Random Thoughts on 2007-2008: ex-Dookies and the Arizona Wildcats

Former-Dookie vs Former-Dookie: Two former Dookies will be facing off each on the other coast next season. I am talking about undersized power forward Jamal Boykin at Cal and big man Eric Boetang at Arizona State. I applaud both players for making the right decision and escaping Coach Dracuka K's Cameron Den. Boetang could only take one year of K and used the ACC connection to escape to the west coast where former NC State head coach took over Arizona State. And Boetang, a McDonalds All-American selection, has a good chance to be the starting center of a Pac-10 team. Much better than warming the bench at the Dookestra. Jamal Boykin was more patient, he stayed for 1.5 semesters, so he won't be eligible until the Spring semester. He should also do well at Cal, regardless whether he starts or not. He was also a top 100 player coming out of high school, the biggest knock on him was his size for a college power forward. But will either one get any post-season play (other than the Pac-10 tournament)? Cal has a better chance, although Arizona State is bringing in a lot of talent. I can see at least one NIT bid out of those two teams. But it's better to play in the NIT than warm up the bench in the NCAA? Isn't it?

Arizona: The team came close to putting more banners at McKale in the 00s. First almost another national championship in 2001, then almost two more Final Four appearances if it wasn't for Ole Roy's Kansas team in 2003 and the epic meltdown against Illinois in 2005. Unrealized expectations might describe some of the Arizona teams of the last few years. Lots of talent, lots of potential, but something was missing.

What was that something missing? Perhaps an enforcer on the coaching staff? "Roz" was Lute's deputy and friend for many many many years, but the team needed to shake things up. Clearly he didn't want to lose the two young and promising assistants (Miles Simon and Josh Pastner), so a new deputy was in order. (Although Pastner did flirt with the possibility of joining another well connected in Texas coach, Billy Gillispie at Kentucky, more on that later). And with that comes something that could go either way for the Wildcats: Kevin O'Neill, the enforcer is back. O'Neill is known among insiders, (and they are not shy about saying it in public) that he has an absravise type of personality. He is not the type you sent as a peace envoy to help negotiate a cease-fire. The idea of course is that he could inject toughness and intensity to the team, and emphasize defense. It was no secret that the teams of the last few years were having defensive lapses. The patented Arizona runs on offense (often sparked by their defense) became rarer and their defensive breakdowns increased (eg at Virginia at the grand opening of the John Paul Jones arena).

Part of the reason may have been the recruiting of the "Moody Blues". A number of players from the last few years were more "moody" than the average player. The list is long: Shakur, Chris Rodgers, Hassan Adams, Kirk Waters, Salim Stoudamire.

Part of the reason last year however may point to the Silver Fox himself. And you can't blame him too much, but he is the Silver Fox. He should have known better. He fell in love with the "Princeton on Ice" style of play, five versatile players that could pass, shoot and score. They played like Princeton but on fast-forward. They had some exciting games, playing basketball the way it should be played. But that had side-effects: He shortened his line-up to a point where those five were playing almost all of the minutes. This I believe wore them down both mentally and physically and took the rest of the players out of the rotation, both mentally and physically. By the time Lute tried to adjust, it was too late...

So what happens in 2007-2008? The Moody Blues were supposed to be gone, but Kirk Walters got an extra year of eligibility. Marcus Williams went to the NBA based on potential but he wasn't physically ready for it. Shakur and Radenovic exhausted their eligibility and they are gone. So what does the line-up look like? That question will depend on the philosophy that defines this season. If Kevin O'Neill has his way, it will be defense first. This could bode well playing-time wise for Daniel Dillon, Bret Brielmaier and physically strong Fendi Onobun. So who is the new point guard? There's Nic Wise who got little PT last year, there's Daniel Dillon who was a defensive sub last year, and there's incoming scoring freshman Jerryd Bayless. There's also Brandon Jennings but that's for 2008-2009. On the wings there's Jawann McClelland and Chase Budinger along with freshman Jamelle Horne who will get PT since he is only the 3rd wing in the rotation. Upfront you got Jordan Hill and everyone else. If Jordan Hill can play the "4", this will allow more PT for the other centers: the returning Kirk Waters, rebounding Mohammed Tangara and incoming SoCal Alex Jacobsen. Also vying for playing time will be Brielmaier, Fendi Onobun and freshman Zane Johnson.

But perhaps what happens at the 2nd big man position will be determined by the point guard. Why? Anyone, even a defensive minded coach like O'Neill can't possibly not start McClelland and Budinger. If Dillon becomes the starting point guard, you need a 3rd scorer, so you probably have to pick the best offensive big man to play along Jordan Hill. Unless Jordan Hill becomes the 3rd scorer of course. However if Bayless becomes the point guard, this give them the luxury of having a defense-first big man. Brielmaier could become a poor man's Ivan Radenovic on offense (passing wise). Tangara could have an impact on the boards and with blocking, assuming he is ready to go health-wise (I don't know what's his status). However, what could make things interesting and return them to the glory days of the feared Arizona runs of the past is this Kevin O'Neill influenced line-up: Bayless and Dillon on the backcourt, either McClelland or Budinger on the wing, and Jordan Hill along with another defensive-minded big man. Bayless allows them to play Dillon at the same time because he can score. This establishes that defense is first and foremost, defense matters. Etc, etc. Then the first substitution brings in Budinger or McClelland for an instant offensive spark. This of course goes against conventional wisdom but perhaps that's what's needed to shake things up at Arizona. The more conventional approach would be to start the two scorers on the wing, Jordan Hill of course, and Kirk Walters, being a 10 year senior. If defense really really matters in this scenario, this would allow Dillon to start at the point.

So what will the Kevin O'Neill era bring to Arizona? One could perhaps point at Pastner's interview at Kentucky as one of the first ripples created by his arrival.

ps1> I hope this doesn't offend Arizona fans too much :)
ps2> I consider proof-reading a luxury :)
ps3> 2007 NCAA College Basketball Tournament games on DVD!
ps4> Lute Olson's 2006 book "The Seasons of my Life" is now at the geat price of $5 (hardcover)