Five questions for Red-Blue game
These developments should be interesting to watch
By Javier Morales
Bummer. No TV. No radio. Not even a Web cast of today’s Red-Blue scrimmage at McKale Center. It is, after all, a glorified scrimmage. Even so, the die-hard UA fan looks at the event as a way to finally step into the Sean Miller era.
I say a true taste of Miller Time won’t happen until the second half of the Pac-10 season. By that time, the new coach will have a rotation set, the players will understand their roles, and Miller’s schemes will finally take hold.
So let’s not get too bent out of shape about the Red-Blue game not getting much fanfare. Check back next year, with Miller’s feet firmly on the ground in Tucson, for that. As far as this year’s Red-Blue scrimmage is concerned, these are the five leading questions on my mind (What are yours?):
- Will Tucson turn out to make the attendance respectable? The World Series does not start until after the scrimmage is over. NFL football? Leave that for a city that actually has a team. The UA is Tucson. I say anything less than 8,000 today will be a disappointment. Tickets are only $6 for adults and $3 for children.
- How will little-used players last year such as Alex Jacobson, Brendon Lavender, Garland Judkins and D.J. Shumpert step forward to show Miller and the fans they are progressing nicely?
- Way too early for lineup and rotation discussion — Miller will likely use plenty of different lineups by the time the Pac-10 season starts — but I want to know who appears the most likely for the top eight to nine spots when push comes to shove.
- How much can talented wing players Solomon Hill and Derrick Williams break down an opponent off the dribble and how will Williams play at the power positions — power forward and center — when needed.
- More freshmen: How good really is Kyryl Natyazhko, who has drawn praise from Miller this preseason about being perhaps the best freshman of the class so far. Is MoMo Jones ready to spell Nic Wise at point guard from time to time? And is Kevin Parrom prepared to be an inside-outside threat?
I realize it’s too early for these questions to be answered extensively in a Nov. 1 scrimmage game. But at least a couple of favorable responses to these questions today at McKale Center (1 p.m.) means the program is slowly headed back in the right direction.
TucsonCitizen.com: Steve Rivera’s observations from the Red-Blue game.
Tags: Kyryl Natyazhko, Red-Blue scrimmage, Sean Miller
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November 1st, 2009 at 9:18 AM
I think there might be an internet feed
this could be it……
http://all-access.cbssports.com/player.html?code=ariz&media=148311
November 1st, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Javier — you took almost all the good questions. Since you asked, “What are yours?”:
– will the show fill in remaining gaps for Ray McCallum and seal his Arizona commitment?
– will Jamelle Horne show expanded game and strong leadership?
– can Kyryl, Parrom, and Lavender demonstrate the outside shooting we’ve been hearing about?
– what can Judkins bring and how does he seem to be fitting in (both role and chemistry)?
– does Daniel Bejarano actually show up, and does he seem to be relating with McCallum?
November 1st, 2009 at 11:13 AM
I hope someone gets some CellPhone Highlight video! and post it
November 1st, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Webcast is up and running at the link provided by ChiBulls&AZCats above… I’m watching!
November 1st, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Natyazhko is looking good! I think we’ve got a solid big man right now.
November 1st, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Wow, after watching the game for a few minutes I’ve decided K-real is for-real!
November 1st, 2009 at 12:25 PM
ChiBulls&AZCats-Thanks for the link
November 1st, 2009 at 12:32 PM
It’s distressing how few jumpers are actually going in…
Jacobsen drained a pair of FT’s. That was promising. If thay guy can rebound and hit his FT’s without fouling out every game, he will be an asset even if he’s not a starter.
November 1st, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Can definately tell we are a very, very young team. Soft screens, bad passing, a lot of fouls, bad shooting. Actually…really bad shooting. That’s what’s most alarming to me. It’s naive to form any impressions yet though, I mean they have only been practicing for 2 weeks haha.
BUT, also seeing some nice things, particulary Kyryl.
November 1st, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Man MoMo is a scoring machine
November 1st, 2009 at 12:50 PM
As a side note… The block A looks bad. I mean, I have a banner at home with a larger A. I was actually in favor of the center Block A, but I imagined something a la Allen Fieldhouse, not some tiny little thing. Oh well.
November 1st, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Agreed – Momo can bring it. And actually looks to be under control as well. That is nice to see.
Kyryl is looking like a 2nd or 3rd year player. This is still only a scrimmage/practice, but he’s playing like a man among boys. He’s really using his height advantage.
November 1st, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Lute showed up right before the start of the 2nd half and MoMo ran over to shake Lute’s hand.
November 1st, 2009 at 1:42 PM
I agree, Kyryl is for real. I see lots of talent on this team. I believe Parrom will see more playing time than most think. Shooting will come with practice and experience but I have to say, I am really impressed after only two weeks of practice.
November 1st, 2009 at 1:54 PM
What did the attendance look like?
November 1st, 2009 at 1:59 PM
8,100 or thereabouts.
At least 8,000.
Great for a Sunday afternoon in October.
Way to go ‘Cat Universe!
November 1st, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Attendance was good. Probably 8 or 9 thou.
November 1st, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Just got back from the game. My observations:
- Parrom can play solid, physical, pressure D (and it looked like he did it with ease). I also agree he could see minutes this year
- MoMo can score in bunches but I am worried about the idea of him playing the one. Judkins guarded him and forced a few turnovers
- Kyryl looks great. More experience and time to adjust to the physicality and speed of the game will only make him better.
- Lavender hit some deep 3′s in the 2nd half and showed a quick release.
- Derek Williams is a freak. His athleticism could be a huge factor this year. I also like the idea of Coach Miller playing him against a bigger center.
- Attendance. While I can’t estimate a number, the entire lower bowl was mostly full (except high on the baselines behind the baskets. There were a few seats empty here and there in the lower bowl as well.
Those are just a few things that stood out to me.
Mikey, out of curiosity have you seen the ‘A’ in person? I thought it would much larger as well (like the Jayhawk at KU) but I think it looks great. TV and photos do not do it justice.
November 1st, 2009 at 2:16 PM
A few quick observations:
I have to admit Momo looked good, he played well, though over penetrated on ocassion, could easily see him as our point guard of the future after Nic is gone.
Brendon Lavender has found his outside shot, drained a couple of 3′s.
Judkins showing surprising quickness, went fullcourt on one drive.
Kevin Parrom is much more than I expected, he is solid, will probably see a lot of minutes this year.
D Williams showed little in first half playing the 4 spot. He was impressive in the second half with several dunks and played the 5 spot very well.
Kyryl was also impressive, he could be (if he improves steadily over the years) one of the best big men ever at the UA.
K Fogg was better than last year, more confident on the court.
Horne, very athletic.
Jacobson will see the court this year, more active, has a 10 foot jump shot now.
November 1st, 2009 at 2:34 PM
I was able to catch the 2nd half on the internet. I think it was actaully good that Nic did not play. I think he would have controlled too much of the game and it would throw off the balance. It was sloppy but they are young and it has only been two weeks. Nic leading the group on the court will clean up some of that. I don’t remember a season where you seem have so many “who will start questions?” I guess that is why Miller gets the big bucks. Seems that Kryl and Nic are set (kryl more by default) and Positions 2-4 look to be pretty balanced and interchangable. Each have some positives and negatives and I have to agree with what has been being preached by many that “all will greatly improve as the season goes on.”
November 1st, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Sorry, put this in the wrong place originally…
Looking at the stat sheet offered by the website shared by Bulls&Cats, it looks like the returnees, including Shumpert, showed themselves well.
The nucleus of this team, at least early on and without the advantage of Wise today, will be Fogg, Lavender and Horne.
With Judkins, Jacobson and Shumpert, at least at first, spelling them nicely.
Add Nic to this mix – as the straw that stirs the drink – once he heals.
If this scrimmage is any indication, it appears the two sure things amongst the newcomers are Kyryl and MoMo.
Parrom, Williams and Hill will factor in though before too long, once they get in the groove of things.
As odd as this sounds, and of course I could be way off, UA could see a 12 man rotation throughout the season, with a different 8 or 9 getting primetime and the other 4 or 5 serving as latter day Muehlbachs, Masons, Buechelers and Terrys and loving it!
Call them set up and support men.
And does anyone know if any of the exhibition games will be televised anywhere?
This is no way for an elite program to operate.
Just me, that’s all.
But I’m BEARING DOWN, baby!
Can hardly wait!!
November 1st, 2009 at 3:32 PM
I believe that Horne was actually the best player on the court. He is going to stuff the stat sheet with double doubles, steals, and blocks. He looked great, potential All-Pac 10 great. K-Real is a stud. He will be the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. He will start and be an anchor. As a true freshman, he looked great. MoMo Jones is comfortable with the ball in his hands, and playing off the ball. Derrick Williams is a finisher around the basket and he plays much bigger than 6-8. Solomon Hill can play as well. He showed a couple flashes in the second half. I also liked Parrom’s game. He is a mid-range player who looks tough. The biggest question is how will the youngsters mature? What about defense? Time will tell. We have one senior and one junior. Very young. But the future is bright.
I thought the crowd was great, and the players seemed really excited to have such a large crowd on hand.
November 1st, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Some agreement and some not. I will stick to the positive.
The game was sloppy at times as we all expected in Oct and so many underclassmen.
The two surprises that stood out and an honorable mention.
Momo, he is a hustler on both ends. I thought he played very well at this stage and could see him being a point guard to fear. He was after it and all over his man in defense. For those that were there, you must have noticed the blue with Momo won the first half and the red team won the second half with Momo. I did not see much other switching of sides so he had an impact.
Kreal looked promising hitting some close in shots and banging down low. I think he impressed me the most with his running the floor back on defense. For a big guy he ran very well.
I was pleased Lav hit some three’s in the second half. He may well be a good shooting guard when he gets his confidence.
November 1st, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Javier — if/when you publish answers to the 5 questions you started this thread with, would you mind taking a shot at the questions I asked also (2nd post in this thread)?
It’s great reading about this event from so many people lucky enough to be there. Thanks to all.
November 1st, 2009 at 3:52 PM
While things today were a little sloppy I walked out of McKale feeling pretty good about this years team. I think Solomon Hill is the total package as a wing, able to shoot, dribble drive, pass, defend. His all around talent will be key to the success of this years team and in years to come.
November 1st, 2009 at 4:30 PM
I agree with the general consensus. A few points:
Kyryl seems like he has a nice passing touch. I actually think he should have looked for his own shot more. I want to see him guarded by an equally talented big man (Jacobson is too slow and Williams is too short.)
Williams and Hill: two sides of the same coin. Freakish athleticism; does either one have a jump shot?
I was fairly impressed with the returning reserves. Jacobson had a nice turnaround jumper; Judkins has nice athleticism and plays decent man-to-man defense; Lavender showed a nice touch from the field; Shumpert is actually a gamer and might even play a few minutes this year.
Momo is legit. Needs to improve: decision making. But he’s fearless and can get his own shot.
I loved the intentional foul by Jamelle Horne on Kyle Fogg at the end of the second “game.” Glad he was able to move past all that from last year.
November 1st, 2009 at 5:13 PM
can someone put stat sheet on here please .I got home to late to see it ,was at the game , but live 100 miles away thank you if you can post it
November 1st, 2009 at 5:22 PM
PS all the players looked thin to me but fast
November 1st, 2009 at 5:25 PM
her you go mitch:
http://www.arizonawildcats.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2009-2010/09_r-b.html
November 1st, 2009 at 5:58 PM
What surprises me the most in the stat sheet provided by the dude is that Kyryl didn’t commit a single foul. Good. We won’t be able to afford him fouling out too often that’s for sure.
November 1st, 2009 at 6:03 PM
thanks for all the insight guys… loving it and wish I could have been there. Excited about the year!
November 1st, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Saguaro– Kyryl actually had 2 fouls as a member of the Red team (2nd half of the stat sheet), but i totally agree with your sentiment. his ability to limit his fouls and stay in games will be a key for success. on a team with very limited depth in the 5 spot, we can ill-afford losing him to foul trouble
November 1st, 2009 at 6:10 PM
I was wrong about the players as most switched teams, but not all. Very interesting looking at the stats and comparing to what you think you saw.
November 1st, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Did anyone see or hear about the visitors. I suspect one might have been next to Olson.
November 1st, 2009 at 6:13 PM
how bout Shumpert with 6 assist… and a block.
November 1st, 2009 at 6:26 PM
THANKS THE DUDE SAYS AFTER LOOKING AT THE BOX SCORES THAT WHAT MILLER SAID HE LIKES TO 5 OR MORE IN DOUBLE DIGITS
November 1st, 2009 at 6:26 PM
1 assist 6 turnovers. Jones will be a great player, but Ray, we need you.
November 1st, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Looking beyond the points . Solomon Hill was the best freshmen on the floor. He played both sides of the ball well. He played with poise and under control. He passed rebounded shoot and drop some dimes. The cream will rise to the top SHONUFF 44
November 1st, 2009 at 7:51 PM
McCallum walked off the court with Archie Miller after the team went to the locker room. Looked like he was following them back there. A good sign, I suppose.
November 1st, 2009 at 8:05 PM
The Az Daily Wildcat link has video interview of players after game and good analysis, I think.
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:39 AM
J…. I cannot find the link. Care to provide it please?
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:02 PM
lutefan, sorry been busy today. Got my Cat dose last night reading all comments I could.
The link is on this website home page, I think it says arizona dailey wildcat under other sites or blogs. Right side down the home page.