Arizona Basketball faces their biggest test of the Pac-12 season so far as they look to avenge losses to Oregon State and Oregon this upcoming week.
All four losses in the Pac-12 for Arizona Basketball were tough to watch because of how they played out. Two of those came during the Oregon road trip, which the Wildcats would like to forget about. Head coach Sean Miller mentioned during his latest press conference that he doesn’t believe in revenge, but I’m sure the players feel differently. Now that they are back home in McKale Center, it’s time to defend home court!
Against the Ducks, the Wildcats had a chance to win in regulation but ended up losing in overtime by one point. Then against the Beavers, they weren’t able to sustain 40 minutes effort, which contributed to a 17 point loss. Since those two losses, they have shown signs of improvement even though they had two more defeats, including one to UCLA at home in which they shot 25% from the field- worst ever at home.
The Wildcats have six games remaining, with four of those being at home. They first face the Beavers on Thursday and then with the possibility of the Pac-12 regular season on the line, they take on the No.14 ranked Ducks.
Arizona Wildcats Basketball
In Eugene, they had their chances to win in regulation and in overtime, but couldn’t get the job done. This time around, if it comes down to the last shot, can the Wildcats find a way to win? That has been there nemesis this season in being able to close out games or making the winning shot.
Tres Tinkle and Payton Pritchard are two players that the Wildcats will need to make a priority on defensively, limiting good looks for each and forcing others to get involved. This team can defend well, but when they don’t communicate and have mental lapses, it can be costly.
The one thing they have to their advantage this time around is home-court advantage. Minus the game against UCLA, when this team gets going, McKale Center gets loud and the players feed off that energy, making it extremely difficult for their opponent.
As he has all season long, Zeke Nnaji will need to have another big showing for the Wildcats to have a chance to get the sweep.
The #Pac12Hoops leader in double-doubles? 🔥
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) February 17, 2020
That'd be @ZekeNnaji_Hoopz (12) after another monster weekend for @APlayersProgram.
He's the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week. ➡️ https://t.co/Fgzyo3csXi pic.twitter.com/yrLcexXiIu
Like they have for the Arizona Women’s Basketball team, Wildcats fans will need to show and get loud as Arizona Basketball has a big task in front of them as they look to get another sweep. At Zona Zealots, this is going to be a big week for Arizona with a lot on the line and we can’t wait to see what happens. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!