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.

Sean Elliott celebrated Senior Day in 1989 with his parents Odiemae and Robert (YouTube still - click on the picture to view video)

Some of the more memorable mothers of Arizona athletes that come to mind as we celebrate Mother’s Day 2012 …

Odiemae Elliott — You can tell where her son Sean Elliott — the best player to wear an Arizona uniform — got his classy ways. When interviewed on TV during Sean’s career at Arizona, Odiemae always appeared firm in her ways, yet also loving and caring — the ideal mother. In a 1999 column, after Sean’s brother Noel donated a kidney to essentially save the UA basketball legend’s life, former Tucson Citizen sports columnist Corky Simpson hit it on the head: “Sean has been a champion all along. He came by his fortitude and integrity honestly; Odiemae Elliott, his devoted mother, brought this guy up right.”

Judith Blair — The mother of former UA hoops player Joseph Blair also made an incredible sacrifice — donating a kidney to save the life of Dr. Michael Burgoon, a UA professor, in 2001. Moreover, Judith had just a casual acquaintance with Burgoon, a communications professor who served as an academic counselor to UA recruits. She found out about his deteriorating health after battling the kidney and lupus disease for 21 years while talking to Burgoon’s wife at halftime of a UA basketball game. Judith offered a kidney on the spot. “God had once restored something to me, and I thought it was only right to restore something to Michael,” Judith told Simpson in a 2002 column. She was in the midst of stellar performances in the Senior Olympics in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter runs. She continued to compete after the transplant. Her giving ways has made an impact on Joseph’s life. He is very active with charity events in the Tucson community as the executive director of the Blair Charity Group.

Virginia Bibby — While covering the Arizona basketball team during Mike Bibby’s two seasons in the program (1996-98), the presence of his mother Virginia was unmistakable. She drove to Tucson often from the Bibby home in Phoenix. She raised her son and three other children by herself. The impact on Mike’s life was obvious. Her strong will made her son psychologically strong enough to handle any challenge. “It really is amazing all the things she has done for us,” Mike told me during his freshman season in 1996-97, the year the Cats won the national title. “It’s unrealistic, really, to see my mother do so much so right And that’s one of the reasons I love her so much. She has always been there.” One fond memory of that season was the excitement of Bibby’s teammates knowing that when Virginia visited her son, she brought along a homemade meal.

Meekness LeCato

Meekness LeCato — Richard Jefferson’s mother is a non-denominational Christian missionary who has taken her son and family to Africa for missionary work. She was a single mother with three young children living on welfare in Los Angeles. A 2004 New York Times article stated that her fortunes changed when she was taught in church to believe in Proverbs 18:21, the biblical verse that begins, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” She got off welfare after moving in 1986 to Phoenix with her kids. “I got a job right away in Phoenix, and every day I went to work confessing what I wanted,” she told the Times. “I was just using what God had said: ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue.’ I try to be very, very selective with my words because they’re not idle words. Words are full of life and power.” LeCato also had that memorable comment after Jefferson chose Arizona over in-state rival ASU, saying that she did not like the fact “Devils” was part of ASU’s nickname.

The common bond between these mothers: They were all single mothers at one point during their childrens’ development.

Mother’s Day Notes: Thoughts and prayers go out to UA basketball player Kevin Parrom, who lost his mother Lisa Williams last October. She passed after a two-year bout with cancer. … Abbie Britton, the mother of former UA offensive tackle Eben Britton, is a Columbia grad and journalist. She also is an entrepreneur who owns a yoga, indoor cycling and TRX studio in Jacksonville. … I apologize if I left out any other memorable moms of UA athletes through the years. If any come to your mind, please post in the comments section below. Thank you. And Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. Thank you all for bringing us into this world! …

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

Semifinals Arizona Elite Eight Event Matchup:
>> Poll: 1996-1997 versus 2000-2001. Story: TucsonCitizen.com game story
>> Poll: 1987-1988 versus 1993-1994. 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 1996-97 and 2000-01 teams.

We take you back to McKale Center …

Indicative of the 1996-97 team’s resiliency, it never gave up after falling behind by as many as 22 points. Mike Bibby, Miles Simon and Co. forced the 2000-01 team into an uncharacteristic 21 turnovers, including 12 during the game’s final 11 minutes. Conversely, the 1996-97 team committed just six turnovers the entire game and outscored the the 2000-01 team in points off turnovers by a 25-6 margin.

After a resounding dunk on a breakaway by Richard Jefferson gave the 2000-01 team its largest lead of 54-32 with 11:21 left in the game, the 2000-01 team committed turnovers on four straight possessions giving the 1996-97 team life and momentum. The 1996-97 team took advantage of the sloppy passes, slicing the 2000-01 lead to nine points — 54-45 — with 6:35 to play.

Mike Bibby had the opportunity to put the 1996-97 on top with a four-point play in the waning seconds

The 2000-01 team, behind two three-pointers from Gilbert Arenas, used an 8-3 spurt and took what looked like an insurmountable 14-point lead — 62-48 — with only 4:37 remaining.

That’s when Bibby started to take over, scoring 11 of the next 18 points for the 1996-97 team. The 2000-01 team would score just five points during the next four minutes. That stretch included four turnovers by the 2000-01 team, which also went 3-for-6 from the free throw line in that span. A Bibby three-pointer cut the lead to seven points with 1:46 left in regulation, followed by a Bennett Davison free throw and layup from Michael Dickerson that cut the 1996-97′s deficit to 64-60 with 59 seconds to play.

Jason Gardner, a career 77.8 percent free-throw shooter, then split a pair at the charity stripe for the 2000-01 team before Bibby, who was fouled by Wright on an aggressive move to the basket, swished two free throws to get the 1996-97 team within 65-62 with 44 seconds left.

Again, the 2000-01 team split two free throws (by Loren Woods) on their next possession before A.J. Bramlett scored on a tip-in to get the 1996-97 Wildcats within 66-64 with 26 seconds remaining. With the McKale Center crowd on its feet, and the roar deafening, the 1996-97 team put up a strong press on the inbounds. The 2000-01 team managed to get the ball up the floor before Jefferson was fouled with 12 seconds left.

Richard Jefferson had a solid game for the 2000-01 team

Jefferson split yet another pair of free throws for the 2000-01 team to give it a 67-64 lead. That’s when unthinkable happened. Bibby took the inbounds and handled the ball to the other end of the court. He pulled up at the top of the key for an off-balance three-point attempt that hit nothing but net with six seconds left while being fouled by Gardner, who lost his balance and barreled into Bibby. That tied the game at 67 and gave Bibby the chance to put the 1996-97 team ahead.

Lute Olson called a timeout to try to ice Bibby, who teammate Jason Terry once said had “ice water in his veins.” Olson also devised a plan in the huddle — for each team — depending on the outcome of Bibby’s free-throw attempt.

The 1996-97 team, invoking memories of its improbable comeback win over South Alabama in the first round of the 1997 NCAA tournament, used a 35-13 run over the final 10:02 to tie the game at 67 and put the game in Bibby’s hands with six seconds remaining.

Bibby calmly sized up the free throw, gave a slight deep breath and swished the free throw completing the four-point play and putting the 1996-97 team ahead for the first time since the 17:56 mark of the first half.

The 2000-01 team tried to get a clean shot off but the 1996-97 defense was strong enough to cause Gardner to come up short on a contested three-point shot at the buzzer. The 1996-97 survived with the 68-67 victory. It advances to the Arizona Elite Eight Event championship against either the 1987-88 or 1993-94 teams.

NOTES:

Reserve forward Eugene Edgerson played for both teams. He was a member of both squads, as was reserve forward Justin Wessel. … Bibby finished with a team-high 21 points for the 1996-97 team and he also had eight assists with only three turnovers. Arenas poured in 24 points for the 2000-01 team. … The 2000-01 team lost despite out-rebounding the 1996-97 team 37-26. Michael Wright led the 2000-01 team with 11 boards. Richard Jefferson had a strong game for the 2000-01 team with 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists).

BOXSCORE

(1996-97) ARIZONA 68, (2000-01) WILDCATS 67

1996-97 ARIZONA: Mike Bibby 6-12 6-6 21, Miles Simon 5-13 4-4 14, Michael Dickerson 3-5 4-6 13, Bennett Davison 2-7 1-2 5, A.J. Bramlett 3-7 2-3 8, Jason Terry 3-6 1-2 7, Eugene Edgerson 0-2 0-0 0, Donnell Harris 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 22-54 18-23 68.

2000-01 WILDCATS: Jason Gardner 2-2 5-6 10, Gilbert Arenas 8-14 5-7 24, Richard Jefferson 3-7 7-10 13, Michael Wright 2-5 4-5 8, Loren Woods 2-4 1-2 5, Luke Walton 1-5 1-2 3, Eugene Edgerson 1-2 1-2 3, Justin Wessel 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 19-39 25-36 67.

Halftime score: (2000-01) Wildcats 40, (1996-97) Arizona 24.

3-point goals: (1996-97) Arizona 4-8 (Bibby 3-5, Dickerson 1-2, Terry 0-1, Simon 0-2). (2000-01) Wildcats 4-9 (Arenas 3-4, Gardner 1-2, Jefferson 0-2, Walton 0-1).

Rebounds: (1996-97) Arizona 26 (Bramlett 9, Davison 4, Simon 3, Edgerson 3, Bibby 2, Dickerson 2, Harris 2, Terry), (2000-01) Wildcats 37 (Wright 11, Jefferson 7, Woods 6, Walton 4, Edgerson 4, Gardner 3, Arenas 2).

Assists: (1996-97) Arizona 18 (Bibby 8, Simon 3, Terry 3, Dickerson 2, Bramlett, Davison). (2000-01) Wildcats 17 (Gardner 9, Walton 3, Jefferson 3, Arenas 2).

Turnovers: (1996-97) Arizona 6 (Bibby 3, Davison 2, Simon). (2000-01) Wildcats 21 (Gardner 6, Arenas 5, Jefferson 4, Wright 3, Woods 2, Edgerson).

Steals: (1996-97) Arizona 11 (Terry 3, Bibby 3, Dickerson 2, Davison, Simon, Bramlett). (2000-01) Wildcats 5 (Gardner 2, Jefferson 2, Wright).

Blocked shots: (1996-97) Arizona 4 (Bramlett 2, Davison, Dickerson). (2000-01) Wildcats 3 (Woods 2, Wright)

Personal fouls: (1996-97) Arizona 23 (Bramlett 4, Simon 4, Edgerson 3, Davison 3, Bibby 3, Dickerson 2, Terry 2). (2000-01) Wildcats 21 (Arenas 4, Woods 4, Jefferson 4, Wright 3, Walton 3, Wessel 2, Gardner).

Technicals: None. Attendance: 14,724.

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

2000-01 Arizona Wildcats (28-8)
–Beat Illinois 87-81 in the Midwest Regional Final; beat Michigan State 80-61 in the Final Four; and lost to Duke 82-72 in the national title game. To note: Four players were drafted in the first two rounds of the 2001 NBA draft — Richard Jefferson, first round, 13th pick overall (Rockets); Gilbert Arenas, second round, 30th pick (Warriors); Michael Wright, second round, 38th pick (Knicks); and Loren Woods, second round, 45th pick (Timberwolves).

1996-97 Arizona Wildcats (25-9)
–Beat Providence 96-92 in overtime in the Southeast Regional Final; beat North Carolina 66-58 in the Final Four; and defeated Kentucky 84-79 in overtime to win its first NCAA championship. To note: The Wildcats had five players drafted in 1998 and 1999, three of them in the first round — Mike Bibby, second pick overall in 1998, Grizzlies; Michael Dickerson, 14th pick in 1998, Rockets; and Jason Terry, 10th pick in 1999, Hawks.

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 1996-97 and 2000-01 teams. The quotes used are also fictional.

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

The buzz at a standing-room-only McKale Center before this semifinal game of the Arizona Elite Eight Event — pitting the only two Wildcat teams to advance to an NCAA title game — centered around which starting lineup matchup was most intriguing.

Mike Bibby of the 1996-97 team engineers a dramatic comeback against the 2000-01 team but is the effort good enough for a victory?

Mike Bibby vs. Jason Gardner — A couple of young leaders who pioneered Point Guard U., their retired jerseys hanging from the rafters.

Miles Simon vs. Gilbert Arenas — Simon and his Final Four MVP credentials going against one of Arizona’s most potent shooting guards in the program’s history.

Michael Dickerson vs. Richard Jefferson — Dickerson with his equally strong defensive and offensive capabilities against the athletic Jefferson, who always had the capability to go for 19 points and eight rebounds.

Bennett Davison vs. Michael Wright — The wiry athletic Davison with springs for legs against the burly, strong Wright, who owned the paint around the basket.

A.J. Bramlett vs. Loren Woods — The efficient Bramlett who ended his career as a very strong rebounder against shot-blocking extraordinaire Woods.

Indicative of the 1996-97 team’s resiliency, it never gave up after falling behind by as many as 22 points. Bibby, Simon and Co. forced the 2000-01 team into an uncharacteristic 21 turnovers, including 12 during the game’s final 11 minutes. Conversely, the 1996-97 team committed just six turnovers the entire game and outscored the the 2000-01 team in points off turnovers by a 25-6 margin.

“The one thing I can always can count on with that ’96-97 team is that no situation was too much to overcome,” said Arizona coach Lute Olson, whose team beat three No. 1 seeds en route to the 1997 NCAA championship. “Mike (Bibby) and Miles (Simon) and those guys always know how to make things interesting don’t they?”

Gilbert Arenas' two three-pointers in one quick stretch late in the second half seemed to restore the dominance the 2000-01 team enjoyed for most of the game against the 1996-97 team

After a resounding dunk on a breakaway by Jefferson gave the 2000-01 team its largest lead of 54-32 with 11:21 left in the game, the 2000-01 team committed turnovers on four straight possessions giving the 1996-97 team life and momentum. The 1996-97 team took advantage of the sloppy passes, slicing the 2000-01 lead to nine points — 54-45 — with 6:35 to play.

The 2000-01 team, behind two three-pointers from Arenas, used an 8-3 spurt and took what looked like an insurmountable 14-point lead — 62-48 — with only 4:37 remaining.

“It was back and forth like a prize fight,” Arenas said afterward. “They took our best punch but kept coming back; we were not about to back down ourselves.”

That’s when Bibby started to take over, scoring 11 of the next 18 points for the 1996-97 team. The 2000-01 team would score just five points during the next four minutes. That stretch included four turnovers by the 2000-01 team, which also went 3-for-6 from the free throw line in that span. A Bibby three-pointer cut the lead to seven points with 1:46 left in regulation, followed by a Davison free throw and layup from Dickerson that cut the 1996-97′s deficit to 64-60 with 59 seconds to play.

Gardner, a career 77.8 percent free-throw shooter, then split a pair at the charity stripe for the 2000-01 team before Bibby, who was fouled by Wright on an aggressive move to the basket, swished two free throws to get the 1996-97 team within 65-62 with 44 seconds left.

“No such thing as an easy free throw with all that pressure on the line,” UA assistant coach Jim Rosborough said.

Again, the 2000-01 team split two free throws (by Woods) on their next possession before Bramlett scored on a tip-in to get the 1996-97 Wildcats within 66-64 with 26 seconds remaining. With the McKale Center crowd on its feet, and the roar deafening, the 1996-97 team put up a strong press on the inbounds. The 2000-01 team managed to get the ball up the floor before Jefferson was fouled with 12 seconds left.

Jefferson split yet another pair of free throws for the 2000-01 team to give it a 67-64 lead. That’s when unthinkable happened. Bibby took the inbounds and handled the ball to the other end of the court. He pulled up at the top of the key for an off-balance three-point attempt that hit nothing but net with six seconds left while being fouled by Gardner, who lost his balance and barreled into Bibby. That tied the game at 67 and gave Bibby the chance to put the 1996-97 team ahead.

Richard Jefferson and the 2000-01 team made free throws down the stretch; the problem was they mostly made 1 of 2, giving the 1996-97 team a chance

Olson called a timeout to try to ice Bibby, who teammate Jason Terry once said had “ice water in his veins.” Olson also devised a plan in the huddle — for each team — depending on the outcome of Bibby’s free-throw attempt.

The 1996-97 team, invoking memories of its improbable comeback win over South Alabama in the first round of the 1997 NCAA tournament, used a 35-13 run over the final 10:02 to tie the game at 67 and put the game in Bibby’s hands with six seconds remaining.

“Man oh man,” Terry said shaking his head with that familiar smile. “I can envision Coach O saying that a thousand times … ‘Man oh man’.”

The outcome is not only in Bibby’s hands now. It’s also in yours. Vote on what you think would/should happen next in this classic matchup at WILDABOUTAZCATS.net. Here are the scenarios to choose from:

Scenario 1: Bibby makes the free throw, completing the four-point play and putting the 1996-97 team ahead 68-67 with six seconds left. The 2000-01 team tries to get a clean shot off but the 1996-97 defense is strong enough, causing Gardner to come up short on a contested three-point shot. The 1996-97 team wins 68-67 in regulation to advance to the Arizona Elite Eight Event championship against either the 1993-94 team or the 1987-88 team.

Scenario 2: Bibby misses the free throw and the game remains tied. The 2000-01 team does not call a timeout and Gardner races the length of the floor and puts up an off-balance jumper on top of the lane that bangs off the rim. The game goes into overtime and the 1996-97 takes over and completes the dramatic comeback for a victory. The 1996-97 team advances with the extra-period effort to the Arizona Elite Eight Event championship against either the 1993-94 team or the 1987-88 team.

Scenario 3: Bibby misses the free throw and the game remains tied. The 2000-01 team does not call a timeout and Gardner races the length of the floor and puts up an off-balance jumper on top of the lane that bangs off the rim. The game goes into overtime and the 2000-01 gathers itself and prevails. The 2000-01 team survives in the extra period and advances to the Arizona Elite Eight Event championship against either the 1993-94 team or the 1987-88 team.

Scenario 4: Bibby makes the free throw, completing the four-point play and putting the 1996-97 team ahead 68-67 with six seconds left. The 2000-01 team tries to get a clean shot off against the tough 1996-97 defense. Gardner gets free off a pick by Woods and launches a three-pointer at the buzzer that … hits nothing but the net. The 2000-01 team survives with a 70-68 victory in regulation and advances to the Arizona Elite Eight Event championship against either the 1993-94 team or the 1987-88 team.

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!

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

1975-76 Arizona Wildcats (24-9)
–Lost to UCLA 82-66 in the West Regional Final. To note: The NCAA tournament only had 32 teams in 1976 and the regional final was played on UCLA’s campus at Pauley Pavilion.

2000-01 Arizona Wildcats (28-8)
–Beat Illinois 87-81 in the Midwest Regional Final; beat Michigan State 80-61 in the Final Four; and lost to Duke 82-72 in the national title game. To note: The Wildcats advanced through the tournament playing in honor of Lute Olson’s wife Bobbi, who died of ovarian cancer on Jan. 1, 2001.

Note: Please vote on which team you believe should advance in the bracket at WILDABOUTAZCATS.net. Thank you!

MATCHUPS

Point Guard

Jim Rappis (1972-76) vs. Jason Gardner (1999-2003)

Both of these leaders exemplified fortitude.

The media coined Rappis, a senior, as Arizona’s “Six Million Dollar Man” before the Cats lost to UCLA in the West Regional Final at Pauley Pavilion.

He fractured an ankle as a freshman and still managed to play nine games. He suffered a ruptured appendix at the beginning of his sophomore year and had a series of ankle injuries but still played in 24 of 26 games. Another ankle injury when he was a junior forced him to use a cane off the court throughout the season. He underwent surgery to correct a spinal disc before the 1975-76 season and was in grave danger of losing his life when he contracted peritonitis.

In the 1976 West Regional Semifinal — one of the most thrilling games in UA history when the Wildcats beat coach Jerry Tarkanian and UNLV 114-109 in overtime — Rappis injured his left heel with 5:57 left in the first half but continued to play despite being hobbled throughout. He finished with 24 points and 12 assists against the Running Rebels.

“Jimmy is the epitome of courage,” Snowden said after the game. “He was in great pain but he went out there anyway.”

The heel injury slowed Rappis considerably against UCLA in the regional title game and he managed only four points. He was still chosen to the Western Regional all-tournament team along with teammates Herman Harris and Al Fleming.

Gardner, a sophomore in 2001, is the Iron Man of the Arizona program. He holds the record for career average minutes played — 35.5 per game — and is third on the all-time scoring list with 1,984 points. Nobody has played more games (136) or started more (135) in the history of the program.

After Gardner led the Wildcats to the national title game in 2001 as a sophomore, it was speculated that he would forego his last two seasons and head to the NBA.

“He certainly will be one of our captains and will be a guy looked to for even more leadership than he what provided this year and I think that is a growing process anyway,” Olson told the media after Arizona lost to Duke 82-72 in the national title game.

Shooting Guard

Herman Harris (1974-1977) vs. Gilbert Arenas (1999-2001)

While the backcourt of Gardner and Arenas is arguably one of the best in the history of the program, the combination of Rappis and Harris has to rank high.

Harris was not a shy shooter — he holds the UA record for most field-goal attempts in a game with 29 (making nine) against San Diego State in 1977 — and he was set up many times by Rappis.

Harris, a junior in 1975-76, led the Wildcats with 18 points against UCLA in the 1976 Elite Eight game. He averaged 12.7 points in his career, highlighted by a team-high 20 points a game as a senior in 1976-77.

Arenas averaged 15.8 points in his two seasons with the Wildcats, as he left after his sophomore season for the NBA. He emerged from relative obscurity during the recruiting process to becoming one of the more flamboyant NBA players.

Olson believed after the 2000-01 season that Arenas, who led the 2000-01 team in scoring with 16.5 points a game, was mature enough to make the jump from college to pros. He is a 10-year NBA veteran and three-time All-Star selection.

“He is somebody that is going to be an outstanding pro,” Olson said. “I do think he grew a lot from a maturation standpoint. I think he would gain a lot from an additional year but I certainly understand his position. To me, it is not surprising.”

He is currently trying to find a team to join as a free agent.

Small Forward

Phil Taylor vs. Richard Jefferson

Although Taylor occupied the small forward position as a sophomore in 1976, there was nothing small about him. He actually played at center after Bob Elliott ended his illustrious career with Arizona in 1977. Taylor, who had 14 points in the loss to UCLA in 1976, helped comprise one of the best frontcourts in Wildcat history with Fleming and Elliott when the UA advanced to the Elite Eight in 1976.

Taylor’s 10.8 rebounds per game in 1976-77 ranks as the eighth best in UA history. He scored 36 points in a victory over UNLV as a senior in 1978.

Jefferson and power forward Michael Wright were the elder statesmen of the 2000-01 as juniors. Both did not return for their senior seasons after the Cats reached the title game in 20001.

Jefferson averaged 11.3 points and 5.4 rebounds that season. He was second in assists with 2.7 a game. He had 19 points and eight rebounds in the loss to the Blue Devils.

“You know, if we were playing them again tomorrow, who knows what could happen,” Jefferson said after the game. “That’s never going to happen. But we’re not going to take it as, `Hey, this was good enough.’ Of course we’re never going to be satisfied. This is going to stay with us the rest of our lives.”

Power Forward

Al Fleming (1973-1976) vs. Michael Wright (1998-2001)

Michael Wright

Despite all the prolific scorers that Snowden and Olson recruited to Arizona, Fleming — a power forward known more for his rebounding — holds the McKale Center scoring record for Wildcat players with 41 against Detroit (coached by Dick Vitale) on Jan. 10, 1976.

Fleming, who passed away from kidney cancer in 2003, is also the only UA player to have a perfect field-goal percentage with at least 10 attempts, when he went 10-for-10 against Midwestern earlier in the 1975-76 season. He also holds the school record for field-goal percentage with 66.7 percent in 1973-74. He and Channing Frye are the only UA players to lead the Wildcats in field-goal percentage throughout the four years of their career.

Fleming also holds the career rebounding record with 1,190. He had 23 rebounds in a game as a freshman (against San Diego State in 1972) and 23 as a senior (against Old Dominion in 1975).

A matchup between Fleming and Wright at their prime would be something to behold. Both played with tenacity around the basket. Wright led the UA in field-goal percentage in his three-year career and he topped the team in rebounding in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.

If Wright would have stayed for his senior season and not tried to play professionally prematurely, he could have challenged Fleming’s career rebounding mark. Wright finished with 832. He most certainly would have been the third to eclipse the 1,000-rebound plateau joining Fleming and Bob Elliott.

Center

Bob Elliott (1973-1977) vs. Loren Woods (1999-2001)

Bob Elliott

Elliott, nicknamed “Big Bird” during his time at the UA, is among a select few in NCAA history who accomplished at least 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in his career.

Woods, 7-foot-2 compared to Elliott at 6-10, was known for his defense with his 186 blocked shots in his two-year Arizona career after transferring from Wake Forest. Woods, however, was solid on the offensive end as well, averaging 14.3 points at Arizona and making 79.3 percent of his free-throw attempts.

He was the reason why Arizona advanced to the Elite Eight in 2001 when the Wildcats beat Mississippi 66-56 in the Sweet Sixteen. He outplayed Ole Miss center Rahim Lockhart. Woods led the Cats with 16 points and had three blocks, compared to Rahim’s 11 points and one blocked shot.

Elliott may not have blocked as many shots but he was an effective defender. The UA did not start tabulating blocked shots effectively until after Elliott exhausted his eligibility.

He arguably was as active around the hoop as anybody in UA history. In the 114-109 overtime win over UNLV to reach the Elite Eight, Elliott scored 20 points, and he and Harris each made all four of their free-throw attempts in the overtime session.

“When our team come over this week, I felt slighted,” the late Snowden said of the regional at Pauley Pavilion. “Everybody just kind of ignored us.

“But maybe that was good because our team showed a lot of character.”

Bench

1975-1976 key reserves: Jerome Gladney, Leonard Gordy, Gilbert Myles and Sylvester Maxey

2000-2001 key reserves: Luke Walton, Eugene Edgerson and Justin Wessel

Edgerson and Wessel, co-captains of the 2000-01 team, were holdovers from Arizona’s only championship team of 1996-97. Walton was the sixth man of the 2000-01 team, playng plenty of minutes.

Walton is by far the most talented of both groups. He led the UA in rebounding and assists in 2001-02 and was selected in the second round of the NBA draft by the Lakers.

Gladney was the best reserve for Snowden’s group. The burly forward, who started earlier in his UA career, was selected in the eighth round by San Antonio a year after the Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight. Gordy emerged as a senior captain in 1977 and was one of Arizona’s best free-throw shooters. Myles was a very capable assist man later in his UA career.

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”.

Former Arizona forward Richard Jefferson said it best in 2001, a day before the Wildcats played Duke in the national championship game.

“Duke might be one of the most hated teams in the country because they’re so good,” Jefferson said in a press conference. “Other players, I won’t say they’re sick of it, but they want to go out there and beat them. They want to give Duke their best shot.”

Allow me, Mr. Jefferson: They’re sick of it, and that feeling has not changed over the years. College basketball fans who do not have a rooting interest in Duke are sick of it, too.

Arizona finally gets its shot at Duke 10 years after the Blue Devils defeated Jefferson, Luke Walton and Gilbert Arenas and the rest of the Wildcats 82-72 in Minneapolis. The teams meet in the Sweet 16 in Anaheim on Thursday, a renewal of a rivalry that reached classic proportions when All-Americans Sean Elliott and Danny Ferry butted heads.

Granted, Derrick Williams was not quite 10 when the Wildcats lost the title game a decade ago. But it would not matter if he was a baby. If you took a poll of college basketball players who they would like to play and defeat the most, Duke would be a runaway choice.

I am not writing that most players and fans hate Duke. I am not pulling a Jalen Rose here.

“For me, Duke was personal,” Rose said during ESPN’s 30 for 30′s Fab Five documentary. “I hated Duke. And I hated everything I felt Duke stood for. Schools like Duke didn’t recruit players like me. I felt like they only recruited black players that were Uncle Toms.”

Others share Rose’s sentiment.

Hatred is a strong word. Duke, to me, is like the New York Yankees or Dallas Cowboys. Like Jefferson said, Duke is so good, you can’t help but want them lose, especially to an underdog, don’t you?

ESPN’s fascination with Duke, from the adoration of Dick Vitale (Dookey V., Lute Olson aptly called him once) to the constant TV appearances, is excessive.

Of course, the brand name of Duke certainly sells. No other student section is as popular as the “Cameron Crazies” at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium. No other current college coach, football or men’s basketball, is more marketable than Mike Krzyzewski. Whenever Coach K, as they call him, steps down, Tobacco Road will go up in smoke.

No doubt about it, with all the popularity, national titles and Final Four appearances comes a bit of arrogance.

Arizona increased its victory streak to 61 games at McKale Center when it defeated Duke 103-96 in double-overtime in 1991. Thomas Hill, the Duke player who cried on the bench when Christian Laettner made that miracle shot against Kentucky in the NCAA tournament a year later, downplayed the Wildcats’ dominance at McKale Center after the 1991 classic.

“We knew about the streak, but it wasn’t any big deal for us,” Hill said, matter-of-factly.

Krzyzewski was taken aback when the Pac-10 refs who worked the game changed what was first ruled as a three-point shot by Greg Koubek to two points in the first overtime more than a minute after the play happened. This came after the well-documented verbal exchange of Ferry and Olson during the 1987 Fiesta Bowl Classic championship.

Olson suggested that Krzyzewski was on the refs all game, and at one point Ferry made a reference to the officials being “hometown refs” when he stood near the UA bench. Olson writes in his book, “Lute! The Seasons of My Life,” that he told Ferry, “Just play the game,” and he and Krzyzewski soon exchanged words.

The refs stopped the game, brought them together at midcourt and warned them of potential technical fouls if they did not cool down.

“For a team like Duke that does not get a lot of fouls called against them at home to complain about the officiating was absolutely ridiculous,” Olson wrote in his book.

No surprise that after the 1991 game that included the Koubek three-pointer reversal, Arizona and Duke have not played a regular-season game scheduled between the schools since. They met in the 1998 Maui Invitational title game, which was won by Duke, before meeting in the 2001 title game.

The Wildcats came close to playing Duke in the NCAA tournament three times since.

>> Arizona could have played Duke in the 2003 West Regional final in Anaheim but the Wildcats played Kansas instead. The Jayhawks, who beat the Wildcats to reach the Final Four, defeated the Blue Devils in the Sweet 16.

>> In the 2004 Southeast Regional, the Wildcats were bracketed opposite top-seed Duke in the No. 8 vs. No. 9 seed game. Arizona did not play Duke in Raleigh, N.C., because the Wildcats, the ninth-seed, lost to Seton Hall in the first round.

>> In the 2008 West Regional, the Wildcats were again bracketed opposite No. 2-seeded Duke. But the teams failed to meet in Washington, D.C., in the second round because the UA lost to West Virginia in the first round.

The rekindling of the late 1980s-early 1990s rivalry between Duke and Arizona finally happens again Thursday. The most significant difference is Krzyzewski will not match wits with his old nemesis Olson. He will coach against the young, spry Sean Miller, who has 165 career coaching victories compared to his 900.

Williams and Duke’s Kyle Singler will provide this chapter’s marquee players following the historic battles of Elliott vs. Ferry, Grant Hill vs. Chris Mills and Jefferson vs. Shane Battier.

Miller was asked after Arizona defeated Texas to put the win into context compared to his Elite Eight run with Xavier in 2008.

“Any time you can win in a tournament, it’s just magical,” he said. “You feel so good for your seniors, you feel so good for your own players. In our case at Arizona, you feel really good for our fans and our former players, Coach Olson, because so many great things have been established here, and we’re just trying to continue it.”

Continuing it against a program like Duke with a coach like Krzyzewski provides additional motivation. Like Jefferson said 10 years ago, there’s no question the Wildcats will want to “give Duke their best shot.”

In college, Richard Jefferson didn't mind passing to Luke Walton, and vice-versa/Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

TucsonCitizen.com has learned that former Arizona Wildcats teammates Richard Jefferson and Luke Walton will be two of this year’s inductees into the University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.

Jefferson and Walton were integral members of the Wildcats’ Final Four team in 2001 that reached the national championship game against Duke.

Both have enjoyed postseason success in the NBA as well. Jefferson helped the New Jersey Nets to two appearances in the NBA Finals. Walton is a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, who have captured the last two NBA titles.

Jefferson also donated more than $3 million to the UA’s practice facility that now bears his name. Walton, son of NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton, remains a close friend of Jefferson.

The induction ceremony is set for Oct. 22. The list of inductees:

Claire Febvay: 2001-2005 Women’s swimming & diving
Natalie Gulbis: 2001 Women’s Golf
Bob Jackson: 1979-80 Men’s Swimming & Waterpolo
Richard Jefferson: 1989-2001 Men’s Basketball
Luke Walton: 1999-2003 Men’s Basketball
Jessica Hayes: 2002 800 Free Relay
Sarah Tolar: 2002 800 Free Relay
Jenny Vanker: 2002 800 Free Relay
Emily Mason: 2002 800 Free Relay & 2002-2005 Women’s Swimming & Diving

Former UA player Robertas Javtokas (left), currently a member of the Lithuanian national team, defends against Luis Scola in an international game in 2008 (US Presswire photo/Jerry Lai)

The last we heard of Robertas Javtokas was in 1999 when he attended the UA for only a semester before deciding to play professionally in his native Lithuania. A year after Javtokas returned home, it was reported that he dunked a ball on a hoop raised to 11 feet, 9 inches. That’s Joey Johnson territory. Johnson is the high-flying former ASU player and father of UA commit Nick Johnson. Javtokas, playing for the Lithuanian national team, was whistled for a technical foul Saturday during Team USA’s 77-61 victory in Madrid, Spain. ESPN reported that Javtokas was “hammered” on one play without a foul called. The Lithuanians retaliated with a flagrant foul on Rudy Gay on the other end. While that occurred, Javtokas received a technical foul for arguing with the referees. …

Javtokas, nicknamed “The Shark”, had a near death experience in May 2002 when he was dislodged from his motorcycle while trying to avoid a van after the driver of the van did not see him trying to pass on the left side. The 6-11, 270-pound muscular center has won 10 different championships in the European pro circuit. The Spurs, who drafted him in 2001, still hold his rights and almost signed him in 2008. … Former UA forward Andre Iguodala of the 76ers is one of 13 finalists to make the cut for the Team USA. Cut recently from the team were Jeff Green of the Oklahoma City Thunder and JaVale McGee of the Washington Wizards. The USA finalists include Tyson Chandler, Rudy Gay, Stephen Curry, Eric Gordon, Danny Granger, Kevin Love, Lamar Odom, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Chauncey Billups, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook. Twelve will make the team for the world championships. Which of these players would you cut to make it a 13-player roster? It will be difficult for Mike Krzyzewski and his staff to cut veterans like Billups and Odom. Those sure to make the team are Durant, Gay, Curry, Rondo, Rose and Westbrook. I believe Iguodala is a no-brainer to make the team because of his versatility (although he should work more on being a slasher and get his teammates more involved). …

Arizona Republic veteran reporter Bob Young wrote recently that Steve Kerr pulled a “Mercury Morris” on the formidable Miami Heat with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Kerr joked that “I’m gonna put the champagne on ice, and (ex-Cat) Jud Buechler, Bill Wennington and I are gonna get together when they lose their 11th game.” Kerr was a member of the Bulls team that went a record 72-10 in 1995-96. His comment is in regards to the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only unbeaten team in NFL history which celebrates when the last undefeated team loses. … In case you missed it, or surfed right by it, Channing Frye is hosting a kickball tournament in Portland this weekend. The Kick for Kids Kickball Tournament is in its first year and is presented by the Oregon Active Foundation and the Channing Frye Foundation and will be sponsored by Recess Time Sports Leagues. “This isn’t a celebrity thing. This is a community thing,” Frye said. “I want to continue to be part of this community and just give people and kids opportunities they may not have.” This contribution to the Portland community is noteworthy also because Frye now lives in Phoenix. He continues to give back in Portland when he does not have to. …

Another example of a former Cat does good: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers played a game of hoops with kids at Camp Escapades on Tuesday in Torrance, Calif.
The annual camp, sponsored by Pediatric Therapy Network, draws hundreds of children with developmental disabilities, along with their siblings. The three-week event at Seaside Elementary School ended Friday. According to the Daily Breeze, a team of campers, along with Walton, defeated a group of local politicians and others in a lighthearted game. Former Laker Jordan Farmar also was expected to attend, but got stuck in traffic in Los Angeles. Walton, who has visited the camp the last three years, lives in the South Bay and owns the Joey’s Smokin’ BBQ restaurant in Manhattan Beach. … This is what’s wrong with the Internet: One site — MediaTakeOut.com — showed pictures of Richard Jefferson’s European vacation recently with Walton and some of their friends and questioned Jefferson’s sexual orientation while doing so. Chances are editors of the site have not spoken to Jefferson in person to get his take on their insinuation. …

UA recruit Daniel Bejarano, in the middle of celerating North fans, yells toward the roof at Wells Fargo Arena (Photo by Michael Chow, Arizona Repulic)

Phoenix North guard Daniel Bejarano played his last high school basketball game Wednesday night and can now prepare for his Arizona career.

The workouts might have to wait a day or two while Bejarano celebrates a repeat state title with the Mustangs. North defeated Laveen Cesar Chavez 71-66 for the Class 5A Division I boys basketball title at ASU’s Wells Fargo Arena, a place where he hopes to win more games as a Wildcat.

The Arizona Republic reports that Bejarano looked up into the rafters and pointed his finger as gesture to his father, who was shot and killed last year.

“I look up at the sky every chance I have because I know my dad is there for me,” Bejarano told the Republic. He finished with 19 points, 10 in the fourth quarter. He did not score in the game until 18 seconds were left before halftime. At that point, he hit a three-pointer to give North a 34-33 lead.

With four starters returning — Bejarano has told me that he grew up in the same neighborhood with his teammates — North wanted to prove it could repeat as state champion. This time, however it was a Class 5A Division I title. Last year it was a Division II championship.

“It feels great to come back and repeat,” Bejarano told the Republic. “It’s history.”

Bejarano, a 6-5 shooting guard, is rated a Four-Star recruit and the No. 57 prospect overall by Rivals.com. He averaged 21.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game this season.

He is the fifth high-profile Phoenix-area recruit to sign with Arizona since Lute Olson coached the Wildcats. Here’s how the others fared in their senior seasons:

• Mike Bibby — Averaged 34.3 points, 8 assists and four steals for in 1996 for Shadow Mountain, which won the Class 5A state championship that season.
• Richard Jefferson — Led Moon Valley to a Class 4A state title as a senior in 1998, averaging 24 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.4 blocked shots a game.
• Channing Frye — Led St. Mary’s to a Class 5A state title in 2001, its first state title in 22 years. He averaged 22 points and 15 rebounds as an overlooked senior by other programs.
• Jerryd Bayless — Lost in the 2007 Class 5A state championship game with St. Mary’s, which was beaten by Mesa Mountain View and current UA sophomore guard Brendon Lavender. He averaged 37.9 points, 8 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 3.2 steals per game.

Bibby, Jefferson, Frye and Bayless became NBA lottery picks after their UA careers.