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

Arizona Basketball has completed its non-conference schedule and now moves onto Pac-12 play. Here are our five bold predictions.

Pac-12 conference play. It’s that time of the year when all 12 teams gear up and prepare for a grueling couple of months of conference basketball. This season compared to last season is much stronger, with every team having a shot to make some noise. There are though a few teams that stand out, including Arizona Basketball. We breakdown five bold predictions for the Wildcats this upcoming Pac-12 schedule.

Last season the Wildcats finished with a conference record of 8-10 and lost in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament. That is one season many would like to forget. This time around, expectations are high for this team because of the incoming talent, plus transfers and returning from last season. Unfortunately though, based on their recent play, many are beginning to doubt they can meet those expectations this season. Adversity is nothing new for this program.

For the Wildcats to have a chance to contend for the Pac-12 title, many things will need to be improved. Shooting, rebounding, limiting mental lapses on defense and communication on both ends of the floor.  When conference play does begin on January 4th against ASU at home, the Wildcats need to send a statement early on to everyone that they belong among the top of the Pac-12 conference.

When we breakdown and take a look at five bold predictions for the Wildcats during conference play, we must keep in mind these are bold for a reason. They may not all come true but based on the versatility, depth, and experience that this team has they certainly may.

Without any further ado, let’s get into it starting with bold prediction No.5, focusing on the freshman trio.

No.5 – Freshman trio

Heading into this season, there was a lot of pressure put on the shoulders of Nico Mannion and Josh Green to bring the Wildcats back to the top of college basketball. Both started out the season strong, but have been in somewhat of a slump of late. Everything considered Mannion is the second-leading scorer on the team with 14.8 points per game, 1.9 rebounds and the leader in assists with 6.2 per game. Green is right behind him with 12.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

The third freshman, who many had not included in the conversation of talented Wildcats freshman, prior to the season, Zeke Nnaji, is now the leading scorer for the Wildcats with 16.5 points per game and 7.8 rebounds, including four double-doubles. Not too bad at all.

All three have started every game, which says a lot about how talented they are and how much they mean to the success of this team. Each is among the top performers in their respective positions in the Pac-12 conference and why they will all make the Pac-12 All-First Team this season. They may be struggling now, but the time conference play is over, these three will be among the best, not just in the conference but in the nation.

No.4 – Big road win

The Wildcats will get a chance to play the top-ranked Pac-12 schools on the road season, Oregon and Washington.  They haven’t beaten a ranked team yet but will find a way to win big a road game against either school. The second game of the season the Wildcats face the Ducks on the road and at the end of the month, they travel to face Washinton.

Both schools are stacked with talent and have each won against a Top 25 opponent. Winning one of these two games will be huge for the Wildcats for many reasons, especially for seeding purposes come March. Being the second game of the season, the matchup against the Ducks will be tough, but if they can shut down one of the premier guards in the country, Payton Pritchard, they have a chance to pull off the upset. Not saying it’s impossible, but in the Pac-12 play, anything can happen.

Against the Huskies, the Wildcats will be challenged as well. Both teams have young talent and the scoring power to go on some crazy runs. The key in this one will be for the Wildcats to execute and remain as focused as possible in a hostile environment. Like the matchup against the Ducks, the Wildcats have a chance if they play 40 minutes of consistent basketball and not get off to a slow start.

They won the Wooden Legacy Tournament over three quality teams, none were ranked, but they showed they could win three games in a row on the road:

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:

No.2 – Pac-12 rankings

This is one many may not agree with based on how things are going right now. Prior to the start of the season, the Wildcats were picked to finish 4th during Pac-12 media day. As things stand now, that might be true, but by the time conference play is complete, the Wildcats will finish at No.1 or No.2 in the Pac-12 rankings.

They do have a lot to improve upon to make that prediction come true, but they have shown glimpses during non-conference play how elite of a team they can be. Right now one of their main struggles has been the offense, but they are too good of a team to continue to be in a slump.

A couple of weeks off and time to practice is exactly what this team needed. Their first game of the season is against ASU, who have also lost two games in a row, including a 40 point loss to St. Mary’s. Couldn’t have asked for anything better if you’re the Wildcats as they will be able to build confidence with a win over ASU and face the Ducks on the road.

For the Wildcats to finish at the top of the conference, they will, of course, need to take care of the home games and split or sweep as many road games as possible. Won’t be an easy task, but again attainable. This team has shown a lot of effort in their losses, hasn’t paid off but it will come Pac-12 conference play.

They did have one game this season in which they battle all the way till the end and earned themselves a victory at the buzzer!

No.1 – Pac-12 Freshman of the Year

The Wildcats have one of the best freshman classes in the nation, headlined by Mannion, Green, and Zeke. Let’s not forget Christian Koloko too, who is going to be a problem (in a good way) over the next couple of seasons.  Each of these three is immediate impact players, but the one that stands out the most is Zeke Nnaji and is why he will be Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.

In all 13 games played, Nnaji has been the most consistent. He has scored in double figures in all but two games. He is by far and way the team’s best rebounder and leads the Wildcats in total rebounds. Right now he has a total of 102 and the second closest being Chase Jeter with 72. Nnaji knows how to command the glass.

He has already won the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week twice, earned the gold jersey and was named to the Oscar Robertson Trophy Watch List. If Nnaji continues at the pace he is at, he will finish the season being the Wildcats leading scorer (currently he is with 16.5 points per game).

Nnaji is extremely versatile on both ends of the court and can simply do it all. Step back jumpers, solid footwork, excellent free throw shooter and aggressiveness on the glass makes it an elite player. Additionally, the energy and passion he brings to this team is something that can’t be taught. We love seeing that!

He didn’t waste any time this season in showing why he is among the most talented freshman in the college basketball:

At Zona Zealots, let us know what you think about these five bold predictions. As we prepare for another exciting Pac-12 conference season, there are a lot of unknowns, but one thing we do know is Arizona Basketball knows to fight till the very end and Bear Down!