Kevin Parrom blocks a shot against Washington State.
Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE
Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller said he is mulling over some potential lineup changes for the final week of the regular season, but he is certain about one thing:
Sophomore forward Kevin Parrom will be playing more, whether he starts or not.
He and starter Solomon Hill mostly tag-team the position, although Parrom has size and skills that allow him to play from the shooting guard position to a power forward spot.
Any changes come after Arizona lost twice on the road last week at USC and UCLA.
Parrom, who has not started this season, is averaging 19.3 minutes per game.
“I don’t think he goes from about 20 minutes a game to 40, but playing him 25 minutes a game, he’s earned that,” Miller said. “That is one thing as a coach. When you’re on an eight-game win streak and things are going so well. It’s tough to change. It really is.
“When you lose a couple, you reflect and sometimes see things in a clearer light. Kevin’s play has emerged. He’s become a better player than he was at any time. He just does a lot of good things for us. He’s earned the right to play more.”
Parrom is averaging 7.4 points and 3.5 rebounds. He is shooting 51.8 percent from the field (73 of 141) and 42.3 percent from 3-point range (30 of 71). At 6-6 and 205 pounds, he is especially adept at grabbing a defensive rebound and starting his own fast break.
Hill is averaging 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 24.1 minutes per game. He is shooting 48.6 from the field (71 of 146) and 43.2 percent from 3-point range (16 of 37).
Hill has been in double-figure points once in the past 10 games.
Parrom has reached double-digit scoring four times in the past eight games.
As usual, though, Arizona will need contributions from everyone. That is especially the case this week as the Wildcats play Oregon State on Thursday night at 7 p.m. and then have a regular-season finale against Oregon at noon on Saturday on CBS.
“No matter who starts the game, we’re going to play 10 players, and it’s that 6 through 10 that has made a big difference this year for us,” Miller said.