ARIZONA BASKETBALL

ESPN’s Pasch: Nick Johnson should be in Player of the Year conversation

Jan 10, 2014, 8:44 PM | Updated: 8:44 pm

LISTEN: Dave Pasch, ESPN Play-by-Play Commentator

Thursday night in Los Angeles, Dave Pasch did the play-by-play for ESPN and got a chance to see the Arizona Wildcats knock off the UCLA Bruins by a score of 79-75.

It was a close game for a while before the Wildcats pulled away, but then became close again when the Bruins rallied to take a late lead.

But as they’ve done all season, Sean Miller’s squad made enough plays down the stretch to earn the win, keeping their perfect season alive.

A guest of Doug and Wolf Friday morning, Pasch said he came away impressed with Arizona junior guard Nick Johnson.

“His numbers aren’t eye-popping but they’re still pretty good,” Pasch said, noting that Bill Walton, his broadcast partner Thursday, said Johnson is deserving of some Player of the Year talk due to being the best player on the country’s best team.

“Boy, you just watch the game and he was the most impactful player [Thursday] night,” Pasch said. “He got going…he’s the type of player who is indispensable for Arizona, and Bill made that point last night.”

Johnson scored a game-high 22 points against the Bruins on 9-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-7 from three. He added four rebounds, two assists and a steal.

On the season, Johnson leads the 16-0 (3-0) Wildcats in scoring with 16.4 points per game, and he’s topped the 20-point mark six times this season, including three times in the last four games.

But part of what works against Johnson with regards to accolades is the Wildcats do not feature him as much as some stars are by other teams.

“I think it’s hard when you’ve got, really, a team,” Pasch said. “There’s not one guy. It’s not like Duke with Jabari Parker and I know Syracuse has more depth — they’re similar to Arizona in that respect — but yeah, Nick Johnson, to me, should be in the conversation.

“He’s a terrific player, he has been for a couple years.”

Arizona Basketball

JuJu Watkins drives on Cameron Brink...

Associated Press

Pac-12 women get 7 teams in NCAA Tournament, including Arizona

The Pac-12 could be poised for a strong showing in its final March Madness run. Arizona, USC, Stanford and more are in the NCAA Tournament.

8 hours ago

Kylan Boswell celebrates...

Arizona Sports

Experts predict Arizona Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament run

Arizona isn't a No. 1 seed this NCAA Tournament, but that hasn't stopped some experts from picking the program from going far in 2024.

9 hours ago

Oumar Ballo #11 and Keshad Johnson #16 of the Arizona Wildcats bump chests after a basket by Ballo ...

David Veenstra

Arizona faces Long Beach State in 1st round of 2024 NCAA Tournament

The No. 2 seed Arizona Wildcats will take on No. 15 seed Long Beach State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City.

1 day ago

Head coach Tommy Lloyd of the Arizona Wildcats calls to his team in the second half of a semifinal ...

Kellan Olson

Arizona projected as No. 2 seed for NCAA Tournament, GCU 12th

The Arizona Wildcats' two recent losses have still been deemed as costly enough to have them miss out on a NCAA Tournament top seed.

1 day ago

Jadrian Tracey...

Associated Press

Oregon captures final Pac-12 Tournament championship with win over Colorado

Oregon secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by defeating Colorado 75-68 on Saturday night, ending the Pac-12 basketball era.

2 days ago

Keshad Johnson #16 of the Arizona Wildcats drives the ball against N'Faly Dante #1 and Jackson Shel...

Damon Allred

Arizona eliminated from Pac-12 Tournament in loss to Oregon

Arizona men's basketball packed its bags to leave Las Vegas and the Pac-12 Tournament early after falling 67-59 to fourth-seeded Oregon.

3 days ago

ESPN’s Pasch: Nick Johnson should be in Player of the Year conversation