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Arizona Basketball: Five bold predictions for Pac-12 conference play

By David Rosen

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: Nico Mannion #1 of the Arizona Wildcats shoots the ball over Gonzaga Bulldogs defenders in the first half at McKale Center on December 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: Nico Mannion #1 of the Arizona Wildcats shoots the ball over Gonzaga Bulldogs defenders in the first half at McKale Center on December 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

No.3 – Home games

This one is really bold. The Wildcats have shown in years past and this year as well how special of place McKale Center can be. The Wildcats have a legit chance to win all of their Pac-12 games at home behind the magic of McKale. One of the best fan bases in the country will find a way to get behind this team, provide them the energy and spark they need to win all nine games.

The Wildcats will need to win both games against Oregon and Washington to do so, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Winning every game at home will be tough and require some luck as well. Some games may come down to the last couple of minutes and some might be blowouts.

Having home-court advantage helps and the Wildcats will need to make sure they use that to their advantage in all 9 games. For some, this will be their first time experiencing McKale Center when it gets really loud. The young players will need to feed off that energy and put their team in the best position to win.

Securing all nine wins may include having to hit a game-winner at the buzzer. Whatever the case may be, this team has all the right pieces to the puzzle to go undefeated at home during Pac-12 conference play.

This early-season test against Illinois at home was a good example of the crowd getting into it and giving the Wildcats that home court edge:

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