Wildcats look for revenge

At about 9 p.m. local time on Tuesday, the Arizona Wildcats started looking ahead to tomorrow night’s game against Virginia.

The Cavaliers, last season’s co-ACC champions, spoiled Arizona’s start to last season with a 93-90 victory in Charlottesville, Va.

Unfortunately, the Wildcats still had to deal with the upset-minded Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.

The Lumberjacks charged to within three against the No. 17 Wildcats before falling 76-69.

Even though Arizona opened its season with a victory, many members of the Wildcat squad weren’t pleased with their second-half lull.

"Our inside defense completely collapsed in the second half," said head coach Kevin O’Neill. "I thought our first half defense was solid, but anybody can make layups. The bottom line is that we won the game."

Jordan Hill, one of Arizona’s few post players, fouled out after managing only 23 minutes of playing time against the shorter Lumberjacks.

Freshman Jamelle Horne—recently promoted into the starting rotation—also struggled, posting a scoreless outing while failing to protect the rim during Northern Arizona’s layup-infused run.

"Jamelle did not play well, and he knows that," O’Neill said. "He’s a freshman, so he’s going to have some of those ups and downs."

While Arizona’s offense was often explosive and efficient, committing only five turnovers in the season opener, Northern Arizona exposed what could turn out to be Arizona’s achilles heel—interior defense.

Expect to see the Cavaliers attempt to exploit this potential weakness behind the penetration skills of their senior point guard, Sean Singletary.

Singletary toyed with the idea of foregoing his senior season to enter the NBA draft, but decided to return to Virginia at the last second.

The 6-foot guard is averaging 21 points and 7 assists during Virginia’s 2-0 start.

"He’s the catalyst for everything they do," O’Neill said.

Singletary is also not shy about voicing his opinions. After last year’s game, Singletary called the Wildcats "soft"—a comment that still hangs over this year’s squad.

"I talked to Sean on the phone today, and he was going on about how he was going to take it to us again," said senior guard Jawann McClellan. "It was all jokes and giggles, but we know he’s going to come at us and we have to be ready for him."

The Wildcats also have to be sure to keep track of junior swingman Mamadi Diane, who lit up Arizona to the tune of 25 points last season.

While most people expect Chase Budinger to be the driving force for any potential Arizona victory, it will be freshman point guard Jerryd Bayless who serves as the x-factor if the Wildcats are going to have a shot of avenging last year’s loss.

Keeping Singletary in check will be Bayless’ biggest test thus far in a season that will be full of marquee point-guard matchups for the Phoenix product.

"Jerryd isn’t the type of kid to back down from a challenge," O’Neill said. "I believe he will respond. He has a lot of heart and he’s definitely not afraid of anybody."

A win tomorrow night would be a big step for this program, who struggled mightily against the ACC last year.

However, O’Neill and his squad will approach it like they do every time they step onto the floor.

"In my mind, every game is a big game and every possession is a big possession," O’Neill said. "In order to be successful in this game, that’s how you have to approach it."

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747

Game details
Virginia (2-0) at Arizona (1-0)

8:30 p.m. at McKale Center

TV: Fox Sports Net

Radio: 1290 AM, 107.5 FM