Arizona Basketball up to No. 6 in AP, faces toughest stretch yet

TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 18: Guard Kerr Kriisa #25 of the Arizona Wildcats roars during the first half of the NCAAB game against the California Baptist Lancers at McKale Center on December 18, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 18: Guard Kerr Kriisa #25 of the Arizona Wildcats roars during the first half of the NCAAB game against the California Baptist Lancers at McKale Center on December 18, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

Following another perfect week, Arizona Basketball is up to No. 6 in the latest AP Top 25 rankings; however, they will face their toughest stretch of games yet. 

Arizona Basketball is still rolling as they are just one of the five remaining undefeated teams in the country.

As we all saw, the Wildcats are coming off another solid week, scoring a pair of blowout wins at home as they beat Northern Colorado 101-76 and Cal Baptist 84-60 this past Saturday.

And following their solid week, Arizona is now up to No. 6 in the latest AP Top 25 ranking, jumping up from their previous ranking of No. 8.

Making news via social media on Monday afternoon, was the Wildcats’ new ranking status, even picking up one first-place vote; however, despite Arizona’s solid performance, it is still was not enough to crack the Top 5.

And with Arizona Basketball now facing the toughest stretch of their 2021-22 schedule, the Wildcats will have a chance to improve their resume.

Tommy Lloyd and the Wildcats deserve a lot of credit for what they have accomplished thus far, but now the pressure intensifies over the next couple of weeks.

As we are all aware by now, Arizona has had a strong strength of schedule so far, even delivering some marquee wins; however, the Wildcats are about to take on their toughest stretch.

Awaiting the Wildcats are four-straight road games, three of which are against Top 25 teams, two of which are currently ranked in the Top 10 (No. 5 UCLA and No. 8 USC).

As it stands, the Wildcats remain No. 1 in the NCAA’s NET metric which typically accounts for “game results, the strength of schedule, game location, scoring margin, net offensive and defensive efficiency, etc.” according to the NCAA.

Arizona still currently ranks first in the nation in scoring (91.0 points per game), scoring margin (+28.2), and assists per game (21.8).

Schedule

Schedule