NOTEBOOK
The lasting image of Derrick Williams' first college start undoubtedly came with 16 minutes left in Thursday's game.
Left open in the lane during a plodding game that felt at times like it was being played in oatmeal, Williams slammed a windmill dunk hard enough that the ball rocketed through the net and catapulted off the ground.
"I try to come in here and play hard; that's what Coach wants us to do," the freshman forward said. "Come in hard and play defense, too."
Williams finished with the best all-around stat line of anyone on the floor in Thursday's 66-49 win - 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting. He also had six rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Maybe the most telling moment of the game, however, came three minutes later. That's when Kyryl Natyazhko caught the ball in the left post and missed a passive turnaround bank shot. UA coach Sean Miller took a timeout and replaced the Ukrainian with Williams with 13:19 left.
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Natyazhko played only 11 minutes.
"It was Derrick's night tonight," Miller said. "That's going to happen. Kyryl's a much better player than he was tonight."
Miller said both freshmen have to fight inconsistency going forward, calling it part of the development of post players.
"Some come in and hit the ground running," he said.
Others, he said, struggle, and "that same kid, he keeps developing and getting better" as the season goes on.
If there is a challenge for Natyazhko, it is "for him not to get down," Miller said.
Miller has said he wants the two to be able to play side-by-side; Williams just started practicing at the power forward spot - with Natyazhko at center - a few days ago in practice.
"It's two different spots," said Williams, a La Mirada, Calif., native. "It's a lot harder than just going out there and playing in high school."
Williams was ranked No. 72 overall in the country and No. 25 at power forward by Rivals.com before decommitting from USC after Tim Floyd left. Williams then chose the Wildcats.
Miller said not to read too much into the Wildcats' starting lineup Thursday, which also featured Solomon Hill instead of Game 1 starter MoMo Jones.
He said Williams - and other players - start because of his "performance every day, effort, getting better at the things that we're trying to get them better at."
The Wildcats will continue to tinker with their starters, and their rotation, as the season goes forward.
"Our lineup will change from time to time," Miller said. "We have to do it as a team. We can't do it as four players playing 38 minutes."
Olson talks
Former Arizona coach Lute Olson spoke to the Owls after the game.
"He just came in there and let them know that they played hard, and even when they were down, they didn't give up, like so many teams might have," said Rice coach Ben Braun, the former boss at Cal. "It was nice to see Lute again. He's a good coaching friend of mine."
Olson has spoken to every opposing team this season.
Rim shots
• Sophomore guard Garland Judkins did not play, but not because of injury or disciplinary reasons. "Maybe he will (play) next game," Miller said.
• With 8:57 remaining in the first half, Alex Jacobson entered the game for the first time this season. On the first play, he was caught trying to front a Rice post player, leading to an Owls layup. He played one minute in the first half and two overall.
• The Ooh-ahh Man made his first appearance of the year, leading the crowd in cheers during a timeout with 7:57 left.
• Dondre Wise made his first career UA appearance with about 40 seconds left.
