Arizona-Gonzaga postgame: On PJC's domino effect and why Karnowski wasn't doubled

LOS ANGELES – Some of the adjustments shorthanded Arizona had to make against Gonzaga on Saturday were obvious: Kadeem Allen at the point, Lauri Markkanen at small forward a lot, and just about everybody soaking up minutes in the 30s.

But another thing struck UA coach Sean Miller in the Wildcats’ 69-62 loss to Gonzaga: He had to ask Keanu Pinder to defend the small forward position for the first time this season.

“And it just so happened he guarded a perimeter player against Gonzaga,” Miller said. “That’s not in our best interests. But these are the circumstances.”

Miller tried to look ahead, saying he’s hopeful that the Wildcats will get “a couple of guys back” (since Parker Jackson-Cartwright is the only injured one who can return, that may mean Miller is still hopeful of getting Allonzo Trier, too).

“We’re at seven but the hard part for us is a lot of times teams suffer through some injuries and adversity but some teams suffer adversity but you look at the calendar and it’s February or January.

“But for us we’ve really been hit with these things at the beginning. I think the good news for us is that it’s allowing these types of guys to have a lot on their plates, a big role, a lot of experience.”

Considering Jackson-Cartwright’s absence, UA’s early struggles on offense were no surprise. Over the first six minutes Saturday, the Wildcats had five turnovers and shot just 2 for 6 from the field.

“No question, (PJC’s absence) really affects everything and everybody,” Miller said.

“Rawle (Alkins), for example, has played mostly the three. We’ve given him some reps at the two and he played as many at two as three. Lauri -- God bless him -- I’ve never seen a freshman play three positions like he has. He played mostly the small forward, which is very difficult if you’re 7-foot.

“It affects everything and everybody. Our zone offense, our underneath out of bounds offense. Defensively it really affects you.”

Wondering why Miller didn't double-team Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski much Saturday?

Miller was asked if the way he guarded Karnowski had to do with Gonzaga's early three-point shooting, but indicated that he wasn't a fan of doubling the big man under almost any circumstance. Karnowski, after all, has no problem giving the ball up if he is heavily defended, dishing 15 assists over Gonzaga’s first seven games.

Instead, Miller said he wanted UA to crowd the low post, and that they did a “very poor job” of that.

“Doubling him, trapping Karnowski, in my opinion I think it’s a disaster,” Miller said. “Maybe another team out there that can do it better. But when you watch him, he’s such a terrific passer.

“In my opinion when they’re really clicking is when you double him, because he’s a great passer and the guys he passes to on this year’s team are all excellent 3-point shooters. When they have their big run, a lot of times it’s because of the 3-point shot. We have a lot of young players who were for the first time in their career supposed to crowd in the low post. We did a very poor job of that. “

So as it turned out, UA paid by letting Karnowski create his own offense. The big man from Poland was 9 for 13 from the field.

“Today he beat us with our own scoring,” Miller said. “He had timely baskets. Our one-on-one defense needs to get a little better. I thought Chance (Comanche) and Dusan (Ristic), that was a tough task for both of those guys. Now that they’ve played against somebody like him hopefully they’ll be ready for the next time.”

Miller said the two UA players brought to the interview podium, Alkins and Markkanen, were probably the best two Wildcat players in the game.

“I think all of our freshman have done a good job adjusting,” Miller said. “Certainly, Lauri has played three positions; he’s done everything. That’s usually what you ask a senior to do, like Kadeem Allen. And really ditto for Rawle. Rawle has done a lot of great things.”

Markkanen was just 4 for 14 from the field – dragging down a field-goal percentage from 54.1 to 50.0 in just one game -- but said he remains “very confident in my shot.”

There were only brief podium interviews granted Saturday, so not a whole lot of other comments of note that weren’t in our full game coverage, which is attached to this post.

The box score and updated stats are attached as PDFs.