Arizona Women’s Basketball: Shows Potential In Pre-Season Win

The Arizona Women’s Basketball team is looking to turn some heads this year as they gave us a preview on Monday night, just ahead of the 2018-19 season!

While many people over look the Arizona Women’s Basketball, team it does not seem to bother them as they are using that as motivation heading into the regular season. If the pre-season win over Eastern New Mexico is any indicator of what is ahead than they will be a surprise to many out side of the locker room.

From the moment these players got here, it has been preached that it is team over me. That if they sacrifice personal accolades for the betterment of the team that in the long run, it will be more rewarding.

Arizona Wildcats

While changing a losing culture may take time, in Adia Barnes’ time as head coach, they have shown some flashes of this mindset, and finally just ahead of the 2018-19 season, it seems that work is finally setting in and paying off. That showed versus Eastern New Mexico.

On Monday, the Wildcats were able to move the ball from one end to the other, making the defense work in order to guard them. Sharing the ball on the offense end was not the only good sign that was relevant in the game either.

Their ability to talk on defense and lock down their opponent was also a major key to their big win.  Getting back to the basics and working as a cohesive unit is the building block that this team needs moving forward.

Working as a “Team” can lead to individual success and that was seen in the game as freshman Cate Reese was able to post a double-double in her first live action against another team. The McDonald’s All-American finished the game with 21 points and 14 rebounds to go along with three steals.

There is no doubt that she was major part of the Wildcats success on Monday, and will be this year, but it would not have been possible without her teammates.

There were many times in the game that teammates were making the extra pass in order to get a teammate open. Or, they were setting a screen that allowed for a teammate to have an open shot, making a back door cut to the basket that led to an easy bucket. These signs all point to a group that is willing to sacrifice “Me” for the “Team”

While the competition is only going to get tougher moving forward, this game was a solid stepping stone for this groups of lady Wildcats. If they stick together and keep building on the fundamentals of basketball, there is no telling on where this team can go.

There is no doubt that they will celebrate the win, but will quickly get back to work as their season opener is only nine days away.

Take a look at their exhibition highlights!

Wildcat fans, make sure to make the extra effort to go to McKale Center this year and support the team. They are on the verge of some big things and deserve a fuller McKale Center that makes opponents scared to come Tucson. As always Go Cats and Bear Down, Arizona!