A Malik Pope update

Mark Ziegler on Malik Pope:

"The Aztecs won the tip Saturday and quickly worked it inside to Malik Pope on the left block. He spun into the lane and made a jump hook - 2-0.

On their next possession, they worked the ball to Pope on the left block. He found Dakarai Allen slashing from the opposite wing for a layup - 4-0.

On their next possession, they worked the ball to Pope on the right block. He drew a double team, then started a chain of passes that resulted in Hemsley being fouled on a drive and making two free throws -- 6-2.

The 6-10 Pope brings several different dimensions to the Aztecs with his unique combination of size and agility, but perhaps the most important is being able to run their offense inside-out. They did two years ago with JJ O’Brien, last year with Winston Shepard.

They did earlier this season when Pope was healthy, then morphed into a more perimeter-oriented team when he got hurt. With Pope in the starting lineup again, they are starting to morph back.

One clue is his assist numbers: Pope has two, three and three in his last three games - impressive numbers for a big man. Another stat that speaks to where he’s positioned on the floor is 3-point attempts: just 24 in 13 games compared to nearly three per game a year ago.

The biggest clue is less tangible.

“Malik, when we have him out there, he can do some things,” Fisher said after Tuesday’s win against Wyoming. “For 2 1/2 weeks, I sensed the excitement in him. He’s come into the locker room with a smile on his face, not forced or phony. You can sense that he feels privileged, happy, fortunate and content to be in there able to play.

“We need him to finish the season on the floor.”