Have
Wildcats bought into Miller?
Arizona men’s basketball head coach Sean Miller lit into his
team after the Wildcats’ 83-75 home loss to Oregon Thursday night, particularly
upset with the team’s effort level.
Was the message received?
Arizona certainly played with a greater intensity Saturday
night against Oregon State, limiting the Beavers to 40 percent shooting from
the field. Oregon State’s All-Pac-12 talent, Gary Payton II, was limited to
four of 12 shooting. On offense, Arizona’s 13 turnovers are still a little too
high for this time of year, but the Wildcats never lost control as they did
against Oregon.
“We have the seats on the front of the bus, as coach says,
and when we set the tone with good energy and by playing hard, the rest of the
team usually follows suit,” Ryan Anderson said.
One double-digit victory over the Beavers may not quell all if any of Miller’s worries. The win should instill some lost confidence back into a team that sits at 5-4 after the first half of Pac-12 Conference play.
“Coach challenged all of us and I took that
to heart,” added Gabe York.
York
goes off
Of course, winning is always easier when your best shooter
is on his mark.
That was the case Thursday, as York knocked down a career
six three-pointers in route to a game-high 24 points. When asked if he had just played his best game in an Arizona
uniform, York agreed.
“For me, when a team plays 30 to 35 minutes of a two-three
zone, that is like giving candy to a baby,” said York.
Indeed, York found himself open much of the night. Part of that falls on Oregon State’s inexperience. According to Beavers head coach Wayne Tinkle, the Beavers
lost track of York, allowing the shooting guard to take a total of 12 shots
from outside.
“We couldn’t find York,” Tinkle said. “Man or zone, we kept
saying we can’t help off of him.”
Trier
almost ready
A homecoming trip is in store next weekend for Allonzo
Trier, who grew up in Seattle. But will the freshman guard be ready to play by the
Washington State and Washington games?
Possibly so.
Miller said post game that Trier will go through one more
x-ray before the trip. If the results are promising, Trier could play on the road
trip.
“There’s a chance,” Miller said. “He would like to play. He
can shoot and pass.”
“Depending on the x-ray, he could be more
vulnerable if he fell, and we’re not going to do that to him,” Miller added. ”Maybe he needs
another week. We’ll find out.”
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