Arizona Basketball: Both men’s and women’s teams ranked in AP Top 25

Both Arizona Basketball men’s and women’s teams are coming off home and road sweeps and are ranked in the Top 25.

What a great time to be an Arizona Basketball fan. Not just for the men, but also the women. Both are ranked in the AP Top 25 after each had a home and road sweeps. The men’s team swept Utah and Colorado at home, while the women’s team swept the Washington schools on the road. Break out those brooms!

The latest AP Top 25 poll has Sean Miller’s team at No.22. This past week they were not ranked after losing to the Oregon State Beavers on the road. In one of their worst performances of the season, the Wildcats got back to business defeating the Utes and a big win against No.20 ranked Colorado at the time. The win against the Buffs was huge as it gave them their first Top 25 win and helped propel them back into the Top 25.

Two other Pac-12 schools remain in the Top 25 with Oregon sliding down to No.12 and Colorado at No.22. One other school, Stanford, who at the top of the conference isn’t ranked but sitting right outside looking in. By the time the season ends, there could be 4 or maybe 5 schools ranked.

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For Adia Barnes, her team showed a tremendous amount of fight in both games. As a result of the sweep, her team is now ranked in the Top 20 at No.18.

Against Washington State, it was close up until the third quarter before the Wildcats pulled away behind the play of Cate Reese, who played out of her mind with a career-high 26 points. Aari McDonald had 19 points and eight rebounds to give the Wildcats a seven-point win.

Looking to get the sweep, the Wildcats had their hands full versus the Washington Huskies. They had an extremely slow start, down 19 after the first quarter and shots weren’t falling. Like the men’s team, they went on one of those “runs.”

Defense intensity picked up, they took better care of the basketball and Aari McDonald happened. By halftime, they cut the lead down to nine points. The Wildcats outscored the Huskies 37-20 in the second half to come away with a 66-58 win. Four players scored in double figures, including McDonald who had 25 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Wow!

At Zona Zealots, we are extremely proud of both teams and how they are competing at such a high level. Miller and Barnes, two of the great coaches in college basketball right here in Tucson. Love it! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!