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WNBANorthern Arizona (1-0) At Arizona (0-0)
GAME NOTES: The Sean Miller era begins in Tucson this evening, as his Arizona Wildcats welcome the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks to the McKale Center for a non-conference affair.
Miller is set to begin his first season at Arizona after five successful years at Xavier, where he led the Musketeers to four NCAA Tournament appearances. He inherits a club that returns three starters from last year's team that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
As for NAU, it opened its 2009-10 campaign in convincing fashion, capturing a 113-61 victory over little known Southwestern College on Friday. The 113 points established a school record for a season opener and ranks as the 12th best single-game total in program history. It was a nice start for the Lumberjacks, who return just two starters from last season's eight-win club.
The all-time series between these two instate rivals have been dominated by Arizona, which holds a 91-27 lead in the rivalry. As a matter of fact, the Wildcats have won 25 straight and 40 of the past 43 meetings, including a 74-57 win in Tucson last season.
It wasn't much of a contest, as NAU shot 58.7 percent from the floor, including a 14-of-31 showing from downtown, as it routed Southwestern on Friday. The Lumberjacks dominated the glass, 50-24, and forced 21 turnovers as it exploited a far less talented team. Eric Platt came off the bench to lead the charge, as he poured in 26 points on the strength of 7-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. Shane Johannsen and Cameron Jones, the team's two returning starters, added 18 and 12 points, respectively, to the win.
The Wildcats lost two starters to the frontcourt in Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill, who combined for 36.3 ppg and 17.2 rpg last season. Jamelle Horne is the top returnee up front and with a bigger role, he should easily improve on his 6.8 ppg and 5.1 rpg averages from a year ago. Joining him will be highly touted Kyryl Natyazhko, a 6-10 freshman center that is expected to produce immediately. In the backcourt is where the team's best player returns in Nic Wise, a 5-10 guard that averaged 15.7 ppg and 4.6 apg as a junior last season. He is joined by Kyle Fogg, who managed 6.1 ppg as a freshman and may be poised for a big leap forward.
Arizona has dominated NAU over the years and it is unlikely anything with change tonight. Expect a complete effort from the Wildcats, as they deliver Miller his first win as head coach of the program.
Predicted OutcomeArizona 88 Northern Arizona 66Copyright 2009 Courtesy of The Sports Network.
