Plenty of improvement to be made

Don’t get me wrong, like everyone else, I’m happy about what Arizona did in its 67-52 win over Oregon on Thursday night. However, let’s be realistic, the Wildcats aren’t going far this season with continued efforts like that.

Really, Chase Budinger and Jamelle Horne were the only two U of A players who bothered showing up, and Budinger didn’t even play that well. Granted, he scored 20 points and played harder than he did last weekend, but his shot is still off and he could do a much better job on the boards.

Nic Wise and Jordan Hill both had uninspiring efforts. Wise was turning the ball over left and right and wasn’t looking for his shot at all. Hill just wasn’t playing hard and seemed content not scoring.

Kyle Fogg was completely nonexistent and it’s a surprise that Russ Pennell gave him as many minutes as he did. Zane Johnson was a little better, but not good and it’s surprising that Pennell plays him at all.

Brendon Lavender gave some nice minutes off the bench, but is so scared of screwing up and getting pulled that he doesn’t do anything on offense. Come to think of it, no one besides the Big Three even try to do anything on offense.

Garland Judkins continues to regress, and Alex Jacobson hasn’t been giving quality minutes lately.

All of these things can be reversed, and they’ll need to be if the Wildcats are going to make the NCAA Tournament.

Budinger, Wise and Hill must bring it each and every game, and the bench must regain its confidence and start contributing.

There’s no better time to do that than this weekend against Oregon State.