| | NEW YORK -- Jason Gardner still had his Arizona uniform on when Lute Olson made it to the team bus.
"Coach Olson is waiting," barked a student manager entering the Madison Square Garden locker room. "Everyone has to go."
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Terps' Morris passes test |
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NEW YORK -- Notre Dame tried to double-team Terence Morris inside, but got burned by his passes, not his points.
A few zingers went to the wings for 3s. A couple of shuffle passes went inside for lay-ups. Others simply kept Maryland's offense going during its 72-67 victory over the Irish in the consolation game of the Preseason NIT Friday night at Madison Square Garden.
If Morris continues to pass as well as he plays in the post, Maryland has a chance to catch North Carolina in the ACC.
Successful passes out of a double-team situation is a stat no one keeps handy. Yet, Maryland might need to revamp its box score to include it.
The Terrapins expect teams to try anything to stop Morris, but cutting off his passing might be impossible. Someone will likely always be open if he receives extra attention.
"His passing goes unnoticed," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "He's a preseason AP all-American and people think he needs to shoot 30 times a game. But guys will be open because of him. If he can pass, we'll be fine."
Morris fouled out Friday night with 12 points, but not before the 6-foot-9 junior dished out six assists. When the Irish got within a possession of tying the game with four minutes left, the Terrapins fed off Morris' passing inside. He scored only one basket in a three-minute span before fouling out with a minute left.
So why did the Terrapins have the confidence to play well without him? Because Morris' passing created confidence for young Terps like point guard Steve Blake, freshman reserve guard Drew Nicholas, sophomore guard Juan Dixon and post players Lonny Baxter and Tahj Holden.
"It makes a big difference when I make the extra pass," said Morris, who scored 25 points against Kentucky's straight man-to-man in the semifinals Wednesday. "When they double down, someone is going to be open. I've been expecting to get people involved and that's what has happened. I have no problem looking for the pass more than my shot."
Notre Dame coach Matt Doherty thought he had Morris' passing figured out by cutting off a few passing lanes to the wings, but the Irish didn't have an answer inside for the dishes to Holden and Baxter.
"We've just got to get open, because they're going to try and cut him off," Dixon said. "Terence has to be a good passer on this team. We need that to have two or three guys in double figures, not just Terence."
-- Andy Katz, ESPN.com
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Gardner took less than two minutes to change his shorts for sweat pants, his game jersey for a fresh T-shirt.
All Olson had to do was give orders and Gardner was ready to run. Gilbert Arenas wasn't far behind. In fact, he was right next to him, breaking to the exit like he does to the basket.
Four games into the 1999-2000 season, Arizona's freshman backcourt is running away from its competition. The Preseason NIT fodder -- Kansas State, New Mexico State and Notre Dame -- couldn't hang with this proactive pair. Kentucky was no match, either, as Arizona won its record-tying third Preseason NIT title (Kansas also has won three) with a 63-51 victory Friday night in a rematch of the 1997 NCAA title game (also won by Arizona).
Prior to Friday's game, Olson started the pregame talk like he always does: pushing the fast break.
"The spread-court situations are so much easier for them," Olson said. "(Arenas and Gardner) can do what they've done all their lives."
Olson has never made his offense complicated. That's why Mike Bibby was able to step in and run the team in '97. Gardner's transition has been just as smooth. Gardner has hit the 3-pointer as easy as the pass to the post or inside on the fast break. Nearly half his field goals have been 3s, and four games into his freshman season his assist-to-turnover ratio is 2-to-1.
But the 17-year-old Arenas, named the Preseason NIT final four MVP, didn't bring the same credentials to Arizona. Gardner had the prep all-American honors out of Indianapolis, but Arenas was a find by assistant coach Rodney Tention two years ago. Arizona got in on Arenas as a junior at Grant High School in North Hollywood, Calif., and easily signed him away from Kansas State and Cal State-Northridge.
His game resembles former Wildcat Michael Dickerson's, but the second-year NBA guard couldn't match Arenas' activity. Arenas is everywhere, and involved in every stat from shooting to steals to assists.
"We've had some great guards in our program, but we've never had two come in the same year who can play like these two," Olson said.
The last time two freshmen started on a Final Four team, Michigan's Fab Five was setting a dress code for the nation's youth in the early '90s.
Jimmy King and Jalen Rose had a fearless approach to attacking the court; Arenas and Gardner had the same intentions Friday night.
It didn't matter that they were getting a few shots blocked in the first half or struggling to finish. They kept the pressure up by hawking Kentucky's guards defensively (Arenas had five steals, giving him for 13 on the season). When Kentucky's shots were off, Arizona didn't waste time pushing the basketball. All-American forward Michael Wright fouled out with one point and center Loren Woods scored only eight. But Arenas had 20, Gardner 10 and they both got Richard Jefferson involved on the wing for most of his 15.
"When we run, it's easier for us," Arenas said. "I have a problem with standing on the perimeter. When we stand and do set plays, it's hard for me. I just look around. If we move, I get moving."
Arenas was the surprise starter when Arizona opened against Kansas State last week. Ruben Douglas was penciled in at the wing, but Arenas' athleticism, shot, and defense made his claim on the position moot. Douglas requested a transfer and is on the lookout for a new home. Gardner had his spot set when Jason Terry finished his eligibility last March.
But beating Kentucky without leaning heavily on Wright and Woods shows Arizona can compete for the national title, let alone take care of Texas, Connecticut and Michigan State in the next month.
"This shows we're a hard-nosed team and have plenty of depth," Gardner said. "Running makes it easier on us, but it's easier because we've got a lot of good people around us."
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