The Front Row: Talking UA hoops

AN UGLY WIN: Typically, when a basketball team sees its top-two scorers shoot a combined 4-20, that is a recipe for disaster.

Thankfully for Arizona Wildcat fans, Jordan Hill cleaned up the mess.

Hill scored 16 points and pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds in Arizona’s 52-49 win in Las Vegas over the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on Wednesday night.

Over the past three games, Hill has truly come into his own, averaging 18 points and 14 rebounds in what has turned into a career-defining stretch for the lanky sophomore forward.

Bayless, who was soundly out-played for most of the contest by wily veteran Wink Adams, shook off his roughest outing as a Wildcat to make a handful of big plays down the stretch.

Backcourt mate Nic Wise proved how valuable he is to this team with a stellar seven-assist effort, providing his trademark energy and playmaking skills.

Budinger, suffering through his second brutal shooting effort in the past three games, found other ways to help, pulling down eight rebounds improving his defensive effort from awful to adequate.

The Wildcats (8-2) out-rebounded the Rebels 41-25 and held the high-scoring Vegas squad to its second-lowest offensive output of the season.

Arizona will look to rediscover its offensive rhythm against another Mountain West foe in San Diego State (9-2) during tomorrow afternoon’s Fiesta Bowl Classic.

Tip-off against the Aztecs is scheduled for 1 p.m. at McKale Center, and will be televised on Fox Sports, Ariz.

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A SNEAK PEAK: After the Wildcats wrap up their contest against the Aztecs, fans will get a chance to watch the newest applicant to “Point Guard U” in action.

Brandon Jennings, rated as the No. 1 prospect in the 2008 class by ESPN, will lead Oak Hill Academy into the Old Pueblo, where it will square off against Dudley High School in the first game of the GOAZCATS.com showdown at 5 p.m.

For fans who want to see what all the fuss is about, this will be their best chance until 2008.

Jennings, a lightning-quick point guard with the ability to dominate a game on both ends of the floor, is currently averaging more than 40 points, 10 assists and seven steals for Oak Hill—widely considered the best prep program in the nation.

Jennings is a special talent. If he puts in the work, the possibilities are limitless.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747