When he finally began his 2019-20 season on Thursday, Devonaire Doutrive wasted no time showing how heβs improved: 12 points and five rebounds, with two assists and no turnovers in just 16 minutes in UAβs 87-39 win over San Jose State.
But that still doesnβt mean he will jump into the starting lineup. Before suspending Doutrive on Nov. 1, UA coach Sean Miller had indicated Doutrive would have been a part of the starting lineup but Miller said after Thursdayβs game that the lineup was βpretty setβ at this point.
The plan was βjust to get him in and allow him to play a role,β Miller said. βThere wasn't any particular minutes (to give him) other than he wasn't gonna start. You know, we're pretty set there right now, just our starting lineup.β
Still, Miller indicated he was happy to see what Doutrive did after missing the Wildcatsβ Nov. 1 exhibition with Chico State and two regular-season games.
βI think it's obvious that he's a much better player than he was a year ago,β Miller said. βAnd that's to his credit. It will take a little bit of time for us to insert him.β
Thereβs no doubt where UA has been inserting Zeke Nnaji: Right into the thick of the offense, no matter what the type of defense the Wildcats are facing.
If Thursdayβs game was any indication, Nnaji may be even better against the zone. He scored 26 points, shooting 8 for 8 from the field and took 12 trips to the free throw line, making 10 free throws, while also collecting 11 rebounds.
(Nnaji, BTW, became the first UA freshman to have a 20/10 effort over his first three games since Brandon Ashley had 20 points and 10 rebounds against Long Beach State in 2012-13).
βZeke's a lot like Derrick Williams against the zone -- he can really hurt you in the high post,β Miller said. βBut he doesn't have to do it just by shooting, he can drive. So he's the ideal player to get the ball anywhere in and around the rim or anywhere in and around the key area against the zone, because when he turns and faces a lot of good things will happen. He had a couple good passes tonight as well.β
Nnaji modestly credited his teammates for his efficiency, but when asked later if he felt he could take advantage from the inside of the Spartansβ zone, agreed with that notion.
βDefinitely,β Nnaji said. βI think that they really pressured the ball well, and because of that they left a lot of space in the middle open. I think that that's what our problem was in the beginning (not throwing the ball inside) but I think that when coach talked to us about that, we definitely changed that and we were able to take advantage of that.β
Lee said at first the Wildcats were βshooting too many perimeter shotsβ at first before doing a better job of getting the ball to Nnaji, Chase Jeter, Stone Gettings and himself to better take advantage of the zone.
Miller has taken a few shots over the years about the way his teams have handled zone defenses. So maybe it wasnβt a surprise how he responded when asked what kind of adjustments were needed to attack the Spartansβ zone properly (despite the adjustments Lee and Nnaji had been talking about.)
βWe made no adjustments,β Miller said flatly. βWe attacked it properly from the opening tip to the final buzzer.β
With Doutrive entering a crowded mix of players on the wing, Max Hazzardβs minutes could be in danger of shrinking. But not the way Miller described it, after Hazzard had six points, three assists, a steal and no turnovers in 19 minutes.
βWe're not perfect right now on who should be in with who and how that goes,β Miller said. "But I give you a great example: Max Hazzard. You look at his plus-minus deal, and he's plus-38 tonight. He plays hard on defense, made a couple of big steals, did the same thing in last game.
βHeβs one of our team's best shooters, plays the game with great energy. He might deserve a little bit more. He's earning it.
βAnd I think that's where depth comes in. Because, you know, nobody can really rest on their laurels right now. Everybody's on edge to get that opportunity. And that makes for a good atmosphere every day and we've had some really good practices. I would fully expect us to continue to have good practices.β
After going 7 for 13 from the field, and 4 of 7 from 3 against Illinois on Sunday, Josh Green cooled off offensively somewhat Thursday. The Aussie freshman was 4 of 10 from the field and missed all three 3s he took.
But Miller said he sees more than shooting in Green's game.
βJosh isn't that one-trick pony,β Miller said. βHeβs not just (a player who) if he makes 3s, he's good, and if he doesn't, we don't get anything out of him. He's the ultimate two-way player. And he's a great competitor.
βHe drives the ball. As you saw tonight, he's made some great passes already in his young career. Defensively he can guard the ball, he gets in the passing lanes. I thought he did all of that tonight. He didn't make a 3 but that doesn't define his presence. He does so many good things.β
After UA received Dalen Terry's letter of intent, Miller ravedΒ about his versatility and competitive drive while discussing him for the first time. We have his comments on a separate post here.
