Wildcats battle NC State in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis

The Arizona basketball team will continue non-conference play against NC State in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Wildcats look to keeping the winning streak alive.

Let the battle begin! The Arizona Basketball team will face their first true test of the season against NC State in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis. This tournament includes a strong lineup of teams that are sure to make a run come postseason: Villanova, Western Kentucky, Purdue, Tennessee, SMU and Northern Illinois. The champion will need to win three games in three nights. Wildcats got this!

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This will be the first time the Wildcats play outside of McKale Center this season, since they played the two exhibitions games in Spain. With their strong fan base, it would not be a surprise to see a large contingent of fans in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Especially if DeAndre Ayton, his family, his friends and people he doesn’t even know come out to support the team. “I’m  looking for a big crowd. Arizona is about to shut it down, that’s about it,” said Deandre at the post game presser the other night, “Some of these people I don’t even know.”

Being such a young team, having the support of the fans will be important to calm their nerves and make it seem like McKale Center – Bear Down Arizona, Bear Down red and blue!

For Wildcat fans who won’t be making the trip to the Bahamas, you will be able to catch the game, Nov 22nd at 5pm MST on ESPN3 (Apple Tv). Yes, you read that right. The now No.2 (No. 1 according to Seth Davis) team in the country is not even being televised, how?!

Coming off a well balanced effort and win against Cal State Bakersfield, the Wildcats will look to continue to do the same against NC State. As the last three games have gone, it has been the dynamic duo of DeAndre Ayton and Allonzo Trier leading the charge on the offensive end.

Zo has been on fire, averaging 30 points, four rebound and three assists per game. Ayton has had three straight double-doubles, averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds per game. A key stat for the team overall success early on is that they are averaging almost 98 points and 20 assists per game! For the Wildcats to stay unbeaten, they will need to continue to rack up those assists, stay zeroed in on defense and of course have fun – you’re in Paradise City!

Another key factor in this game and tournament will be their depth, due to the back to back games the Wildcats will play. Coach Sean Miller will have the luxury of being able to go at least 10 deep, which will benefit the team in the long run.

As if this was meant to be, a visit to the Bahamas will be a homecoming for Ayton, who was born in Nassau Bahamas. It’s even fun to hear his answers to questions in press conferences. How can you not love this guy? Ayton has the whole package: personality and skill.

NC State – First round opponent

Record: In the 2016-17 season, they finished with an overall record of 15-17 and 4-14 in conference play. This season, they are  4-0.

Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference

Key players: Last season they were lead by Dennis Smith Jr, who was drafted No. 9 in the 2017-18 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. This year, the Wolfpack have five players averaging in double figure points, including junior guard Torin Dorn who is averaging almost 19 points and seven rebound per game. They also have a 7 foot and 245 pound center, Omer Yurtseven, that will have the likely assignment of guarding the most dominant player in college basketball, Ayton.

Last head to head matchup: The Wildcats lead the overall head to head matchup 2-0. Last time these two teams met was in the 2010-11 season at NC State. Solomon Hill lead the Wildcats with 22 points and seven rebounds.

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As the season continues on, so does the legacy and tradition that is Arizona Wildcat basketball. They will look to add to that with a good showing in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament starting on Wednesday. Whether it’s Ayton for the backboard shaking dunk or Zo with the “splash” from three- point range, the Wildcats are for real this season. Bear Down in the Bahamas!