Arizona equipped for another run in 2016, despite expected losses
LOS ANGELES -- T.J. McConnell says one thing is certain when it comes to next season's Arizona basketball team: "I don't see there being a drop-off. Coach (Sean) Miller recruits his (butt) off. I think they will be fine."
McConnell, unless he stays on as some sort of an assistant coach, won't be part of it. The unknown is who, if any, of junior Brandon Ashley, sophomore Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, junior Kaleb Tarczewski and freshman Stanley Johnson will be back. It would be no surprise if all departed for the professional ranks. If so, every Arizona starter would be gone.
Their decisions are likely to come between over the next several weeks.
"Right now it's not even about the future decisions," Johnson said after Arizona fell 85-78 to Wisconsin on Saturday. "I'm a student and attend school. I plan to graduate here, so there's no thinking about the future. I'll keep living my life and keep going to class."
It's presumed, and has been for a long time, that Johnson will leave Arizona after one season. He's projected to be a lottery pick. Hollis-Jefferson is also expected to jump to the NBA. He, too, is projected to be a first-round pick.
Hollis-Jefferson said "in due time I will talk to my family and the coaching staff. We will handle it accordingly."
Miller may have given it away for Hollis-Jefferson during Saturday's postgame press conference, saying this about McConnell and Hollis-Jefferson: "Those two guys are unbelievable winners. We're going to miss them. We really are."
Ashley said after Saturday's game he wasn't concerned with any decision and that time would tell in his process. Tarczewski was unavailable.
Still, the level of talent that Miller brings in on an annual basis should enable Arizona to compete for a Pac-12 title and more, in whatever form the roster takes. Gabe York, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Elliott Pitts and Dusan Rustic should be ready for larger roles, and junior-college transfer guard Kadeem Allen and former Boston College power forward Ryan Anderson will be eligible after redshirt seasons.
"We will compete and get better, be solid," said Allen. "We still have to work; it takes a lot to get here (the Elite Eight). Every day we have to go hard and compete."
Miller's efforts on the recruiting trail have yielded what is currently ranked as the nation's top class: Center Chance Comanche, scoring guard Allonzo Trier, forward Ray Smith and guard Justin Simon. All four are ranked among the nation's top 50 recruits.
"We will need to see the freshmen and see what we get from them," said York. "(Success) goes off how hard everyone is going to work.
"I think we have a lot of talent coming in next year and have returners who are going to help this team out a lot. It's hard to say right now. You don't' know how the camaraderie is going to be."
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