Arizona Basketball: Three things we learned from Gonzaga loss

Against an average opponent, a college basketball team can get away with not playing a consistent 40 minutes of efficient basketball. In a game against a top-ranked opponent like Gonzaga, 40 minutes of consistency is required. That the Wildcats did not do.

They started off strong building a 16-7 lead, but then they started to lose the edge and momentum. Mental lapses, poor decision making, not closing out on three-point shooters led to the Zags taking control.

Play solid offense and defense for 40 minutes is a challenge, especially in today’s style of college basketball. For Arizona to take that next step and be one of the great teams this year they will need to find a way to play from beginning to end elite-level basketball.