Based on what we’ve seen from the end of last year to the beginning of this one, Arizona Women’s Basketball has a real possibility to make the Final Four.
If you are a fan of Arizona Athletics, it undoubtedly has been a tough couple of years. Whether it’s the incompetency of the Football team, the controversy surrounding the Men’s Basketball program, and the unfortunate passing of legendary coach Lute Olson, there has not been much to cheer for or celebrate. Luckily, Arizona Women’s Basketball is changing that.
A program that was once considered the doormat of the Pac-12, since coming back to Tucson, Adia Barnes has given fans in Tucson something to hang their hats on. The recent play and trajectory of the Women’s Basketball team have given fans a reason to believe this team could make the Final Four.
Arizona Wildcats
Coming off an NIT Championship from the 2018-19 season, and a 2019-20 season in which the Wildcats were poised to host the First Round of the NCAA Tournament, which is why hopes were high heading into this season!
So far the Cats are 2-0 and rank No. 7 nationally, and that 2-0 record also features a 68-65 win over No. 9 ranked and Pac-12 rival, UCLA.
Now granted there is a long way to go before we even get to March Madness, but there’s reason to believe the women can make a deep run in the Tournament, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone.
So how can the Wildcats get there? Well, it starts with our star players.
Aari McDonald
Of course, you can’t talk about the Women’s Basketball team without mentioning the name Aari McDonald. While the senior guard hasn’t be been shooting the ball particularly well so far, she is still averaging an impressive 18 points to go along with seven rebounds per game and eight assists per game.
Those eight assists per game rank her 1st in the Conference, and without question, this is her best supporting cast since arriving at Arizona.
Arizona does not have to depend on her so much, which allows her to get others involved and also takes the weight off her shoulders a little bit.
Cate Reese
Forward Cate Reese has been putting up some impressive numbers as usual, as the junior is off to her best start yet, averaging 21 points per game for the Cats.
Reese ranks 4th in the conference in scoring currently, and she is Top 5 in rebounding and field goal percentage as well.
So far in 2020, Cate has taken a major step forward, and she is the perfect one-two punch for Aari.
Supporting Cast
Let’s not leave out the other players who have contributed to the team as well. While Reese and McDonald have been responsible for the majority of the scoring, and get most of the attention, we must note the play of others like Trinity Baptiste and Shaina Pellington as well.
Both in their first eligible season with the Cats, Baptiste, and Pellington have done a tremendous job thus far, averaging 11 points and 12 points per game respectively.
They have eased the load for McDonald, and as we saw last night with Trinity’s 18 points, 11 rebound performance was a big help in their win.
All good teams have deep benches and Arizona will need it if they hope to get to the Final Four.
Adia Barnes
Let’s also not leave out the head coach. Coach Adia Barnes has done a magnificent job since coming to Tucson, leading the Wildcats to winning records in each of the previous two seasons. She has really changed the perception of this program, and done wonders in rebuilding the program.
She is a major key to the Wildcats’ success, and if Arizona does make the Final Four this year, all of these individuals will be key to their success.
At Zona Zealots, we are excited to see this group flourish and hopefully, they can meet the lofty expectations set upon them. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!