Former Arizona forward Derrick Williams has trimmed down from 248 to 232 pounds to be more agile on the wing for Minnesota (US Presswire photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

LAS VEGAS — When Derrick Williams was preparing to play his first season at Arizona in 2009, he was asked during Media Day what position he expected to play the most for the Wildcats and new coach Sean Miller.

“I want to play out on the wing,” Williams said. “I feel like I can play the best out there, because I can shoot it from outside, but I will do whatever Coach Miller needs me to do.”

The Wildcats, strapped for frontcourt players, needed Williams to fill the role as a power forward and he gained weight accordingly, listed as high as 245 pounds. Williams, who stands at 6-foot-8, played as a power forward with a small-forward mindset in most of his two years at Arizona.

Now, entering his second season in the NBA, Williams is trying to reverse what his role became at Arizona. Minnesota Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman and his staff want Williams to play more in the open court, handle the ball at the wing and make things happen by playing aggressively with the shot and the pass.

“I do want to dominate, but it’s not really about scoring 30 points,” Williams said after playing an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Arena with the Timberwolves. “I just want to stay efficient, making shots I know I can make and just really stay consistent.

“I’m trying to get my assists up too. I’m trying to do a little more of everything and be more complete.”

More assists? Williams had 65 of those in 69 games in his two years with Arizona. In 66 games last season with Minnesota — almost equaling his total with the Wildcats — Williams only had 35 assists.

Derrick Williams has worked more on his game of facing the basket during the NBA Summer League games (US Presswire photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

That was the former Derrick Williams, heavier and more concerned about positioning near the basket for rebounds and high-percentage shots. The new Williams now weighs 232 pounds — down 16 pounds from what he was listed last season with Minnesota. His performance at this week’s NBA Summer League has included pushing the ball and attacking the lane from the wing, mostly in transition.

“They like me in fast-break situations, attacking in the open court,” Williams said of Minnesota’s brass.

Williams was the anchor of Arizona’s offense, filling the lane or spotting up for a three-pointer either in transition or in the halfcourt sets. He was not counted on to create shots off the dribble or pass to the open man after penetrating like a wing player is required.

That’s his new role with Minnesota. Through three games in the NBA Summer League, Williams is averaging 18.3 rebounds, 7 rebounds and 1.7 assists. That’s not much, you say — Williams’ 1.7 assists per game. Well, the average is actually tied for second-best for Minnesota in these summer-league games, which often become structured playground games.

“The thing I keep stressing and what they’ve been telling me is to be more efficient in everything that I do,” Williams said. “I have been working hard and doing all the right things to make that happen. I know it’s something I will continue to work hard on.”

A testament to that hard work is his diligent training regimen with the trainer of Timberwolves teammate Kevin Love in Los Angeles. Rob McClanaghan has made a name for himself among other NBA players, also training the likes of Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose, to name a couple.

Williams’ body transformation also includes having a procedure done recently to fix a deviated septum, which affected his breathing on the court, extending to his high school days. Aesthetically, Williams is wearing a retainer on his teeth. A good smile, after all, helps an athlete to be more marketable off the court.

In terms of being marketable, Williams has endured the trade-talk news during the NBA draft last month and recently when the Timberwolves approached Portland about acquiring small forward Nicolas Batum for Williams, the No. 2 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. The trade rumors are likely a result of Minnesota believing Williams is raw at small forward and playing out of position at power forward behind Love.

“I know this is a business,” Williams said. “That kind of (trade) talk and rumors are going to happen with everybody. If I just focus on what I have to do to be a complete player, everything will take care of itself.”

SUMMER LEAGUE NOTES: Former Arizona guard Kyle Fogg played in Houston’s last game of the NBA Summer League on Wednesday against Chicago after sitting on the bench for the first four games. He scored four points on 2-of-3 shooting from the field in 22 minutes. He tallied two rebounds, an assist and four turnovers. … Fogg was able to congratulate former Arizona assistant Mike Dunlap on landing the head coaching job with Charlotte when they met Tuesday night at Thomas & Mack after Dunlap coached the Bobcats against Minnesota. Dunlap was instrumental in Fogg attending Arizona in 2008-09, the season Dunlap and Russ Pennell coached the Wildcats on an interim basis. … Former Arizona players have been very visible at the NBA Summer League. The list includes Steve Kerr (NBA-TV announcer), Sean Rooks (an NBA Developmental League coach/administrator), Joe McLean (investment advisor), Reggie Geary (Japanese Basketball League coach), Matt Brase (Houston scout and assistant), Bret Brielmaier (San Antonio scout and assistant) and Luke Walton and Richard Jefferson (current NBA players observing the games). “It’s a good brand when you come out of the program,” McLean told me. “When you go in to the school, you don’t think about all those things. You assume you will play in the NBA for 15 years, but as you know, that doesn’t get to happen for most of us. So even if you don’t make it in the NBA (Brielmaier and Brase, Lute Olson’s grandson, as examples) there have been some opportunities in sports for the guys to make it.”

Former Arizona guard Kyle Fogg has yet to play in Houston’s three games of the NBA Summer League but he is maintaining a positive outlook (TucsonCitizen.com photo/Javier Morales)

LAS VEGAS — His last name is Fogg, but his head is not in a fog when it comes to his future, even under what some would consider trying circumstances.

Houston has played three games in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas since Friday, and the Rockets only have two left. Kyle Fogg’s playing time: Zero minutes. Monday afternoon, with the same fervor he showed at Arizona, Fogg went through the daily routine of a shootaround and a pregame warmup before the Rockets played Jimmer Fredette and Sacramento at the Thomas & Mack Arena.

Fogg, an undrafted guard trying to embark on a professional career either in the NBA, the NBA’s Developmental League or overseas, faces the daily grind and playing uncertainty with a positive outlook. He joked with teammates during the warmup drills. He remained in good spirits on the Houston bench throughout the Rockets’ 113-91 win over the Kings.

Not even in a rout did Fogg get time on the court. A lesser person, thinking playing time is owed to him since he is on the roster, would start to sulk or become frustrated.

“They’ve had an opportunity to see me play (in practice),” Fogg reasoned. “They like me as a player. It’s just about getting better in practice every day.

“I want to show them that I can be an even better player down the road … I just have to be ready for when my time comes and show people that I can play.”

A consolation: Five other players on the roster have yet to play and four others have played in only one of the three games.

Houston’s coach in the summer league J.B. Bickerstaff — the former Oregon State player and son of ex-NBA coach Bernie Bickerstaff — is utilizing the personnel to the command of head coach Kevin McHale (who sits courtside here).

“You look at our roster, and we’ve got a lot of youth and there’s a lot of opportunity for them,” J.B. Bickerstaff said in terms of drafted players, returners and acquisitions under contract.

The Rockets’ strategy is sticking mostly to playing seven players they want to see perform in game conditions, including a trio of first-round draft picks this year — shooting guard Jeremy Lamb, wing player Terrence Jones and power forward Royce White.

The others are one-year NBA players, power forward Marcus Morris and point guard Courtney Fortson; undrafted rookie point guard Scott Machado; and rookie Lithuanian center Donatas Motiejunas (obtained in a trade from Minnesota, which drafted him in the first round in 2011). Machado is getting significant playing time because point guard is a position of need for Houston.

Fogg admitted the lack of playing time is “definitely kind of discouraging”, but that’s because he was unable to perform in front of family and friends who made the trip to Las Vegas from his hometown of Brea, Calif., over the weekend. They have returned home.

“I want to get out there and play for my fans, friends and family,” he said. “I am going to be ready for the opportunity. Hopefully I can get on the floor in these next couple of games.”

Fogg, 6-foot-3 and 188 pounds, keeps a clear head about his situation because of encouraging words by others, including former UA teammates Chase Budinger and Derrick Williams, both with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I have talked to Chase a lot and also Derrick,” said Fogg, who averaged 9.6 points in his UA career, spanning 139 games (119 starts). “Those guys just tell me to stay with it and keep working and eventually my time will come.

“I saw Derrick here (Sunday night). He thinks I am good enough to play at that level (NBA) and it’s just up to me to show my stuff.”

Fogg will continue to work on his game and play as much as possible after the NBA Summer League ends this week. No summer vacation for him. No time off.

He plans to work out near his home in Brea and also in Tucson later this month leading up to when NBA training camp opens in October.

“Everything is just kind of going by too fast,” Fogg said about his experiences after earning his degree after the spring semester. “It’s been kind of tough after the season ended. I am working every day and getting better.

“I am following my dream of playing in the NBA. It feels great just to be able to hoop every day and not really have to worry about anything else.”

Fogg’s work ethic and team-first mentality has made a good impression on Houston’s brass. Scouts from other teams might not be able to see him play here but the Rockets know much about him. Word also travels in the NBA.

“They know I am a great guy off the court,” he said when asked what he has to offer at the NBA level. “I am also a great defender and a guy who can really spread the floor when he gets out there.”

SUMMER LEAGUE NOTES: Williams started Monday night for Minnesota in the Timberwolves’ 73-64 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. He had 15 points and nine rebounds. He also had a highlight-reel alley-oop dunk. … Former Santa Rita High School player Terrell Stoglin went scoreless in three minutes in Toronto’s 85-75 loss to Dallas on Monday. Stoglin has scored five points with no assists in a total of 10 minutes through three games. … Darryl Eto, a former head assistant strength and conditioning coach at the UA from 1991-97, is Houston’s director of strength and conditioning. … Fredette, who set a McKale Center record with 49 points in BYU’s 99-69 win over Arizona on Dec. 28, 2009, is an obvious crowd favorite here in Las Vegas. He received the loudest cheers en route to his team-high 30 points in Sacramento’s loss to Houston.

Former Arizona center Sean Rooks, who went from being a redshirt player in Lute Olson’s program to a 12-year NBA veteran, knows what it takes to work from the ground up.

Former Arizona point guard Josiah Turner will attempt to play next season either in the NBA’s Developmental League or overseas (US Presswire photo/Chris Morrison )

After learning Wednesday about former Arizona guard Josiah Turner’s decision to turn pro instead of transferring to SMU, Rooks believes today’s young players dangerously believe they can shoot right to the top. Turner told Yahoo Sports on Wednesday that he wants to pursue his dream of a pro career — starting in either the NBA’s Developmental League or overseas — rather than continue his collegiate career.

“(It’s) sad where sports has gone,” Rooks wrote on a thread on my Facebook page. “Kids have the 40-inch vertical (leap), the killer cross over … Everybody wants to be a PRO for all the wrong reasons but yet can’t make it through a year of school … (they) think it’s that easy to adapt to a professional life.”

Rooks not only survived but flourished in the NBA despite a second-round selection in the 1992 draft. According to Basketball-Reference.com, Rooks earned $17.2 million for seven different NBA teams. And that does not include the two years (2005 and 2006) in Spain that concluded his career.

He went from averaging 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds as a redshirt freshman in 1988-89 — Sean Elliott’s senior season — to posting 16.3 points and 6.9 rebounds a game as a senior in 1991-92. A four-year college career is becoming the exception rather than the norm for NBA-bound players these days.

The 2012 NBA draft last month included 66 early entries, 49 of them collegiate underclassmen. Only four seniors were selected in the first round of this year’s draft.

Turner announced his intention to transfer to SMU after completing a tumultuous freshman season at Arizona, one in which included alcohol and marijuana use being “big issues”, he told Yahoo Sports.

Arizona coach Sean Miller disciplined Turner, a 6-foot-2-inch point guard, on three separate occasions, including a permanent dismissal for the remainder of the season before the Pac-12 tournament started. Turner was arrested in Tucson in April on suspicion of extreme DUI. This occurred three weeks after Arizona announced Turner, a Rivals.com Five-Star recruit out of high school, was transferring from the program.

Turner decided to turn pro despite averaging only 6.8 points and 2.4 assists in his lone season with Arizona.

“They must think being a pro is simple,” Rooks wrote about young players with raw potential such as Turner. “I mean, how hard can it be to buy cars, jewelry and pop bottles for the homies and the women?

“They got it all figured out. (With) the direction he is going, he will be LUCKY if he is smart enough to go back to school.”

Rooks, who has spoken to prospects about making right decisions at various high school all-star events, ended his opinion in the Facebook post by writing “smh”, which stands for “shaking my head”.

In the Yahoo Sports article, Turner said he has matured from his experience at Arizona.

“My maturity level now is way higher than it was when I was in Arizona,” Turner told Yahoo. “I was young. I made mistakes. I just learned a lot from last year thinking about where I could be at right now and thinking about the things I did last year. It was all stupid.”

I echo Rooks’ thoughts on this subject of young players being overzealous about a potential pro career. It falls in line with Miller’s comments about success being earned — not being an entitlement — when he took over the Arizona program in 2009. I hope that Turner’s decision to forsake a college career for a roll-of-the-dice shot at pro ball is not another one of his life-changing mistakes.

***

As expected former Arizona forward Derrick Williams is slated to play for Minnesota in the upcoming NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (which runs Friday through July 22). The only other confirmed former Wildcat on a roster is Kyle Fogg with Houston. Brendon Lavender Tweeted recently that he was set to join Atlanta’s team in the summer league but his name does not appear on the roster.

Former Santa Rita guard Terrell Stoglin — the leading scorer in the ACC last season with Maryland — was also expected to participate in the summer league with Toronto, but his name also does not appear on the official roster.

This does not mean Lavender and Stoglin will not compete. They can be replacements for injured players or no-shows.

***

Make sure you read TucsonCitizen.com and WILDABOUTAZCATS.net starting on Friday as I will rank Arizona’s Top 50 games in the football program’s history. The ranking will coincide with the countdown toward the season. The No. 50 game will be published on Friday, which will be 50 days from the season-opening kickoff between Arizona and Toledo at Arizona Stadium.

Toronto's Jerryd Bayless was the highest rated former Arizona player in the NBA during the 2011-12 season according to one ESPN.com system

Arizona’s 2011-12 All-NBA first team, according to player-efficiency ratings (PER) conducted by ESPN.com’s John Hollinger, includes a decent lineup.

Hollinger’s top rated former Wildcat is Jerryd Bayless of Toronto, who would take the off-guard spot. The next rated player is wing player Andre Iguodala of Philadelphia.

According to Hollinger, the PER is a rating of a player’s per-minute productivity.

“To generate PER, I created formulas — outlined in tortuous detail in my book ‘Pro Basketball Forecast’ — that return a value for each of a player’s accomplishments,” Hollinger writes at ESPN.com. “That includes positive accomplishments such as field goals, free throws, 3-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals, and negative ones such as missed shots, turnovers and personal fouls.

“Two important things to remember about PER are that it’s per-minute and is pace-adjusted.”

He adjusts each player’s rating for his team’s pace, “so that players on a slow-paced team like Detroit aren’t penalized just because their team has fewer possessions than a fast-paced team such as Golden State,” he writes.

Bayless’ PER is 17.80, which ranks him 70th among NBA players who averaged at least 6.09 minutes per game. Iguodala’s rating is 17.59.

Rounding out Arizona’s 2011-12 All-NBA first team, by order of the ratings, are point guard Jason Terry (15.80, 111th among NBA players) of Dallas, post player Jordan Hill (15.80, 111th) of the Los Angeles Lakers and forward Channing Frye (14.92, 139th) of Phoenix. Houston’s Chase Budinger (14.92, 139th) had an equal player-efficiency rating as Frye, but Frye gets the nod for the first team because Budinger and Iguodala are basically at the same position.

The other former Wildcats who qualified for the ratings include Minnesota’s Derrick Williams (12.98, 215th), Golden State’s Richard Jefferson (11.15, 263rd) and New York’s Mike Bibby (7.82, 335th).

Those who did not qualify were Luke Walton of Cleveland and Gilbert Arenas of Memphis because of their lack of playing time.

Among players with at least 500 minutes in 2011-12, the highest rating was Miami’s LeBron James at 30.80. The lowest was Charlotte’s Cory Higgins at 4.41.

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

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).

2010-11 Arizona Wildcats (30-8)
–Lost to Connecticut 65-63 in the West Regional Final. To note: The 2010-11 Wildcats set school records for three-point field goals made (296) and opponent three-point field-goal percentage (only 29.3 percent).

VOTE ON THIS MATCHUP AT WILDABOUTAZCATS.NET!!!

Previous Arizona Elite Eight Event Matchups (Polls still open at WILDABOUTAZCATS.net):
>> 1993-1994 versus 2004-2005
>> 1996-1997 versus 2002-2003
>> 1975-1976 versus 2000-2001

MATCHUPS

Point Guard

Steve Kerr (1984-1988) vs. Lamont “MoMo” Jones (2009-2011)

Steve Kerr

Lamont MoMo Jones

A Kerr vs. Jones matchup at the starting point guard spot is as contrasting as this Elite Eight event can muster. Kerr is the cool, calm and collected player from the serene beach town of Pacific Palisades, Calif., while Jones is the rough and tumble, get-in-your-face player from Brooklyn.

Their polar-opposite characteristics is indicative of the different capabilities each team had to offer. The teams had one thing in common: They share the record for playing the most games in a season (38) in the program’s history. But more contrasts exists than similarities.

The 1987-88 Wildcats, led by the deft outside shooting of Kerr, shot a school-record 48.3 percent from three-point range. The 2010-11 edition, captained by the defensively active Jones on the perimeter, held opponents to a school-record low of 29.3 percent from three-point range.

Who would win the battle? The 1987-88 team with its offensive perfection or the 2010-11 team with its defensive prowess?

Kerr set UA records shooting 57.3 percent from three-point range and posting an assist-to-turnover ratio of almost 5-to-1 (150 assists compared to only 36 turnovers). Jones was not as good of a shooter making only 31.6 percent of his three-pointers last season. But he converted 82.8 percent of his free-throw attempts and was clutch in memorable victories over California, scoring a career-high 27 points in a three-overtime game in Berkeley, and Duke, with 16 points, six assists and no turnovers in the Sweet 16 game.

Kerr was the model of reliability and consistency. Little-known fact: Kerr played all 50 minutes (a school record) in a double-overtime 79-72 victory over Cal at McKale Center on Jan. 12, 1986.

Jones is the only starter on an Arizona Elite Eight team who transferred to another school. He switched to Iona this season to be closer to home so he can be near his ailing grandmother. The NCAA granted Jones, a junior, a hardship waiver and allowed him to play this year for Iona.

Shooting Guard

Craig McMillan (1985-1988) vs. Kyle Fogg (2009-2012)

Craig McMillan

Kyle Fogg

McMillan, a Parade magazine and McDonald’s All-American, was the first blue-chip recruit signed by Lute Olson. Fogg was a late relatively obscure addition to the Class of 2008, noticed by former assistants Russ Pennell and Mike Dunlap at the 2008 Cactus Classic on Arizona’s campus.

Both matured into decent college players, serving as functional complementary players to standouts such as Sean Elliott and Derrick Williams. UA fans should be forever grateful to Fogg, who served as the host on Williams’ recruiting trip to Arizona’s campus before the 2009 season.

McMillan and Fogg also came up big late in memorable games at McKale Center.

McMillan converted the “McMiracle” or “McClutch” last-second shot against Oregon State in 1986 after picking up a loose ball from a deflected inbounds pass from Kerr that was almost the length of the floor. That victory unseated the Beavers as the dominant team in the Pac-10. The Cats won their first conference title that season.

Arizona beat USC and former coach Kevin O’Neill 86-84 in double-overtime on March 6, 2010, after Fogg sank three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point shot with 0.02 seconds left in regulation. The pressure-packed free throws tied the score at 69 and forced the first overtime.

“I wish I could tell you that I’ve got ice water going through my veins, but, man, I was shaking,” Fogg told reporters after the game.

McMillan and Kerr comprise the only UA backcourt with each player ranked in the top 10 on UA’s career three-point field-goal percentage list. Kerr is tops with his 57.3 percentage and McMillan is sixth at 41.1 percent.

Small Forward

Sean Elliott (1986-1989) vs. Solomon Hill (2010-2013)

Sean Elliott

Solomon Hill

This matchup is unfair for Hill, not because he would not welcome the challenge of playing against the greatest Wildcat in the history of the program. Most players would be at a disadvantage against Elliott, especially a player like Hill who is blossoming but has not yet reached his potential.

Hill would benefit from seeing up close the manner in which Elliott played. No other UA player is better to emulate than the school’s career scoring leader with 2,555 points, which at the time topped Lew Alcindor‘s Pac-10 record. He is the only Wildcat to lead the program in scoring four consecutive seasons.

Former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian, an Arizona nemesis, once said about Elliott: “He plays as though he invented the game of basketball.”

Elliott was the third overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, taken by San Antonio. That was the highest a UA player was drafted at the time. Hill is not projected to be picked in the first two rounds, according to NBADraft.net. There is always next year for Hill to further prove himself as a versatile prospect.

“I think his progress won’t just be felt in one statistical area,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said. “He’s always given us a lot of things as a player, and that well roundedness is what we want him to do better more than any single stat.”

Power Forward

Tom Tolbert (1987-1988) vs. Derrick Williams (2010-2011)

Tom Tolbert

Derrick Williams

This is one spot the 2010-11 could have an advantage over the 1987-88 club because of the way Williams could extend his game to the perimeter. Tolbert, however, would be a load for Williams to handle around the basket.

Significant in Arizona’s tournament run to its first Final Four in 1988 was the way Tolbert outplayed North Carolina All-American forward J.R. Reid in the Elite Eight game won by the Wildcats 70-52. Tolbert scored 18 of his 21 points in the second half. He shot 7-of-11 from the field after halftime and scored 12 points during a decisive 19-6 run.

That run started with Tolbert’s acrobactic, behind-the-back, reverse shot that went in and drew Reid’s third foul. Tolbert made the free throw for the three-point play that put Arizona ahead to stay 43-42. Reid and Tolbert were both about 6-8 but Reid weighed 256 pounds compared to Tolbert at 240, but Tolbert somehow got the circus shot to go in.

“I figured it had a 100-to-1 shot to go in,” Tolbert told reporters after the game. “I’ve made shots like that in practice, but never with a 256-pound monster hanging on me.”

Williams made an acrobatic shot of his own against Texas last year enabling the Wildcats to advance to the Sweet 16. With 9.6 seconds left, Arizona got the ball into Williams, who put his head down and charged toward the basket. He was bumped hard by Jordan Hamilton and blindly flung the ball toward the basket as he tried to lighten the impact with the floor. The ball went in and Williams hit the free throw, putting Arizona ahead by the winning margin of 70-69.

“If we would have lost the game, I would have taken it really hard on myself knowing that I didn’t have a great game,” said Williams, who had 17 points in the game but shot 4-of-14 from the field. “A lot of people on my team feed off of me.”

The 2010-11 team fed off Williams much like the 1987-88 team fed off Elliott, one other rare similarity between the two teams.

Center

Anthony Cook (1985-88) vs. Jesse Perry (2011-2012)

Anthony Cook

Jesse Perry

Another matchup pitting players with different styles at the same position, although Perry (6-7 and 217) is more of a power forward playing at the post position.

Cook, a wiry 6-9 and 195 pounds, ranks in the top five of UA’s career statistical categories such as blocked shots (record holder with 278), rebounding (861), and field-goal percentage (62.9). In the 1987-88 season, Cook was instrumental to the Wildcats’ success. He averaged 15.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. He also shot 61.8 percent from the field.

He may not have been physically imposing but the way he played was huge.

After Arizona won its first-round game against Cornell in the 1988 NCAA tournament, Lute Olson turned to Cook in the postgame press conference and said, “Flex for us, Anthony. Show these guys how big you really are.”

“We used to think we were playing with four guys,” Olson continued, “but then we’d find out that Anthony was standing sideways.”

Perry, a junior college transfer, looks like he means business with his fierce expression and those long and wild dreadlocks. He proved he can be a big-game performer, scoring 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting against Connecticut in Arizona’s 65-65 loss in last year’s Elite Eight game. He also pulled down seven rebounds.

A little-known fact is Perry, because of his aggressive style, went to the free-throw line with the most frequency in 2010-11 behind only Williams. Perry shot a free throw an average of every 8.1 minutes while Williams’ incredible average was at 3.4 minutes. Perry leads the Wildcats this season with a free throw attempt an average of every 7 minutes.

“He always offensive rebounds, he gets fouled, he’s getting better on our defensive end as he learns what we do,” Sean Miller told the media last season about Perry.

Bench

1987-1988 key reserves: Kenny Lofton, Joe Turner, Jud Buechler, Harvey Mason, Matt Muehlebach, Sean Rooks and Mark Georgeson.

2010-2011 key reserves: Kevin Parrom, Jamelle Horne, Jordin Mayes, Kyryl Natyazhko and Brendon Lavender

Kenny Lofton

Kevin Parrom

Arizona’s reserves of 1987-88 started the tradition of the Gumbies — those loveable guys on the bench who seemingly stood and cheered for every basket made.

Lofton was lightning quick and could jump out of the gym, exhibiting the skills of a center fielder, a position he played for 17 seasons in the major leagues. As a sixth man, he gave Olson’s team a tremendous change of pace, especially taking over for Kerr, who was not fleet of foot but made up for that by taking care of the ball.

Buechler, a future NBA player who averaged 11.7 minutes a game in 1987-88, also spelled Elliott adequately to give the All-American forward enough rest. Mason and Turner — who each added charisma to the team – did their part by giving enough support for McMillan, Tolbert and Cook.

Muehlebach and Georgeson played sparingly and Rooks redshirted that season. They formed the nucleus of the Gumbies.

Miller’s reserves in 2010-11 were symbolized by their fortitude. Parrom overcame early foot injuries to be a catalyst for the Wildcats. Horne, a senior, did not sulk and continued to try his hardest when Perry took over his starting position. Mayes was an overlooked freshman guard during the recruiting process who relished playing in pressurized moments.

Natyazhko and Lavender never gave up. Natyazhko played solid in the Pac-10 tournament for the Wildcats. Lavender, who struggled with his perimeter shot most of the season, kept working on that part of his game.

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!

I can hear the Lute Olson die-hards now after reading that headline.

“What do you mean unparalleled?” they will say. “Ever heard of Sean Elliott? Mike Bibby? Brandon Jennings (even though he never attended Arizona)?”

“What about that class that had Richard Jefferson, Luke Walton and Michael Wright in 1998?” they’ll argue.

Olson’s best two-year recruiting run arguably was in 1998 and 1999, on the heels of his first NCAA title with the Wildcats in 1997.

In 1998, Olson signed Jefferson, Wright and Walton (key components to the 2001 Final Four team) along with Ricky Anderson, Ruben Douglas and Traves Wilson. Anderson became a senior leader in 2001-02. Douglas and Wilson transferred after their freshman season. Douglas became the NCAA’s leading scorer as a senior at New Mexico.

In 1999, Olson inked Gilbert Arenas and Jason Gardner, one of the best backcourt combinations in the program’s history. Little-used Robertas Javtokas and Lamont Frazier were also part of the class and they did not last.

Compare those two classes with the assortment of talent Sean Miller has attracted to Tucson the last two years.

The Class of 2011 includes perhaps the best point-guard prospect in the country in Josiah Turner and one of the most dominating shot blockers in the nation in Angelo Chol.

Add to that the athleticism, playmaking and strong defense of Nick Johnson and the upside of post player Sidiki Johnson (unrelated).

Miller’s Class of 2012 effort, already fruitful, became bountiful Monday with the verbal commitment of Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep multi-skilled forward Brandon Ashley. The UA beat UCLA and Kentucky for Ashley, who is rated No. 4 overall in the ESPNU 100 ratings.

Post player Grant Jerrett of La Verne (Calif.) Lutheran High School is rated No. 9 by ESPNU and off-guard, wing prospect Gabe York of Orange (Calif.) Lutheran is No. 36.

Two Top 10 prospects in one class smacks of Kentucky and John Calipari, who lost a recruiting battle to Miller for Ashley despite his popularity and Kentucky’s Final Four berth last season.

The man most responsible for Miller’s recruiting success the last two seasons? No, it’s not Miller, although he has shown he can close the deal with the best of them, including Calipari and Mike Krzyzewski.

The man, or make it The Man: Derrick Williams.

Before Miller came to Tucson in 2009 (bringing the relatively obscure Williams with him in his first recruiting class), he never recruited a Five-Star recruit like Ashley and Turner.

What opened the door for Miller is Williams’ progression to a No. 2 NBA draft pick. Any highly-rated prospect these days thinks the NBA is a foregone conclusion. They want to play for a coach who will get them there. Sean Miller, we now know, can get them there.

Williams not only elevated his draft status as a sophomore last season, he took Arizona on his back to a magical Elite Eight run. That NCAA tournament ride pushed Miller and the Arizona program back over the hump to where Olson basked in the eyes of top-notch recruits all those years.

Turner committed to Arizona last September after his AAU teammate Nick Johnson pledged to Miller. What helped Turner’s decision was how Miller and his coaching staff demonstrated they can develop players like Williams with a proven, balanced system that incorporates nine to 10 players a game.

Miller and his staff, most notably his top assistants Book Richardson and James Whitford, deserve their pay after making believers of these Class of 2012 standouts.

However, if he has not done so already, it would not be a bad idea for Miller to call Williams and offer a “Thank You”.

The snapshot of Lamont “MoMo” Jones’ brief Arizona career, in my opinion, was not his 27-point heroic performance at Cal this season or his buzzer-beater at Stanford as a freshman.

Former Arizona guard Lamont Jones will take his leadership qualities to the East coast in 2012-13 (US Presswire photo/Gary A. Vasquez)

It was his demeanor in the Arizona locker room after Washington’s Isaiah Thomas nailed a game-winning jump shot over him as time expired in the Pac-10 tournament championship on March 12 in Los Angeles. The 77-75 overtime loss to the Huskies was hard enough to bear, but Jones also had one of his worst performances as a Wildcat.

Jones committed more turnovers (three) than he converted field goals (only one in a 1-of-8 afternoon).

He took it like a man. He did not hide from reporters. He did not offer one-word answers. He did not sulk. His eyes were not red from tears. I know this because he looked at me and other reporters in the eye. He spoke with conviction that he and his teammates would use the bitter loss as a springboard for the NCAA tournament.

The Wildcats reached the Elite Eight thanks in part to Jones’ 16-point performance (14 in the pivotal second half) in the Sweet 16 rout of Duke. Jones tallied six assists without a turnover in 28 minutes.

Arizona freshman sensation point guard Josiah Turner, who is bound to fill Jones’ spot in the starting lineup, should follow Jones’ lead in terms of being a leader by looking adversity in the eye. Arizona’s greatest — Sean Elliott and Steve Kerr among them — never ducked a hard moment.

Jones is no different. He is by no means the second-coming of Mike Bibby, but his leadership qualities do not take a backseat to most. Jones’ fiery, take-no-bull personality will be missed by the Wildcats. It’s a far cry from early in his freshman season, when UA coach Sean Miller benched him for complaining about playing time.

He matured mentally as much as Derrick Williams progressed physically in their two-year Arizona careers.

With Jones’ pending transfer to a school closer to his New York City home, Arizona just became decidedly younger and more wide-eyed.

During my journalism career, I have interviewed a number of college and professional athletes after forgettable performances. Unquestionably one of the most difficult tasks for a reporter is approaching a losing player, especially after a disheartening defeat.

When media gathers outside a solemn locker room, the topic of conservation is about which players and coaches will not talk.

The most difficult situation I can recall is walking toward an openly sobbing George Malauulu after the the Wildcats lost to ASU 7-6 at Arizona Stadium in 1992. Malauulu, a senior quarterback, could barely speak after the UA lost to ASU at home for the first time in 12 years. That was his last game in Tucson. Tough to swallow.

Malauulu had trouble with his words, but so did the reporters.

The silence was finally broken when a reporter asked Malauulu if he could answer a couple of questions. Malauulu nodded yes and tried the best he could. In my opinion, that kind of character is as much — or arguably more– about being a man as it is to pass for 300 yards and complete the game-winning touchdown pass.

Miller makes his players accountable for the most part. It’s unfortunate that Arizona allows media to generally talk to only three players after regular-season home games. Miller is media savvy enough to realize the ticket-buying population and the thousands of followers outside of Tucson gather most of their information from the press.

Miller has indicated to at least one Tucson media member that he is not opposed to allowing more post-game access. However, the norm remains that only three players talk to the media after home games. During the Pac-10 tournament, the conference rule is the locker rooms must be open to the media.

To Miller’s credit he did not inform any of his players to immediately depart the locker room after the upsetting loss at the hands of Thomas. He did not tell them to avoid questions from the media.

Jones followed suit by being upfront with the media. He acknowledged he defended Thomas the best he could. But it was obvious in Jones’ disgust that he replayed that play continuously in his mind.

He was accountable for his struggles in the game, saying that he was as angry as his coach about the loss. He could have already been on the team bus. He sat through every interview and continued to talk about the future and how much the Wildcats would be motivated in the NCAA tournament.

Jones tried to not look back. He could only control what was ahead of him.

Now his forward-thinking focuses on helping another program. By the time Jones returns to the court in 2012-13, after sitting out a season per NCAA transfer rules, he will be more mature than he is now.

Another coach and team is about to get the kind of leader the Wildcats can now only hope for.

Daniel Bejarano (shown here at the conclusion of his stellar Phoenix North career) could not crack Arizona's rotation as a freshman, playing in only eight games (Arizona Republic photo)

With the likely transfer of guard Daniel Bejarano this week from the Arizona basketball program, coach Sean Miller needs to address only one more scholarship spot.

The Wildcats currently have 13 scholarship spots filled if all four of their Class of 2011 recruits attend the UA starting this summer. Those recruits are point guard Josiah Turner, guard-wing Nick Johnson, power forward Sidiki Johnson and post player Angelo Chol.

Because of the UA’s self-imposed penalty in 2011-12, following alleged improprieties involved with the elite youth basketball tournament Cactus Classic toward the end of the Lute Olson era, Miller has only 12 scholarship spots next year, instead of the customary 13.

Bejarano’s likely transfer, Derrick Williams‘ decision to leave for the NBA after his sophomore season, and Jamelle Horne exhausting his eligibility means these nine current players are under scholarship (classification is for the 2011-12 season):

Guards (4): Kyle Fogg, Sr.; Lamont “MoMo” Jones, Jr.; Brendon Lavender, Sr.; and Jordin Mayes, Soph.

Forwards (3): Solomon Hill, Jr.; Kevin Parrom, Jr.; and Jesse Perry, Sr.

Centers (2): Alex Jacobson, Sr., and Kyryl Natyazhko, Jr.

To allow room for Turner, Nick Johnson, Sidiki Johnson and Chol, one of these nine scholarship spots must be relinquished.

The prevailing thought is Jacobson, who will be a fifth-year player after redshirting his freshman season, will either transfer and be eligible immediately at a lower-classified university, or he will complete his degree requirements without the scholarship since he is almost finished.

The other possibility is Natyazhko playing professionally in Europe, perhaps in his home country of Ukraine.

Or an unforeseen transfer will occur from the other seven current scholarship players.

If Miller must address the remaining scholarship overload with a senior, such as Jacobson or Lavender, it becomes a sensitive topic. For one, those guys have spent a lot of time in the classroom and in practice at Arizona. Another, the whole premise that players should stay at an institution for four years becomes obsolete if a coach decides that the program would be better served without a senior who has paid his dues.

Arguments for Miller in this situation — if it comes about — is that he did not recruit either Jacobson or Lavender and he gets paid handsomely to make Arizona a competitive program, and he would normally have 13 scholarship spots but matters out of his control precluded him from having that number.

NOTE: The unofficial visit of Class of 2012 Five-Star wing player Shabazz Muhammad (Las Vegas Bishop Gorman) on Wednesday to the UA campus means the talented player will have the Wildcats among his finalists when he decides in November. Count on Miller and assistants Book Richardson and James Whitford to be impressive enough in their presentation to make that happen. … If Miller is able to persuade Muhammad and Gorman teammate Rosco Allen to attend Arizona rather than UNLV, it would be quite a coup. Gorman is coached by Grant Rice, brother of new Running Rebels coach Dave Rice. The recruiting rivalry between UNLV and Arizona would grow more intense, invoking the memories of when Jerry Tarkanian called Olson “Midnight Lute” for snatching away Tom Tolbert at the last minute in 1986.

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.