It’s Cats vs Dogs as Arizona Basketball squares off with Washington

Arizona Basketball (16-8, 10-8) will play their final home game of the 2020-21 season as the Wildcats take on the Washington Huskies (5-19, 4-15).

This Saturday afternoon will be the last time the Arizona Basketball team suits up at home this year, as the Wildcats will take on the struggling Washington Huskies.

On a senior day unlike any other, the Wildcats will be looking to send off their kids with another win, playing the final collegiate games of their careers inside an eerily and uncharacteristic empty McKale Center.

Arizona Wildcats

As the Wildcats take to the floor for the final time at home, they will be welcoming an ailing and struggling Huskies team that has eight of their last 10, including back-to-back losses against ASU at home.

The last time these two teams met, the Wildcats came away with the 80-53 win in Seattle behind Ben Mathurin’s 13 points and Jordan Brown’s 12 points.

Coming into this one, once against Arizona will heavily be favored, however, the Wildcats cannot overlook the Huskies. This is a team that still has some talent, and if the Wildcats aren’t careful, Washington still could pull off the surprising upset.

Led mostly by junior guard Quade Green, the Philadelphia native is a former Top 100 recruit in the Class of 2017 and makes this offense tick.

Overall, the Huskies have solid guard play, but where they seem to struggle is in post-production. The Wildcats should have the advantage down low and would be wise in taking advantage of their mismatches.

With that said, as Arizona Basketball prepares for Washington, these are Keys to the Game for the Wildcats to come away with the win.

Attack the paint: Arizona should have the advantage down low, and the Wildcats would be wise in playing to their strengths here. Granted, the offense mostly goes through the Wildcats’ guards, however, Jordan Brown and Azoulas Tubelis should have monstrous days.

Attack the paint, use your talent down low, and punish the Huskies!

Bench Production: This is still going to be an ongoing theme from this team in my opinion. Arizona needs to find more consistent scoring options outside of James Akinjo, Ben Mathurin, and Azoulas Tubelis.

Jordan Brown has been terrific of late, and Terrell Brown, Jr. was instrumental in the Wildcats win over Washington State. If the Wildcats can maintain and consistently receive that kind of production, they should cruise to the win here.

Attack the glass: When it comes to rebounding, the Huskies are not very good. This season, they are averaging roughly 31.2 rebounds per game, which ranks them 325th overall. Adversely, Arizona is one of the better teams in the country ranking 49th, averaging 38.6 rebounds per game.

The Wildcats should have a clear advantage here, and it’s no time to get cute. Attack the glass, assert your dominance, cruise to the win!

Game Information:

Date: Saturday, February 27th, 2021

Time: 12:00 PM MST (Arizona Time), 11:00 AM PST

Location: Tucson, AZ – McKale Center (14,545… 0)

Line: -14.0 Arizona

Television: CBS

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

Team Records:

• Arizona Wildcats (16-8, 10-8):  Arizona has won two-straight and should have a clear advantage over the Huskies. With no postseason to play for, Arizona looks to finish the 2020-21 season strong.
• Washington Huskies (5-19, 4-15): Losers in eight of their last 10 games, the Huskies are struggling. They do, however, have some talent and will look to play the spoiler on Senior Day for Arizona.

All-Time Record: 55-31 Arizona. Since 1949-50, Arizona has had the upper hand in this series, and with the Huskies’ recent struggles, the Wildcats should be able to come away with a win in this one.

Hopefully, Arizona comes out ready to go, and is able to come away with the win at home. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!