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once again JMark tells me about a commit months before it actually happens, and tells me yesterday that the official commitment is coming shortly
#1 PF in 2012 Brandon Ashley (6-8, 205) to Arizona. Not a surprise, but very, very welcome!
Still Waiting on Tarc, but this really gives momentum to Arizona.
It's hard to imagine as an Arizona fan, a program once associated more with PGs and whose best players arguably were wings, but in 2012/2013, the frontline for Arizona could easily be...
SF: 4-Star, top-35 Solomon Hill (6-8, 230)
PF: 5-Star, top-5 Brandon Ashley (6-8, 205 prolly closer to 220 by this point)
PF: 5-Star, top-25 Grant Jerrett (6-9, 220 prolly closer to 230 by this point)
PF: 4-Star, top-70 Sidiki Johnson (6-8, 230)
C: 5-Star, top-10 Kaleb Tarczewski (7-0, 225)
C: 4-Star, top-60 Angelo Chol (6-9, 225)
Amazing.
Last edited by JMarkJohns; 08-29-2011 at 03:36 PM.
The really special thing about Ashley is that in addition to his length and athleticism he's smart and articulate. He's already got a good amount of skill and is someone who will add a lot more to his game, I think small forward is the position he's gonna eventually play.
The rest of college basketball should be praying they don't get Tarc. If that happens and all their non-seniors stay after this year, the 2012-2013 team will have an unreal amount of talent.
Ashley is a Danny Granger type of combo forward physically. He's a very good rebounder/defender, so it'll be interesting to see where his skills develop foremost. He's the ideal PF for Miller's system. He's not the athlete Williams is (at least not as explosive), but, honestly, I think he works harder on both ends, and I see very similar production from him. Not immediately, largely due to not needing it thanks to depth of talent, but his agility and post moves around the basket are very similar to Williams, and as his perimeter game expands, I think he becomes the SF with Jerrett at PF and Tarc or Chol at C.
That front court would just be unfair if they all had a year to develop and all stayed as sop res. This team would be a top 3 team in 2012-2013:
Turner - Mayes - N. Johnson
N. Johnson - York - Parrom
Hill - Parrom - Ashley
Ashley - Jerrett - S. Johnson
Chol - Tarc - Kyryl
Can't wait to see a Turner, York, Johnson, Ashley, Chol unit destroying teams offensively and defensively. A bit small, but the athleticism, scoring and defensive potential is worth the risk. May be the most athletic lineup Arizona will ever run out.
So I was brainstorming NBA comparisons today, and for Ashley I concluded Larry Nance. the frames are similar (6-8/6-9, 210/220), the athleticism is similar (though Nance is a bit more explosive off the jump), the motor is very similar, and Ashley's current/projected skills are very similar in that each is a dynamo around the basket with a soft touch out to the elbows, each can rebound well despite the wiry frame, and each is a real strong defender (Nance was three-time All-NBA defense).
Nance was roughly 6-9, 220 in his NBA prime and averaged 18-21 ppg, 8-9 rpg, 2+ bpg and 1 spg with an array of low-post skills and some nice off-the-dribble perimeter skills (both shooting and slashing). Not sure if Ashley's NBA ceiling is as high, but as far as what to expect while at Arizona, I think Nance is a good comparison in physical stature/ability, skills and demeanor and mentality.
Ashley is routinely praised for his effort on both ends, and as I remember, this was true of Nance as well.
Ashley and Jerrett are both as far as I can tell two guys who work hard on both ends and will do what it takes to win. Them also being friends who grew up playing against each other is a bonus. It's crazy that Miller is reeling in 5 stars left but is only going after the guys who will play in his system and do what he asks. There have been several other 5 stars (Lance Stephenson, Jabari Brown most notably) who Miller could have easily had but wanted nothing to do with.
So, with this season being the last with a balanced Home/Home Conference Schedule, I figured I'd discuss my ideal to maximize specific region exposure and additional region expanded viewership:
Discussed in the Texas to Pac thread, I mentioned a 3x2+2(2/2/2) schedule. This has been shot down. The potential schedule structure for basketball is 3x2 for your pod (6 games) and then everyone else once (12 games). Equals same 18 games they currently play.
@ Arizona State
@ UCLA
@ Cal
vs. Colorado
vs. Utah
vs. Stanford
@ Oregon State
@ Washington
vs. Oregon
vs. Washington State
vs. Texas
vs. Oklahoma
@ Texas Tech
@ Oklahoma State
vs. USC
vs. Arizona State
@ Colorado
@ Utah
Then reverse the home/road the next season. This guarantees one NoCal and one SoCal conference road game each year. Arizona can add to this with:
Some cupcake (home)
Some cupcake (home)
Home/Home vs. San Diego State or Houston
B2B Neutral vs Nevada (Las Vegas/Phoenix) or DePaul (Chicago/Phoenix)
B2B Neutral vs. Gonzaga in Seattle/Anaheim (ranked)
Some average opponent (H/H Rice or Dayton)
Home/Neutral/Home vs. Kansas (Dallas) or St. John's (Los Angeles)
Home/off/Home vs. UNLV (occasional rank)
Neutral (San Diego or Anaheim) vs. St. Mary's or Pepperdine
Random H/H ACC opponent (Pittsburgh/UNC) or
*Random H/H SEC opponent (LSU/Georgia) or
*Random H/H Big-10 opponent (Illinois/Indiana)
Red = Very likely Top25 ranked opponent, guaranteed Tourney team
Blue = Potential Top25 ranked opponent, likely Tourney team
Green = Occasional Top25 ranked opponent, possible Tourney team
Probably throw in another game or two vs. an average opponent. This would maximize California, Texas and Nevada (for Findlay) and extend viewership into NY/CHI/South. If a H/H vs. San Diego State is in CA, then set up a neutral in Texas. If H/H vs. San Diego State is in Tucson, set up a neutral in LA or SD. Same with Las Vegas and either the Dallas or Houston area. The idea is to always play a game every non conference at two of LA/SD or LV or Dallas or Houston, and vs. three of the regions' teams (so SDSU, St. Mary's or Pepperdine for SoCal, UNLV or Nevada for LV, Rice or Houston for Houston and a random game in Dallas). Furthermore, Arizona should always play one game a season in either NY, Chicago or the south. Just makes sense.
A game in Nevada every year would be great, granted we already have a pretty strong Findlay pipeline. As long as Miller maintains his ability to dominate Cali recruiting and bring in the occasional East Coast recruit with his NY connections, they'll be fine.
Arizona only has Johnson and Ashley from Findlay. Texas has the major hold. With them moving west, I'd like to make sure Arizona is either playing UNLV or in Las Vegas for a game every year. I think the Home/SoCal/Home schedule for a UNLV series would be welcomed from them as well, as I am sure they'd like the added exposure in LA or SD.
I would like Miller to establish the connections in NY, Chicago, Texas and the south, as right now Book is NY/NJ, Whitfield is Midwest and Pasternick is south. Use them to break in, develop own relationships with either media markets or coaches, that way when Book or Whitfield get hired for their own head coaching gig, their connections are already furthered to the point where they aren't specifically responsible/needed.
What Miller needs to do is continue developing strong relationships with California and Nevada teams/prospects, mostly taking them yearly, then every other year targeting a specific Texas/NY/Chicago/South prospect. If South doesn't workout, no big deal. Focus on teams Oakland Soldiers (AAU), Findlay (HS), states of California and Texas and the occasional Chicago or New York City kid.
With gaining a commitment from top-5, 2012 prospect Kyle Anderson, UCLA now has the #2 current ranked incoming class for 2012 by ESPN, and this is without #1 overall recruit Shabazz Muhammed, whom they lead for, should the pro rule remain one-year (if prep-to-pro or 2-year, he's gone, and if two-year no matter, Kentucky factors in).
Arizona is still in on top-10 overall C prospect Kaleb Tarczewski, while UCLA has #1 overall SF Shabazz Muhammed, and, possibly, #19 PF Shaq Goodwin and, likely, top-35 C Tony Parker.
Should this all happen:
- Arizona -
#4 Brandon Ashley (SF/PF: 6-8, 215)
#6 Kaleb Tarczewski (C: 7-0, 225)
#9 Grant Jerrett (PF/C: 6-10, 220)
#36 Gabe York (SG: 6-2, 175)
- UCLA -
#1 Shabazz Muhammed (SF: 6-6, 220)*
#5 Kyle Anderson (PG: 6-7, 210)
#19 Shaq Goodwin (PF: 6-8, 245)
#31 Tony Parker (C: 6-9, 270)*
#50 Jordan Adams (SG: 6-5, 210)
#72 Dominic Artis (PG: 5-10, 165)
NOTE: *not yet committed
NOTE 2: Gray name indicates now committed elsewhere
I think UCLA, for the balance, would likely gain the #1 class to Arizona's #2, but that's assuming much, much more than with Arizona, who already has two top-10 low-post prospects and, while undersized, one of the best pure scorers in the nation (Several scouts say if he was 6-4+ he'd be top-15, 6-6, top-10). Should everything except Shabazz happen, I think they'll still be top-3 overall. With Shabazz and Anderson, I think they are guaranteed top-2, no matter who else joins. I think Arizona with Tarc is guaranteed to-2, and without, top-4.
Nice to see West Coast basketball starting to become a juggernaut again just in time for more national exposure. Should expansion occur, Texas and Oklahoma State also have top-20 classes at the moment, and Washington and, possible, Oregon, likely will join the discussion. The expansion benefits much more than just football!
Last edited by JMarkJohns; 11-08-2011 at 02:02 PM.
It's official: 2012 C Kaleb Tarczewski (7-0, 230), the #6 overall prospect in the country, commits to Arizona. This, one week after an official visit where he and the other members of Arizona's soon-to-be #1 overall ranked recruiting class for 2012 built rapport and discussed their future as Wildcats.
With Tarczewski's commitment, Arizona brings in three top-10 post players in the same class, a rare feat for any program. Their class, as of now:
#4 Brandon Ashley (SF/PF: 6-8, 220)
#6 Kaleb Tarczewski (C: 7-0, 230)
#9 Grant Jerrett (PF/C: 6-10, 225)
#36 Gabe York (SG: 6-2, 175)
Still on the radar, discussions with #1 overall prospect in 2012, Shabazz Muhammed, and, more realistic as Shabazz is a significant UCLA lean, PG Amadeo Della Valle.
It's crazy that Jerrett and Tarc might be the #1 and #2 big man recruits UA has ever gotten. Idk how Miller has done it but I never woulda thought entering his 3rd season as coach he'd be getting a 5 star 7 footer from in New Hampshire to commit before his senior season even starts.
I highly doubt Miller will show half the sense of urgency recruiting Shabazz that UCLA or Kentucky will since he's not one to sell himself out for a recruit, but if they get Shabazz it'll easily be UA's best recruiting class ever.
Last edited by DUNCANownsKOBE; 10-31-2011 at 09:12 PM.
If Shabazz gets Arizona, it'll be the best recruiting class ever. I am not as big a fan Tarczewski as some, but Bazz with York is the best scoring combo in the country, and Bazz is a sure fire NBA All Star, and Jerrett and Ashley have legit NBA potential. That said, Bazz is going to need to recruit Arizona some to become a real option... Miller will do only so much without reciprocity.
Yeah it'll have to be Angelo Chol only a lot more. The only way Shabazz is coming here is if he really really wants to and can't be convinced otherwise by Howland or Calipari. The recruiting Miller does from here on out will probably focus on 2013 as that has the potential to be more of a monster than this class was.
Everything I'm hearing says they take Della Valle in 2012, then Cooper, Jr., Bird and Domingo in 2013, with maybe Britt, Frasor, Allen and Gordon factoring in somewhere should Bird or Domingo not come out as expected, or lots of early defections/transfers occur.
As of now, assuming the NBA increases age minimum to 2 years/20...
2012-13
PG: Turner (so), Mayes (jr), Della Valle (fr)
SG: Parrom (sr), Johnson (so), York (fr)
SF: Hill (sr) (some Parrom)
PF: Ashley (fr), Chol (so) Jerrett (fr)
C: Kyryl (sr), Johnson (so), Tarczewski (fr)
This is 13 fr 12, which means one of 'em will not be on the roster. My hope is Kyryl plays well enough to get a contract offer from Europe that he accepts, or Hill does so well he leaves early after the new age minimum clears out the 2011 prospects from the 2012 draft.
2013-14
PG: Mayes (sr), Della Valle (so), (maybe Frasor (fr))
SG: Johnson (jr), York (so), Cooper, Jr. (fr)
SF: Bird (fr), Domingo (fr)
PF: Ashley (so), Chol (jr), Jerrett (so)
C: Johnson (jr), Tarczewski (so)
The great thing here is the consistency within the frontcourt. Ideally, it stays the same from 2012 through end of the 2013 season. I expect that Turner declares after his sop re season, joining Hill and Parrom as opening scholarships, and they also get their 13th back, which goes to Cooper, Jr. They'll look into 3 wings (2 SF, 1 SG) and likely one PG, if possible.
2013-14
PG: Della Valle (jr), Frasor (so)
SG: Johnson (sr), York (jr), Cooper, Jr.
SF: Bird (so), Domingo (so)
PF: Chol (sr), Jerrett (jr)
C: Johnson (sr), Tarczewski (jr)
This would leave two (certain) or three (likely) for 2014. One will be a PG, and another will be a SF or PF.
I haven't heard anything about it but is it a sure thing the CBA will increase the age minimum/years, it seems like an issue that would actually get fought over.
Is Chris Thomas completely out of the picture? For awhile he seemed like an imminent commit but now Miller isn't paying him any attention.
Chris Thomas has issues. Plenty of talent, but he's officially approaching Lance Stephenson territory. It would take a miracle for any legit program to take him. Really sad. You name the problem, Thomas is fightin' dem demons.
As for the age rule... I know people who say they are hearing it'll be addressed somehow. If might not be, but Stern wanted it five years ago. My guess is when the owners cave and give a 51-49 BRI split to the players, the players will concede on a bunch of aspects like this.
So a few things after that game:
- All the experience in the world won't make Kyryl a starter on a D-1 team. Angelo Chol replacing him as the starting C is inevitable.
- Nick Johnson will be one of the best Arizona players of all time if he stays 3-4 years.
- Kyle Fogg stepped up last night like he's gonna have to step up all season, Solomon Hill is still on a different planet and is even less motivated without Parrom pushing him for minutes. Unless he gets better or unless Parrom returns 100%, this will be a full blown rebuilding year with no March Madness.
- Josiah Turner had unrealistic expectations as the first 5 star recruit Arizona has gotten since 2007 (Jerryd Bayless), the people panicking about him not immediately looking like the future GOAT are re ed. If he sucked Miller wouldn't be starting him over a smarter, more experience player who came up huge last March.
- Sidiki Johnson needs to not have such a bad at ude whining about/to the refs while he's on the court. I'm glad Miller is making him learn that by benching him.
- Jesse Perry looks like he got a lot better and will do his absolute best to replace D-Will's production at power forward.
The lineup for Pac-12 play should be something like this IMO -
Turner 25 - Mayes 15
Fogg 28 - N. Johnson 5 - Mayes 7
S. Hill 20 - N. Johnson 20
J. Perry 30 - Sidiki 10
Angelo Chol 25 - Kyryl 10 - Sidiki 5
PG: Turner (25), Mayes (15)
SG: Fogg (25), Johnson (10), Mayes (5)
SF: Johnson (15), Parrom (15), Hill (5) (5 minutes to whichever player steps up)
PF: Hill (20), Perry (20)
C: Perry (10), Chol (25), Kyryl (5)
Parrom will be back, possibly by the St. John's game (it's his hope). He'll add a spark and some leadership for the second unit.
Hill isn't a wing. He's a high-low comboforward and needs to get the majority of his minutes at the PF spot, and be used for his floating high post/low post game that can command a mismatch if a traditional PF is used in the high post, or if a SF is used in the low post. He just doesn't have the handle or the speed to maximize whatever perimeter ability he does have. His handle is too loose, and his speed is a step slow. His best game last year was vs. Texas and he was in the high/low all game (Williams foul trouble).
The scoring depth is all SG/SF at the moment, with Perry thrown in for good measure. The idea going forward is to have as many three-point shooters on the floor to spread it and open things up for Turner's dribble-drive, Hill's high-low, and Perry's flash-dives into the lane. Fogg/Johnson/Mayes/Parrom all are well above average 3-point shooters, and Perry has range as well.
Chol is going to be a monster with time and experience. Not sure how much can be counted on for this season, but he's a defensive force, is coachable, and seems to have skills when he finds himself playing a fluid game (tends to hurry).
Turner is playing smart basketball, and not making mistakes. As he develops rapport with his teammates, he'll be the PG we all anticipated. He's not forcing shots or bad passes. This is key going forward.
Mayes will be key as the season progresses. His shot looks on, and his defense is much better from what I've seen. He has a year of experience and if Fogg/Turner ever become a liability shooting, Mayes can play either PG or SG.
With word that Shaq Goodwin has committed to Memphis over UCLA, the updated class battle for #1 twixt Arizona and UCLA now looks like...
- Arizona -
#4 Brandon Ashley (SF/PF: 6-8, 215)
#6 Kaleb Tarczewski (C: 7-0, 225)
#9 Grant Jerrett (PF/C: 6-10, 220)
#36 Gabe York (SG: 6-2, 175)
#50ish Amedeo Della Valle (PG: 6-5, 195)*
- UCLA -
#1 Shabazz Muhammed (SF: 6-6, 220)*
#5 Kyle Anderson (PG: 6-7, 210)
#19 Shaq Goodwin (PF: 6-8, 245)
#31 Tony Parker (C: 6-9, 270)*
#50 Jordan Adams (SG: 6-5, 210)
#72 Dominic Artis (PG: 5-10, 165)
NOTE: *not yet committed
NOTE 2: Gray name indicates now committed elsewhere
As of now, it not only looks like Arizona is likely to land Della Valle should they want come spring, but that once-strong UCLA lean, Tony Parker, may now be a strong Duke lean. So, Arizona could potentially add another top-40/50-type recruit, while UCLA loses a commit in Artis (now Oregon) and their two top posts in Goodwin and Parker. UCLA is still in line to nab Muhammed come spring or summer, but their post options are dwindling.
Mayes isn't even in game shape yet. He may need to be closer to that 25/30 minute role. He's been great thus far. Even Lavender has looked solid.
From here on out I'm completely OK with
PG: Mayes, Turner
SG: Fogg, Lavender
SF: Johnson, Parrom
PF: Hill, Perry
C: Perry, Chol, Kyryl
With minutes roughly
Perry 30-35
Hill 30
Mayes 25-30
Johnson 25
Fogg 20-25
Turner 20-25
Chol 20-25
Parrom 20
Lavender 5-10
Kyryl 5-10
And as Parrom regains stamina and Chol develops, probably eat into Hill's minutes a bit.
Parrom back at practice. I know he wants to play vs. St. Johns next Thursday, if even for five minutes a half. Heard he recently attempted 100 guarded 3's and made over half of them. If that's all he is for a few games, it's still needed.
Tougher test today. Jarrod Jones will be a tough test and Ball State as a whole is a likely tournament team. Gotta play smart, turnover-free basketball on offense and get after it on the boards on defense.
EDIT: Unfortunate, Arizona is still playing sloppy. Horrible passes, lots of turnovers, lots of bad defense to boot.
Gonna be a long game.
Last edited by JMarkJohns; 11-13-2011 at 06:32 PM.
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