T.J. McConnell helps fire up the McKale Center crowd during the game against Southern Miss in December. Photo by Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

LOS ANGELES — Arizona just got done playing against Ohio State’s Aaron Craft, one of the best point guards in the country. Next season, the Wildcats will have a Craft of their own.

Get ready for the T.J. McConnell era.

Coach Sean Miller will have his fifth starting point guard in as many seasons at Arizona, but the first who closely resembles who he was as a point guard at Pitt more than 20 years ago — a pass-first guy who can accurately be described as a floor general. Like Craft is to the Buckeyes.

McConnell (6-1, 190) had to sit out this season as a transfer from Duquesne, but he was part of many spirited practices, going against Mark Lyons and the Arizona starters.

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T.J. McConnell reacts after Duquesne beat Penn State in December. He had eight assists in the game. Photo by Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

The Arizona Wildcats have picked up two basketball players in the past few days, stashing them away for the 2013-14 season.

Former Sabino forward Matt Korcheck, most recently of Cochise College, committed to coach Sean Miller with the understanding that he would like to redshirt next season in an effort to get stronger and adjusted to a high level of college basketball.

And on Tuesday morning, Duquesne transfer point guard T.J. McConnell committed to Arizona over Virginia. Like Miller, McConnell is a Pittsburgh kid; their prominent basketball families have known each other for many years.

When Duquesne played Arizona at McKale Center early last season, Miller said of McConnell: “I think he’s one of the best point guards in the country. He’s the consummate point guard.”

While Korcheck could play if needed next season, McConnell will have to sit under NCAA transfer rules.

What does this mean for the rest of the roster?

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