As for Wise and Horne taking a more vocal role, I don’t think they have had any true leaders on the team for a while. Maybe McClellan, but before that I would go back to Gardner as the last true leader. Hill and Chase were not in your face kind of guys, so Wise and Horne really don’t have an example of a leader to emulate during the game or in practice. I would think that McClellan would have rubbed off a little on Nic and Horne, but I also relize that they are learning this system just the same as the freshman. Kind of hard to yell at a younger guy on a missed defensive assignment when you are still trying to understand the system yourself.

I remember watching a Duke game years ago when Wojakowski (sp?) was playing at point. They were playing in a tight game and coach K called a time out. When they returned to the game the commentators showed what happened during the break. Coach K never said a word, insted Wojakowski was standing in front of the team screaming them all down for their lack of effort. When he was done Coach K drew up a play and sent them on to the court. After the game they asked him what he told his teamates. He said something like he just reminded them what it said on the front of the jersey they were wearing. We could use that on this team and I would not be upset to see Nic or Horne take over a timeout like that.

During that seven-game winning streak last year, it appeared the team was going back to the feel-good days earlier in the decade. Then that demoralizing and frustrating loss to ASU happened at home. The Cats never seemed to get out of the funk until the NCAA tournament where they were almost relieved to be there and played loose accordingly. Louisville was just too good of a team for Arizona to handle in the Sweet 16. So what you’re getting at is true: A lot of it is about attitude, because Arizona certainly has the talent, especially matched against the teams the Pac-10 has this year.

I like MoMo Jones’ attitude as far as being fearless and always intense. If he was a senior with that attitude, Arizona would be a much better team, in my opinion because the younger players would be obligated to listen to him. They would have that respect for him because he would have paid his dues. However, his statement to Bruce Pascoe recently (I am paraphrasing) that it does not matter if a player is a senior or a freshman — everybody is equal on the team — does not settle well with me. It should matter. Nic Wise should be put on a pedestal above his teammates and he should be a leader.

One of Olson’s trademarks: He put great responsibility on the upperclassmen — it did not matter if it was Justin Wessel or Miles Simon. Olson made it so they were the leaders and the team knew about it and respected it. The Arizona media guide during the Olson years always featured the senior on the team no matter who it was.

Wise and Horne must step forward now and the younger players should look at them as an extension of Miller on the court. Horne and Wise in no way are equal to the nine freshmen and sophomores when it comes to being responsible leaders. That should not even be up for debate.

Players that werent sure or didnt want to be here … a little bitter. I suspect Budinger and nic were in that category. It never occured to me that Horne may have as well. But there may be an odd situation on the team right now. One group that is excited to be here and another not so much. That would affect team chemistry and possibly at times performance.

Makes me wonder. I mentioned during a game I noticed players on the bench that had hung their heads … Horne was one of those players. (I didnt mention that at the time. But he was staring at the floor. Do players do that?)

I’m going to wait and see how they play after this break and during the start of the conference season. Maybe its nothing.

I’ve also noticed Horne expression during the games. That bothers me more than him jacking up the 3′s. A true leader leads through example and attitude. I wish he wouldn’t get so down on himself and the team after EVERY turnover.

Now if Jake and Kyryl develop, and when Parrom returns with that body and aggressiveness that he’s known for, then…BTW, Jay, wasn’t Jake, otherwise known as Tree, a **** coming out of HS? There’s a big kid, an upperclassman who got mentored and tutored by the Miller regime, who comes off the bench at Xavier and plays the exact same role Alex plays on this team. Anyone else happen to get a glimpse of him vs. Cincy last week? The guy is decent – better than decent. If Miller & Co can do the same job on Jacobson, and Kyryl can get his buck instead of Bambi legs underneath him, look out! Until then, Horne is going to have to reign it in and make his shot a compliment to what the overall scheme is.

Anyone else just see Bayless light up…our beloved…Suns? It was classic Bayless vs. Nash to the death, or buzzer. ‘Blazers up one and mere seconds on the clock and Stevie Wonder With the Ball In His Hands Nash draws iron on a jumper…Game over. And let the high fivin’, and JB smile from ear to ear, begin?
Is this a man on rhe way out, Jay? Or, was this another job interview for a ‘Cat with game from St. Mary’s High…in Phoenix?

Imagine the returning players – one senior, one junior and two sophomores – played as if they had some experience … reliable … fundamentals.

Then, the incoming freshmen would have a framework in which to develop and contribute at times. Some would excel – like Williams and Hill.

Horne needs to become a player. He has the potential. But it shouldnt stop at Horne. Nic, Horne, Fogg and even Jacobson need to provide a stable core. I think that would quickly become four plus two (or three, parrom is unknown to some extent at this point).

Millers problem appears two fold.

1) Lots of players with no PT.
2) Players with some experience … just not in Millers system. They are starting over.

… which means two inexperienced groups for two different reasons. That may be part of the reason this team is struggling.

I wonder if it would have been feasable for Miller to create a blended system over the next several years with the goal of ending with his system? Or would that have helped at all.