UA’s Mathurin a marked man this time vs. Beavers
Of all the problems Bennedict Mathurin worked through last weekend, one of them can’t be fixed.
In fact, it will probably get worse the better he plays. And it could be particularly acute on Thursday, when Oregon State visits McKale Center.
Because the Beavers aren’t likely to draw up the same defensive game plan they used when Mathurin dropped 31 points on them last month in Corvallis. Nor will any other Pac-12 opponent who has already faced the fast-rising wing from Montreal.
“Benn’s played some excellent basketball, and when you get into conference play, coaches and players on the other team know that,” UA coach Sean Miller said. “He’s no longer an unmarked freshman. So the scouting report (changes) and the defense will try to take away certain things that we do for him and that he’s very good at.
“(At that point), it’s kind of like game within the game, you know? You have to cut harder, you have to be on it, you have to be ready.”
That was a big part of the problem last Thursday at Utah, both Miller and Mathurin indicated during Zoom interviews Tuesday. Utah’s defense limited Mathurin to six shots; he made only one of them and appeared to carry his frustration over to the other end of the court.
Miller reacted with displeasure during a timeout conversation with Mathurin late in the first half of that game, then benched Mathurin at the beginning of the second half and saying afterward that he didn’t like the freshman’s attitude.
The two went on to have “two or three really hard talks,” Miller said, and the coach also did not start him at Colorado.
But then Mathurin went out and played one of his most efficient games of the season against the Buffaloes on Saturday, scoring 22 points on 7-for-9 shooting while hitting 4 of 5 3-pointers and almost giving the Wildcats enough to win after they fell into an early 19-2 hole.
“His response was exactly what I think any coach or any team would love to see in a player,” Miller said. “He not only made his shots but his disposition, his attitude, the way he practiced, all of that was just excellent. I think it really says a lot about Benn’s character, his future being really, really bright.
“That’s why you come to a place like Arizona. You aren’t just given everything. You’re going to have to earn it.
There’s going to be some tough moments. But that’s how you grow.”
After those conversations with Miller, Mathurin spoke with nearly the same words. He said he was “not really focused” coming into the Utah game but changed that after speaking with Miller.
“I took away from the (Utah) game that my defense needs to be consistent,” Mathurin said. “I need to have a great attitude and always be there for my team because I do have a big role now. … He told me for sure I will make mistakes during the game but I can’t let it affect my game. I have to stay focused even if the game isn’t going my way.”
Mathurin has also had to keep focused despite increasing external NBA draft buzz. Canadian basketball scout Wesley Brown told SI.com last month that “the hottest guy probably of all (Canadian players) who I think might be a first-round pick this year is Bennedict Mathurin. … He’s got the potential to be way more than just a shooter and a role guy.”
But when asked on Tuesday if he wanted to return to Arizona next season and where he was at in the decision process, Mathurin carefully fielded the question.
“I have some aspects I have to work on my game in order to reach the next level,” Mathurin said. “And I feel like right now I’m more I’m more focused on finishing the season and having a good record.”
Miller said he hopes Mathurin’s attitude and performance can carry into this week’s games against Oregon State and Oregon.
While the Ducks’ COVID-19-related pause called off the UA’s scheduled Jan. 16 game at Eugene, Mathurin made the most of the single-game trip by scoring 31 points on 10-of-12 shooting, including 6 of 7 3s.