com. Visit SteveRiveraventures.com.