My media brethren left Johnson off the list.

Arizona’s Nick Johnson held UCLA point guard Larry Drew II to 0-of-5 shooting from the field and only four assists in 37 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Bruins (Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports)

My ballot: Johnson, ASU point guard Jahii Carson (the most impressive player in the four days here), Oregon’s Johnathan Loyd and Damyean Dotson, Colorado’s Spencer Dinwiddie and UCLA’s Jordan Adams.

The actual selections: Loyd (the Most Outstanding Player), Carson, Adams, Oregon’s Arsalan Kasemi and UCLA’s Larry Drew II.

My beef about Johnson being left off the list: He shut down Drew and held Dinwiddie to 4-of-12 shooting from the field in Arizona’s 79-69 in the quarterfinals. Drew was 0-of-5 from the field and had only four assists in 37 minutes against Johnson, yet he was selected to the all-tournament team.

“I was excited to guard two great point guards,” Johnson told me after Arizona lost to UCLA in the semifinals Friday. “That’s two great point guards in two days. I looked forward going against Drew because he does such a great job getting his teammates the ball.”

Drew had only one assist by halftime against Johnson and never got on track. His teammate Adams carried the Bruins on his back.

This confirms that defense does not earn your way on to an all-tournament team; scoring and reputation does the trick.

My vote for the Most Outstanding Player was Dotson, who averaged 15 points in Oregon’s three games here and showed composure despite being a freshman. Loyd, a local boy who played at Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, was selected the Most Outstanding Player after scoring a season-high 19 points in the championship victory over UCLA. In the two previous games against Washington and Utah combined, however, Loyd had only 15 points.

* * * * *

UCLA lost all three games decidedly after beating Arizona this season. The Bruins lost at ASU 78-60, at last-place Washington State 73-61 and against Oregon here Saturday 78-69 in this scenario.

That’s an average margin of 13 points in UCLA’s losses after defeating the Wildcats this season.

The Bruins have an excuse for the loss against the Ducks. They were without Adams, who broke his right foot in the last play of UCLA’s win over Arizona on Saturday. He is out for the remainder of the season.

“When you lose one of your best players, it’s always something you’ve got to try to overcome,” UCLA coach Ben Howland said. “And we’ll get better at that. We didn’t have any time to prepare.”

* * * * *

Former Arizona player and assistant coach Josh Pastner coached Memphis to its third consecutive Conference USA tournament title Saturday (Chuck Cook/USA Today Sports)

Former Arizona point guard Jason Gardner was honored as part of the Pac-12 Hall of Honor in the second half of the UCLA-Oregon championship game. Gardner is an assistant coach at Loyola of Chicago. Two other former UA point guards — Josh Pastner and Damon Stoudamire — coached Memphis to its third consecutive Conference USA tournament title Saturday.

I texted Pastner yesterday after the Tigers’ double-overtime victory over Southern Miss for the championship. True to his form, Pastner texted back, although he must have received countless messages congratulating him on the victory.

“Great win today against a very good team,” Pastner texted me. “Thanks for the text. We appreciate and value every win. Never take them for granted.”

Pastner, the 2013 Conference USA Coach of the Year, is 105-33 in four years as head coach at Memphis after replacing John Calipari.

* * * * *

Arizona coach Sean Miller is as intense as they come, especially after viewing his comments about his technical foul following Friday’s loss to UCLA. Put me among those who welcomed the manner in which Miller commented about the technical.

He apologized for the technical and took responsibility for giving UCLA two points, the difference in a 66-64 win for UCLA. But, in my opinion, it was a positive development for Miller to explain that Adams “touched the ball … He touched the ball … He touched the ball!” when UA guard Mark Lyons was whistled for a double-dribble against the Bruins late in the game.

Instead of taking the day off after traveling from Las Vegas to Tucson on a charter flight following the loss to UCLA, Miller and his staff put the Wildcats through workouts at Richard Jefferson Gymnasium on Saturday.

The Wildcats can rest after their upcoming NCAA tournament experience. No such thing as a break on spring break for Arizona and that’s the way it should be this time of year.

Read more about the Wildcats at WILDABOUTAZCATS.net. Site publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner

In case you missed it: The Top 10 Badass Defensive Players and the Top 10 Badass Offensive Players in Arizona football history

Other Semifinal Arizona Elite Eight Event:
>> Poll: 1996-1997 versus 2000-2001. Story: TucsonCitizen.com game story

First Round Arizona Elite Eight Event Matchups:
>> Poll: 1987-1988 versus 2010-2011. Story: TucsonCitizen.com analysis
>> Poll: 1993-1994 versus 2004-2005. Story: TucsonCitizen.com analysis
>> Poll: 1996-1997 versus 2002-2003. Story: TucsonCitizen.com analysis
>> Poll: 1975-1976 versus 2000-2001. Story: TucsonCitizen.com analysis

EDITOR NOTE: The following is a fictional depiction of what could occur between the 1987-88 and 1993-94 teams.

Sean Elliott

Damon Stoudamire

Khalid Reeves

A couple of minutes after the thrilling finish of the 1996-97 vs. 2000-01 semifinal of the Arizona Elite Eight Event, the next two legendary Wildcat teams took the court at McKale Center and the lights from the rafters shook from the noise.

The scene at McKale conjured memories from when Arizona swept USC and UCLA for the first time in the arena in the 1978-79 season, the Wildcats’ first in the Pac-10 with Fred Snowden as coach. This was like Arizona beating Duke in 1987 or again in 1991 in double-overtime at McKale, multiplied.

You thought the roar at McKale Center after Derrick Williams’ game-saving block against Washington last season was deafening?

Drunk with emotion from the classic finish that just transpired between the 1996-97 and 2000-01 teams, Arizona’s fans were immediately treated to the sight of the program’s best player — Sean Elliott of the 1987-88 team — preparing to face the Wildcats’ best backcourt in history — Damon Stoudamire and Khalid Reeves of the 1993-94 team.

The voice of the late Roger Sedlmayr, the arena’s former public-address announcer, was played when Steve Kerr of the 1987-88 team went to midcourt during the introductions of the starting lineups. The crowd’s imitation of Sedlymayr’s “Steeeeeve Kerrrrrr” announcement could be heard on Cherry Avenue a block away.

Reggie Geary had the daunting task of guarding Sean Elliott but if anybody could do it, Geary could

When post player Anthony Cook of the 1987-88 team shook hands with counterpart Joseph Blair of the 1993-94 club it looked like the number “10″. Cook, 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds, was 60 pounds lighter than Blair, who was listed at 6-10 and 265.

The backcourts comprised of two of the best leaders in UA hoops history — Kerr vs. Stoudamire — and two of the more quiet, yet productive players in Craig McMillan (Lute Olson’s first Parade All-American) of the 1987-88 team against Reeves (the school’s single-season scoring leader with 848 points in that 1993-94 season).

Tom Tolbert of 1987-88 and Ray Owes of 1993-94 were workmanlike at the power forward spots, although Tolbert was a bit more animated and loose. Olson could lose his voice yelling at Tolbert to remain focused. Not so with Owes, who had the most serious look on the court, rivaling that of McMillan.

Reggie Geary, one of Olson’s best defenders in the coach’s 25 years at Arizona, relished the opportunity to try to throw Elliott off his game, but Elliott did not seem fazed from the start.

The All-American and national player of the year ripped the 1993-94 team thanks to the offensive flow of the 1987-88 team, which continues to own the school record for highest field-goal percentage (54.5 percent). Elliott scored 34 points off 14-of-29 shooting from the field, converting 6-of-12 from three-point range.

The teams were evenly matched for the most part with the lead changing hands 14 times and neither team leading by more than seven points. The 1993-94 team matched its largest lead of seven points, 79-72, with 3:54 left in the game as Stoudamire manuevered around a pick by Owes on top of the key to drill a three-pointer.

The 1987-88 team called a timeout to regroup from the spurt of five unanswered points from the 1993-94 team.

Jud Buechler played to form, making some scrappy plays for the 1987-88 team

The 1987-88 team started the game on fire, opening a 15-8 lead, getting two three-point baskets from Kerr, a jumper from McMillan and another three-point basket from Elliott.

Reeves kept the 1993-94 team close early, scoring 11 of its first 13 points.

The shots kept falling for the 1987-88 team, however, and after a baseline jumper by Tolbert, it held a 28-21 lead with 8:37 left in the first half.

The 1993-94 team continued to chip away by getting the ball to Reeves, Stoudamire and Blair at the post. After a short hook shot by Blair with 2:52 left in the half, the 1993-94 team trimmed the 1987-88 lead to 39-37.

Geary stripped Elliott as time was winding down, and reserve forward Corey Williams filled the lane on a pass from Geary to finish the first half with a layup as time expired to give the 1993-94 team a 43-40 halftime lead.

The 1993-94 team continued its surge after the break, and after an 11-4 run fueled by six points by Stoudamire, its lead was extended to 57-50. Olson used the speedy Kenny Lofton off the bench often against Stoudamire but Stoudamire kept in the flow of the game for the most part.

Elliott took control when the 1987-88 team needed him the most. He hit two quick three-pointers to put keep the game close. The 1993-94 team quickly called a timeout to regroup. The Gumbies — the 1987-88 reserves — were doing their part cheering on their teammates and frolicking as Matt Muehlebach and Sean Rooks playfully tried to snap each other with a towel.

Anthony Cook had a crucial tip-in late in the game for the 1987-88 team

Both teams traded baskets for much of the remainder of the game, and the 1987-88 team found itself down 80-74 with 2:35 left. That’s when things got wild.

After sprawling on the ground for a loose ball, Jud Buechler tossed the ball ahead to Lofton, who located Buechler open on the wing for a three-pointer and got the 1987-88 team within three points.

Elliott blocked off the passing lane, and tapped an errant pass to Kerr, who dribbled down the court and spot up for a three-pointer that hit nothing but net to tie the game at 80 with 1:21 remaining.

After a Reeves jumper and a Blair free throw, the 1993-94 team took an 83-80 lead with 40 seconds left. McMillan then received a pass from Elliott and tried a three-pointer from the corner. The shot was short and Cook was able to reach high for the tip-in, cutting the lead to 83-82 with only 18 seconds remaining.

Stoudamire was fouled with 14 seconds remaining, and he uncharacteristically missed the first free-throw attempt. He ranks No. 10 on the Arizona career charts with a free-throw percentage of 80.4 percent. He made the second to put the 1993-94 team ahead 84-82.

The 1987-88 team, out of timeouts, quickly brought the ball up the court. Coming off a high screen by Cook, Elliott received the ball with Geary tightly guarding him on the right wing.

Geary, aware of Elliott’s deadly quick first step to the basket, did not crowd him too much, allowing Elliott some space just outside the three-point line … the clock ticked down 7 … 6 … 5 … 4 … the McKale crowd was on its feet holding its collective breath.

Elliott drove toward the baseline and pulled up for a jump shot, avoiding the help defense by Owes, and nailed the mid-range shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime with an 84-84 tie.

Kerr nailed a three-pointer after the 1987-88 team won the overtime tip. Elliott then converted on a strong move to the basket, using that quick first step, to lay the ball in and give the 1987-88 team an 89-84 lead.

The 1993-94 team could not respond, going scoreless for the first three minutes of overtime. The 1987-88 team built its lead to 92-84 before Stoudamire nailed a three-pointer with 1:45 remaining.

From there, it came down to free throws for the 1987-88 team, and it converted. Kerr, Elliott and Tolbert made all six of their attempts down the stretch as the 1987-88 team held on for a 98-92 victory.

The win set the stage for Arizona’s first Final Four team — 1987-88 — against the Wildcats’ first national championship team — 1996-97 — for the Arizona Elite Eight Event title.

In case you missed it: The Top 10 Badass Defensive Players and the Top 10 Badass Offensive Players in Arizona football history

1987-88 Arizona Wildcats (35-3)
–Beat North Carolina 70-52 in the West Regional Final; lost to Oklahoma 86-78 in the Final Four. To note: The Wildcats of 1987-88 continue to hold school records for victories (35), points in a season (3,234), average margin of victory (22.9 points), field goals made (1,147), field-goal percentage (54.5 percent), three-point field-goal percentage (48.3), fewest foul-outs (only six), and fewest blocked shots by opponents (only 1.4 a game).

1993-94 Arizona Wildcats (29-6)
–Beat Missouri 92-72 in the West Regional Final; lost to Arkansas 91-82 in the Final Four. To note: The Wildcats made a school-record 279 three-pointers, which was broken last season by the 2010-11 club, which made 296. Starting backcourt Damon Stoudamire and Khalid Reeves combined for 1,487 points (an average of 42.5 points a game).

Other Semifinal Arizona Elite Eight Event:
>> Poll: 1996-1997 versus 2000-2001. Story: TucsonCitizen.com game story

First Round Arizona Elite Eight Event Matchups:
>> Poll: 1987-1988 versus 2010-2011. Story: TucsonCitizen.com analysis
>> Poll: 1993-1994 versus 2004-2005. Story: TucsonCitizen.com analysis
>> Poll: 1996-1997 versus 2002-2003. Story: TucsonCitizen.com analysis
>> Poll: 1975-1976 versus 2000-2001. Story: TucsonCitizen.com analysis

EDITOR NOTE: The following is a fictional depiction of what could occur between the 1987-88 and 1993-94 teams.

VOTE ON HOW YOU FEEL THIS GAME STORY SHOULD END AT WILDABOUTAZCATS.NET!!!

Sean Elliott

Damon Stoudamire

Khalid Reeves

A couple of minutes after the thrilling finish of the 1996-97 vs. 2000-01 semifinal (still to be determined) of the Arizona Elite Eight Event, the next two legendary Wildcat teams took the court at McKale Center and the lights from the rafters shook from the noise.

The scene at McKale conjured memories from when Arizona swept USC and UCLA for the first time in the arena in the 1978-79 season, the Wildcats’ first in the Pac-10 with Fred Snowden as coach. This was like Arizona beating Duke in 1987 or again in 1991 in double-overtime at McKale, multiplied.

You thought the roar at McKale Center after Derrick Williams’ game-saving block against Washington last season was deafening?

Drunk with emotion from the classic finish that just transpired between the 1996-97 and 2000-01 teams, Arizona’s fans were immediately treated to the sight of the program’s best player — Sean Elliott of the 1987-88 team — preparing to face the Wildcats’ best backcourt in history — Damon Stoudamire and Khalid Reeves of the 1993-94 team.

The voice of the late Roger Sedlmayr, the arena’s former public-address announcer, was played when Steve Kerr of the 1987-88 team went to midcourt during the introductions of the starting lineups. The crowd’s imitation of Sedlymayr’s “Steeeeeve Kerrrrrr” announcement could be heard on Cherry Avenue a block away.

Reggie Geary had the daunting task of guarding Sean Elliott but if anybody could do it, Geary could

When post player Anthony Cook of the 1987-88 team shook hands with counterpart Joseph Blair of the 1993-94 club it looked like the number “10″. Cook, 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds, was 60 pounds lighter than Blair, who was listed at 6-10 and 265.

The backcourts comprised of two of the best leaders in UA hoops history — Kerr vs. Stoudamire — and two of the more quiet, yet productive players in Craig McMillan (Lute Olson’s first Parade All-American) of the 1987-88 team against Reeves (the school’s single-season scoring leader with 848 points in that 1993-94 season).

Tom Tolbert of 1987-88 and Ray Owes of 1993-94 were workmanlike at the power forward spots, although Tolbert was a bit more animated and loose. Olson could lose his voice yelling at Tolbert to remain focused. Not so with Owes, who had the most serious look on the court, rivaling that of McMillan.

Reggie Geary, one of Olson’s best defenders in the coach’s 25 years at Arizona, relished the opportunity to try to throw Elliott off his game, but Elliott did not seem fazed from the start.

The All-American and national player of the year ripped the 1993-94 team thanks to the offensive flow of the 1987-88 team, which continues to own the school record for highest field-goal percentage (54.5 percent). Until the last minute of the game, Elliott scored 29 points off 9-of-20 shooting from the field, converting 6-of-12 from three-point range.

The teams were evenly matched for the most part with the lead changing hands 14 times and neither team leading by more than seven points. The 1993-94 team matched its largest lead of seven points, 79-72, with 3:54 left in the game as Stoudamire manuevered around a pick by Owes on top of the key to drill a three-pointer.

The 1987-88 team called a timeout to regroup from the spurt of five unanswered points from the 1993-94 team.

Jud Buechler played to form, making some scrappy plays for the 1987-88 team

The 1987-88 team started the game on fire, opening a 15-8 lead, getting two three-point baskets from Kerr, a jumper from McMillan and another three-point basket from Elliott.

Reeves kept the 1993-94 team close early, scoring 11 of its first 13 points.

The shots kept falling for the 1987-88 team, however, and after a baseline jumper by Tolbert, it held a 28-21 lead with 8:37 left in the first half.

The 1993-94 team continued to chip away by getting the ball to Reeves, Stoudamire and Blair at the post. After a short hook shot by Blair with 2:52 left in the half, the 1993-94 team trimmed the 1987-88 lead to 39-37.

Geary stripped Elliott as time was winding down, and reserve forward Corey Williams filled the lane on a pass from Geary to finish the first half with a layup as time expired to give the 1993-94 team a 43-40 halftime lead.

The 1993-94 team continued its surge after the break, and after an 11-4 run fueled by six points by Stoudamire, its lead was extended to 57-50. Olson used the speedy Kenny Lofton off the bench often against Stoudamire but Stoudamire kept in the flow of the game for the most part.

Elliott took control when the 1987-88 team needed him the most. He hit two quick three-pointers to put keep the game close. The 1993-94 team quickly called a timeout to regroup. The Gumbies — the 1987-88 reserves — were doing their part cheering on their teammates and frolicking as Matt Muehlebach and Sean Rooks playfully tried to snap each other with a towel.

Anthony Cook had a crucial tip-in late in the game for the 1987-88 team

Both teams traded baskets for much of the remainder of the game, and the 1987-88 team found itself down 80-74 with 2:35 left. That’s when things got wild.

After sprawling on the ground for a loose ball, Jud Buechler tossed the ball ahead to Lofton, who located Buechler open on the wing for a three-pointer and got the 1987-88 team within three points.

Elliott blocked off the passing lane, and tapped an errant pass to Kerr, who dribbled down the court and spot up for a three-pointer that hit nothing but net to tie the game at 80 with 1:21 remaining.

After a Reeves jumper and a Blair free throw, the 1993-94 team took an 83-80 lead with 40 seconds left. McMillan then received a pass from Elliott and tried a three-pointer from the corner. The shot was short and Cook was able to reach high for the tip-in, cutting the lead to 83-82 with only 18 seconds remaining.

Stoudamire was fouled with 14 seconds remaining, and he uncharacteristically missed the first free-throw attempt. He ranks No. 10 on the Arizona career charts with a free-throw percentage of 80.4 percent. He made the second to put the 1993-94 team ahead 84-82.

The 1987-88 team, out of timeouts, quickly brought the ball up the court. Coming off a high screen by Cook, Elliott received the ball with Geary tightly guarding him on the right wing.

Geary, aware of Elliott’s deadly quick first step to the basket, did not crowd him too much, allowing Elliott some space just outside the three-point line … the clock ticked down 7 … 6 … 5 … 4 … the McKale crowd was on its feet holding its collective breath ….

Will the game remain in favor of the 1993-94 team with an 84-82 score? Will Elliott prove to be the hero again maneuvering against one of the best UA defenders of all time? You finish the plot. Vote on what you think would/should happen next at WILDABOUTAZCATS.net. Here are the scenarios to choose from:

Scenario 1: Elliott, 6-foot-8, sizes up Geary’s defense and decides to elevate for the three-pointer using his height advantage of six inches against Geary. He drills the three-pointer at the buzzer, reminiscent of his late three-point shot above the key against Duke’s Danny Ferry at the Meadowlands on Feb. 26, 1989. The 1987-88 team prevails 85-84 to advance to the Elite Eight Event championship game.

Scenario 2: Elliott continues to dribble toward the baseline and pulls up for a jump shot, avoiding the help defense by Owes, to tie the game at 84 and send the game into overtime. The 1987-88 team takes control of the extra period, behind the leadership of Kerr and Elliott, and emerges victorious to advance to the Elite Eight Event championship game.

Scenario 3: Elliott takes a step back against the shorter Geary and launches a three pointer that rattles around the rim and falls out. Blair corrals the rebound and the 1993-94 team survives to advance to the Elite Eight Event title game.

Scenario 4: Elliott makes a quick move toward the lane, drawing Owes away from Tolbert temporarily. Elliott quickly slips the ball to Tolbert, who attempted the jumper from the free-throw line that bounced off the front end of the rim, off the backboard and into the hoop. The game goes into overtime and the 1993-94 team quickly gained advantage behind a couple of three-pointers by Reeves. Stoudamire’s free-throw shooting in the end kept the 1993-94 team ahead and it prevails to move on to the Elite Eight Event championship.

In case you missed it: The Top 10 Badass Defensive Players and the Top 10 Badass Offensive Players in Arizona football history

1993-94 Arizona Wildcats (29-6)
–Beat Missouri 92-72 in the West Regional Final; lost to Arkansas 91-82 in the Final Four. To note: The Wildcats made a school-record 279 three-pointers, which was broken last season by the 2010-11 club, which made 296.

2004-05 Arizona Wildcats (30-7)
–Lost to Illinois 90-89 in the Chicago Regional Final. To note: Arizona guard Salim Stoudamire set school records for three-pointers made (120) and free-throw percentage (91 percent, 122 of 134) that season.

VOTE ON THIS MATCHUP AT WILDABOUTAZCATS.NET!!!

Previous Arizona Elite Eight Event Matchups (Polls still open at WILDABOUTAZCATS.net):
>> 1996-1997 versus 2002-2003
>> 1975-1976 versus 2000-2001

MATCHUPS

Point Guard

Damon Stoudamire (1992-1995) vs. Mustafa Shakur (2003-2007)

Damon Stoudamire

Mustafa Shakur

The Stoudamire cousins match up in this one — Damon and Salim — but at different positions. The point guard battle here includes one of the program’s elite in Damon Stoudamire against another in Mustafa Shakur who struggled to reach his potential but was a four-year starter nonetheless.

Among all the feats Damon Stoudamire achieved at Arizona — leading a team to the Final Four, only Wildcat with two 40-point games in his career, etc. — none were arguably more impressive than what he did against Oregon at McKale Center on Feb. 25, 1995.

Stoudamire, a native of Portland, burned his home-state Ducks with a triple-double in a 97-76 victory. What’s so impressive about that? He tallied 32 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists in only 26 minutes. Moreover, the win over the Ducks capped a 16-0 record in his career against Oregon and Oregon State.

Stoudamire, who later was chosen NBA Rookie of the Year and enjoyed a 12-year pro career, received just praise from Arizona coach Lute Olson after the triple-double performance. “Damon’s got spirit; he’s a fighter,” Olson said.

The knock on Shakur by some UA followers was that he did not embody the same win-at-all-costs, steady-as-he-goes characteristics as Stoudamire. Shakur, one of Olson’s more highly touted recruits from Philadelphia, is remembered as the point guard of the UA team that blew a 15-point lead against Illinois with four minutes remaining in the 2005 Chicago Regional Final. The Wildcats led by eight points with 1:15 remaining in regulation. But the top-seeded Illini rallied to force overtime and pulled out a 90-89 victory.

Shakur should be remembered for much more than that. Foremost, among Olson’s array of talented point guards — Damon Stoudamire, Steve Kerr, Mike Bibby, Jason Terry and Jason Gardner among them — Shakur holds the most career assists with 670. Damon Stoudamire finished with 663. Moreover, much like Stoudamire, Shakur proved to be a standup guy who always answered questions by the media, win or lose.

The year after Arizona collapsed against Illinois, the Wildcats traveled to Shakur’s hometown of Philadelphia to play in the NCAA tournament. They routed Wisconsin 94-75 behind Shakur’s 17 points and nine assists. The Wildcats then battled Villanova, which essentially playing a home game in Philly, before losing 82-78 despite 21 points and five assists from Shakur.

“Mustafa has played the way great point guards play,” Olson said after the Wisconsin game. “He ran his team; he backed it out when the advantage wasn’t there; he attacked the rim when he saw the opportunity to attack. And defensively, he’s made unbelievable progress just from last year. And he’s accdepted the role now of being the distributor. This was probaby as well as he’s played.”

Shooting Guard

Khalid Reeves (1991-1994) vs. Salim Stoudamire (2002-2005)

Khalid Reeves

Salim Stoudamire

Wouldn’t this be a captivating one-on-one game when Khalid Reeves and Salim Stoudamire were in their prime?

Reeves, the relentless scorer who always aggressively worked for his shot, against Salim Stoudamire, who rivals Kerr as one of the most confident long-range perimeter shooters in the program’s history.

Reeves and Stoudamire also had a flair for the spectacular. Who can forget when Reeves drove the drove the length of the court in 1992 and scored at the buzzer to beat the Cardinal in Maples Pavilion? During the UA’s Elite Eight season of 2004-2005, Stoudamire converted on three memorable late game-winning baskets.

Stoudamire hit a three-point shot with 2.5 seconds remaining to beat UCLA and made a 14-footer with six-tenths of a second left against Arizona State. In a Sweet 16 game against Oklahoma State that season, his off-balance jumper near the baseline with 2.8 seconds remaining defeated the Cowboys 79-78.

“He’s about perfect when it’s down to that last shot,” Olson told the media before the Elite Eight matchup with Illinois.

Reeves is the only player in UA history to score more than 800 points in a season. He achieved that feat in Arizona’s Final Four season of 1993-94 with 848 points, averaging 24.2 points a game. Reeves and Salim’s cousin, Damon, comprised arguably the best backcourt in Arizona history. Damon averaged 18.3 points that same season.

On the UA’s career scoring chart, Salim Stoudamire ranks fourth with 1,960 points, Reeves is fifth with 1,925 and Damon Stoudamire is sixth at 1,849.

UA forward Chris Mills went so far as to say watching Reeves play was “pretty” after Reeves went 7-for-7 from the field in the first half and finished with a career-high 31 points (at the time) in an 81-70 victory over Oregon State in 1993. Reeves’ career-high was 40 against Michigan at McKale Center in that Final Four season of 1993-94.

“It was kind of pretty watching him shake a guy off and get the basket,” Mills said.

Small Forward

Reggie Geary (1993-1996) vs. Hassan Adams (2003-2006)

Reggie Geary

Hassan Adams

This would be a matchup of “Hot Sauce” Hassan Adams — because he could heat up from the field — against Reggie Geary, who had a habit of making opponents hot because he got under their skin with his defense and his choice words on the court.

Adams, one of Olson’s most versatile players who played at off-guard, small forward and power forward in his career, had his signature game at Washington on Dec. 31, 2005. He scored a career-high 32 points, including eight points and consecutive three-pointers in two overtimes, to lead the Wildcats to a 96-95 victory over the seventh-ranked Huskies. The loss snapped Washington’s 32-game home winning streak. Adams stretched his jersey so Washington fans could clearly read “ARIZONA” on his chest after the win.

“Man, this was big,” Adams told reporters afterward. “It was emotion. It wasn’t boasting. That’s my role on my team.

“My team, my coaches put that confidence in me.”

No other Wildcat has displayed more confidence than Geary, who was nicknamed “The Jacket” because of his defensive prowess. Few realize that Geary was quite the distributor as well. He had more assists in a season (231 in 1995-96) than other UA point guards such as Damon Stoudamire, Bibby, Kerr or Terry. Geary ranks only behind Russell Brown (247 assists in 1978-79) in this category.

Olson could count on Geary getting his teammates involved, and also drawing the ire of opponents, taking them off their game.

Olson came to Geary’s defense after the UA’s 96-77 win at Cal in 1994, when former Golden Bears coach Todd Bozeman accused Geary of trash-talking. Bozeman was assessed a technical for voicing his displeasure to the refs. That helped fuel a 22-0 Arizona run after the Cats were down by 14.

“Hey, sometimes Reggie gets under my skin too,” Olson told reporters. “He’s gotten under everybody’s skin, but I tell you, the guy’s a winner.

“I told him, ‘Don’t do anything to hurt your team.’ But I don’t want him backing down from anybody, either.”

Power Forward

Ray Owes (1992-1995) vs. Ivan Radenovic (2004-2007)

Ray Owes

Ivan Radenovic

Two of the more quieter components to an Elite Eight Arizona team — Ray Owes and Ivan Radenovic — were each valuable in their own special way for their respective teams.

On a lineup that had prolific scoring guards in Reeves and Damon Stoudamire, the verbose Geary and fearless Joseph Blair, Owes welcomed the role as a silent enforcer. He led the 1993-94 team with 8.1 rebounds per game. He also averaged 12.9 points a game. In the 1994 Final Four loss to Arkansas, Owes and Blair combined for 24 points and 26 rebounds.

Olson realized Owes would be a clutch performer in his career when Owes, as a sophomore, made two free throws with 13 seconds remaining to clinch an 82-80 win over UCLA at Pauley Pavilion.

“It was the first time with the game on the line that I had a chance to win it,” Owes told reporters. “It felt good. My mind was clear. I wasn’t even thinking about the free throws.

“I wasn’t nervous at all. I heard the crowd but it didn’t bother me.”

A scout’s take on Radenovic, supplied to DraftExpress.com, describes the former Arizona forward adequately: “Radenovic did a great job setting the tone for his team by facilitating Arizona’s offense from the high-post, finding open cutters with his excellent court vision, setting screens, putting the ball on the floor and making his way to the basket when defenders closed off the angle for his shot, even going glass on one occasions after utilizing a nifty pump-fake.”

Radenovic’s mid-season acquisition in the 2003-04 season was one of Olson’s major recruiting coups and showed how the Hall of Fame coach could cross continents to bring talent to Tucson. Radenovic, a Serbian, joined the UA two days before Christmas in 2003 after graduating from the Secondary School of Sports in Belgrade, Sebria-Montenegro, earlier that year.

After playing two seasons for the KK Partizan youth team, he was classified as a 19-year-old freshman when he joined the Cats.

“He is fundamentally sound and has the skills to play both inside and outside,” Olson said of Radenovic upon his arrival in Tucson.

Little-known fact: Radenovic has the UA’s best free-throw percentage for the Cats (87.2 in 2006-07) for a player who attempted as many free throws as he did (172) in a season. He is also the only non-guard on the UA’s top 10 list for free-throw percentage in a season.

Center

Joseph Blair (1993-1996) vs. Channing Frye (2002-2005)

Joseph Blair

Channing Frye

Nobody has shot the ball better from the field at Arizona throughout a career than Joseph Blair, who made 61.3 percent of his attempts (470 of 767) from 2002 to 2006.

Channing Frye is also among the top 10 field-goal shooters in Arizona history at 56.2 percent. Frye attempted 490 more shots in his career (1,257) than Blair. That should not take away from Blair’s top ranking. Blair was the model for efficiency, taking shots when he should. He also knew how to throw his weight around to get that tip-on or post-up shot.

Furthermore, Blair did not have to shoot much playing mostly with guys like Damon Stoudamire and Reeves. That’s not to insinuate Blair and Arizona’s frontcourt players were bit players. Oklahoma State’s Bryant “Big Country” Reeves can attest to how valuable Blair, Owes and Co., were to the Wildcats’ success.

Blair helped shut down the much-publicized Reeves, holding Big Country to only 12 points and six rebounds in Arizona’s 97-84 victory on Dec. 5, 1993. Big Country entered the game averaging 28.5 points and 11.1 rebounds a game.

“I think we’re very highly underrated,” Blair told reporters after the game. He finished with 14 points and eight rebounds in only 20 minutes.

“In all the magazines, they say we have a great backcourt, but there’s always a question mark on the front court. This shows we can play with the big men.”

In this matchup, Frye would likely try to draw Blair away from the hoop and attack him with his face to the basket. Blair, however, was athletic for his size (6-10, 265) and could keep step with Frye (6-11, 245).

Bench

1993-1994 key reserves: Corey Williams, Joe McLean, Jarvis Kelley and Kevin Flanagan

2004-2005 key reserves: Jawann McClellan, Chris Rodgers and Kirk Walters

Corey Williams

Jawann McClellan

Williams, McLean and Flanagan were consumate team players who did not mind their reserve roles. Olson could count on his 1994 Final Four team to be on the same page because of the leadership skills of Stoudamire and the role acceptance of every player on the team. As lethal as Damon Stoudamire and Khalid Reeves were starters, Williams and McLean were damaging as well to opponents because of the backbone they brought to the 1993-94 team.

Arizona Daily Star sports columnist Greg Hansen once wrote that season: “You don’t beat Arizona when Joe McLean and Corey Williams are beating you every which way but loose.”

McClellan, Flanagan and Walters embodied the same team-first characteristics. Rodgers, who earned his bachelor’s degree in only 3 1/2 years, was a highly-touted recruit who never found his niche in Tucson. He was often in Olson’s doghouse and was eventually suspended from the team in the 2005-06 season. He appealed that suspension was allowed to return, but he hardly flourished.

McClellan should have a plaque at McKale Center to honor what he went through as a Wildcat. He did not transfer or give up after his father passed away when he was a freshman. Injuries or academic difficulties could have derailed him, but they did not. Any coach can point to his picture and tell his players that if they had his kind of heart, everything else would take care of itself.

Don’t forget: For all the links, Twitter feeds and news feeds related to Arizona and its opponents, go to Morales’ site WILDABOUTAZCATS.NET. No other Arizona sports Web site is like it!

Derrick Williams could become the first Arizona player to be selected as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft

Derrick Williams, who announced Wednesday that he will enter the 2011 NBA draft and hire an agent, did not win a national player of the year award like former Arizona standouts Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, Jason Terry and Jason Gardner.

He was not a consensus first-team All-American like Elliott, Mike Bibby and Damon Stoudamire.

He did not lead the Wildcats to a Final Four appearance like Kerr, Elliott, Stoudamire, Khalid Reeves, Miles Simon, Michael Dickerson, Bibby, Richard Jefferson and Jason Gardner.

Despite all these lack of accolades, some would argue Williams is the best player to wear an Arizona uniform, given his amount of production in only a two-year span. Many NBA scouting analysts agree that Williams will be the first player taken in the draft, becoming the first Wildcat with that distinction.

Bibby was the No. 2 pick in 1998 and Elliott the No. 3 in 1989.

In two seasons, Williams averaged 17.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in 69 career appearances (68 starts). He connected on 58.6 percent of his field goal attempts (388-of-662) in that span, a figure that ranks fourth on the UA career field goal percentage list.

He finished his career with 1,227 career points, which ranks 27th on the UA career scoring list. Williams scored more points in his first two seasons as a Wildcat than any other player in school history. He also is tied for seventh on the Arizona career scoring average list (17.8 points a game).

He is sixth on the career free throws list with 405 and seventh on the career free throw attempts list (563). No player in Arizona history averaged more free throw attempts per game than Williams’ average of 8.2 per game.

Elliott finished with a UA-record 2,555 points in his career, which at the time of his departure after four years was also a Pac-10 record. If Williams stayed and maintained his scoring pace, he would have finished with 2,454 points, challenging Elliott’s mark.

Arguably, in a two-year span Williams is the best to wear an Arizona uniform. How about overall, especially if he is selected as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft?

That’s highly debatable, especially considering what many NBA scouts believe is a very weak draft.

Williams obviously belongs among the pantheon of Arizona greats, definitely in the top five, in my opinion, with Elliott, Stoudamire, Bibby and Kerr.

Front page of the Tucson Citizen the day after Arizona outlasted UNLV 114-109 in overtime on March 18, 1976

The day Arizona starts its Sean Miller NCAA tournament chapter is a day that produced one of the Wildcats’ greatest victories and most forgettable defeats in March Madness history.

Former UNLV legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian led his team to a 29-1 record before Arizona's upset victory over the Running Rebels in the 1976 NCAA West Regional semifinals

The Wildcats defeated UNLV 114-109 in overtime in the NCAA West Regional semifinal on March 18, 1976. The No. 2-seeded Wildcats were upset 64-61 by Santa Clara and Steve Nash on March 18, 1993.

Obscure fact: When the Wildcats face Memphis and former player and assistant coach Josh Pastner on Friday morning, it will mark the program’s 10th NCAA tournament game played on March 18. That’s the most games in a day in Arizona’s NCAA tournament history, two more than March 16.

The Wildcats’ record on March 18 is 5-4. Too bad for those superstitious Arizona fans that the Cats’ first-round game was not on Thurs., March 17. The Wildcats are 3-0 in the NCAA tournament on March 17.

Performances in Arizona’s monumental 1976 win over the Running Rebels, coached by Jerry Tarkanian, still litter the UA postseason record book. Fred Snowden‘s Wildcats advanced the farthest in school history at the time — only a game away from the Final Four — behind Herman Harris‘ 31 points.

Harris’ scoring output ranks second in NCAA tournament scoring, behind Khalid Reeves‘ 32 against Loyola (Md.) in an 81-55 win on — yes, March 18, 1994.

Harris scored 16 of the Wildcats’ final 27 points in regulation against UNLV. He also hit the tying shot with 14 seconds left in regulation.

The 114 points against the Rebels in Los Angeles remains a tournament record for the Wildcats. Remember, the game was played before the NCAA instituted the shot clock and three-point line. The Wildcats could have actually scored a lot more. They made an Arizona NCAA tournament record-low 56.5 percent (26 of 46) of their free-throw attempts against UNLV.

Jim Rappis posted 12 assists in the game, one less than Reggie Geary‘s UA tournament record against Iowa on March 17, 1996. Phil Taylor‘s 15 rebounds against the Rebels, are one less than Al Fleming‘s 16 two days later in a loss to UCLA in the regional final and A.J. Bramlett‘s 16 in a first-round win over South Alabama (March 13, 1997) during the UA’s national title run.

Rappis, who also scored 24 against UNLV, played in the second half with a noticeable limp after hurting his left heel six minutes before halftime.

“Jimmy is the epitome of courage,” Snowden told reporters.

Six players fouled out and a total of 63 fouls were called. Rappis’ scoring and assists combined with that of Harris (who also had nine assists) accounted for 97 of Arizona’s points against UNLV, which was 29-1 heading into the game. Arizona finished that season 24-9.

“I just don’t know what to say,” Tarkanian is quoted as saying after the game. “Arizona deserves all the credit. They played a great game.

“Our kids have worked so hard and so long, it’s a shame to see it all end now.”

Former UA coach Lute Olson had a similar reaction when the Wildcats were stunned 64-61 by Nash’s Santa Clara Broncos in 1993. The loss came a season after No. 14 seed East Tennessee State upset the No. 3 Wildcats 87-80 in the first round.

Arizona lost to Santa Clara despite going on one of its patented runs, 25-0 between the first and second halves. The Wildcats seemed to be in command with a 46-33 lead with 15:26 left in the game. But that’s when leading scorer Chris Mills was assessed his fourth foul, requiring him to sit for almost 10 minutes.

Arizona (24-4) managed only one field goal the rest of the way until Mills hit a 3-pointer with 8.4 seconds to pull the Wildcats within 64-61. They could get no closer. Damon Stoudamire‘s desperation 23-footer at the buzzer hit the back of the rim.

“I don’t feel jinxed,” Olson told the media. “At this time, I’m just frustrated we didn’t play more the way we’re capable of playing.”

Some other March 18 NCAA tournament data for the Wildcats:

>> Olson achieved his first NCAA tournament victory at Arizona with a 90-50 rout of Cornell on March 18, 1988. Olson had lost in the first round at Arizona in consecutive years from 1985-87 before that victory. The Wildcats advanced to their first Final Four that year.

>> A 94-68 win over Clemson on March 18, 1989 sent the Wildcats into the Sweet 16 in Sean Elliott‘s senior season, but they lost to UNLV 68-67 five days later.

>> Another victory on March 18 (in the 2001 tourney) was a 73-52 rout over Butler in the second round. The Wildcats advanced to the championship game that season.

>> Other losses on March 18 include second-round setbacks to Alabama (77-55 in 1990) and Wisconsin (66-59 as a No. 1 seed in 2000), and a first-round loss to Seton Hall (80-76 in 2004).

>> The Wildcats posted the most turnovers (31) in their NCAA tournament history against UNLV in 1976. They achieved their best free-throw percentage (94.4, 17 of 18) in the 2001 win over Butler. And Joseph Blair made all six of his field-goal attempts against Loyola (Md.) in 1994, giving him the record of a 1.000 shooting percentage (minimum six attempts required).

Gary Payton, a 16-year NBA veteran, addressed Washington and in the locker room after the Huskies' Pac-10 Tournament semifinal victory over Oregon Friday night (Getty Images photo)

LOS ANGELES — Shorty after Washington coach Lorenzo Romar emerged from the Huskies’ locker room late Friday night, former Oregon State All-American and NBA star Gary Payton walked out wearing his customary grin.

Could Payton be that happy that Washington, his former Pacific northwest rival, beat his old arch-rival Oregon 69-51 in the Pac-10 Tournament semifinals?

Has Payton, gasp, become a Husky fan?

“I don’t know about that, but he has taken a liking to us,” Washington post player Matthew Bryan-Amaning told me with a laugh in the locker room.

Payton’s ties with Washington start with Husky assistant coach Jim Shaw, who was part of Oregon State’s staff when Payton and the Beavers won the 1990 Pac-10 championship.

And in what seems to be a trend, Washington guard Isaiah Thomas has befriended Payton, nicknamed “The Glove” because of his defensive prowess, and sought the advice of the retired 16-year NBA veteran. Thomas already shares a strong friendship and basketball-training relationship with former UA guard and Seattle native Jason Terry, and ex-Wildcat playmaker Damon Stoudamire.

Thomas, a junior guard from Tacoma, needs two assists to break Payton’s Pac-10 Tournament record of 24 when the Huskies face Arizona Saturday for the Pac-10 championship at Staples Center (game time 4 p.m., Tucson time, CBS).

“I have nothing but praise for that young man,” Payton said of Thomas. “He’s the leader of that team. He’s going to be something special.”

Washington coach Lorenzo Romar allowed Payton to stand before his team and speak in the locker room after the Huskies beat Oregon Friday night.

“He congratulated us on competing hard and getting to the finals,” Bryan-Amaning said. “He said he saw us play both games against Arizona this year (the teams split, each winning at home), and that he knows we can get it done.

“He likes the way we play as a team and how we compete. He likes our style of play. He’ll be pulling for us. He’s taken Isaiah under his wing, too. It’s special having guy like that support us.”

Washington’s official Web site published what Payton had to say to the Huskies about facing Arizona.

“Y’all beat their (bleep) once. They beat your (bleep) once,” Payton told the Huskies. “This is it.”

Arizona players, such as Kevin Parrom, have Derrick Williams to lean on when the going gets tough like Thursday in the Wildcats' narrow 73-71 over Cal at McKale Center (US Presswire photo/Chris Morrison)

Arizona may rely too much on sophomore forward sensation Derrick Williams, but the Wildcats are 13-3 overall and 2-1 in the Pac-10.

Of course, 16-0 and 3-0 would be much better for some Arizona fans, but the current record is something to build on, considering all the “hot button” topics involved with the Wildcats, as second-year coach Sean Miller calls them.

One of those buttons is the heavy reliance on Williams, who acknowledged Thursday night that, “I put the team on my shoulders,” in Arizona’s 73-71 victory escape against a feisty, yet average 7-7 California team, at McKale Center.

Williams scored a career-high 31 points (42.4 percent of the Wildcats’ scoring) behind a school-record 22 free-throw attempts (he made 16).

It was written in this space last week that Arizona is practically “Derrick Williams and the 12 Dwarfs” (the UA has 13 players under scholarship, including Williams). That’s taking it to the extreme, perhaps a bit unfair to the others.

After all, other prolific-scoring players in Arizona basketball history have carried more of a scoring load for their team, believe it or not. This is a fact despite Williams currently averaging 19.4 points a game, with the next highest teammate (Solomon Hill) at 8.3.

After Thursday night’s game, Williams accounts for 24.8 percent of his team’s scoring (the Wildcats average 78.2 points a game).

Just two years ago, Chase Budinger of “Three Amigos” fame with Jordan Hill and Nic Wise, accounted for 24.9 percent of the UA’s scoring. He averaged 18 of Arizona’s 72.3 points a game under interim coach Russ Pennell.

The year before that (2007-08), under interim coach Kevin O’Neill, freshman guard Jerryd Bayless averaged 19.7 points a game, which was 27.4 percent of Arizona’s 71.9 average. That ranks as the highest mark since the Lute Olson era started in 1983-84.

The list of Olson-recruited players who equaled or accounted for more percentage of their team’s scoring than Williams’ current 24.8 mark:

1. Bayless (19.7 points per game — 27.4 percent of UA’s 71.9 points per game)
2. Khalid Reeves (24.2 points per game — 27.1 percent of UA’s 89.3 points per game in 1993-94).
3. Damon Stoudamire (22.8 points per game — 26.9 percent of UA’s 84.9 points per game in 1994-95).
4. Jason Terry (21.9 points per game — 26.6 percent of UA’s 82.2 points per game in 1998-99).
5. Sean Elliott (22.2 points per game — 26.3 percent of UA’s 84.5 points per game in 1988-89)
6. Elliott (19.3 points per game — 25.6 percent of UA’s 75.6 points per game in 1986-87)
7. Budinger (18 points per game — 24.9 percent of UA’s 72.3 points per game)
8. Jason Gardner (20.4 points per game — 24.8 percent of UA’s 82.1 points per game in 2001-02).

Other players from the Fred Snowden era and beyond produced more of a percentage of Arizona’s overall points than Bayless’ mark. Bob Elliott‘s 23.3 scoring average in 1974-75 accounted for 28.4 percent of the Wildcats’ 82.1 average.

That percentage failed to pass the 29.6 mark produced by Coniel Norman in 1972-73. Norman averaged 24 points a game, while the Wildcats averaged 81.2.

More impressive: Ernie McCray‘s 34-percent production of the UA’s scoring in 1959-60. He averaged 23.8 points a game. Arizona averaged 70 as a team.

The best percentage in Arizona history belongs to “Jumping” Jack Raffety (or was it “Jolting?”) in 1930-31. He averaged 10.9 of the Wildcats’ 29.4 points a game (37.1 percent).

In all of these examples, the players (at least in the modern era) were not ball hogs, just reliable scorers given the green light by their respective coaches. Williams described himself as an unselfish player after Thursday’s game.

How could he be selfish if he only had 14 field-goal attempts in his previous three games before Thursday? If anything, Arizona must do a better job of getting him the ball more. He took 12 shots Thursday, making seven.

“It’s not my personality to be selfish,” he said, “but I have to be more aggressive and call for the ball more. We have to play to our strengths.”

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was reinstated by the NCAA Wednesday, allowing him to play in Saturday's SEC title game (US Presswire photo/Nelson Chenault)

Is it possible to get WikiLeaks involved to divulge the actual information sharing between Cam Newton and his father Cecil Newton in regards to the star quarterback’s alleged money-laundering recruiting process?

The NCAA’s reinstatement committee announced Wednesday that it has no proof that Cam Newton knew about his father wheeling and dealing a pay-for-play scheme on his behalf. The NCAA immediately reinstated the younger Newton after Auburn declared him ineligible (trying cover its you-know-what) on Tuesday.

Got that all you high-profile prospects out there?: Tell your parents that it’s cool to go after the dough as long as they keep it a secret from you — a different kind of “Don’t ask, don’t tell” practice.

Remember that 10 p.m. message before the evening news back in the 1970′s and 80′s? “It’s 10 o’clock, do you know you where your children are?” Well, “It’s 10 p.m., Cam Newton, do you know where your father is?”

Color me skeptical that Cecil Newton kept all of his conversations regarding his son’s recruitment hush-hush and Cam Newton was oblivious to it all. The investigation is ongoing by the NCAA’s infractions committee as to whether the younger Newton should be implicated in a rules violation for receiving improper benefits.

For now, the reinstatement committee cleared the Heisman trophy candidate to play for the No. 1 BCS team because it considered “the young person’s responsibility” or lack thereof in relation to his father’s negotiations.

Former UA guard Damon Stoudamire was suspended for a game by the NCAA in 1995 for his father's transgressions with an agent, even though the younger Stoudamire denied knowledge of the wrongdoing and the NCAA never proved that he knew anything

In a statement regarding the Newton decision, Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs, said: “In determining how a violation impacts a student-athlete’s eligibility, we must consider the young person’s responsibility. Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity.”

The NCAA had no evidence in 1995 that former Arizona guard Damon Stoudamire knew about his father receiving an improper benefit — an airline ticket from an agent — but the governing body suspended him for one game.

Stoudamire was forced to sit the UA’s last regular season game against ASU at McKale Center — not an ideal way to go into the NCAA tournament that year especially with teammate Ben Davis suspended indefinitely for allegedly personally receiving about $3,000 worth of benefits from an agent.

The discombobulated Cats lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament that year to Miami of Ohio, coached by Herb Sendek, who ironically had Sean Miller as one of his assistant coaches.

Undoubtedly, somebody will argue that the NCAA suspended Stoudamire for a game because his father actually received a benefit. Evidently, nobody knows right now whether Newton’s father and Kenny Rogers — his cohort, the scouting service owner, not the country music singer — received any benefits.

Perhaps the singer should have become involved because he would have informed Newton’s father to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. It’s obvious that Newton’s father has gone too far in this case.

Who’s kidding whom here? The NCAA always likes to make an example of a school or program that supposedly shows a lack of institutional control. It rarely, if ever, has become passive like the reinstatement committee has done in this case with the younger Newton. We must consider the young person’s responsibility. …

The same governing body did not afford Stoudamire such a consideration 15 years ago. His father Willie Stoudamire admitted to receiving an airline ticket (the sum of which was immediately paid back). However, the NCAA never proved the younger Stoudamire knew of any transactions between his father and the agent. How Damon Stoudamire did not know what his father was doing is far beyond me.

If Auburn is not in position to play in the BCS title game, do you honestly think the NCAA would be as forgiving of the Tigers’ quarterback? Imagine if Newton was forced to sit the SEC title game Saturday against South Carolina and the Tigers lost? That instantly would become one of the top college football developments of all-time — a Heisman candidate suspended in a high-magnitude game that ultimately played a part in the national championship matchup.

The NCAA did not want to be a part of that equation. It flinched. Now recruits and their handlers (using secretive wheeling-and-dealing parents as shields) have a fighting chance to make wrongdoing vogue.

We must consider the young person’s responsibility. The NCAA should have considered what message it is sending.

USC's Stanley Havili (shown here against the UA in 2008) and the Trojans stand in the way of Arizona's prolonged stay in the AP Top 25 poll (US Presswire photo/Chris Morrison)

Random thoughts while wondering what Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh told his team about the Wildcats behind closed doors after the Cardinal beat Arizona 42-17 last night. …

The Wildcats dropped five spots to No. 18 in the AP Top 25 poll after the sizeable loss on (mostly) national television. That means the Cats are perilously closer to exiting the Top 25 instead of approaching the top. A loss at home to USC on Saturday could end a nice little run in the rankings for the Wildcats.

Arizona is now in its ninth consecutive week in the AP Top 25 poll. Can’t get much better than that right, especially for a program that has never been ranked No. 1 in its history? The Wildcats have actually posted better streaks than that four different times:

• 39 consecutive weeks: In the Desert Swarm era, from the start of the 1993 season to five weeks into 1995.
• 20: During the entire 1998 season (when the Cats finished 12-1 and ranked No. 4) and four weeks into 1999.
• 15: The entire 1975 season, from the preseason poll to the final poll, peaking at No. 11 after starting 8-1.
• 13: After starting 2-0 through the end of the 1986 season, the last for Larry Smith at Arizona.

If the UA’s current streak extends closer to these top four, it would mean the Cats finished at least 3-1 in their last four games — against USC, Oregon, ASU and their bowl game. That one loss can not be to the Trojans for the streak to continue.

Where’s the (scoring) beef? The preliminary analysis of the 2010-11 basketball team is that sophomore post player Derrick Williams is a sure scoring threat for the Wildcats, but who will help ease the load? If nobody else consistently scores, Williams can expect more double-teaming defenses and players collapsing toward him off their man.

Kyle Fogg (11.1 points a game last season) is the most logical choice as another scoring threat, as Sean Miller told TucsonCitizen.com’s Steve Rivera and the media Sunday after the UA’s exhibition victory over Augustana College.

Miller also said, “From that point on (after Fogg’s scoring), different players have to emerge.”

If nobody emerges to a double-figure scoring average — and Williams and Fogg are the only players to reach that mark — it will be the first time since Lute Olson’s first season at UA (1983-84) that only two players averaged scoring in double figures.

Pete Williams (14.5 points a game) and Eddie Smith (13.2) were the only consistent scorers in double figures that season. The next highest scoring average of only 7.7 points belonged to Brock Brunkhorst. That also happened to be Olson’s only losing season in 24 years at Arizona.

Will the same type of scoring averages occur this season for Miller’s balanced approach? If so, it may not be all that bad for the Wildcats. Miller unquestionably would rather have a team with six or seven players averaging close to 10 points a game than two or three averaging more than 15 with the others far behind.

Scoring from the perimeter should be the major concern. In each of Olson’s four Final Four teams, a perimeter player was a scoring threat on the offensive end — Steve Kerr in 1987-88, Damon Stoudamire and Khalid Reeves in 1993-94, Miles Simon, Mike Bibby and Michael Dickerson in 1996-97, and Gilbert Arenas and Jason Gardner in 2000-01.

This season, Arizona will rely on Fogg and MoMo Jones plenty in this regard. It’s no wonder why Miller made it a priority to recruit the highly-potent backcourt of Nick Johnson and Josiah Turner for the Class of 2011.

Let’s get physical. Two Arizona basketball players (Kyryl Natyazhko and Kevin Parrom) have suffered concussions in practice. Another — Williams — sported a swollen, black eye also from a practice mishap. Natyazhko was also part of a reported heated, physical exchange during one of the early practice sessions.

Playing for Arizona under Miller is certainly not for the weak. He played in the Big East, after all. Williams said last week that UA coaches do not call fouls in practice, noting that the players are learning “to play through” such adverse conditions.

The physical tone of practice carried over to the Augustana exhibition in the form of Arizona’s 35 free-throw attempts. The Cats made only 22 of them, which minimized their importance, but going to the line that much shows the Wildcats are playing an aggressive style of basketball.

Mental (and physical) toughness will go a long way toward Arizona improving its rebounding and defense, two areas exposed last year in the 16-15 season.