| | By Jay Bilas
Special to ESPN.com
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Friday, Oct. 13
Arizona returns all five starters, almost the entire bench, and adds a key recruit to the mix. That makes the Wildcats a prohibitive favorite to reach the Final Four.
And get this: the Wildcats are the first group in the 25-year history of the Wooden Award to place all five starters on the preseason Top 50 list. This team has the chance to be truly special and could be Lute Olson's best.
Arizona had a truly remarkable season in 2000 and was a team to be admired. Beset by injuries to Richard Jefferson and Loren Woods, Olson and his staff molded a young team into the preseason NIT champions, the Pac-10
co-champions and a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. If not for a tough
draw with Wisconsin in the second round, Arizona was capable of reaching
Indianapolis, even without Woods.
The Wisconsin loss should serve the 'Cats well in 2000-01.
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Frontcourt
Anchored by fifth-year senior Loren Woods and junior Michael Wright, Arizona has perhaps the most formidable frontcourt in the college game.
Woods blossomed into a star under Olson and was a force throughout the season. The 7-foot-1 transfer from Wake Forest led Arizona in scoring (15.6) and blocked shots (3.2), and was second on the team in
rebounding (7.5). Woods is a lean, long-armed force down low with a nice touch and great
hands, including a much improved left hand.
He also does a tremendous job of running the court and getting early offense. Woods showed that he could
excel against physical players, using his quickness, speed and improved
footwork to outmaneuver defenders.
Woods earned All Pac-10 honors as well as being named the Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year. And if not for his back injury, he could have been the Pac-10 Player of the Year.
Woods has good low post moves, can face up and hit the perimeter jumper, and is a good passer, especially in a high-low set with All Pac-10 junior Wright.
Speaking of Wright, the 6-7 junior is a throwback power forward who can be as solid as any inside performer in the country. Wright (15.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 57 percent FGs) is a powerful rebounder, plays with a purpose and is
more than happy to throw his body around. Wright understands angles and
positioning and will not be denied on the glass. When he concentrates on his game, Wright is such a hard worker that he can be absolutely dominant.
Richard Jefferson, a 6-7 leaper, will fill the small forward slot and is an
amazing run-and-jump athlete who can go all day. Jefferson (11 ppg, 4.4
rpg, 50 percent FGs) also can be a power player who is great in transition and can really
take it to the basket to finish, draw fouls and get to the line.
Jefferson is supremely confident in himself and his teammates, and he has improved his shooting. If healthy, Jefferson is one of the very best small forwards in the nation.
Eugene Edgerson is another fifth-year senior who is a terrific banger, interior defender and worker. Edgerson will be the first frontcourt sub off the bench. He understands the game and his role in the Wildcats' system. He will
assume vocal leadership and will do dirty work.
Justin Wessell isn't the quickest Wildcat, but he is a good rebounder who uses smarts and anticipation to get the ball. Wessell is a good passer, defender and competitor who does not make many mistakes. He also has the versatility to play any frontcourt position.
Luke Walton is more than just the son of Bill, he is a catalyst for the Wildcats who passes well, has great body
balance and can blend into the offense. He has a tendency to over-pass, but he can really
see the floor and play facing up or with his back to the basket.
Rick Anderson has excellent potential and is a good offensive rebounder. He
shoots it well and is learning to let the game come to him rather than
forcing the action.
|  | | Jason Gardner has already established himself as one of the nation's premier point guards. |
The latest addition to the frontcourt is 6-9 freshman Andrew Zahn (Redondo Beach, Calif.), who will
provide additional depth and should compete favorably for playing time.
Backcourt
Arizona features the best guard tandem in the nation with Jason Gardner and Gilbert Arenas.
Gardner (12.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5 apg) is a tough point guard with the heart of a lion. Don't be fooled by Gardner's court demeanor. He is a quiet leader, but he can be nasty and has a warrior mentality on the court. This gives added strength to his teammates, who see him as always in control of himself and the situation.
Gardner is incredibly quick, deceptively strong and cannot be bumped off his stride. He blows by almost anyone off the dribble, penetrates to draw contact and hits big shots. While he can score, Gardner is also a good passer, finishing fourth in the Pac-10 in assists. He's also an ironman who plays major minutes and
protects the ball without turning it over.
The only better sophomore point guard in the nation might be Duke's Jason Williams. But Gardner is right there with
him.
Arenas had a great freshman season, landing on the Pac-10 All-Freshman team, and he can be as good a player as he wants to be. Arenas (15.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.2 apg) is a great penetrator and can get into the lane on almost any
defender. He is very smart on the offensive end as he moves without the
ball and always seems to be around the action.
Arenas, who has has excellent hands, is perhaps Arizona's best perimeter defender, guarding the likes of Arizona State's Eddie
House. His strength and quickness keep him from getting screened off his man. He was fourth in the Pac-10 in steals (2.06 spg), and he is good in fast-break situations.
Arenas is a resourceful ball-handler and passer who can drive, dish or shoot the ball. When challenged, he responds positively and only needs to be more of a self-starter to be a truly great college player.
Senior Lamont Frazier and freshman Travis Hanour will provide quality backcourt depth, but don't expect to see
Arenas and Gardner sitting much while the clock is running.
Bottom Line
Lute Olson has been to the Final Four four times and is one of the nation's best coaches. He is a future Hall of
Famer who has won with far less than he has available this season. If Loren Woods stays healthy, the Wildcats have the talent, experience and guidance to be the best team in the nation ... wire to wire. | |
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