One significant benefit of Allonzo Trier’s return to Arizona’s lineup, whether it’s as a starter or sixth man, is the positive impact it can have on Kadeem Allen.
The best defensive guard on Arizona’s lineup, Allen can focus on defending Lonzo Ball at the point and know his offensive output is not as important when Trier was out of the lineup.
Ball is UCLA’s lifeline running the Bruins’ high-scoring attack. He ranks second in the nation in assists per game (8.2). He has shot 53.2 percent overall from the field and has averaged 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game.
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His total of 164 assists is the second-highest single-season mark by any UCLA freshman. He has only 47 turnovers.
It’s obvious that nobody has or probably will shut down Ball. The key for Arizona is Ball going through stretches of not getting UCLA in the flow. That has happened. The Bruins have experienced rough stretches against Cal, Stanford and ASU at Pauley Pavilion, but those teams are not the caliber of Arizona.
Allen’s combined 39 steals and blocked shots leads the Wildcats, topping Keanu Pinder’s 38.
Allen ranks fifth in the Pac-12 in steals with 1.6 per game. That number could increase with Sean Miller able to have him concentrate more on the opponent’s best offensive guard with the load off of scoring as much on the other end.
He can tell Allen to be the defensive leader and Trier the offensive go-to guy on the perimeter when Lauri Markkanen is not in the game or is a slasher to the paint.
The bottom line is the only way Arizona will upset UCLA at Pauley Pavilion is by making significant defensive stops. The Wildcats won’t win outscoring the Bruins.
The impetus for the defensive effort lies on Allen’s shoulders. He must set the tone once Ball brings the ball past midcourt. Miller has the confidence Allen can be that guy.
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
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PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
ARIZONA PAC-10/12
PLAYERS OF THE YEAR:
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PREVIOUS GAME
ARIZONA 73, USC 66
PRODUCTIVITY RATING
* — STARTERS
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ARIZONA SCHEDULE/PRODUCTIVITY RESULTS
*-Honolulu
**-Las Vegas
***-Los Angeles
****-Houston
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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.
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