Arizona Basketball has tough challenge with undefeated Wazzu

We have another big, Pac-12 match-up for the Arizona Basketball team (8-1, 2-1) as they take on the Washington State Cougars (8-0, 1-0).

It has been a successful trip up to the Pacific Northwest so far as the Arizona Basketball team, but after throttling Washington on Friday evening, the job isn’t finished as the focus now turns to Washington State.

Coming in, this will be yet another tough test for the Wildcats. The Cougars have a talented squad and so far, they have been a surprising group under second-year head coach Kyle Smith.

Arizona Wildcats

Led by senior guard Isaac Bonton, the standout from Parkrose High School in Portland, OR is having a tremendous year, averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

The senior will undoubtedly lead the Cougars in this one, however, the talent doesn’t end there. The Cougars also have a great supporting cast, getting sizeable contributions from Noah Williams, freshman Efe Abogidi, and forward Aljaz Kunc as well.

This game is a winnable one for the Wildcats, but it won’t be easy. Washington State is a talented squad and is well-coached. Being an 8-0 is a big deal and they will be riding high with confidence, looking for the upset win.

If Arizona is to come away with the victory in Pullman, these are the Keys to the Game:

Again Focus: In their first game since learning of their postseason suspension, Arizona played well against Washington. Unfortunately, it is hard to take away too much as the Huskies are a bad team.

Unfortunately for Arizona, the Cougars are not the Huskies, and coming into this one, we just hope the Wildcats can keep the intensity and focus as they had from their previous game.

Arizona has the talent to win and should win, but again, they need the focus and intensity they had against Washington.

Share the love: Arizona is a good team when they are an unselfish team. On Friday, they had four players in double-figures, and if they can continue to play an unselfish brand of basketball, they are a tough team to beat.

This is a deep team with no true superstar(s). On any given night, any player can step-up, and if they play as they did against Washington, they should be able to come away victorious yet again!

Take Advantage of your opportunities: Arizona can be an opportunistic team, however, they have to capitalize when it is there. That means:

• Hitting Free-Throws
• Capitalizing on second-chance points
• Scoring points off turnovers

Granted, Washington State is a well-coached team, and I don’t see them making too many of those mistakes, however, Arizona has to take advantage when they get them. Do that, and they win!

Game Information:

Date: Saturday, January 2nd, 2021

Time: 8:30 PM MST (Arizona Time), 7:30 PM PST

Location: Pullman, WA – Beasley Coliseum (11,566… 0)

Line: -8.5 Arizona

Television: Pac-12 Network

Radio: Arizona IMG Sports Network Arizona Wildcats (Try TuneIn Radio)

Team Records:

• Arizona Wildcats (8-1, 2-1):  Arizona got the big win over Washington, but Wazzu will be a bigger challenge. Can the Wildcats move to 9-1?
• Washington State Cougars (8-0,1-0): The Cougars are playing well and enter this one looking for the upset and continue one of their best starts in program history.

All-Time Record: 66-17. Since 1949-50, Arizona Basketball has dominated this series coming away with the sweep last year, winning 66-49 in Pullman, and 83-62 in Tucson.

Hopefully, Arizona can give the Cougars their first lost, and as always, Bear Down, Arizona!