Arizona

This team has been in an offensive slump which raises cause for concern. Yes they only have one lose on their record but the biggest lose that is not shown on the record is Brandon Ashley. Yes people know this is a big lose but I still feel it is being under played.

With Ashley in the lineup Arizona was deadly because of every aspect to his game. 3 was Gordon. 4 was Ashley. 5 was Tarc. Why is this a big thing. Well Arizona had arguably one of the best 3-4-5 in the nation due to their size and ability these 3 bring to the court. Ashley was a 4 who extended defenses because they have to respect his outside shot. By him being in the lineup it made the guards job easier. Guards were able to drive and usually only have to worry about one defender in the paint and that is Tarc defender. This made life a lot easier for the guards. In addition, with Ashley extending the defense it opens up driving lanes for everyone. Now with him out what happens. Gordon moves to the 4 guard. May not seem like a big deal but this changes the Arizona offense completely. If you have followed this team you have begun to realize that everyone is realizing Gordon has no jump shot and has no confidence in himself to make it. Playing Cal Gordons defender sat back in the paint daring him to take a jump shot. He took one 3 and missed and after that didn't even think about pulling a jump shot for the rest of the game. This is a major issue. Gordon at the 4 allows teams to now sag back into the paint and make Arizona hit jump shots which they have not been particularly lethal with. Now you say well the guards have been doing work penetrating the lane. Agreed but now they have to deal with another defender in the paint because Gordon is not respected as a shooter. This means Arizona guard play and particularly Johnson and York are going to have to start banging down 3's to pull the defense out again and open up the paint.

Another issue with Ashley being out is foul trouble. Arizona does not have the depth to afford any big now to get into foul trouble. Regardless Arizona will have to play Korcheck, who really has only played junk minutes this year.

I am not sitting here saying Arizona has now become a bad team but as an alum of the school I am very worried come tournament time. This is why I think the Ashley injury is a major major lose and I don't see why teams don't pack the paint and force Arizona to shoot jump shots especially Gordon.