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Three things to watch tonight:
1. Brandon Ashley’s return
Brandon Ashley
Lost in the stories of Ashley’s recovery from his season-ending foot injury is the probability that he might be in the NBA right now if he did not get injured at Cal on Feb. 1.
Nobody should endure pain like Ashley to become more mature, but it is a blessing in disguise for Arizona and Ashley.
With the rehabilitation making him stronger and his responsibility of a leader as a junior, Ashley will benefit from playing at least this season before making his jump to the pros. He can work on his game to become a better multi-dimensional threat facing the basket and posting up with his back to it.
“I thought in the last game (exhibition against Cal Poly Pomona), he was one of many who really came alive,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said in his press conference this week. “There is no doubt that, if healthy – and we have no reason to believe he won’t be – that he’ll be a better player as a junior than he was at any time during his first two years here.”
Brandon Ashley is back. #ArizonaWildcats hoops is back. Both are rarin' to go: http://t.co/fgs5vJ1Xbu
— Anthony Gimino (@AGWildcatReport) November 14, 2014
2. Sean Miller’s rotation
Arizona’s game notes include junior guard Gabe York in the starting lineup against Mount St. Mary’s, a member of the Northeast Conference.
At this point, that really does not matter that York starts in place of freshman sensation Stanley Johnson. What’s more important is how Johnson works his way into the flow of the game along with the other Arizona reserves.
In the exhibition against Pomona, Johnson came off the bench to play 24 minutes, which was more than starting small forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23). It’s simple: If a player produces, especially on the defensive end and rebounding, he will get his minutes.
Johnson finished with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. York also had a steal while Ashley, not perceived to be a defensive ballhawk, led the Wildcats with two.
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MOUNT ST. MARY’S VS. NO. 2 ARIZONA
Time: 6:02 p.m. Tucson time
TV: Pac-12 Networks (Kevin Calabro/Matt Muehlebach)
Radio: Arizona IMG Sports Network (Brian Jeffries/Ryan Hansen)THE SERIES
Overall: Never met
Sean Miller vs. Mount St. Mary’s: 0-0
Perfect gift for any Arizona or college hoops fan this holiday season: A complete rundown of the Arizona basketball program as we might not know it put together by longtime Tucson sportswriters Steve Rivera and Anthony Gimino. Please e-mail Rivera, Gimino or ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com for ordering details.
CLICK HERE to read Javier Morales’ review
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From off-the-radar to off-the-chart: #ArizonaWildcats recruiting now among elite with Sean Miller @APlayersProgram http://t.co/2qrD5hjbsM
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) November 14, 2014
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Ten Arizona players finished in double-figure minutes while freshman forward Craig Victor played nine. Heading into the Pac-12 season in January, double-figure minutes will likely be divided among seven players. Starting tonight is where Miller will find out who best fits that seven.
3. Impact of McKale on each team
The newly-renovated McKale Center is open for business tonight, which should add to the buzz over Miller’s highly-touted team.
The atmosphere should energize the Wildcats, but can that have a negative effect, especially early?
Six new players are on Arizona’s roster, four of whom will see playing time. Boston College transfer Ryan Anderson must sit out this season and junior college transfer Kadeem Allen is a redshirt candidate.
Mount St. Mary’s is coming off an NCAA tournament appearance, so they are accustomed to a big-game atmosphere. But this is a true road game and the Wildcats have won 27-consecutive regular-season non-conference games, the longest streak in the nation.
The Mountaineers are picked to finish fifth in the Northeast Conference without a returner who averaged more than 10 points a game from last season. The highest returning scorer is 7-foot center Taylor Danaher at 7.1 points a game. He also averaged 5 rebounds a game.
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#ArizonaWildcats coach Sean Miller can earn his 250th coaching victory tonight. He is 249-95 in his 11th season as a head coach.
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) November 14, 2014
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For #ArmedForcesClassic16 will have feature @IndianaMBB @KUHoops @AZATHLETICS & @MSU_Basketball at Pearl Harbor! pic.twitter.com/YBFezJ0oml
— ESPN Events (@ESPNEvents) November 14, 2014
Don’t forget to vote. Championship matchup to be determined Sunday:
ARIZONA WILDCATS BEST PLAY
FINAL FOUR
Click on bracket to access blog and vote.
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.
