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Arizona Wildcats (Last Year: 16-15, 10-8 in Pac-10)
2010-11 Projected Depth Chart:
F/C: Derrick Williams (So)/Kyryl Natyazhko (So)/Alex Jacobson (Jr)
F: Jamelle Horne (Sr)/Solomon Hill (So)/Jesse Perry (Jr)
G/F: Kevin Parrom (So)/Brendon Lavender (Jr)
SG: Kyle Fogg (Jr)/Daniel Bejarano (Fr)
PG: Lamont Jones (So)/Jordin Mayes (Fr)
Gone: PG-Nic Wise, SF-D.J. Shumpert (transfer), PG-Garland Judkins (UT-San Antonio)
2010-11 Outlook:
First-year head coach Sean Miller knew he was going to take his bumps last season as seven players in Arizona’s regular rotation were underclassmen. One year older, the Wildcats should show signs of growth and maturity as they compete for the Pac-10 title.
Leading the charge will be reigning Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and future NBA Draft lottery pick Derrick Williams. He possesses a great combination of explosiveness, athleticism and strength. If he can stay out of foul trouble, which was a major issue last season, Williams could compete for conference Player of the Year.
Joining Williams in the starting frontcourt will be the only senior on the roster, Jamelle Horne. Horne is versatile enough to play either forward position and was the Wildcats’ top three-point shooter last season.
Sophomore Kyryl Natyazhko struggled in adapting to the college game last season but should be improved this season. He will provide depth behind Williams with the possibility of them playing at the same time which would allow Williams to slide over to his more natural position at the four.
Solomon Hill began the season in the starting lineup, but moved to the bench once the athletic Kevin Parrom became healthy. Hill and JUCO transfer Jesse Perry will provide depth and versatility at the forward position.
With Nic Wise graduating, Lamont “Mo-Mo” Jones will take over the point guard responsibilities. He will be joined in the starting backcourt by junior Kyle Fogg who continues to make tremendous strides from the first day he arrived on campus. Fogg is an effective outside shooter who also gets after it on the defensive end.
Freshmen Jordin Meyers and Daniel Bejarano should see time off the bench, while Ludacris look-alike Brandon Lavender gives Arizona another shooter though a very streaky one who has yet to find consistency with the Wildcats.
With the Pac-10 down for another year, the young Wildcats should be in the thick of the race. Miller will soon have the program back to the level they were used to be at under Lute Olson, and this season will a step in that direction.
Player to Watch: MoMo Jones, PG
Jones really impressed me as last season progressed. He is very similar to Nic Wise with his short, but strong stature as he is not afraid to get to the basket despite his shortcomings (Arizona’s Web site has him listed at 6-0 – no way.) MoMo should step in at the point replacing Wise without the team missing much of a beat. If he falters as the starter, Arizona could be in jeopardy of missing out on the tourney for a second straight year.
Key Non-Conference Games:
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NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
