T.J. McConnell and the Philadelphia 76ers will make a somewhat fitting swing through Phoenix tonight just as the Sixers appear to be in the middle of some big changes.
Not only did the Sixers bring in former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni and former Suns CEO Jerrry Colangelo -- who could both affect the situation of the former Arizona point guard -- but McConnell will also be making his first return to Arizona as an NBA player when the Sixers face the Suns tonight (7 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona Plus).
McConnell has lost playing time recently (see second item here), averaging 15.8 minutes over his past five games, with Kendall Marshall having returned from injury. The re-acquistion of Ish Smith -- a move that D'Antoni reportedly pushed for -- could further impact McConnell's role.
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But McConnell is still ranked No. 9 on NBA.com's "Rookie Ladder" and, so far, has a higher Player Impact Estimate (defined here under "PIE") than lottery pick point guards Emmanuel Mudiay and D'Angelo Russell.
McConnell overall is averaging 6.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.4 turnovers, for a 2.1-1 assist-turnover ratio while shooting 47.2 percent. His "PIE" is 11.4, while Russell's is 9.0 and Mudiay's is 4.7
Russell, ranked No. 7 on the "rookie ladder," is averaging 12.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 40.2 percent. Mudiay is averaging 10.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 31.3 percent.
Of Arizona's rookies, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is ranked No. 6 on the rookie ladder, while Stanley Johnson appears to be just outside the top 10.
Mohamed Tangara is hosting a small group basketball clinic for boys and girls post players on Sunday at Pima College's west campus.
The camp is open to players in fifth through 12th grades, and will cost $40 a player for the two-hour session. Call 602-829-6252 for registration and information.
Colorado's Tad Boyle says he loves his team after the Buffs went 11-2 in nonconference play.
Oregon isn't drawing too well at Matthew Knight Arena. Some fans say they preferred Mac Court, aren't bonding with a team relying on transfers, need to save money for football and recall the 2014 off-court issues.
The Wildcats are scheduled to return to Tucson this evening and begin practices on Sunday but there probably won't be media availability (and, therefore, an update on Kaleb Tarczewski) until later in the week.
