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UA senior guard analyzes the Red-Blue game

Editor's Note: Each week, UA senior point guard and player-coach Josh Pastner will sit down with the Daily Wildcat's men's basketball reporters and do a question-and-answer session regarding the previous weekend's games. Pastner's Notebook will usually appear every Tuesday, but due to Tuesday night's Pepsi Red-Blue Scrimmage, this week's Notebook is in today's edition of the Arizona Daily Wildcat.

Q: What are your feelings about tonight's game?

A: Obviously you saw what Gilbert (Arenas) can do. Everyone has been talking about our inside game, but with the guards, Jason (Gardner) and Gilbert, the two freshmen coming in and Ruben (Douglas), those three working in there with John Ash, those are some good guys. We are still going to be an up and down team even though we have the inside play.

Q: Coach Olson was mentioning how the two-guard is out-rebounding the three-guard, is that something that needs to be worked on with Richard (Jefferson) and Ricky (Anderson)?

A: It has to because if you look at Richard and Ricky, they are 6-foot-7, 6-foot-8, they have to be on the boards. What that shows, though, is that Gilbert had eight rebounds, and he is doing a great job at getting the boards. The biggest thing that Coach O stresses is offensive rebounds from the guard spot.

Q: Do you think Gilbert is going to have to calm down when it comes to the regular season? Does he have to slow it down so he doesn't make any stupid mistakes?

A: He is going to have to slow it down, but that is going to come from experience. The guy has pretty good moves and he can score, but I think as he keeps getting game experience, he is going to let the game come to him, and you will see his play elevate.

Q: What are your feelings of Robertas Javtokas?

A: He was a surprise, he played really well. It showed he can back up Loren, and we are going to need that in case Loren gets in foul trouble. We saw a lot of good things from Robertas tonight.

Q: Did you have to calm anybody down before the game due to nerves?

A: No, not as much nerves, everyone was kind of excited. There was some sloppy play out there, and that is just them not playing in front of a crowd and getting up and down the court. So, I think it was a good experience in a game situation.

Q: Talk about the relationship you see with Gardner and Arenas.

A: Oh man, they're inseparable. Anything they do, they're inseparable, and I think that's good because they will have a good feel for each other. They're going to be on the court a lot at the same time with each other, so I think it will be a good mesh of talent with those two.

Q: Do you think with Gilbert being more vocal and Jason being more quiet, that will help them in any way?

A: They are so inseparable, but different as people, though. That's what makes them unique. Gilbert is more of the talker, and Jason does more by example, and that's a good combo for the future.

Q: Jason is only a freshman, but he looked like he had complete control over the team tonight. Did you see that as well?

A: Oh yeah, he's good. He is a freshman in academic eligibility, but he is almost like a junior or senior the way he plays.