Arizona Wildcat Jesse Perry arrested, ruckus offseason continues

Arizona Wildcats forward Jesse Perry was arrested Friday under charges of domestic violence and assault, according to the Tucson Police Department.

The senior forward was booked into the Pima County Jail after a woman had checked herself into a hospital Thursday afternon with injuries that she told police she'd suffered the night before, when she was at Perry's apartment and the two got into a verbal argument. The woman told police that the two had a previous romantic relationship, the report said.

The police report said that Perry, 22, was found with the help of the UA athletic department and is charged with a single count of "domestic violence aggravated assault."

Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne released this statement regarding Perry's arrest:

"The Department of Athletics, the President and the Dean of Students office are fully aware of the situation. This matter is in police hands and we will fully cooperate and assist them as needed. At this point we will have no further comment."

The incident marks another off-the-court issue for Sean Miller's squad, though it's safe to say this one is the biggest black eye of them all.

Count 'em:

• Sidiki Johnson leaving the team in odd fashion (remember, Miller essentially left him in New York when Arizona visited).
• Kyryl Natyazhko bolting to play professionally when he couldn't see court time.
• Josiah Turner's multiple suspensions and eventual transfer.
• Now, Perry's arrest.

At some point, the newsworthy off-the-court issues have got to take a backseat to what's happening on the court. This season wasn't one to remember for Wildcat fans, and while it's cliche to say, team success often begins off the court.

Right now, that's not happening.

Part of that responsibility lands on Miller -- who he recruits, how he molds young men. Sure, there's no winning formula, and having tabs on college kids isn't easy.

But considering all that's happened this past season, it should raise some concern.

However, it's nothing next year's team can't erase with a strong run to the postseason and most of all, no off-court headlines.