A look at the UA women's basketball team by position:

Guards

This season's starting point guard, Lisa Griffith has big shoes to fill with the departure of last season's national assist leader Brenda Pantoja. She has done well so far, averaging 10 points and 4.4 assists per game. Griffith has shown a good outside touch and is said to be the best pure shooter on the team. She has shown flashes of brilliance, but has also shown that she can be rattled. Her maturity will be a key to the Wildcats' success as the ball goes through her hands on every play.

Felecity Willis is the backup point guard, but has already shown she will be a part of the normal rotation. She is averaging 5.2 points and 3.2 assists off the bench and may be the more level-headed of the two freshmen. Willis is a graduate of Apple Valley High School in California, here she averaged 24 points, five rebounds and six assists per game. She was also selected to the California Super Team.

DeAngela Minter is possibly the team's quickest player and is the veteran in the backcourt. Her defensive presence and ability to run the fast break may be her biggest assets. A good penetrator who leads the team's pressure defense, Minter needs to become more consistent with her perimeter shooting and become an offensive threat in every game.

Amber Phoenix will see only limited action this season after returning from knee injuries in her previous two seasons. She saw her first action against Evansville earlier this season and recorded her first steal against Monmouth. As a senior in high school, she was one of the top 50 scorers in California.

Forwards

Arizona's leading scorer and rebounder, Adia Barnes is a legitimate All-America candidate. Barnes has excellent post moves, plays tremendous defense and has the ability to make her teammates better. Barnes is averaging 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season.

A consistent scorer, Barnes is the Wildcats' go-to performer. She has continued to improve every season. Barnes' only knock is her height; however, it is something that hasn't seemed to bother her so far.

A converted guard, Monika Crank is playing well at small forward for Arizona. Her 8.2 points-per-game average and 5.2 rebounds per game have given the Wildcats a very heady performer in the front court. Crank may be the most fundamentally sound member of the team, and she can stretch the defense with her outside shooting.

Mikko Giordano plays both forward positions as well as shooting guard off the bench. She can hit three-pointers and has improved her post moves. She averages 10.4 points per game and has scored in double figures in three games this season. UA head coach Joan Bonvicini says bringing Giordano off the bench opens up her options.

Another promising freshman for Arizona, Kate Crane offers a physical style of play that will be needed during the long Pacific 10 Conference season. Crane can play both inside and outside, giving the team depth at almost every position. Crane has shown she can drive to the basket or spot up for the jumper. Once she gains consistency, she will be an exciting player to watch.

Shontey Hambrick has not produced in limited action this season, but has the potential to be a strong rebounder. She improved her inside scoring during the off-season and will likely see more action in Pac-10 play if she can stay healthy.

Cha-Ron Walker is a junior college transfer who hasn't seen much time so far. She averages 2.5 points per game and is said to be a good rebounder and defender. She averaged 14.8 points and 11.7 rebounds per game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif.

Centers

Jacque Barrington's scoring (2.8) and rebounding (3.4) need to improve as the season progresses because she will be needed when Arizona plays the bigger, more physical Pac-10 opponents. Barrington is the lone senior on the team and looks to have improved post moves. Her defense has been solid this season.

Marte Alexander is Arizona's tallest player and is now one of the strongest as she bulked up 15 pounds during the summer. She averages seven points per game in the post and is a shot-blocking threat with 1.5 per game. When she is on, she is on. If she gives 100 percent every night, she could blossom.

Fatima Imara provides a good third center and rebounds well in limited action. She gives Arizona a body inside, but her offensive skills need work. She averaged only 6.2 minutes per game last season, and that may go down this year.

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