by Chris Maynard ([email protected])
The Arizona Wildcats get the honor of being the first “Super Squad” that I have created based on NCAA Tournament play from 1997 up to and including 2016.
For my “Super Squad” rules, see this post.
Here is the 12-man Arizona “Super Squad” that I would roll with in the NCAA Tournament.
For my “Super Squad” rules, see this post.
Here is the 12-man Arizona “Super Squad” that I would roll with in the NCAA Tournament.
THE STARTERS
 (Google Images) | ● The Program: PG Mike Bibby (1996-1998). Bibby proved to be the final piece to the puzzle for Arizona going from a Sweet Sixteen participant to a national championship squad between the 1996 and 1997 NCAA Tournaments. With a maturity in ability and confidence that goes beyond his years, Bibby is willing to take over from beyond the three-point arc whenever necessary but comfortable and content to distribute and let his other |
teammates get going. Tournament Resume: 1997 National Champion, 1998 Elite Eight
| ● The Iceman: SG Miles Simon (1994-1998). Arizona has had more talented guards but probably no better of a competitor. It makes sense to team Simon and Bibby together as the two played so well together in two seasons at Arizona. As the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) of the 1997 NCAA Tournament, Simon showed no fear in the game’s biggest moments, with a desire to have and do something with the ball. Not a great shooter, Simon is a |  (Google Images) |
natural born scorer who can be trusted to come up big in the biggest moments. Tournament Resume: 1995 First Round, 1996 Sweet Sixteen, 1997 National Champion, 1998 Elite Eight.
 (Google Images) | ● The X Factor: SG Gilbert Arenas (1999-2001). Arizona’s 2001 national-runner up was so talented, yet I always thought Arenas was the best player on that team, as would be proven in the NBA. Arenas is a step up from a Michael Dickerson in that he was more consistent with his scoring. While Arenas would not handle the ball on this team, he would be the perfect 3 for my Super Squad, with the ability to score off the bounce and get into the lane. Arenas |
plays with more of an edge than Dickerson, and I feel that Simon would get a lot out of the mercurial Arenas. Tournament Resume: 2000 Second Round, 2001 National Championship Game
| ● The Piggy Bank: PF Michael Wright (1998-2001). The late great Wright was a load on the block, an undersized tweener who just knew how to use his body to create space and score at a high clip. Wright never needed many touches to have a scoring effect on the game. His ego-free attitude was perfect on a 2001 Arizona team that lost in the title game to Duke and is the perfect compliment for my three-guard starting lineup. Tournament Resume: 1999 First Round, 2000 Second Round, 2001 National Championship Game |  (Google Images) |
 (Google Images) | ● Stretch Armstrong: C Channing Frye (2001-2005). At 6’10’’, Frye offers versatility on both ends, able to block shots at the rim and flourish in the pick and roll game. Frye’s ability to shoot the three stretches the court and allows Arizona to play 4 out and 1 in with someone like Wright or Derrick Williams working in the post. Tournament Resume: 2002 Sweet Sixteen, 2003 Elite Eight, 2004 First Round, 2005 Elite Eight. |
THE BENCH
| ● The Swiss Army Knife: SF Richard Jefferson (1998-2001). Jefferson did not have much of a three-point game in college but could hit it when necessary. His defensive versatility and ability to block shots, along with his incredible athleticism that made him so dangerous at the rim, make him the jack-of-all-trades that this team needs. Tournament Resume: 1999 First Round, 2000 Second Round, 2001 National Championship Game |  (Google Images) |
 (Google Images) | ● The Rifleman: G Jason Terry (1995-1999). Terry was a lightning bolt of energy on the 1997 title team. When Bibby, Simon and Dickerson were gone in 1998-1999, Terry stepped up to have a huge season as a senior. I like the swag he brings off the bench. Whenever Terry is on the court, he feels that no one can stop him. He can also disrupt things defensively. Tournament Resume: 1996 Sweet Sixteen, 1997 National Champion, 1998 Elite Eight, 1999 First Round |
| ● Mr. Mean/The Long Arms of the Law: PF Derrick Williams (2009-2011). While Williams may not evoke images as a mean guy or a lanky shot blocker, see the videos below for an indication of his passion (when locked in) and ability to protect the rim. Williams’ interchangeability (he can operate on the block or step out and hit the three), plus his legendary performance against Duke in the 2011 Sweet Sixteen, earned him a spot on this team. Tournament Resume: 2011 Elite Eight |  (Google Images) |
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 (Google Images) | ● The One and Done: SF/PF Aaron Gordon (2013-2014). I remember watching Gordon as a freshman in a game against Duke at Madison Square Garden. Gordon basically did all of the little things in this game, leading me to call my brother and dub Gordon “A Superstar Role Player.” My brother would later watch Gordon, and say the same thing. I love Gordon’s versatility and willingness at the defensive end (able to guard the 3, 4 and 5). He is a better version of starting power forward Bennett Davison on the 1997 title team. Tournament Resume: 2014 Elite Eight |
| ● The Floor General/The Coach in Waiting: PG Jason Gardner (1999-2003). Gardner was just a flat-out winner in his four years at Arizona. He stepped in as a freshman and balled out of his mind. Next to Bibby, he might be the most impactful freshmen point guard that Arizona has ever had. I just loved his basketball IQ, fearlessness and toughness. Tournament Resume: 2000 Second Round, 2001 National Championship Game, 2002 Sweet Sixteen, 2003 Elite Eight. |  (Google Images) |
 (Google Images) | ● The 3D Glasses: SG Salim Stoudamire (2001-2005). Stoudamire was the best shooter that I ever saw at Arizona. Whenever this guy took a three in college, I thought it was going in. Stoudamire had such a quick release and no fear of taking the big shot that he would be brought in the game whenever my Super Squad needed a trey. Tournament Resume: 2002 Sweet Sixteen, 2003 Elite Eight, 2004 First Round, 2005 Elite Eight. |
| ● The Floor Burn: Hassan Adams (2002-2006). If judging on NBA success, Andre Iguodala probably gets the nod. However, as Iguoadala played only two seasons at Arizona, I will go with the bowling ball of energy that was Adams, who could guard four positions on the floor and use his insane jumping ability to score on the inside. Tournament Resume: 2003 Elite Eight, 2004 First Round, 2005 Elite Eight, 2006 Second Round. |  (Google Images) |
Other Players I Considered
● SF Michael Dickerson (1994-1998) – Dickerson was an explosive scorer but a little too inconsistent in the NCAA Tournament for my liking.
● SF Luke Walton (1998-2003) – Walton was an ideal fit for coach-on-the-floor, but I ultimately felt that several other players, including Gardner and Jefferson, could fill that role off the bench.
● C Loren Woods (1999-2001) –The 7’ transfer from Wake Forest would have been perfect for the “Long Arms of the Law,” but was too inconsistent. I prefer Frye’s versatility and consistency.
● PG Mustafa Shakur (2003-2008) – Shakur was a great point guard, just not at the level of Bibby or Gardner.
● SF Andre Iguodala (2002-2004) – An incredible athlete, Iguodala didn’t stay long enough at Arizona for my liking. Also, I did not like how this team performed in 2004 when he was, arguably, the team’s best player.
● SG Stanley Johnson (2014-2015) – Johnson was a great competitor and versatile player, but I’ll take Gordon in college. As for the NBA, I’d probably go with Johnson.
Honestly, there have been so many great Arizona players in the last 20 years. With that said, I am trying to build a team that would have great chemistry and depth, and experienced tournament success. With that said, players like Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill (despite a fluky Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2009) don’t make the cut.
While Sean Miller has had the Arizona program rolling in recent years, his teams weren’t as impressive as what Lute Olsen had rolling from 1997 to 2005. Thus, my Arizona Super Squad consists of players mostly from this era of Wildcat basketball.
Of course, if I extended this team to Arizona players from my lifetime, Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr, Damon Stoudamire and Khalid Reeves would be included.
However, as this is a team built from the past 20 years, this Arizona Super Squad is quite impressive and satisfying to me.
What do you think?
Hit me back with your comments.
● SF Michael Dickerson (1994-1998) – Dickerson was an explosive scorer but a little too inconsistent in the NCAA Tournament for my liking.
● SF Luke Walton (1998-2003) – Walton was an ideal fit for coach-on-the-floor, but I ultimately felt that several other players, including Gardner and Jefferson, could fill that role off the bench.
● C Loren Woods (1999-2001) –The 7’ transfer from Wake Forest would have been perfect for the “Long Arms of the Law,” but was too inconsistent. I prefer Frye’s versatility and consistency.
● PG Mustafa Shakur (2003-2008) – Shakur was a great point guard, just not at the level of Bibby or Gardner.
● SF Andre Iguodala (2002-2004) – An incredible athlete, Iguodala didn’t stay long enough at Arizona for my liking. Also, I did not like how this team performed in 2004 when he was, arguably, the team’s best player.
● SG Stanley Johnson (2014-2015) – Johnson was a great competitor and versatile player, but I’ll take Gordon in college. As for the NBA, I’d probably go with Johnson.
Honestly, there have been so many great Arizona players in the last 20 years. With that said, I am trying to build a team that would have great chemistry and depth, and experienced tournament success. With that said, players like Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill (despite a fluky Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2009) don’t make the cut.
While Sean Miller has had the Arizona program rolling in recent years, his teams weren’t as impressive as what Lute Olsen had rolling from 1997 to 2005. Thus, my Arizona Super Squad consists of players mostly from this era of Wildcat basketball.
Of course, if I extended this team to Arizona players from my lifetime, Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr, Damon Stoudamire and Khalid Reeves would be included.
However, as this is a team built from the past 20 years, this Arizona Super Squad is quite impressive and satisfying to me.
What do you think?
Hit me back with your comments.
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