Steve Rivera Ventures

Observations from Arizona’s game versus Augustana College at McKale Center

Arizona defeated Div. II Augustana 92-76 at McKale Center in what was a mixed bag of good and bad play for the Wildcats.

UA had a comfortable lead at halftime 50-34 at halftime but wasn’t able to outscore Augustana in the second half. UA had 42 points as did Augustana.

UA’s Jamelle Horne led the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

“He’s among our best players tonight,” said UA coach Sean Miller. “You can make the point he was the best player on the court tonight. He played like he’s practiced. He’s really explosive and at times he’s really explosive. I have high hopes for Jamelle. I love the way he played.”

• So, last season’s biggest surprise – Kyle Fogg – found himself not starting in Wednesday’s game. In fact, he’s not even on UA’s bench.  Fogg was said to have the flu and has been out for at least two days. “We missed him,’’ UA coach Sean Miller said. “He’s another body. He’s done an excellent job in practice. With him, we certainly become better on defense and deeper.’’
• Instead, sophomore Brendon Lavender, said to be the team’s best shooter, got the start. But if Lavender is the team’s best shooter, why didn’t he take his first shot (from the perimeter) until 28 minutes into the game. He hit his first shot with 6:04 left in the game. It was a 3-pointer.
• Also, senior point guard Nic Wise made his first official game appearance after nursing a sore ankle last week. He sat out the annual Red-Blue game. Wise played 19 minutes or about the amount he thought he would. He said he was about 70 percent healthy but should be back at full speed by UA’s next exhibition game on Nov. 10.

“You can sense Nic’s impact on the other four players,’’ Miller said. “He can make individual plays and has a great way of running a team. With or without him is night and day.’’

• Was he even injured? Not that I’m questioning those in charge of injuries but Wise has looked as health as a player can get. He’s driven to the lane for an impressive in-traffic lay in and had a no-look, fancy pass on another break away. He also hit a 3-pointer to help lead UA to a 17-8 lead six minutes into the game. Wise said his left ankle is a little sore after suffering an injury last week. “Sometimes the adrenaline takes over,’’ he said. “
• It looks like UA coach Sean Miller will have a place for freshman guard Kevin Parrom, who seems to have good range with his shot and is athletic. He looks to have similar qualities as former UA player Jawann McClellan before McClellan suffered knee problems. Miller will need another perimeter shooter in addition to Wise and Lavender.
• For the last two weeks, Miller has raved about Derrick Williams, who will play some center and power forward this season. One can see why Miller has been so high on the 6-foot-8 freshman, an athletic sort who is mobile around the basket.

To make his point – or get his points – Williams had back-to-back slams off alley-oop passes to give UA a 59-44 lead with 15 minutes left.  He, however, limped off the court with just under seven minutes left and UA up 80-62. He didn’t return to the game. Miller said Williams suffered a sprained ankle and “hopefully he’ll be fine,’’ Miller said.

• Freshman MoMo Jones has just hit his second deep jumper in the last couple of minutes. Not only will he be a force with the ball – penetrating and dishing – but he, too, apparently will be a factor from the floor.

• And yes, that was former UA coach Lute Olson sitting four rows behind the team bench. He made his second consecutive appearance this season. It would not be a surprise to see Olson at most of the games this season.

Steve Rivera can be contacted at steve.rivera95@gmail.com.