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Arizona Basketball: ESPN showing no love for Arizona

By David Rosen

TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats reacts during the second half of the NCAAB game against the Washington Huskies at McKale Center on February 07, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. The Huskies defeated the Wildcats 67-60. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats reacts during the second half of the NCAAB game against the Washington Huskies at McKale Center on February 07, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. The Huskies defeated the Wildcats 67-60. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ESPN gave their predictions for what to expect in the Pac-12 and Arizona Basketball is predicted to finish third.

No love. ESPN released their predictions for how the Pac-12 is going to play out and they have Arizona Basketball at No.3. They have Oregon at No.1, followed by Colorado, Arizona and then Washington at No.4. The Ducks at the No.1 spot I get it, but Arizona behind the Buffs, nah don’t see that happening.

Yes, the Buffaloes do have a lot of experience coming back, including one of the top guards in the conference and country McKinley Wright IV, but they don’t have the overall athleticism and depth to compete with Arizona.  These two teams will only face each other once during the Pac-12 conference season, which will make for an interesting matchup knowing how important that one game will be. Could possibly decide the Pac-12 race?

Washington at No.4 makes no sense. Of all teams, they have a very talented incoming class and a couple of key returners. Like Arizona, Washington will depend heavily on their freshmen and expect them to make an immediate impact. The Huskies face the Wildcats twice and based on previous match-up history when these two teams face off anything can happen.

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Arizona realistically should be predicted No.2 behind the Ducks, who are stacked with talent. Depth, skill, and experience make this a dangerous team, looking to make another deep run in March. Last year they made it all the way to the Sweet 16 and this time around they have pieces to possibly get into the Final Four.

According to ESPN’s prediction, overall they have Arizona at No.3, one analyst has them at No.3 and two of them got it right at No.2. There is not a lot of mention of Arizona in the article, but one of the factors they feel will impact the Wildcat chances of finishing high in the Pac-12 and making a deep run is the absence of Brandon Williams.

They also mention how this is Nico Mannon’s team and how far Arizona goes depends on his performance. To a degree that is true, but the Wildcats do have a lot of depth and skill at all positions. Last time I checked, this was a team sport and requires everyone to play to their strengths and as a cohesive unit to have the best chance of going far during postseason.

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Even though ESPN showed no love for Arizona Basketball putting them at the No.3 spot in the Pac-12 conference, that won’t stop this team from proving everyone wrong. This team is legit and is going to make some real noise this season. Not just in the Pac-12, but in the country. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!

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