Sonoran Hot Reads: T.J. McConnell drops career-high 17 assists for 76ers

Almost a franchise record

On Thursday, Parker Jackson-Cartwright had a lot of assists for the Arizona Wildcats, so the next day, Parker’s predecessor had to put on a show too. T.J. McConnell lit up the statbook to the tune of 17 assists for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Boston Celtics. That number is a career-high, and was the most for a Sixers player since Andre Miller had 18 back in 2008. Coincidentally, Miller was at the Arizona/Utah game on Thursday. I’d say McConnell is certainly starter material for that team as it’s currently constituted

All 17 of @TJMcConnell's dimes ⤵️ http://pic.twitter.com/slLftWJ0mL

— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) January 7, 2017

- Not to be outdone, Aaron Gordon had a career-high seven assists for the Orlando Magic

- In SB Nation’s first bracketology, they have Arizona playing New Mexico State in the first round...the same NMSU team that has beaten ASU in Tempe this year even though Tucson is the easier place to play apparently

- Xavier Johnson got into a scuffle in Tempe on Thursday, but will not be suspended for Saturday’s game. Here’s our preview

- We’re probably to far in the forest to see just how incredible Arizona’s success this year actually is. A lot of it has to do with the fact that they are the only team that has not given up 70 points in a game

- Hamidou Diallo will announce his college decision Saturday afternoon. It’ll presumably be UConn or Kentucky, but Arizona has an outside chance

Football

- Former Arizona coach Dino Babers will be on ESPN’s coaches broadcast of the National Championship Game. Mark Helfrich and Mike MacIntyire will also be there

- Austin Faoliu’s recruitment is blowing up, including a Texas offer that he received on Friday

- Paul Magloire is now going to the East-West Shrine Game later this month

- Samajie Grant has signed with an agent

Baseball

- Jay Johnson gave a presentation at the ABCA conference on developing the complete hitter

Peep these customs on display at the @ABCA1945 convention. http://pic.twitter.com/xciF336Xrq

— EvoShield (@EvoShield) January 7, 2017

Other sports

- Danielle O’Toole made the National Team, and two other Wildcats are on the Junior Team

- Caitlin Lowe retired from softball, penning this letter thanking everyone

- Swimming and diving dominated their quad-meet

- Gymnastics won their first meet of the year. Here are the highlights

- The hockey team beat ASU 7-2 in Tempe

- Women’s basketball lost 65-56 at Colorado to remain winless in conference play. LaBrittney Jones scored her 1,000th career point though

Tucson news

- Roadrunner captain Craig Cunningham had part of his leg amputated as he continues to recover from having his heart stop on the TCC ice. Brendan Perlini and Kyle Wood were named the team’s two representatives for All-Star Weekend. They lost 3-2 in OT on Friday

- The New York Times listed 52 places to visit this year, and Sedona is on the list because it’s Zika-free

- Five people were killed in a shooting at the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Here’s how TIA is prepared to deal with an event like that

- Eastbound Broadway at Alvernon has been closed due to a massive water line break

- Liam and Emma were apparently the top baby names in Arizona last year

- The new bridge going from Sabino Canyon to Kolb is now open

@whatsuptucson A beautiful morning sunrise over the Airmen Memorial Bridge before its dedication. http://pic.twitter.com/z6VTzquTRd

— LParis (@lparis20) January 6, 2017

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