Can Arizona Keep the Streak Alive?

It’s an impressive mark that spans over two-and-a-half decades. But is this the season Arizona lets it slip away?

The Wildcats enter the 2009-10 season with a streak of 25 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Fans in Tucson have become accustomed to their beloved team making the annual trip into the field of 65.  Can Arizona make their 26^th consecutive trip to the Big Dance with questions surrounding their level of experience this season?

The head coaching position at the University of Arizona has been up and down over the past couple seasons. Legendary coach Lute Olson, who led this Arizona program through all but two of their 25 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, has retired. Despite being on the bubble the last two seasons, Arizona managed to keep the streak alive.  Interim coaches Kevin O'Neill and Russ Pennell managed to avoid being the coached tagged with ended the streak.  After one year as a Memphis Grizzlies assistant, O'Neill is now at USC and Pennell at Grand Canyon.

Now it is Sean Miller’s turn. After serving the past five seasons as the head coach at Xavier University, Miller has taken the seat as the head guy in Tucson. Miller has done more than enough in his past to prove he is an excellent basketball coach.  Entering his first season at the helm in Arizona, he is immediately expected to get the Wildcats back into the NCAA Tournament.

Many college critics will be quick to say this is a rebuilding year for the Wildcats and they may have a point. With only two upperclassmen, Arizona will heavily rely on freshmen and sophomores to contribute.

A season ago, the talent was there for the Arizona Wildcats, and despite a few ups and downs during the regular season, they were able to sneak into the NCAA Tournament. As a 12-seed, the Wildcats shocked fifth-seeded Utah in the first round and then handled 13-seeded Cleveland State in the second round before bowing out to No. 1 seed Louisville in the Sweet 16.

They were led by two choices in this past year’s NBA draft. 6’10" Jordan Hill was chosen at No. 8 overall by the New York Knicks and swingman Chase Budinger was taken 44th by the Houston Rockets. Both men entered the 2009 NBA Draft by forgoing their senior season at Arizona.

Now, the pressure mounts on the team’s lone returning senior, Nic Wise. After recently being named to the Wooden Award Preseason List, Wise knows this is his team to take over. He joined former teammates Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger in entering the NBA Draft before removing his name and returning to school.

Wise will be the go-to-guy for Miller at the start of the season, but will need help from his younger teammates. Arizona boasts the 13th overall recruiting class according to rivals.com, with five freshmen who enter the season with an opportunity to fight for playing time.

Lamont Jones, a 5'11" point guard, should provide some valuable minutes behind Nic Wise. Swingman Solomon Hill committed to USC before changing his mind and giving the Wildcats a potential replacement for Chase Budinger. At 6’10", 250 lbs., freshmen Kyryl Natyazhko has the size and talent to be a force down low defensively. Wingman Kevin Parrom and power forward Derrick Williams round out the last of the incoming class.

Junior Jamelle Horne's 6.8 ppg from last season will need to increase. Sophomores Kyle Fogg and Garland Judkins will also have plenty of opportunity to help this Arizona program.

Miller’s unproven roster will be tested early. In the EA Sports Maui Invitational, the Wildcats will play Wisconsin in their opener, with a match-up against either Colorado or Gonzaga on Tuesday.  The other half of the bracket is Host Chaminade, Maryland, Cincinnati and Vanderbilt.  Arizona will round out their non-conference schedule with match-ups in Tucson against BYU and UNLV, as well as a road game at Oklahoma as part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Challenge. There is no doubt, California and Washington stand as the potential teams to beat in the Pac-10 this season, but after that it’s a wide-open race.

Arizona holds the longest active streak for consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and stands two seasons shy of tying the all-time NCAA mark of 27. The Kentucky Wildcats that had their 17 year NCAA Tournament appearance streak come to an end last season. The steak was second to Arizona.  Nic Wise and company will need to play well this season under Miller if they want to prevent another dominant stretch of success from ending.

On paper, it is a young, talented Arizona team that certainly has the potential to reach the NCAA Tournament. But many people believe it might be an up and down first year for Miller. He has worked his magic in the past at Xavier, guiding the Musketeers to the NCAA Tournament, which included almost upsetting number one seed Pittsburgh last season. Time will only tell how Miller can mesh his returning senior point guard with this group of young talent.

But this much is certain; you can bet he will have this Arizona Wildcat team ready to go once the season begins.