Arizona Is Too Big, Too Much for UCI

Guard Jason Terry got a few minutes of rest and relaxation Monday night. That’s how much in control eighth-ranked Arizona was against UC Irvine.

“I like it when I get that rest,” said Terry, who had played 163 of 165 minutes before Monday’s game. “It means we’re up by 20 or more. That’s nice.”

Terry was rewarded with the final four minutes off, a little breather he earned in the Wildcats’ 93-70 victory over Irvine in front of 14,281 in the McKale Center. Terry, one of two remaining key players from Arizona’s 1997 national championship team, finished with 21 points, nine assists and five steals in a performance to admire.

Just ask Irvine point guard Jerry Green.

“He’s a future NBA player and I’m a freshman,” said Green, who had a season-low six points. “It was a learning experience. I learned I had better keep my head up against a player like him.”

School was in session from the beginning.

Terry, confident and smooth, ran the Wildcats’ offense and ran Irvine off the floor. Green, a little wide-eyed, had said before Monday’s game that he was looking forward to playing against Terry. Word filtered to the Wildcat locker room.

“Coach told me that before the game,” said Terry, a 6-foot-2 senior. “Any time I see a freshman guard on the other team’s roster I start to smile.”

Twice Terry stole passes from Green, turning both into baskets. Terry’s steal and layup gave Arizona (5-0) a 55-34 lead with 17 minutes left. Irvine (2-4) got no closer than 17 the rest of the way and was left with an acceptable loss.

“I was pleased that we competed and did not let it become too lopsided,” Anteater Coach Pat Douglass said. “We had four freshmen on the court at the same time, at times.”

The Wildcats rely a lot on freshmen as well. Theirs are just bigger, stronger and more skilled.

Guard Richard Jefferson scored the Wildcats’ first seven points and finished with 13. Michael Wright had 15 points and 13 rebounds. Both started, giving the Wildcats a lineup with four players 6-6 or taller.

The Anteaters were without 6-8 center Stan Divranos, who didn’t make the trip because of a lower back injury. It left them with only two players taller than 6-7.

The Wildcats had a 47-23 rebounding edge and had 20 offensive rebounds to Irvine’s five. Wright had nine offensive rebounds.

“We will not see another team as good as this all year,” Douglass said. “We will not see five players like that again. Jason Terry is as good as we will see.”

Terry was a modest six of 13 from the field but was constantly setting up others for baskets.

Green, meanwhile, was a bit befuddled. He had scored 24 points in Irvine’s victory over Northern Arizona on Dec. 5, but didn’t get a shot off for the first 13 minutes. He finished two of five from the field but did have five assists and four steals.

“I think Irvine got a steal in Green,” Arizona Coach Lute Olson said. “It was tough for him because J.T. just didn’t let him do a whole lot.

“When I sat [Terry] down, he still wasn’t breathing hard, and he was active on both ends.”

Irvine’s Ben Jones helped keep it from becoming a complete rout. He made nine of 15 shots and finished with a career-high 25 points. Jones, who had been a lightning rod in practice for Douglass’ frustration the last two days, was six for 11 on three-pointers.

“I think we accomplished the main thing we wanted to do tonight, which was be consistent and aggressive “ Jones said. “We know if we can do it against Arizona, we can get it done against other teams.”