Arizona senior guard Kadeem Allen is coming off his most productive consecutive games in his career with the Wildcats, and that carries a lot of meaning for Sean Miller.
Allen compiled 69 productivity points in 63 minutes against Colorado and ASU for a rating of 1.095. His season productivity rating increased from .445 before the Colorado game to .525 now.
Could this be the beginning of Miller counting on Allen on a consistent basis? To be a continuous productivity leader? Throughout his career at Arizona, Allen’s productivity has been hit or miss.
DX Matchup Video: Kadeem Allen vs Derrick White https://t.co/sRbGkWhfyv (via @rthomson9) pic.twitter.com/ruI6YXRxHq
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 18, 2017
With Parker Jackson-Cartwright back after missing a month because of a high ankle sprain, Allen’s role is more refined as the off guard. He is more in a comfort zone similar to his days at Hutchinson (Kan.) Junior College when he could concentrate more of being a scoring play maker rather than a facilitator.
Jackson-Cartwright fills the role of the set-up guy very well.
In the five games since his return he has 30 assists with only five turnovers while averaging 23.6 minutes per game.
One of Allen’s most interesting stats is he has never had a 20-point game at Arizona. The 18 points he had against Colorado and ASU are his career-best scoring games with the Wildcats.
This from a player who averaged 17.3 points a game in his last season with Hutchinson in 2013-14. He had nine games with at least 20 points. He scored at least 30 points in a couple of games.
His career scoring average in 51 games with Arizona: 8.9 points.
With the offensive firepower of Allonzo Trier an uncertainty of being part of Arizona’s execution this season, perhaps it is a good idea to finally unleash Allen in a role similar to what Trier would have with the Wildcats.
It’s no coincidence that Allen went to the free-throw line more times than he is accustomed to at Arizona — making 16 of 21 from there — against Colorado and ASU during his recent rebirth as a dominating finisher.
His defense with a team-best 26 steals is already superior. His offense is starting to have that same gusto.
The 21 free throws he attempted against the Buffaloes and Sun Devils — a result of a more attacking style — equaled the amount of times he went to the line in the nine previous games dating to the Gonzaga game.
Look for Allen to have more liberty as a scorer and penetrator to the basket than ever before in his Wildcat career if the last two games are any indication. That kind of strategy is exactly what Arizona needs to break down defenses more to loosen up Lauri Markkanen and Dusan Ristic inside.
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)
SEASON PRODUCTIVITY RATING
[table “” not found /]
PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
ARIZONA PAC-10/12
PLAYERS OF THE YEAR:
[table “” not found /]
PREVIOUS GAME
ARIZONA 91, ASU 75
PRODUCTIVITY RATING
* — STARTERS
[table “” not found /]
ARIZONA SCHEDULE/PRODUCTIVITY RESULTS
*-Honolulu
**-Las Vegas
***-Los Angeles
****-Houston
[table “” not found /]
FOLLOW @JAVIERJMORALES ON TWITTER!
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon.
Recommended for you
