For two seasons, Arizona center Jordan Hill kept relatively quiet and low key.
He said very little other than to acknowledge a good game or confirm he had trouble staying out of foul trouble.
This season, however, it's been different. He's been vocal and candid in helping lead UA to a 7-2 record heading into Saturday's game at UNLV.
He's been more confident in what he can do and more direct in what he says and does.
One of the first questions posed to him at media day in October was: Do you think it's going to be difficult to stop you?
"Oh, definitely,"
he said. "I'm being honest. I'm definitely quicker than all the big men in the Pac-10. My jump shot is getting a lot better, and I'm going to be working on that. We'll see."
"We do have good big men in the Pac-10. I'm not going to lie about it. I'll have trouble guarding them, but they will definitely have trouble guarding me."
That will be determined. In just more than two weeks, UA enters the Pac-10 race.
But to this point, Hill's been one of the best big men in the country. He's averaging 18.8 points and 11.8 rebounds per game and Monday was named the Pac-10's player of the week.
Sunday, he had 22 points and six rebounds in a 69-64 win over No. 4 Gonzaga.
He has five double-doubles this season, tying him with Washington's Jon Brockman for the conference lead.
Not since Larry Demic in 1978-79 has a Wildcat finished with a double-double average (19.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg) for a season.
Hill looks to be headed that way.
He's not exactly carrying Arizona on his shoulders - Nic Wise and Chase Budinger are pulling their share - but Hill is carrying a huge burden near the basket, walking a fine line of aggressiveness and watching his fouls.
"Right now,"
Gonzaga coach Mark Few said, "Jordan Hill and the kid from Oklahoma (Blake Griffin) are playing every bit as dominant as (North Carolina's Tyler) Hansbrough is."
"And I love Hansbrough, but I mean they're quite a bit more athletic and can be better post players, as far as being able to score."
Hill's efficiency has everything to do with it. He is shooting 61 percent from the floor this season and 62.2 for his career, better than any UA player over the past 30 years.
Even with plenty of wiggle room to grow (Hill started playing the game in his midteens), he is probably UA's best all-around big man since Brian Williams (1990-91).
Hill is a little part Anthony Cook, an athletic, quick-jumping shot blocker; a little part Williams, powerful and aggressive; a dash of Sean Rooks, strong with skilled post moves; and maybe even a bit of Channing Frye, a workaholic who wanted to get better every practice.
"He's actually a cross between AC (Cook) and Brian (Williams),"
said former UA player Matt Muehlebach. "And then there's (Joseph Blair), who had great hands and was very good around the basket."
Muehlebach thinks Hill, whenever he decides to leave for the NBA, will be a solid first-round pick.
For now, UA interim coach Russ Pennell sees a confident big man. And he's coached a couple of good ones in Oklahoma State's Bryant "Big Country"
Reeves and Arizona State's Ike Diogu.
Pennell said of those he's coached, Hill is the "most gifted athletically."
"The sky is the limit for Jordan,"
Pennell said. "Jordan Hill is a very hard worker. When he gets between those lines it's all business."
Muehlebach sees the same thing, particularly the growing instincts and the athletic ability.
"How many times have you heard someone say this about a big man? 'You've got to finish strong. Or, go to the basket strong,' "
Muehlebach said. "You never have to say that to Jordan Hill. He just does it. I just love that he just tries to dunk everything he gets. I love it. It's the way big men should be."
