Arizona Basketball: Why the Wildcats can win the Pac-12 regular season

After defeating Utah and Colorado at home, Arizona Basketball showed why they are a legit contender to win the Pac-12 regular season.

Prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, the media picked Arizona Basketball to finish fourth in the Pac-12 behind Oregon, Washington and Colorado. Five games into the season, the Wildcats sit at 3-2 in conference play, tied with Colorado and one game back behind USC and Stanford who are tied at 4-1. Their is still plenty of basketball to be played and the Wildcats have a legit chance to win the Pac-12 regular season.

One of those three Pac-12 victories for the Wildcats is against Colorado, who they defeated by 21 points at home. That win was huge as it was their first Top 25 win against a top quality team. Another thing to keep in mind is this team is one foul call away or a bounce to go their way and this team could easily be 4-1.

College basketball has been nuts this season. No.1 teams getting defeated and upsets all over the country, no win is guaranteed this season, it has to be earned. That includes the Pac-12. Take for example Stanford against USC. Heading into that matchup the Cardinals were 4-0, up 20 points against the Trojans on the road but end up losing in overtime. Then the Oregon Ducks won on a last second step back three in overtime by Payton Pritchard against Washington on the road.

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For the Wildcats, its key they take of winning at home. That they have done so far. They are 3-0 at home and came close to win 1 of 2 games on the road. Up next for the Wildcats, they face ASU in Tempe and then the Washington schools on the road. The way they are playing right now, the Wildcats have a real shot of possibly winning all three games or at least two out of three.

Since the Utah game, this team is beginning to find their rhythm. Three point shooting, rebounding, defense, starting five and bench play have improved and all around 40 minutes of consistent effort. It’s easier said then done, but for this team to get back at top the Pac-12 they will need to continue that.

The Wildcats have the overall talent and depth to compete with anyone in the Pac-12, but it’s a matter of staying focused and executing the game plan which will give this team a chance to win road games. By the time this next three game road trip is over, they could find themselves sitting at top the Pac-12.

Max Hazzard and Dylan Smith knocking down threes, Zeke Nnaji dominating the glass, Nico Mannion doing what he does best and getting others involved, Josh Green with elite level defense hustle and fearless attacking style to the rim, Stone Gettings giving the Wildcats that additional depth and versatility, Ira Lee dunking on heads, Christian Koloko getting blocks and Jemarl Baker providing experience and confidence at the point guard position…this team can be real special this season!

For all these reasons, they can win the Pac-12 regular season, even the Pac-12 tourney and be a dangerous team come March Madness!

At Zona Zealots, we are excited to see this team get back to playing the level of basketball we know they are capable of. Things are about to get real interesting in the race for the Pac-12 title. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!