Javier Morales took first place in the 2010 Arizona Press Club’s Metro Sports Reporting category

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.

(more…)

FOLLOW JAVIER MORALES ON TWITTER: @JavierJMorales

PREVIOUS MATCHUP ANALYSIS: THE STARTING PERIMETER PLAYERS

A look at what to expect from the starting frontcourt players Saturday at approximately 4 p.m., Tucson time, at Anaheim between No. 5-seed Arizona (30-7) and No. 3 seed UConn (29-9) in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament:

FRONTCOURT

CONNECTICUT

UConn sophomore post player Alex Oriakhi is most dangerous on the glass, averaging 8.7 rebounds a game (US Presswire photo/Gary A. Vasquez)

What’s going right: UConn sophomore post player Alex Oriakhi has the same size as Arizona’s Derrick Williams (6-8, 240), and he is a threat the most on the glass. He averages a team-leading 8.7 rebounds a game, including a respectable 3.8 on the offensive boards. He also leads the Huskies with 61 blocked shots. Freshman forward Roscoe Smith (6-8, 205) is one of the most versatile players on UConn’s roster, the type of player Sean Miller likes. Smith averages 5.2 rebounds a game and is tied for second on the team with 47 blocked shots. Offensively, he can extend to the three-point line, where he has made 25 of 80 attempts (31.3 percent. That’s not a great percentage but his attempts can stretch the defense for Kemba Walker’s penetration.

What’s going wrong: Freshman Tyler Olander (6-9, 225) started against San Diego State but only logged five minutes. The quick hook by UConn coach Jim Calhoun is routine. Olander has started 18 times this season but averages only 10 minutes per game. He averages only 1.5 points and 1.9 rebounds a game. Oriakhi and Smith have subpar field-goal percentages, especially considering how they could use their size to maneuver for high-percentage shots. Orakhi is shooting 49.3 percent (a starting big man should be in the 55-percent range) and Smith is at 38.8 percent.

Oriakhi said Friday: “I think I know what I have to do and that’s rebound because that’s what this team needs from me, but I’m not the only rebounder on the team. I think we do a great job of game rebounding. Kemba is able to get the long rebounds, and Roscoe does a great job of rebounding and so does (reserve) Jamal (Coombs-McDaniel). So I feel if we can rebound tomorrow we’re going to be fine.”

ARIZONA

Look for Derrick Williams to continue his attacking ways against Connecticut to draw fouls and offset Kemba Walker's attacks on the other end (US Presswire photo/Gary A. Vasquez)

What’s going right: Sophomore sensation Williams increased his season total to 721 with his 32-point performance against Duke on Thursday. He is only the third Arizona player (now accomplished four times) to reach that level in a single season behind guard Khalid Reeves’ 848 in 1993-94, and two years by forward Sean Elliott who scored 743 in 1987-88 and 735 in 1988-89. Williams scored 486 points as a freshman. No Arizona player has scored more points in his first two seasons than Williams, who now has 1,207 career points. Solomon Hill has elevated his play at the right time, averaging 12 points and six rebounds a game in the NCAA tournament. He is also shooting 60 percent (15 of 25) from the field, with most of those shots created because of assertive play around the basket.

What’s going wrong: Jesse Perry showed good effort against Duke but he is still trying to find his offense. In the three NCAA tournament games, Perry has almost as many turnovers (3) as field goals (shooting 4 of 15 for 26.7 percent). If Perry concentrates on his rebounds (respectable 4.3 a game in the NCAA tournament) and allows others to create scoring opportunities, Miller would likely be in favor of that. But the concern is there about Perry taking an ill-advised shot or not converting when another player can.

Williams said Friday: “Jesse Perry was a big part of us doing well this season. When he came on his visit we needed a guy just like Jesse, somebody that doesn’t matter about points, he’s going to do the dirty work, get rebounds, going to have put-backs, do anything that Coach asks of you. Solomon, he doesn’t do anything great, but he does everything good. He rebounds the ball, put-backs, shoots the ball really well. He’s a great passer as well. That’s just something you need on your team. You can compare his game to Lamar Odom, and he does everything well.”

Who has the edge? Arizona. A major aspect of Saturday’s game is Williams should not have the stress of shutting down the opposing big man defensively. That was also not a challenge against Duke. In games against Washington with Matthew Bryan-Amaning, UCLA with Joshua Smith and USC with Nikola Vucevic, Williams’ overall game was affected somewhat because his questionable defensive skills were put to the test. Arizona struggled along with him in those games. The combination of Williams and Hill offensively, on the other hand, is a serious challenge for Oriakhi and Smith, both of whom must guard against getting into foul trouble.

NEXT BLOG: A MATCHUP PREVIEW OF THE BENCH PRODUCTION OF EACH TEAM

FOLLOW JAVIER MORALES ON TWITTER: @JavierJMorales

PREVIOUS MATCHUP ANALYSIS: THE STARTING PERIMETER PLAYERS

A look at what to expect from the starting frontcourt players Thursday at approximately 6:45 p.m., Tucson time, at Anaheim between No. 5-seed Arizona (29-7) and No. 1 seed Duke (32-4) in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament:

FRONTCOURT

DUKE

Duke's Kyle Singler (right, forefront) and Nolan Smith are arguably the best pair of players Arizona will face this season in terms of overall production (US Presswire photo/Gary A. Vasquez)

What’s going right: Few Duke players are as accomplished as Kyle Singler. The senior wing player has scored 607 points this season to join Art Heyman (1961-63) and Christian Laettner (1990-92) as the only other Blue Devils to reach the 600-point mark in three consecutive seasons. Singler has taken 18 charges this season. He ranks fourth at Duke with 54. More Singler: He is the only player in ACC history to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 300 offensive rebounds, 250 three-point field goals, 200 assists, 100 blocks and 100 steals. He currently has 2,374 points, 1,007 rebounds, 359 offensive rebounds, 265 three-point field goals, 291 assists, 106 blocks and 166 steals in his career. The 6-10 Plumlee brothers (sophomore Mason and junior Miles) start at the power forward and post positions. Mason has a team-high 59.2 field-goal percentage (109 of 184). Miles averaged 8.7 points and 6.7 rebounds to earn ACC All-Tournament second team honors.

What’s going wrong: The Plumlees start but they generally do not play an extended amount, especially Miles, who averages only 17.1 minutes a game. They are a combined 71 of 145 from the free-throw line, a dismal 48.9 percent, which precludes them from playing late in tight games. Singler is shooting a career-low 31.6 percent from three-point range (60 of 190), and although he’s in a position to be a distributor on the wing, he has 70 turnovers compared to 59 assists.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Wednesday: “I think (the Plumlee brothers are) both talented. They’re great kids. I’ve loved coaching them, but I also know they have a process to go through. As long as the people around them know — and they know that they have a process to go through then you get through that process better. Both Miles and Mason have grown as players. They’re playing very well, and they’re going to play even better as their career now goes forward because they’ve gotten it, they understand it better now.”

ARIZONA

Solomon Hill's assertive play of late has drawn the praise of his head coach, Sean Miller (US Presswire photo/Mark D. Smith)

What’s going right: Derrick Williams, the Pac-10 Player of the Year and deserving of a first-team All-America honor according to Krzyzewski, leads Arizona in scoring (19.1 a game) and rebounding (8.2). He is shooting 60 percent (210 of 350) from the field and 58.1 percent (36 of 62) from three-point range. He’s attempted more free throws (313) than any player in the country, leads Arizona in blocks (25) and steals (35) and has 12 double-doubles. UA coach Sean Miller said starting wing Solomon Hill is the team’s most improved player from last year. He tallied career-best totals of seven field goals and 12 field goals attempted, finishing with 16 points against Texas on Sunday. He also had eight rebounds and two assists. Jesse Perry showed aggressiveness on the boards against Texas as well, yanking down an important offensive rebound with a putback against the Longhorns.

What’s going wrong: The fact Williams leads the team in steals may not be a good thing, because that stat is usually dominated by guards, and Williams’ perceived weakness is his defense. That means the Wildcats must improve with their on-the-ball defense and denying the passing lanes. While Hill has elevated his game this month, Perry has not found his stride. Against Memphis and Texas combined, he posted only four points and seven rebounds. Those kind of performances will not suffice against a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Williams said Wednesday: “I think that’s (versatility) why a lot of people have a tough time guarding me, the scouting report, just because I’m shooting so well from the 3, it’s hard to have one person guard me. Having multiple people guard me, even different defenses, box and ones, it opens up everything for my teammates. All eyes are basically on me, and it leaves Solomon and our shooters, Kyle Fogg and Brendon Lavender and even Jordin Mayes open, and it opens up everything for my teammates.”

Who has the edge? Arizona. Hill will have his hands full with Singler, but with the way Hill has played lately, Singler does not have it easy either. Will the feet of the Plumlees be fast enough to keep up with Williams and Perry, especially on isolation plays with Williams on the block? If Gary Johnson and Jordan Hamilton of Texas could not keep up with Williams, how will the Plumlees? This matchup is taking into account who is starting. Duke will likely go small at times to match the Wildcats’ athleticism. The main concern for Williams and Perry is to not get senseless over-the-back calls, failing to gain position against the more sizable Plumlees and then trying to reach over them for rebounds or loose balls.

NEXT BLOG: A MATCHUP PREVIEW OF THE BENCH PRODUCTION OF EACH TEAM