NCAA: Let the exodus begin at Arizona

By Michael Melissa Sports Central Columnist

It was expected. Once one said he would follow the money, the others would follow.

Like it or not, Arizona Wildcat fans, the squad that finished runner up for the NCAA title will be a "new-look" team when they hit hardwood next season.

Loren Woods, a likely lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft, and Eugene Edgerson - along with his '70s retro afro - are seniors. But those aren't the players Arizona is worried about losing. Richard Jefferson announced Sunday he would forgo is senior year for the NBA. Michael Wright did the same thing on Monday. Jason Gardner, who everyone thought would remain, followed on Wednesday. That leaves Gilbert Arenas as the last man standing on a team that fell ten-points short of an NCAA Tournament title. And word around the campfire is that he won't be around much longer, either. (Editor's note: This article was written before Arenas declared to leave early and go pro.)

Prior to this exodus, Arizona had just two players leave early for the NBA draft. Michael Bibby did it in 1998 and Brian Williams in 1991.

Jefferson and Wright are nice. At the three and four spots, they complimented each other perfectly, similar to what Stacy Augmon and Larry Johnson did for UNLV in 1990-91. Jefferson averaged 10.9 points during the season and shot 47.4 percent from the floor. He iced Illinois' Frank Williams and Michigan State's Jason Richardson during Arizona's run to the National Championship game and provided much needed leadership for the Wildcats early on.

Wright was the 'Cats workhorse in the paint, averaging 8.9 rebounds per game along with 16.4 points during the season. Although he went MIA during the Wildcat's Elite Eight matchup against Illinois (four points, zero field goal attempts, and three rebounds), Wright kept the Wildcats in the ballgame against MSU and Duke by handcuffing the opposing big men.

These guys weren't expected to stay, anyway. Jefferson threw everyone for a loop, however, after the loss to Duke when he said that he would stay for his senior season. He was singing a different tune by the end of the week.

"There's no way on Earth I'm coming back now," he told Andy Katz of ESPN.com. He explained how he was put on the spot after the loss to Duke, sitting in the locker room with his teammates, he couldn't explain at that moment what he already knew. There was nothing left at U of A for him, next stop had to be the NBA.

Wright, while athletic and built like a brick house, may have the talent for the NBA, however, some believe he does not have the ability. Current reports have Wright going in the late first round or early second round. One more year at Arizona could mean a lottery pick for power forward.

For Jefferson, the decision makes sense. It can even be argued that Wright should move on, as well. Gardner's choice, however, is hasty. He averaged a respectable 10.6 points with 4.4 assists during the season and was solid NCAA tournament (12.5 ppg), but another year would solidify his shot at the NBA and give him that much more knowledge to grow on. While many feel he is quick enough to play at the NBA level, Gardner may not be strong enough to deal with physical defenders.

This is not a set in stone decision, though. Gardner has not signed with an agent, which gives him an opening to renegotiation if/when his draft stock falls. Call this an exploration into the NBA draft game, and a positive (if you look at the bright side) for the Wildcats.

With Gardner on the way out, you can be sure Arenas is next. And that will be the dagger in Arizona's side. Arenas, who could make his announcement within the next couple of days, is the Wildcat's spark. He scored 21 against Illinois with four steals, then shocked MSU with his quickness picking off three passes and stealing three more while pouring in 12 points. If not for a pinched nerve in his neck, he likely would have done the same against Duke. Arenas managed 10 points and four assists against a tough Duke defense, but was shutout at three-point line and shot 23% from the field.

A decent recruiting class last year will keep the Wildcat cupboard stocked. Not Duke stocked, but stocked well enough. Let's just say coach Lute Olson won't be hurting next season when the core of the team could be Luke Walton and Rick Anderson, with incoming freshmen Will Bynum, Dennis Lattimore, and Salim Stoudamire. They are all expected to also make an impact.

How much can Olson honestly expect from next year's squad, though? Can Anderson replace the numbers that Jefferson put up from the perimeter? Does Walton have enough strength to work inside the paint? Can Bynum step in as a true freshman and make a difference if Gardner sticks to his decision to stay in the draft?

That expected impact is still to be determined.

Article courtesy of Sports Central