UA learns the art of sharing

Player of the game Andre Iguodala forward Sophomore forward Andre Iguodala posted another double-double for Arizona, notching a team-high 23 points and 12 rebounds in the 116-91 win. Iguodala also dished out eight assists.

It seems as if Arizona men's basketball coach Lute Olson has managed to teach his kids the values of sharing early on this season.

Olson's young Wildcat squad had no trouble spreading the love last night during its 116-91 win over Team Nike last night in McKale Center, picking up 30 assists as a team and putting six players in double figures in scoring.

Starting point guard Mustafa Shakur and reserve guard Chris Rodgers combined to dish out 14 assists while turning the ball over only three times on the night.

"We have two designated passers and we both can play the point guard slot," said Shakur of sharing the court with Rodgers. "We're able to set other people up and just get everybody involved."

The freshman and sophomore point guard duo led a fast break attack that helped Arizona methodically pull away from Team Nike in the second frame after going into the locker room with a 10-point lead at the half.

"All the guards are pretty versatile," said Rodgers, who also dropped in 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the floor and 4-of-6 shooting from the free throw line. "Whoever gets the rebound, we just go. We're just a running team and anyone brings (the ball) up."

CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat UA head coach Lute Olson gestures to the referees last night in McKale Center. Olson experimented with a number of small lineups in the win.

Shakur's oft-questioned jumpshot was on target as well, as he hit 8 of 10 field goals and all three of his 3-point attempts for a total of 19 points.

"Mustafa is a great player. All we can do is just encourage him," said sophomore Hassan Adams. "If he hears the encouragement from his teammates, he's going to play his game. He's not going to be timid. He's going to play Mustafa's game, which is what he's been doing."

Olson experimented with a series of smaller lineups against Team Nike in anticipation of whom he'll have to put on the floor should junior center Channing Frye and junior forward Isaiah Fox, the Wildcats' only two experienced big men, need a breather at the same time.

Playing Shakur and Rodgers together also allowed Olson to spread the floor with his team's pure athletes, especially Adams and sophomore forward Andre Iguodala, who finished two assists shy of a triple-double. Iguodala tallied game highs in points and rebounds, with 23 and 12, respectively, while adding eight assists of his own.

"This is a lot of fun," Adams said of the Wildcats' high-paced, high-octane offense. "Everybody's just getting up and down, looking for each other, having fun."

Adams, listed as a 6-foot-4, 201-pound guard, saw action at the four spot in a number of sets, responding with two blocks while playing in the paint and attempting to post up an opposing big man by backing in and tossing up a left-handed jump-hook.

"I'm willing to help the team any way I can," Adams said. "If I have to play the four, I just gotta do it."

Frye and junior shooting guard Salim Stoudamire, both preseason nominees for the John R. Wooden Award and the James Naismith National Player of the Year Award, also got into the act for Arizona. They rounded out Arizona's double-digit scorers, despite playing only 25 minutes each, the lowest totals of Arizona's starting five.

Frye dropped in 20 points on the night on 10-of-14 shooting from the floor, while also grabbing six boards. Stoudamire chipped in 12 points, including hitting 2 of 4 3-point baskets.

The Wildcats' high assist total proved beneficial to a balanced offensive attack.

In all, six Arizona players scored in double figures, while five picked up 15 or more points on the night - something Shakur says should continue as the team starts its regular season Monday at home against Northern Arizona.

"We're very unselfish right now," Shakur said.

It sounds like these young Cats are growing up fast.