POLL -Which Incoming Wildcat Are You Most Excited About For The Upcoming Season?

[WILD]

I like what you're saying. Can you imagine if Akot ends up the X-factor being that he was originally not coming until 2018?

[mvpreed2]

I like what you're saying. Can you imagine if Akot ends up the X-factor being that he was originally not coming until 2018?

Honestly, yes I can.
I imagine if he is what people say he is, with the way Miller has used his athletic SFs in the past, I expect him to have one of the biggest impacts of all the freshmen.
What he does may not show up on the statsheet every game, but his length, passing and athleticism should create mismatches for us to exploit.
I am thinking R.Hollis-Jefferson but less of a defender and more of a polished offensive game with his ability to handle the ball and create for others.

[D. Peezy]

I totally agree and am really hoping Barcello gets a lot of minutes after seeing what he can do on both ends of the floor. PJC hasn't been able to carry his weight on defense and he hasn't been able to stay healthy a full season. He however has improved each year and could be one of our best 3 point shooters. I'd be happy if they both got about 12 to 15 mins a game with the other time getting spread out.

This is a REALLY bad take and I will tell you why. First of all PJC's steal rate last year was not far off TJ's Junior year. Obviously he's not as good an on-ball defender due to size but his defense has been noticeably and gradually improving.

in regards to staying healthy: PJC has played in 99 of 109 possible contests in 3 years ... and I'm fairly certain the 4 in his Freshman year were Coaches Decision DNP. This leaves us at 99 of 105 games in which Miller wanted him to play. I suppose you are confusing 1 recent, minor injury with actual facts.

Now we come to his minutes. PJC will average 30+ MPG this season. Barcello will be on the outer edge of the rotation. Alex will be behind Akot, Randolph, and at least one (if not both) of Ira Lee and Keanu Pinder. Barcello is a shooter who averaged barely over a 1:1 A:TO ratio in a mediocre Phoenix league last year. PJC is a shooter who had STELLAR A:TO ratios last year at the highest level of amateur basketball.

I fully expect the backup PG duties to be distributed between Trier, Rawle, and Akot. I'm having trouble finding the interview but I don't recall Miller mentioning Barcello among his backup PG by committee. There is a reason for that.

/rant. Ayton seems like the obvious choice for most exciting freshman. We have not had a center of his size and skill in ... ever. Akot and Randolph will be great too but it's Ayton and everyone else.