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Brandon Ashley’s ability to take a power forward off the dribble was evident in the Wildcats’ win over Gonzaga, including this drive late in regulation that sparked an Arizona run (YouTube video capture, click on photo to access video)
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WHAT IS PRODUCTIVITY RATING?:
PP: Productivity Points (Points, assists, rebounds, steals, blocked shots, FGs made, FTs made added together and then subtracted by missed FGs, missed FTs, personal fouls and turnovers)
MIN: Minutes played overall
PR: Productivity rating per minute played (Productivity points divided by minutes played)
ARIZONA 66, GONZAGA 63 (OT)
PRODUCTIVITY RATING
* — STARTERS
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HOW ARE THEY DOING?
Present RPI ranking of Arizona’s non-conference opponents. Arizona is No. 7.
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ARIZONA 66, GONZAGA 63 (OT)
Was it the rejuvenation of the McKale Mystique that enabled Arizona to survive with a 66-63 overtime victory over Gonzaga, whose leading scorer, Kyle Wiltjer, missed a clean look at a jump shot as time expired in regulation?
For a program to build a 26-game home winning streak — as it did in the early 1990’s with a 71-game streak — some luck must be involved.
The fact is junior power forward Brandon Ashley is the strongest constant in Arizona’s success dating to his freshman season when Sean Miller has counted on him the most. Arizona is 15-0 in Ashley’s career when he logs at least 30 minutes in a game, including 4-0 this season after his 38 yesterday.
Brandon Ashley also came up big when it counted. Played with toughness and made some huge plays for Arizona.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) December 7, 2014
The Wildcats have won 29 consecutive games when Ashley is able to play from start to finish. He played only two minutes at Cal last season when he suffered ligament damage in his foot that sidelined him the rest of the way.
Arizona is 47-3 since Ashley’s freshman year when he started and was able to play from the opening tip to the final buzzer. That’s a winning percentage of 94. Sean Elliott was 34-16 in his first 50 starts at Arizona.
What makes Ashley so important for Miller is that on the offensive end he can create mismatch problems with the opponent’s power forward. He has the athleticism, shooting touch and ball-handling ability for a guy his size (6’9″ and 230 pounds) to create his own shot. Not many players at his position nationally have that skill set.
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Don’t forget to vote. Championship matchup of the Arizona Wildcats Best Play Bracket (click on bracket to access blog and poll):
CHAMPIONSHIP
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
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Arizona might have the best wings in the country, but no one is more important to its Final Four hopes than Brandon Ashley.
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) December 7, 2014
ARIZONA DUNK TALLY
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Ashley had his best game of the season against Gonzaga exhibiting his versatility by making his two three-point attempts and scoring Arizona’s last six points in regulation to force overtime. A bonus: Ashley had two assists and no turnovers in his 38 minutes. With how physical the game was in the paint against Gonzaga’s bigs Przemek Karnowski and Domantas Sabonis, for Ashley to not turn the ball over, that makes him unstoppable.
T.J. McConnell used the word “unguardable” after the game.
“I’ve had my ups and downs but my teammates have stuck with me and kept my confidence up and I’m feeling pretty good,” Ashley said.
Miller knows that Ashley’s presence, especially on the offensive end, exudes confidence in his teammates because he is an escape valve for the perimeter players if they are unable to penetrate or get a good look on the perimeter.
“Brandon Ashley made timely big shots,” Miller said. “It’s great for us to see him do that.”
Think of the productivity numbers this way:
.700 or above: Pac-12 player of the year worthy, with a rating of .800 or better as elite.
.600 to .700: Pac-12 honors worthy
.500 to .600: Significant contributor
Under .500: Like under the Mendoza line, needs work.
Brandon Ashley has an erratic motor, when he has good energy he is an elite college player #Gonzaga #Arizona
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) December 6, 2014
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SEASON PRODUCTIVITY RATING
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ARIZONA PAC-10/12
PLAYERS OF THE YEAR:
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ARIZONA SCHEDULE/PRODUCTIVITY RESULTS
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He has also written articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.
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