Arizona freshman Josh Green, sitting on the set at the Pac-12 Network, tells Don MacLean that he used to get goosebumps from the Red-Blue Scrimmage alone during the recruiting process.
Hot take: @josh_green6 thinks @APlayersProgram‘s fans are the best in the nation 😏.
Keep it locked on #Pac12Hoops Media Day ➡️ https://t.co/ZhZuI5ezsa pic.twitter.com/EWooPHzYao
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) October 8, 2019
They have not played one minute yet but Mannion is a first-team preseason all-conference pick and Green is a second-teamer. Senior post player Chase Jeter makes the honorable mention. Sign of the times.
The media votes are in. Here’s who they picked for Preseason All-Conference honors:@niccolomannion – 1st Team@josh_green6 – 2nd Team@chasejeter04 – Honorable Mention pic.twitter.com/p4MLmnkiJJ
— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) October 8, 2019
Modest that he is, Sean Miller is not one to talk about his history with the “Send it in Jerome!” glass-backboard-breaking dunk pass and his appearance on the Johnny Carson Show as a child dribbling basketballs for show. He avoids those like the plague. Somebody please let the Pac-12 Network know that.
We took a trip down memory lane with @APlayersProgram Head Coach Sean Miller 😁💭.
Don’t miss a beat from #Pac12Hoops Media Day ➡️ https://t.co/ZhZuI5ezsa pic.twitter.com/wSz0PGgeFw
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) October 8, 2019
How about an Arizona-Villanova or Arizona-Georgetown matchup? Arizona-Xavier?
Arizona, ASU and USC will open at Las Vegas against Big East teams in the second year of the “Coast to Coast” challenge in 2021-22, then face the same teams again in New York in 2022-23.
— Bruce Pascoe (@BrucePascoe) October 8, 2019
If the Pac-12 goes to a round-robin 20-game schedule, it will be more difficult to schedule marquee home-and-home series against other national powers. Those type of series have already gone by the wayside with the neutral site matchups made for national TV.
UA coach Sean Miller said he'll look still add a home-and-home series but between the "Challenge" and the league's new 20-game schedule, there isn't much room on the 2021-22 and 2022-23 schedules.
— Bruce Pascoe (@BrucePascoe) October 8, 2019
"No doubt home and homes have already become harder," Miller said. "But part of why they've already become more difficult is these other conferences have already moved to 20 games." UA faces Illinois, Baylor and Gonzaga as part of home-and-home series this season.
— Bruce Pascoe (@BrucePascoe) October 8, 2019
Symbolic move having two freshmen at the Pac-12 Media Day. Makes complete sense and it fulfills the needs of the reporters. Why not bring the most newsworthy players there?
.@APlayersProgram brought a pair of freshmen to #Pac12Hoops Media Day in Josh Green and Nico Mannion.
This is the first time since 2007 that any first-year player represented a #Pac12Hoops team at Media Day. #BackThePac pic.twitter.com/7HgmlRftNl
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) October 8, 2019
The idea of a zone defense for Arizona was asked today of Miller, a man known of his ardent man-to-man principles.
Sean Miller:
– Only coach to bring two Freshmen here.
– Balked at the idea of playing zone this year.
– Gave credit to all three new HC’s in the league. Thinks the league upgraded with the new hires. Spoke about how tough Cronin’s teams are. #Arizona#Pac12Hoops— Rocco Miller (@roccomiller8) October 8, 2019
Miller said this is as deep and talented the Pac-12 has been since he started at Arizona in 2009-10.
Bear Down! 🐻⬇️
We wrap up our #Pac12Hoops Media Day live stream coverage with @APlayersProgram coach Sean Miller.
Download the Pac-12 Now app and set alerts to watch the 13 Arizona men’s basketball games on Pac-12 Networks. ➡️https://t.co/GHjGNiqkGz https://t.co/hx0gHCC4cN
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) October 8, 2019
You get the sense it will be fun year watching these guys play. Enjoy it while you can.
Watching @josh_green6 play ‘Pop a shot’ is getting us excited to see his shot on the court this season. 🙌
Download Pac-12 Now and set alerts to watch @APlayersProgram games all season long➡️ https://t.co/CfTJttIvGh pic.twitter.com/Li0o6VJ04P
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) October 8, 2019
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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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