Perry does it all in UA's opening-night win

Box score

TUCSON -- The Arizona basketball media guide says it all about senior Jesse Perry: "UA's most pleasant surprise in 2010-11."

This year, he might as well be Arizona's most-needed player. Arizona likely will need every second of every minute from Perry, a 6-foot-7 multi-tasker … rebounder, defender and shooter.

He was all that Monday night in Arizona's 73-64 win over Valparaiso in the season opener at McKale Center. He had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

"If you would have judged Jesse Perry as an Arizona player last November you probably would have said to yourself it's probably going to be a reach if he's really able to contribute," said Miller, comparing last year to this one.

Miller called him a "leader and a winner."

He then quickly added Perry finished with a rush last year, making the all-conference all-tournament team and "was a big reason why we won the Pac-10 championship."

Miller said Perry has "picked up where he left off."

And Valpo paid the price.

"They are going to be a really good team," said Valparaiso coach Bryce Drew. "Sean does such a good job. I firmly believe they will be a top 25 team all year."

Miller said he doesn't believe Arizona should be the No. 16 team right now.

"I'm not trying to act like the coach who says we can't play," Miller said. "We're not (No. 16). Maybe we can become that."

Arizona will have another shot to prove it on Wednesday when it faces Duquesne. That game, too, is part of the 2K Sports Classic/Coaches vs. Cancer series.

"They are going to press for 40 minutes like you've never seen a team press," Miller said. "They make it as chaotic as they can. Our guards will have to take care of the basketball."

And stay as cool and calm as possible. Sounds exactly like Perry and sophomore guard Jordin Mayes, two key's in Monday night's victory. Mayes finished with eight points and three steals, but helped rally UA in the second half by hitting a pair of baskets to give it a spark. UA was up just 33-30 but was up 12 with 12 minutes left.

"Being a year in, I'm more comfortable," said Mayes, a point guard who will be sharing the job with freshman Josiah Turner.

Like Perry, Miller called Mayes a "winner."

"Part of what I tell him is that basketball is not a game where you can be cool," Miller said. "It doesn't work out that way. I don't think that he necessarily wants to look that way. But we need him to be more vocal and energetic."

It's clear Perry will be more of factor on the offense side than most suspected or are willing to admit. Perry is both aggressive and savvy. And calm and composed.
 
He plays with an energy Arizona needs  … all the time. He brought the same thing to the table last year, a workman-like attitude.

"Jesse is a lot better," said Kyle Fogg, speaking of how much better Perry is compared to last year. "He's always been good but last year was his first year being a junior college transfer. He's more comfortable without the ball. You can expect to see him have a double-double night in and night out."

Perry wasn't made available to the media on Monday night, but Miller said there's a lot to like about Perry, who is not so much a cagey veteran but clearly an opportunistic one. A right place at the right time sort who makes the most of his opportunities.

"He's a hard-nosed kid, in a good way," said Miller, who added Perry would be getting his degree this spring. "He's a tough competitor. And he has the respect of everybody in the locker room."

Every Wildcat could learn a few things from Perry.

He kept Arizona the game in the first half with 10 points and five rebounds. He eventually rubbed off on his teammates in the second half as UA went on a 13-3 run to start the second half to eventually pull away, although UA dawdled down the stretch as it gave up 18 points in a 2 ½ minute stretch to end the game.

Helping Perry near the basket now will be 6-9 freshman Angelo Chol, who looks comfortable away from the basket as he does close to it. He hit a couple jumpers. But Miller said "it would be unfair to act as Angelo will be our (center) for 30 minutes a game."

"He's just an energetic guy and practices hard," Miller said of Chol. "He's a fantastic kid and happy to see him contribute like he did. Two months from now, he's going to be so much further than he is now."

That could be said for the team as a whole behind the leadership of Perry.

Notable

Miller was candid when asked about freshman center Sidiki Johnson, who played just one minute on Monday. Miller said Johnson just isn't ready to play right now.

"Hopefully he can work to get better, but I'm not counting on it," Miller said.