Pre-NBA draft declaration deadline edition*
First, a look at the year that was**:
Overall Record: 207-133 (60.9%) Against D1: 95-24 (79.8%)
| Tournament Breakdown | |||||
| Round | 64 | 32 | 16 | 8 | 4 |
| # of Teams | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Conference Rankings: RPI (2) Pomeroy Rank (2) Sagarin Rank (1)
08-09 Preview for all Ten Teams:
Arizona [07-08: 7th, 18-14 (8-10)]
Key Returners: Jordan Hill (62.0% eFG%, 7.9 RPG, .8 APG), Nic Wise (55.7 eFG%, 2.3 RG, 4.4 APG)
Key Losses: Jerryd Bayless (53.6% eFG%, 2.7 RPG, 4.0 APG), Chase Budinger (52.6 eFG%, 5.4 RPG, 2.5 APG), Jawann McClellan (49.8 eFG%, 3.6 RPG, 2.7 APG).
Key Additions: Brandon Jennings (Rivals: 5/5, #3 PG, #8 overall), Jeff Withey (Rivals: 4/5, #9 Center, #39 overall)
Arizona's biggest challenge will be replacing Jerryd Bayless, who recently announced his intention to enter the draft. Bayless led all scorers with 19.7 PPG and was able to routinely create opportunities for scoring on the perimeter, especially for Budinger, by collapsing defenses through drives into the paint. I's difficult to see who will replace Bayless at the 2 as there is not a proven player on UA's roster who fits that position. Heralded recruit Brandon Jennings has shown he can be a big time scorer, but at 6 ft 170 lbs he simply lacks the size to play shooting guard at the college level. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how the battle for point between Wise and Jennings shakes out.
Of key importance for Arizona's success will be whether or not Chase Budinger stays and continues to develop. Should Budinger stay he will be expected to be Arizona's key playmaker. If he can consistently shoot the three and get inside for offensive rebounds, and assuming Jordan Hill continues to play at a high level, then Arizona's offense will be very difficult to stop.
After a tough season the Wildcats have a lot to look forward to. Fans should welcome the return of Lute Olson and his up tempo offense from O'neil's set plays, and although Jennings can't replace Bayless, any team benefits from depth at the point guard position. As things stand Arizona should field an elite team next season, and should definitely make an improvement over this year's seventh place finish.
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