After a successful road trip against UCONN, the Arizona Basketball team (6-2) returns to McKale Center to face Utah Valley (6-3).
We are really moving through the 2018-19 Arizona Basketball season, as the Wildcats prepare for their ninth game of the season against the visiting Utah Valley Wolverines.
Already off to a solid start, Arizona will have another great opportunity to compete, improve as a team and get ready for a tough road ahead.
Arizona Wildcats
Just eight games into the season, and we are learning a lot about this team. We figured it’d be a bit of a learning process for a young and untested group, but nonetheless we’ve seen a lot of fight out of these Wildcats!
While Maui was a tough trip, it was one that gave this team an incredible learning experience and it seems like they are already improving and learning from it.
On Sunday, in a game that could have easily had been a loss, Arizona faced all kinds of adversity. Traveling over 2,000 miles, tipping off at 11 am MST, having center Chase Jeter foul out in the waning moments, all of it could have caused the Wildcats to fold, alas, they responded, winning 76-72.
The Brandon’s have been a big part of the teams’ early success, as well as the veteran leadership from Jeter, Ryan Luther and Justin Coleman have given Arizona a much needed boost.
As they continue to learn how to play with each other, this is a group they will only continue to get better and that’s a scary thing for the rest of their opponents.
The chemistry of this team has been great, and the chip on their shoulder is proving to be beneficial to their success!
Keys to the Game:
Keep Jeter out of foul trouble- This is the second time he’s fouled out this year. While it’s unlikely he does that against Utah Valley, he needs to do his best moving forward to try and stay in games.
We all saw just how important he was versus Gonzaga, but moving forward, he’s going to be a big part of this teams’ success. Him being in the game makes Arizona such a different team, and he is going to be crucial in Pac-12 play.
Start practicing and getting into the habit of limiting the fouls.
Avoid the slow start– Sometimes a pressing issue for the Wildcats against inferior teams at home, but they need to do their best to avoid it. Come out ready to play and focused to take care of business.
Utah Valley is a decent team, no need to give them any extra confidence, especially if they were to keep this one close in the first half.
Get up big and early and cruise to another win!
Continue to get more guys involved- Biggest concern I have of this team is depth. Sure, we send out bodies, but the scoring/ contributions so far have been pretty top heavy. More guys need to do their best and step-up when given the opportunity.
Outside of their starting five, the player with the next highest point average is Dylan Smith with 4.9 ppg and Ira Lee with 4.7 ppg. Who else is going to step-up when it matters?
Lot’s of opportunities for others to make an impact, and I think if Arizona is going to distance themselves from being an okay team, to a legit tournament team, more guys are going to have to find ways to get involved.
Game Information:
Time: 7:00 pm MST/ 6:00 pm PST
Location: Tucson, AZ- McKale Center (14,545)
Line: -14.5 Arizona
Television: Pac-12 Network
Radio: Arizona IMG Sports Network Arizona Wildcats (Try TuneIn Radio) or 107.5 KHYT (Tucson)
Team Records:
Arizona Wildcats (6-2, 0-0): The Wildcats have two tough losses on the year, but return home after knocking off a solid UCONN team on the road. They look to build off their momentum.
Utah Valley Wolverines (6-3, 0-0): Opened the year with wins over Dixie State and Westminster, before dropping three-straight to BYU, St. Mary’s and Utah State. The Wolverines are coming off a win over Denver.
All-Time Record: Since 1949-50, Arizona leads the overall series 1-0. These teams last met in 2014, when the Utah Valley traveled to Tucson, falling to Arizona by a final of 87-56.
The Wolverines finished 11-19 (5-9) that season under then head coach Dick Hunsaker. Under Mark Pope, they have been much better and return a talented squad that finished 23-11 last season.
Arizona “should” be able to win this one fairly easily, but it all depends on how focused they are.
Watch Arizona’s highlights from their huge win over UCONN on Sunday:
At Zona Zealots, we’re excited for the continued basketball action, and hope the Wildcats come out strong against Utah Valley! Bear Down, Arizona!