Arizona point guard Gardner may be tough cat to conquer

DANIEL WONG/Daily Bruin Senior Staff If the Bruins are going to
defeat the conference-leading Wildcats, they must contain Arizona
guard Jason Gardner.

By Greg Schain
Daily Bruin Reporter

Arizona’s basketball team has very good team chemistry,
thanks to junior guard Jason Gardner.

Gardner organizes get-togethers for the guys to hang out at each
other’s houses, go to the movies and try to eat with each
other as often as possible.

And the off-court cohesion has left a indelible trademark on
their play.

“The more you know one another, the more it helps on the
court,” Gardner said.

Gardner, an Indianapolis native, has been the main catalyst
behind the prosperity of an Arizona team that was supposed to
really stink going into the season.

After going to the NCAA finals in 2001, the Wildcats lost four
starters and nine letter-winners heading into this year. In fact,
there is not one senior on this year’s roster.

Yet the Wildcats are ranked No. 9 in the country and are on top
of one of the most competitive Pac-10s ever.

“They’re a deep, talented, skilled, well-coached
team,” UCLA head coach Steve Lavin said.

Gardner has been an important factor in cementing
Arizona’s 10-3 Pac-10 record. He is averaging 20.1 points per
game, best among Pac-10 point guards.

He is also the Wildcats’ all-time leader in minutes per
game, averaging 35.2, and his 216 career three-pointers is second
in Arizona history.

“He can beat you off the dribble or shooting
threes,” Lavin said. “And he’s playing with a
high level of confidence.”

Fate almost chose Gardner not to be play college basketball this
year. After last season, he seriously considered jumping to the
NBA.

In fact, he declared for the NBA draft in April of 2001, but
didn’t sign with an agent, which meant he didn’t lose
his amateur status.

After going through pre-draft camps and working out for several
NBA teams, Gardner decided to return to Arizona.

“I decided to set my ego aside and listen to my coaches
and family,” Gardner said.

Obviously, Arizona coach Lute Olson campaigned for Gardner to
return.

And he’s glad he did. With two freshmen starting and seven
on the roster, Gardner has been the most vocal leader on the
team.

“Having Jason has been critical,” Olson said.
“His leadership and what he brings to the floor in terms of
his ability as a player and as someone who has been through two
very competitive years for us is key.”

As one of the only guys with experience in big games, Gardner
has been able to step up and lead Arizona to victories over several
top-flight opponents.

In fact, he has scored at least 20 points in leading Arizona to
wins against Florida, Maryland, Texas and Illinois. And those wins
should earn Arizona a high seeding come tournament time.

It’s no wonder why the Arizona media guide describes
Gardner as a guy who “shines when in the
spotlight.”

But the spotlight hasn’t diminished Gardner’s
ability to spread the ball and get everyone involved. In
Arizona’s spread offense, the point guard has the ball in his
hands on almost every play.

“In this program, the point guard has the ball in his
hands 85-90 percent of the time,” Gardner said. “So it
is important that the point guard have a little
experience.”

Gardner has led his team in assists 10 times, and is averaging
about five per game.

And his ability to both shoot and pass scares his opponents.

“He can shoot, but he can pass too,” senior Bruin
guard Billy Knight said. “He’s a good leader and that
helps his team out.”

Olson summarized Gardner’s importance best.

“We would have a very difficult time if he wasn’t
out there,” he said.