Versatility is taking on a new meaning with the Arizona men's basketball team.
Instead of throwing out 10 or 11 different-skilled players at opponents, the Wildcats are bending their tight playing rotation into different defensive looks.
The first eight players used a combination of 2-3 and 1-3-1 zones, plus a man-to-man, to throw off a deliberate Samford team on Wednesday, prompting UA coaches to further fine-tune the defense over the weekend.
"We told the kids after practice (Friday) that we're trying to do the things we can to be as good as we can possibly be," UA associate head coach Jim Rosborough said. "We're getting more and more confident in the man, but now we've got more defenses with the 1-3-1 and 2-3. That really makes us more versatile."
Usually, UA coach Lute Olson pulls out zone defenses only in certain circumstances, sometimes alternating with a man-to-man defense depending on whether the opponent makes or misses its shot on the previous possession.
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Now, the Wildcats are finding their length and athleticism is making them well-suited to using a zone more often. Arizona held New Mexico State scoreless for nearly eight minutes last week with a mostly zone defense and it held Samford to just 21 percent in the first half Wednesday, with the Bulldogs making just 4 of 23 three-point shots, while rotating defenses.
"Maybe we're not the perfect man team," Rosborough said. "But in the zone, we can use our height and long arms, and slide."
One recent modification: The UA now has one of the two front defenders in the 2-3 zone focus on defending the initial ballhandler.
"Somebody will pick up the ball and after that it will start looking like a 2-3," Rosborough said. "The guy behind the (first) ball guy, generally picks up the first pass. Before, in the 2-3, nobody really had the ball."
Hanging tough
Sophomore forward Fendi Onobun nearly tripled his season minutes Wednesday with eight against Samford, scoring six points and making one steal. He did not play against Virginia or New Mexico State, but said he is staying positive.
"Sometimes you have ups and downs and to get over that, you've got to work harder every day, show the coach why he should play you," Onobun said. "All Coach (Olson) wants me to do is rebound, get on the glass. That's an effort thing. You have to have the fire and desire to get the ball. If coach sees that in me, he'll be more confident to play me in games."
Onobun had only one rebound against Samford, but Olson said Onobun played well during the short time he was in the game.
Rim shots
● J.P. Prince did not practice Friday or Saturday but was in McKale Center on Saturday, UA assistant coach Josh Pastner said. Prince remains out indefinitely with what Olson called "personal matters."
● Mustafa Shakur was ill Friday and did not practice but returned fully on Saturday.
● At 9 a.m. Tuesday, Arizona will begin selling tickets for Tuesday's UA-UNLV game and for its four-game "holiday pack" (Houston, Memphis, California, Stanford).
Up next
● Who: UNLV at Arizona
● Where: McKale Center
● When: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday
● TV: FSNAZ
● Radio: 1290-AM, 107.5-FM, 1210-AM (Spanish)
