Arizona has begun taking its allotment of 10 full practices in preparation for its Bahamas exhibition trip next month, though the Wildcats are doing so quietly.
Earlier this week, the Wildcats issued a release stating that it will not publicize the workouts because of NCAA rules, that no photography will be allowed and that nobody will be available for interviews.
UA spokesman Richard Paige confirmed that the workouts began Monday but could not say when future ones were scheduled.
However, it is likely that the Wildcats are probably holding a few during the brief periods this month in which recruiting evaluation cannot take place (the next such period is during the days of July 23-25). Then they can hold more after recruiting evaluation ends on July 29 until they leave on Aug. 9.
The NCAA rule that UA cites says that off-season skill evaluation can't be conducted in the "view of a general audience" but it really doesn't matter. UA's practices have almost always been closed to the public and media since Kevin O'Neill left in 2008, anyway.
The main benefit for the full practices is for the coaches to begin working with the entire new group, with all of the players having arrived for the second full summer session that is now going on.
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Jerryd Bayless is scheduled to play in the Tucson Summer Pro League on Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. Gregory, according to league director Corey Williams.
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In case you missed it, Chris V posted a link last week to Josiah Turner's latest move ... to pro basketball.
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Also, MadN had some updates on the TPSL and Derrick Williams' appearance in the previous comment thread if you didn't see those.
I plan to answer other questions from that thread next week...thanks for your patience.
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