In a way, Dusan Ristic’s improved offensive production is actually a function of his improved defense.
That is, of course, in large part because he’s on the court nearly 50 percent more. But while Sean Miller has been forced to play his active scholarship players heavily this season, he said Ristic’s improved defense has justified playing him more.
“There aren’t many seven-footers who have his hands and his feel,” Miller said earlier this week. “He’s continued to take a step forward as a defender. He’s just better as a defender than he was as a year ago. It’s important for him to continue to improve on that side. That’s part of why he’s a better offensive player. He’s able to be out there longer stretches.”
Having already called Ristic for being the hardest working big man he’s ever coached, Miller also praised Ristic for his unselfishness.
“When you’re unselfish, you’re a great teammate and an incredibly hard worker like he is, it allows you to be a smart payer, allows you to make good decisions on the court and have success,” Miller said. “He’s a special kid, a great student, as popular among our team as any player that we’ve we’ve had here in my time. It’s nice to see him have the success.”
UA nominated Ristic for the Pac-12 Player of the Week award after he averaged 16 points and four rebounds in the Bay area last weekend, but it was a tough week to be a nominee because Oregon’s Dillon Brooks averaged 25.5 points in the Ducks’ wins over UCLA and USC, hitting the game-winner against the Bruins (Brooks was also named the NCAA’s player of the week).
Ristic's improvement defensively is one of several reasons why UA's defense is now ranked No. 9 in Kenpom's defensive efficiency metric. Some other reasons are detailed in our main advance story today, which is attached to this post.
Lauri Markkanen sits at No. 8 and Allonzo Trier at No. 56 in Draft Express' latest 2017 mock draft.
In its 2018 mock draft, DeAndre Ayton is projected at No. 1, Kobi Simmons is at No. 30 and Rawle Alkins at No. 40.
Five-star shooting guard Hamidou Diallo says he’ll make his college announcement Saturday at 3 p.m. Arizona time, though he’s widely expected to pick Kentucky and maybe enroll right away. There was talk last week that Diallo might visit Arizona for tonight's game but doesn't sound like that's happening...
Here's the school-produced game notes from Utah, Arizona and Colorado (which plays ASU tonight).
