Arizona Basketball: What the Wildcats need to do to win again vs ASU

Arizona Basketball (11-3, 5-3) takes to the court again against those guys up North (4-7, 1-4) at 9 pm tonight in a very important Pac-12 tilt.

Arizona Basketball fans, how have the past few days treated you since the thrilling win in Tempe over the school up North? Personally, I have enjoyed every second of it as I use my time wisely to get in every jab that I possibly can through social media.

I know I can probably speak for most Wildcat fans in that we would like those bragging rights to continue after tonight’s game. It has been 43 days since the school up North has won a game, not like anyone is counting but that streak needs to continue! Here is how the Wildcats get it done tonight in Tucson.

Arizona Wildcats

First off, Sean Miller and company need to ride the momentum that they gained from the win  in Tempe. No better way to do that than to feed Azoulas Tubelis early and often.

Yes, we are all well aware of his struggles out of the gate in Tempe as the speed of the game seemed to have caught him off guard. As a Wildcat fan though, you can’t ignore how he responded in the second half making important basket after basket especially in crunch time. Not to mention being in the right place at the right time when it mattered most.

This game will offer a chance for the Wildcats to get the Devils’ bigs in foul trouble which behind Graham there is not much depth at that position.

Arizona didn’t really use that to their advantage last game, however, this is a great opportunity to correct that and take advantage.

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Secondly, it is important to get James Akinjo going early and often! No better way to do that than running a high screen, pick-and-roll with him and Tubelis at the top of the key. By doing this, not only do the Wildcats engage two of their most important players but they also put pressure on Remy Martin and Graham to defend.

Doing this will increase their chances of getting into foul trouble and make them play both sides of the ball. This is key, as we can ill afford for the Devils to get hot from behind the arc tonight. As they love to use the drive and dish out to create open chances.

Next and maybe most importantly, is contain Remy! It does not take rocket science to figure out that the Devils go as he does. Once Remy gets hot, it seems to be contagious amongst his whole team. Wildcat fans saw this in the second half of the game in Tempe but luckily it did not cost the Wildcats in the end.

If I was Miller, I would force someone else to make plays for the Devils. Let someone else beat us as Remy has proved that he can one too many times already over his tenure with ASU.

Also, this Wildcat team better be able to take a punch because ASU is going to come out swinging tonight after they felted like they got the short end of the stick in Tempe with a no-call by the refs. Bobby Hurley and his staff will have his team hyped-up on a cup of revenge tonight as they look to give the Wildcats a dose of their own medicine. Being able to get locked in from the start and remain focus will be a huge factor if the Cats can come away victorious tonight.

Finally, it always plays a role it seems in Pac-12 games and if the game is called by the refs the same way game one was then free throws need to be spot on tonight as it could be the difference in the game. The Wildcats have had tendencies to have poor shooting from the charity stripe but this is not the game to fall into that trap. Line ’em up and knock ’em down Cats!

Grab a cup of joe cause you’re going to need it tonight my Wildcat family! This tilt will not tip off till 9 pm tonight on ESPN 2. Let’s pray that it will be worth the lack of sleep on Tuesday morning as we send the Sun Devils back to Tempe Normal with another L and their season into a further tailspin out of control. Remember stay classy unlike some ASU basketball parents and as always BEARDOWN!