When he first addressed the elite high school players at the start of UA’s advanced skills camp tonight, Russ Pennell said they would be given a chance to experience what it’s like to play here.
That includes drills … and everything else.
Before the balls were officially rolled out, the lights went out, the video board went on and and audio blared throughout the arena.
“59 NBA players,” it said.
“Four Final Fours,” it said.
“One Hall of Fame coach,” it said.
Then the video rolled. Miles Simon grinned with the 1997 championship game ball in his hands. Bennett Davison messed up Lute Olson’s hair. Highlights of Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr and many other Wildcat greats appeared.
Then the 30 or so campers, all elite recruits from the classes of 2009, 2010 and 2011, were introduced to every one of the UA coaches as well as the assorted summer-circuit coaches and others (such as Greg Wise and ubiquitous San Diego trainer Trent Suzuki) that are also on hand to help.
Lute Olson jetted back from Europe just in time for the event. (BTW, he arrived still single, according to Foxsports.com, for anyone who was wondering).
Watching in the stands were UA freshmen Brendon Lavender and Jeff Withey, while Jordan Hill and Hassan Adams watched the action from courtside.
At about 3:30 p.m. Friday, another big part of the camp will materialize when several former and current UA players informally scrimmage in front of the campers. Adams, Mike Bibby and Channing Frye are tentatively scheduled to be on hand.
By still single you mean Lute didn’t bring any European power forwards back with him, right?
— Ron W 08/15/2008 06:35 AM #
This cheap shot comment (“BTW, he arrived still single, according to Foxsports.com, for anyone who was wondering…”) is the stuff used by people who cannot write nor report… neither funny, relevant, nor useful.
— Ray Bay 08/15/2008 10:26 PM #
I thought it was funny.
— Button Salmon 08/16/2008 10:55 AM #
As usual, RayBay takes a cheap shot at Bruce all while complaining about cheap shots. What a coward! Tell us who you are and what your REAL issues are if you have any self respect. I know you won’t because you want to hide anonymously like the jerk you are. Try therapy and medication.
— Barney 08/16/2008 10:05 PM #
PS Bruce,
Can you tell us which recruits did show for the camp? Did you get a chance to talk to any of them and see how they might be leaning?
— Barney 08/16/2008 10:12 PM #
Here’s a U of A success story: Iguodal six year 80 million dollar contract.
— Cactus Jim 08/17/2008 06:44 PM #
As much as I want UofA basketball to succeed this year, I just can’t imagine the Cats going very far with the current roster. Most of the bloggers out there must either have on rose colored glasses or be in a state of denial. If Lute pulls off a 20 win season and NCCA invite, I’ll be the first to admit I was wrong.
— Dave 08/17/2008 09:52 PM #
Dave,
Sadly I must agree. That’s why in post #1, I really was hoping Lute would come back with an additional big man. And Cactus Jim, while I congratulate Iguodala on his big new contract, I consider Channing Frye, Sean Elliot, Luke Walton, and others who stayed 4 years and either graduated or came close as much bigger UA success stories. Guess I’m old fashioned but that’s the type of player we need to get back to. I know it won’t happen in today’s money is everything world though.
— Ron W 08/18/2008 06:39 AM #
Dave and Ron, start practicing. “I was wrong.” “I was wrong.” “ I was wrong.”
— Mike 08/18/2008 09:21 AM #
SILLY HOW YOU CAN PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF A SEASON BEFORE IT’S EVEN PLAYED. TSK, TSK.
ONE THING TO REMEMBER IS WE HAVE ‘OLSON’. HE’S NOT QUITE READY TO THROW THE TOWEL IN AND CAN STILL OUTFOX THE MAJORITY OF HIS BRETHREN. HE IS ABSO-LUTE-LY THE REASON THE CATS ARE WHAT THEY ARE TODAY>> “ELITE LEVEL TEAM” BAR NONE.
I’M PERSONALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO YET ANOTHER EXCITING SEASON. THAT—YOU CAN PREDICT.
AND ANOTHER THING, THE JIBE ABOUT LUTE RETURNING SINGLE FROM EUROPE WAS MADE BY SOME THOUGHTLESS IDIOT FROM FOX SPORTS, NOT BY BRUCE. VERIFY THE ENEMY BEFORE FIRING OFF THE CHEAP SHOT RETORT.
— dan 08/18/2008 11:45 AM #
Can anyone tell me what prospects showed up for the camp?
— adman 08/18/2008 12:30 PM #
Agreed that this season will be exciting. And although, I understand some posters’ concerns, I don’t share them at this point. Olson has a chip on his shoulder that should bring a focus we have not seen, not to mention this may be his best coaching staff in years. Plus, we have a number of players that came in with the type of hype other stars came in with ( excluding the incoming class) – time will tell whether they develop into such stars. It’s now clear from JB’s and CB’s comments that last year’s team played because they had to, not because they enjoyed it. That will change this year. I’m also confident that Wise will have a breakout year and become a premier pg. We saw signs of this last year. Zona will also be starting three very experienced Juniors, and I also suspect Horne will have a breakout year. If Zane develops and if, and it’s a big if, the new freshman guards are able to contribute, this team will be quite good.
— confused, maybe not 08/18/2008 12:57 PM #
adman, If you subscribe to Scout, Wildcat Scoop evaluates the prospects that showed up. Two of them are SG Tyler Lamb and PF/C Anthony Stover.
— Barney 08/18/2008 04:06 PM #
In Apr. this year Bruce published a list of 15 players in the top 100 prospects the Cats were persuing. One was Greg Smith(we know about him) and one was the above mentioned Anthony Stover.Lamb was not one. Any report on the other 13 Bruce?
I am trying to remain optomistic about the coming season, but without some surprises I am finding it a real labor of love.
— Larry 08/18/2008 09:41 PM #
Mike, I truly hope you are right and I spend next March saying “I was Wrong”. The lack of depth and size still concerns me but I also agree with confused that Lute has the best staff in years. It will be interesting to say the least.
— Ron W 08/19/2008 06:31 AM #
Barney, thanks, I did as you suggested and found the evaluations interesting. They match up well with other sources, particularly Stover. He’s a project that I wonder if Lute wants to undertake. The 2010 big man class looks deeper and more talented at this time.
— adman 08/19/2008 07:43 AM #
With Stephenson now heading for USC, and if he can play this year, suddenly the Trojans are looking pretty darn good. They’ll be tough and definitely a contender for conference top dog.
— adman 08/19/2008 07:47 AM #
Sorry I misspelled his name. Alex Stepheson is what I wanted to post.
— adman 08/19/2008 07:56 AM #
What’s the prediction for UofA finishing in the PAC 10 in ’09?
— Don 08/19/2008 08:45 AM #
Don’t know for sure except top three are UCLA,ASU,USC.
— adman 08/19/2008 09:33 AM #
Ron, What are you talking about, lack of size, if i count it right we have 3 players 6-10 and taller.
— Ron Jeremy's Mentor 08/19/2008 10:29 AM #
rjm-#21
who knows how tall these guys really are. every year when the nba scales our guys they are usually 2-3 inches shorter than listed.
why is that? maybe it’s just a college thing.
— dan 08/19/2008 06:52 PM #
Dan, true what you are saying, but from what i have seen of withey he isnt a stiff unlike Kirk was his Sr year. If jacobson is half way decent to play a few mins a game i will take it. Ron makes is sound like we will have 3 Brian Davids on the team. It’s 8-19-08, the 1st game isnt till nov. I am sure between now and then coach will have things in order.
— Ron Jeremy's Mentor 08/19/2008 07:30 PM #
The match ups are set for the Preseason N.I.T. Tip-Off Classic.
Arizona will face Florida Atlantic in their opening home game, and face the winner of the Santa Clara vs. Alabama-Birmingham winner.
Boston College, Davidson, Oklahoma, and Purdue as well as Coach Olson’s squad highlight the field of 16.
— voice of lunacy 08/20/2008 06:15 AM #
2008 DICK’S SPORTING GOODS NIT SEASON TIP-OFF FIELD AND SITES ANNOUNCED
Santa Clara to play in West Regional to tip-off play in preseason event
John BryantAug. 19, 2008
The 16-team field for the 2008 Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament was announced Tuesday by C.M. Newton, chair of the NIT Selection Committee. Santa Clara University will begin play in the West Regional in Tucson, Ariz., with a first-round match up at 5 pm (all times Pacific) on Mon. Nov. 17 vs. UAB, a 2008 postseason participant, at host Arizona. The winner will advance to play either host Arizona or Florida Atlantic on Tues, Nov. 18 on ESPN2 at 8:30 pm with the losers playing in the consolation game at 5:30 pm.
It is Santa Clara’s first time playing in the preseason event. The Broncos, 15-16 last season, are beginning their second season under head coach Kerry Keating and will be led by preseason WCC player of the year candidate John Bryant and Calvin Johnson. UAB will be making its third appearance at the NIT, and first since the 1989-90 campaign. UAB, coached by Mike Davis, fell 75-49 to Virginia Tech in the second round of the NIT last year to finish the year at 23-11.
“We are honored to be a part of the NIT. Growing up in the New York metropolitan area, I have a great appreciation for the NIT, its history and the opportunity it will present our team to not only play challenging games, but provide a tournament setting for our young team to experience,” said Keating. “We look forward to participating and hope that it will benefit us in the long run.”
“Once again, the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament features an outstanding field and we look forward to another exciting start to college basketball,” commented Newton.
The 2008 NIT Season Tip-Off teams and brackets are as follows:
The East Regional will take place at Boston College and the Eagles will play Loyola (Maryland) while Cornell squares off against St. John’s.
In the North Regional, Purdue is the host site for its game against Eastern Michigan and for the Georgia vs. Loyola (Chicago) match-up.
Oklahoma is the site for the South Regional, and the Sooners will tip against Mississippi Valley State and James Madison will play Davidson.
In the West Regional, Arizona is the host against Florida Atlantic and Santa Clara faces UAB. All first-round games will take place on November 17 with the championship and consolation games of the four regions to follow on November 18.
The NIT Season Tip-Off, which began in 1985, has evolved to an enhanced format this year that guarantees every team four games. First- and second-round games will be played at the home campus sites of the four highest-seeded teams. The winners of those sites will move onto New York’s Madison Square Garden over the Thanksgiving holiday for the semifinal and final doubleheaders November 26 and 28.
The remaining 12 teams will play third- and fourth-round games on November 24 and 25. These games will be played on the home campus sites of the three highest remaining seeds. Participating teams will not play any team twice and third and fourth rounds will be assigned to the most geographically compatible site possible.
ESPN will provide coverage throughout the event; televising games on ESPN2 and ESPNU, with select games also simulcast on ESPN360.com.
— voice of redundancy 08/20/2008 06:20 AM #
I see that UCLA just offered Matt Vogrich (2009) shooting guard from Illinois. Only reason I bring this up is the relevancy that they must figure they are not getting Snaer or Bradley.
— adman 08/20/2008 07:23 AM #
add 26. Howland has offered Durand Scott out of New York as well. Scott will take an official visit in September. This hasn’t hit Scout.com yet. They are really going after a SG hard.
— adman 08/20/2008 06:39 PM #
Zona offered Scott, but he indicated that at the moment they are not in his top eight. Apparently this guy came on strong over the summer.
— adman 08/20/2008 06:43 PM #
Dan, here is what I hear is coming. Hill at Center, Onubon at PF, Horne at SF, Chase Budinger at SG, and Wise at PG. Withey with significant time at Center and PF, Jacobsen and Johnson also getting double digit minutes, Lavender and Fogg filling in as circumstances, time and match ups allow. I see a STRONGER bench situation than last year and improvement as the year progresses. Add in a far, far, better coaching situation and you can see why I see an exciting and successful year coming up.
— Mike 08/20/2008 09:37 PM #
Barney, Adman— Some of the main guys on hand last weekend were: 2009: Andy Brown Unrated PF, Anthony Stover Top 100 C. 2010: Daniel Alexander Top 75 PF, Gary Franklin Top 100 G, Tyler Lamb, Top 75 G, Anthony Brown Top 50 SG, Terrell Stoglin Top 100 G (Santa Rita star).
Brown is visiting Stanford this weekend while Stover’s dad said Anthony will visit UA probably the weekend of Oct.. 25 (although that’s awfully late in the 2009 recruiting process)
Don — the prediction for UA will probably be between 4 and 6. UCLA, USC and ASU will probably be the top three, then Washington, UA, WSU will likely be picked in the middle.
— Bruce Pascoe 08/21/2008 01:49 PM #
ASU predicted to finish above UofA? – Ouch, that hurts!
— Dave 08/21/2008 09:53 PM #
Dave — Well, ASU beat UA twice last season and it has nearly everyone back…so I’m thinking they’ll be picked higher.
— Bruce Pascoe 08/21/2008 10:15 PM #
I hope that ASU is ranked higher than us in the preseason rankings. You better believe that Lute would use that as a motivator.
— chi_cat 08/22/2008 06:08 AM #
To be realistic about the situation I believe you have to look a year or two down the road.
This coming season is full of question marks and totally depends on the guys who haven’t been on the hardwood much at all. Their development is key. Wise and Budinger are solid, but Hill, for all of his potential, is still a question, which basically centers around his propensity to foul early and often.
Another one and done in the tournament would be a disaster from a recruiting standpoint. A team can live off of the distant past success only so long. It might even be better to win the NIT than have another one and done.
Lute and his coaches are going to have to really put it together this year for the future of the program.
— adman 08/22/2008 07:37 AM #
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/notebook?page=notebook/shootaround/pac_10
Preview of the coming season. Worth looking at.
— adman 08/22/2008 11:38 AM #
I see Lute picked up a commitment from Reger Dowell who couldn’t make it academically into Texas.
Does this mean that they don’t think Gaddy is a possiblilty?
— adman 08/25/2008 09:06 PM #