Arizona Basketball: Backcourt Must Improve for Wildcats to Reach Potential

The Arizona Wildcats handled the Missouri Tigers just fine in the quarterfinals of the Maui Invitational. But during their victory, the Wildcats exposed to opponents what their fatal flaw is.

In the 72-53 victory at the Lahaina Civic Center, the starting guard combination of Gabe York and T.J. McConnell combined to shoot 3-of-15 from the field and 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. The numbers did not get any better for the reserve guards, as Elliott Pitts and Parker Jackson-Cartwright combined to score five points. 

The lack of production from the backcourt is not an issue that has popped up out of nowhere. In the first three games of the season, only two guards found their way into double digits. McConnell scored 12 in the opener against UC Irvine, while Pitts scored 10 points against Cal State Northridge. 

This may not seem like a major concern now thanks to the strong frontcourt, which includes Brandon Ashley, Kaleb Tarczewski and Stanley Johnson, but it will hurt the Wildcats if the issue isn't fixed soon. 

The numbers produced by the big guns down low should be enough for Arizona to win the Maui Invitational. But looking further down the schedule, the problem at the guard position will be exposed sooner rather than later. 

Sean Miller's team faces a big early-season test against Gonzaga on December 6. If York and McConnell fail to keep up with the contributions of Kevin Pangos and Byron Wesley, the Wildcats could be handed a reality check by Mark Few's Bulldogs. 

Pangos and Wesley have combined to average 22.8 points per game in their first four games. McConnell and York entered Maui with a total of 15.3 points per game. 

The other big nonconference game on the schedule for the Wildcats is the December 13 clash with Michigan, which also possesses a dangerous backcourt led by Caris LeVert and Derrick Walton Jr. 

Through three games, the Wolverines duo has scored a combined 33.4 points per game. If a big gap in scoring production still exists by the time the two teams meet, Arizona could be in for a rude awakening.

On the defensive side of the ball, there are few reasons to be worried about the play of the guards. McConnell produced three steals and pulled down three rebounds against Missouri. In his previous three games, McConnell recorded 19 rebounds and 12 steals. York's defensive numbers are a bit more concerning, as he has just four steals and four rebounds this season. 

Despite the low numbers to start the season, York is a solid defender. McConnell will be the player who catches everyone's attention because of his steal numbers, but York is able to hang with some of the nation's best when he plays at the level he is expected to. 

Throughout the game against Missouri, McConnell did distribute the ball well with nine assists, but he could not become a consistent scorer. York was almost nonexistent, as he scored three points in his time on the court. The lone basket from York came with six minutes and 16 seconds left in the game. 

The two guards saw their respective offensive failures covered up by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who started in place of York to begin the second half. Hollis-Jefferson ignited the Wildcats offense with five quick points to start the second stanza. 

The performance of the potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate and freshman Stanley Johnson were the two big positive takeaways for Miller. If York continues to struggle on the offensive end, Miller could enter Hollis-Jefferson into the game to provide a spark like he did Monday. Hollis-Jefferson is being asked to embrace the sixth man role this year, and if he comes up big in York's spot, he will hand Arizona a massive boost. 

At some point in the season, we could see Hollis-Jefferson take over for York in the starting five, especially if the sophomore continues to score as much as he has in the first four games.

But it would take a massive struggle throughout nonconference play for York to lose his position. The junior guard brings a veteran presence to the lineup, and playing with four big men may lead the Wildcats to focus too much on their play in the paint. 

Because the Wildcats have Hollis-Jefferson waiting on the bench to play in key situations, they may be able to live up to their potential. Arizona is expected to take care of business in the Pac-12 and make a deep run when March rolls around. 

There is a chance the guard trouble will continue into the Pac-12 regular season if the Wildcats lose to Gonzaga and Michigan. But given Miller's past as a point guard, we should expect him to find a fix to get McConnell and York out of their respective slumps before the games that matter most. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. 

All statistics obtained from ESPN.com.