Arizona Basketball: Nico Mannion facing high expectations this season

The 2019-20 Arizona Basketball team will be lead by freshman sensation Nico Mannion, who faces high expectations this season.

The 2019-20 Arizona Basketball team will have a new leader this season, Nico Mannion. With Brandon Williams out this year, Mannion will be the one starting at the point guard position and leading this team from beginning to end. Expectations will be high and many people expect him to lead this team not just to Pac-12 championship, but also back into the Final Four.

That’s a lot of pressure for an 18-year-old freshman. He isn’t though any ordinary teenager. He is one of the best point guards in the country. Still, how will he handle it? That’s a question we will find out soon enough next month. Fans though got an early preview of what to expect from him during the Red and Blue game. He was a little nervous, but that was expected considering it was the first time he was stepping out on McKale Center in front of 14,500.

His experience playing AAU basketball and for his home country, should help somewhat. Also, because of his Youtube fame, other top players always brought their best when facing Mannion, which brought out the best him. Similar to what he’ll go through this season at Arizona as opponents always seem to play their best when facing the Wildcats. Something tells him he’ll be ready for the challenge.

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Being able to play at a high level for almost 40 minutes and 30+ games does take a toll. Is that something Mannion can handle and is it fair to expect him to produce every game? Because of his skillset and being one of the best point guards in college basketball this upcoming season, he is expected to produce. That’s just the fact of the matter.

How he handles these types of expectations will be interested to watch. The month of November will give us a great insight if he can perform at a high level and help the Wildcats win many games.

Then the real test will come though during Pac-12 play, especially on the road. The conference is loaded with talent this season and teams will be looking to take down the preseason favorites. For the Wildcats to be contenders, Mannion will need to be one of the main reasons why.

A freshman handling high expectations is nothing new for Arizona. Back in the 1996-97 season freshman point guard Mike Bibby led the Wildcats to a National Champions! Can Mannion do the same this year, possibly? We’ll have to wait to see. For now, as always, Bear Down, Arizona!