Arizona Basketball beat Cal in a much-needed win as they head down the home stretch.
Good news Arizona Basketball fans, the world is not coming to an end despite suffering through a seven game losing streak. Another piece of good news, there is still a lot of basketball left in the season as the Wildcats will look to finish strong and carrying the confidence over in the PAC-12 tournament. If tonight’s win over Cal is a sign this team turning a corner and finding their groove. There will be many teams that will not want to play the Wildcat in Las Vegas.
Arizona Wildcats
Tonight the Wildcats looked like the team we got to know early on in the season. Sharing the ball with each other and making the extra pass to set up their teammate. Not only was the offense clicking on all cylinders but the defensive efforts were solid all night long.
It was a senior that took charge in Ryan Luther who got the team going early with his hot shooting from the floor. Luther was able to spread the floor by knocking down long-range jumpers at an alarming rate. By doing this, it brought Cal’s big man out on the perimeter which opened up the driving lines for the guards.
One of those guards who benefited from these driving lanes was Alex Barcello who came up huge off the bench for the Wildcats. Barcello had a little pep to his step tonight looking like a student athlete who gained confidence as the game went on. Barcello finished the night with 14 points and an effort on defense that is guaranteed to put a smile on coach Sean Miller‘s face.
Ryan Luther can do it all, folks!#APlayersProgram pic.twitter.com/KkJB1Hu5aM
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) February 22, 2019
Another bright spot for the Cats was the continues improvement od Devonaire Doutrive who continues to grow into a tremendous young basketball player. Doutrive has seemed to figure out that there are very few forwards in the PAC-12 that are as athletic as him. This was put on display tonight as he finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
https://twitter.com/APlayersProgram/status/1098773640810643456
The Cats also got another great contribution from Mr. Reliable in Chase Jeter who proved again tonight why he was one of the top targeted transfers. Jeter was able to alter shots at the rim and show off his flashy foot work in the paint. Jeter tallied another solid night with 13 points and seven rebounds.
It also let’s not over look the night that Ira Lee put in as he continues to regain the form of old. Lee seemed to play with more confidence tonight and it showed in the stat line as he made six points, four rebounds and two assists. Lee could end up being the x-factor heading down the home stretch of the season.
FINAL from McKale! #APlayersProgram pic.twitter.com/ERStIF9Id2
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) February 22, 2019
Tonight was great as the Cats got back to their winning ways. Lets make sure to support them again on Sunday at 6pm as the Cats will go for the home sweep as the host the Stanford Cardinal. Do not look now as the Cats look to build momentum heading into the PAC-12 tournament. As always BearDown and Go Cats!