Arizona Basketball has tougher challenge with Wichita State

Arizona Basketball (3-0, 0-0) has been rolling, but now the challenge is even greater as the Wildcats prepare for Wichita State (3-0, 0-0) in Las Vegas. 

The 2021-22 Arizona Basketball season is quickly moving along as the Wildcats are off and rolling with huge wins over Northern Arizona, Texas Rio Grande Valley, and North Dakota State.

However, at 3-0, the competition only gets tougher as we continue to progress through the non-conference schedule for the Wildcats, and they continue the basketball action in the Roman Main Event.

Traveling to Las Vegas, Arizona should have an interesting challenge on their hands here as they take on a talented opponent in Wichita State, and the last time these two teams met, the Wildcats lost.

Nonetheless, it is a new season and the Wildcats enter this one still favored a bit, and following their strong showing in their first three games, head coach Tommy Lloyd and the Cats will look to continue their strong play as they hope to go 4-0.

Getting to Know the details of Arizona Basketball’s opponent, the Wichita State Shockers.

Team: Wichita State

Conference: The American Conference

2020-21 Record: The Shockers finished last year with a 16-6 (11-2) record as they won their regular-season Conference Title en route to an NCAA Tournament bid. However, WSU was knocked out in the first round as the sixth seed to No. 11 Drake.

Head Coach: Isaac Brown enters his second season with the Shockers after taking over as an interim head coach last year once Gregg Marshall stepped down. After leading WSU to the NCAA Tournament, he was named the permanent head coach last February and has accumulated a 19-6 (11-2) record as a head coach thus far.

Keys to the Game:

Play Fast – Wichita State is 3-0 to start the year, and a big reason why is because of the way they play. The Shockers are big, talented, and physical, and they like to slow the game down and force teams to play to their pace.

As we’ve seen so far, Arizona plays the complete opposite, and for the Wildcats to be successful in this one, they need to get the Shockers to play to their pace.

So Arizona needs to play to their strengths by speeding up the game and forcing Wichita State to compete with them offensively.

Slow Down Tyson Entienne – The sophomore guard had a heck of a year last year, as he was named the AAC Player of the Year, and while he’s off to a slower start in 2021, we see him hitting his stride very soon.

Simply put, he is a difference-maker when he is on the floor, with him returning tonight after missing their game Tarleton, the Wildcats need to be ready.

Take Care of the Basketball – So far, the Wildcats do a great job in taking care of the basketball. Against Wichita State, that needs to continue.

In their three wins, the Shockers are generating an average of seven steals and forcing 17 turnovers. One’s got to give in this one.

It would be ideal for the Cats to take care of the basketball if they want to win. Too many turnovers would mean Shockers are doing what they want defensively and creating disruption for Arizona.

Arizona Basketball versus Wichita State Shockers game information and details:

Date: Friday, Nov. 19, 2021

Time: 8:00 P.M. MST / 7:00 P.M. PST

Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nev. (20,000)

Spread: -9.0 Arizona (Also, don’t forget to use WynnBet to enhance your betting experience)

Television: ESPNU

Radio: 107.5 FM (Tucson) / 1290AM (Tucson) | Arizona IMG Sports Network

Team Records:

Arizona Wildcats (3-0, 0-0): Arizona has been dominant in their first three games, but the competition has been fairly weak. Wichita State is a well-coached team and will provide a huge early test for the Wildcats.

Wichita State Shockers (3-0, 0-0): The Shockers are also undefeated as they have come off victories over Jacksonville State, South Alabama, and Tarleton State. Arizona is easily their best opponent so far and will provide a huge challenge.

All-Time Record (since 1949-50): Arizona and Wichita State have met three times since 1949-50 and the Shockers currently own a 2-1 lead over the Wildcats.

Last Meeting vs. Arizona: The last time these two teams met was in 2016, where Arizona came away with the 65-55 loss to Wichita State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

My Prediction: Arizona 78 Wichita 65 – Overall, I think Arizona has the talent and skill to overcome this one. Wichita State will slow the game a little, but overall, it won’t be enough to keep the Wildcats from winning.