Confidence proves contagious in 24-point rout
UA freshman import Ivan Radenovic may not know the English meaning of "confidence" yet, but he definitely knows what it means in the language of basketball.
Just ask the Oregon Ducks.
"I don't even know what it means," he said when asked after the game if his confidence has improved.
During the No. 14 Arizona men's basketball team's 24-point win over Oregon yesterday ÷ the team's third straight by at least two dozen ÷ the freshman not only displayed enough confidence to pace the Wildcats to an insurmountable 52-27 halftime lead, but managed to rub off on his teammates.
With Arizona clinging to an 18-15 lead midway through the first half, the "Superb Serb" drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key, beginning an 18-0 UA run that ultimately knocked the Ducks down for good.
"I feel more comfortable," Radenovic said. "I can rebound; I can penetrate; I can shoot. I tried to practice very hard because I know that I have missed very many shots the last few games."
Radenovic angrily shook his hands in front of his face, shouting at himself as he sprinted back on defense after making his first shot ÷ an uncharacteristically enthusiastic display of relief for the otherwise introverted big man who has yet to play his 10th game on this side of the pond.
"It's amazing how well he's adjusted for the length of time he's been here," head coach Lute Olson said. "He'll continue to develop, and there's no question that he's vital to our long-range success."
Radenovic had been mired in a 3 of 16 slump from beyond the arc over the last five games, but the reaction on that first shot attempt gave both Radenovic and his UA running mates ÷ not to mention the same crowd that beseeched him to stop shooting altogether two weeks ago against Stanford ÷ enough confidence to push the Wildcats past the visiting Ducks and into sole possession of second place in the Pac-10.
Radenovic's day was just getting started, however, as he bullied his way toward the basket to put back a missed layup attempt by fellow frosh Mustafa Shakur.
He wasn't afraid to pull up and shoot the outside jumper, stayed tenacious when posting up down low and was unafraid to push his way toward the hoop even without a clear lane, earning a few trips to the free throw line.
Oregon focused more on stopping Radenovic after halftime, holding him to just four points and two rebounds in 10 second-half minutes; but the damage was already done.
"Ivan came out aggressive right off," Olson said. "He took the ball to the hole. He was ready to shoot."
Radenovic's first-half outburst benefited his confidence and his teammates. He took some of the defensive pressure off of Channing Frye, allowing the junior center to avoid double-teams and to accumulate 18 points and 11 rebounds. Perhaps most importantly, Radenovic's night gave Salim Stoudamire the chance to have an off-day without costing his team a runaway win.
Stoudamire, who all too often this season has followed a career game with a forgettable one, took just three shots from 3-point range ÷ a testament not only to his teammates' ability to convert their own opportunities, but to his own realization that on some days, the shots aren't going to fall.
He finished the game with four points on 2 of 8 shooting to go along with four rebounds, one assist and no steals. But according to coach Lute Olson, it was Stoudamire who played one of the Wildcats' biggest roles on defense, holding Oregon senior guard James Davis in check. Davis finished with five points on 2 of 10 shooting from the floor and 1 of 7 from long distance.
Sophomore forward Andre Iguodala joined Stoudamire in letting his defense speak for itself.
"Andre's job defensively on Luke Jackson was just outstanding," Olson said.
Iguodala had five steals in the game while holding Oregon standout Luke Jackson to just seven points and three rebounds in the first half. Iguodala also forced the All-America candidate into committing six first-half turnovers.
"We knew to come out and guard him hard. He is their guy offensively," Iguodala said. "If we could contain him, it would make their other players contribute."