OPEN COURT: UA hoops works out the kinks

We have a lot to cover this week, so let’s get right to it.

Since it’d be impossible to cover everything I want to talk about in one condensed column, I’m going to post some extended thoughts on the UA basketball team’s first exhibition game from a few days ago, then tack on a few basketball-related tidbits at the end in a section I’ll call “Tip-ins.”

This’ll be the test run. If it turns out well, I’ll use this format during some of the season’s most action-packed weeks. And this week certainly qualifies as action-packed.

Well, the Wildcats’ first dress rehearsal went about as expected — wonderful glimpses into this squad’s potential and sobering realizations on just how far this team needs to go (especially defensively).

Arizona defeated Augustana College 92-76, thanks to serious athletic advantages and the sustained excellent effort from junior Jamelle Horne. Sean Miller went out of his way to praise the explosive wing player in the post-game press conference without even being prompted by a reporter‘s question.

Nic Wise looked every bit the Naismith award nominee, controlling the action in his 19 minutes of action (limited because of the effects of a nagging ankle injury).

However, the Vikings played the Wildcats to a standstill in the second half, 42-42, and pulled down 13 offensive boards.

Each of the five freshmen (Kyryl Natyazhko, Derrick Williams, Solomon Hill, Lamont “MoMo” Jones and Kevin Parrom) had their moments on the offensive end (Williams in particular, treating a two-minute stretch in the second half as if it was a slam-dunk contest), but Miller’s defensive principles have yet to sink in.

Natyazhko needs to get much more aggressive defending the post, and wings Hill and Parrom need to learn how to fight through screens.

Nine Wildcats saw double-digit minutes, and that’s with Kyle Fogg sidelined with the flu. For the first few weeks, expect to see Miller shuffle guys with the frequency of a hockey coach, with only Wise and Horne (and perhaps a healthy Fogg) guaranteed to see big minutes.

The Cats will have another chance to work out the kinks on Tuesday night (7 p.m.) against Western New Mexico before starting the regular season on Nov. 15 against Northern Arizona.

I believe this squad has the potential to be one of the most fascinating teams in the Pac-10, but patience is the key word for UA fans, especially in the early going. Miller constantly uses the word “vulnerable” when describing this team, and he’s 100 percent accurate.

However, with Wise running the show (and possibly contending for the Pac-10 Player of the Year award), Horne and Williams playing well above the rim, and Hill whipping no-look passes to open teammates, this could be the most entertaining “rebuilding” season any school could hope to have.

Tip-ins

While the Pac-10 is having one of its strongest football seasons in recent memory, this might be the worst hoops year this conference has seen in years (perhaps decades). With so many talented players now suiting up for NBA teams, Arizona isn’t the only traditional Pac-10 power searching for an identity.

I’ll have a full Pac-10 preview coming later this week, but I’ll give you one tidbit that’ll let you see the national perception of this conference. Aran Smith at NBADraft.net told me the over/under for potential 2010 NBA draft picks out of the Pac-10 is 2.5. You know what? I’d take the under.

Remember the Brandon Jennings saga? He was one of the last hot-shot recruits Lute Olson landed before he retired, but instead of coming to “Point Guard U,” Jennings attempted to become the first high-profile high school prospect to circumvent the NBA’s age limit by spending a year in Italy before being drafted No. 10 by the Milwaukee Bucks.

In his first week as an NBA player, Jennings is the surprise favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award, exceeding every reasonable expectation (22 points, 5.3 assists, 1.7 steals). In his debut on Oct. 30, he nearly became the first player since Oscar Robertson to open his NBA career with a triple-double (17 points, 9 assists, 9 rebounds in a loss to Philadelphia).

I still believe that Jennings’ brazen attitude and me-first tendencies wouldn’t have meshed with the feel-good vibe Russ Pennell fostered during the squad’s unlikely Sweet 16 run, but it’s hard not to think about how much fun it could’ve been to see a Jennings/Wise backcourt setting the table for Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill. Alas.

Speaking of Budinger, he’s being called the “steal of the draft,” thanks to his outstanding start for the Houston Rockets. Budinger inexplicably slid to pick No. 44 and was dealt from Detroit to Houston on draft day.

Those who spent any time watching Budinger knew he had the skills and athleticism to contribute to an NBA roster. He’s simply too talented. However, his stock took an unfair hit because he wasn’t the otherworldly prospect some expected him to be.

Olson called Budinger the most talented player he ever recruited and said Budinger reminded him of Sean Elliott. How is anyone supposed to live up to that advanced billing?

It didn’t help matters that Budinger wasn’t a natural vocal leader. He’s a wonderful teammate and a terrific lead-by-example type of player, but UA fans expected him to dominate every game. It’s just not in his personality to do so.

Let’s also not forget how Kevin O’Neill’s moronic decision to play Budinger major minutes at the power forward spot robbed him of what should’ve been a breakout sophomore season. Remember, Budinger won the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year award, but during Olson’s leave of absence, O’Neill thought it was a good idea to park Budinger (a gifted shooter and natural playmaker, but not the most physical guy) near the basket and battle guys three inches and 40 pounds heavier for offensive rebounds.

Now, Budinger is finally in the right situation. He’s not asked to be the No. 1 option or handle the bulk of the criticism on bad days. He simply comes into games off the bench and plays to his strengths. He’ll have a lengthy NBA career and silence all of those doubters who unfairly attacked him during his splendid UA tenure.

Sadly, we can’t say the same for Jordan Hill thus far. He’s played a grand total of two minutes this season and hasn’t played at all in the last five New York Knicks’ games. Hill looked dreadful during the preseason, with head coach Mike D’Antoni telling the press that the No. 8 pick in this year’s draft is completely lost.

It’s not like the Knicks are some juggernaut who can let Hill develop at his own pace. This is a terrible defensive team that desperately needs help from anywhere it can get it. This franchise couldn’t afford to misfire on the No. 8 pick in the draft. The relentless New York fans, who have been burnt so badly by the Isiah Thomas era, won’t be kind to Hill if things continue this way.

Remember how raw Hill looked when he first stepped on the floor at UA? Nobody thought he’d ever become a lottery pick. But if he’s ever going to live up to that potential, he needs to slow things down and regain his composure.

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