Irony turns out to be helpful for Arizona Wildcats

Irony can be helpful.

The Arizona Wildcats, in dire need of a point guard for
the 2012-13 season, were able to find one in Xavier
transfer Mark Lyons, who is graduating this summer and
will be eligible to play this upcoming season.

“Very seldom do you leave a player as a college coach and
then have a chance to coach him again,” Arizona coach Sean
Miller said at a press conference Tuesday.

Miller said he is excited to add an experienced player who
has played for good teams, as Lyons knows already knows
the system and brings leadership qualities the team lacked
last season.

“He’s among the most competitive kids that I’ve been
around and I look forward to him sharing that senior
mantle with Kevin Parrom and Solomon Hill,” Miller said.
“Three players who have a lot at stake, who are hungry,
who have won and are eager to win again.”

Miller said Lyons has not been promised a starting role
for the team, and he’s not concerned with any off-court
issues the player may have.

Lyons, you may recall, was one of the players suspended
for having a role in the big Xavier/Cincinnati brawl earlier in the
season.

“I’ve known Mark for six years,” Miller said. “I know off
the court he’s got his college degree, I know off the
court that he’s certainly a very, very great competitor.

“And he’s a winner.”

Lyons comes to Arizona with 1,194 career points, and
averaged 15.1 per game this past season, and brings with
him expectations for a team that failed to meet them last
season.

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