After both teams took care of business Saturday, ESPN’s first Big Monday of the college basketball season features one of the biggest Big 12 games of the up to this point. #13 BYU is 17-2 and will look to ride a rocking Marriott Center to hand 20-0 and #1 Arizona its first loss of the […]
After both teams took care of business Saturday, ESPN’s first Big Monday of the college basketball season features one of the biggest Big 12 games of the up to this point. #13 BYU is 17-2 and will look to ride a rocking Marriott Center to hand 20-0 and #1 Arizona its first loss of the season.
We spoke with Brian Pedersen of SB Nation’s Arizona Desert Swarm to preview the Wildcats.
1. Arizona is undefeated and the consensus #1 team in the AP Poll. What makes them so tough to guard on offense?
Arizona’s offense revolves around scoring in the paint and getting to the line, two things it does tremendously well. The Wildcats get more than 57 percent of their points on twos, with multiple bigs who can score inside while each guard can get downhill. They also often make more free throws than the opponent takes.
2. What does Arizona do well defensively?
The UA is coming off consecutive games holding opponents below 60 points and 35 percent shooting, which it last did three years ago. The Wildcats are pretty good at defending without fouling, and because of the rim presence of Motiejus Krivas the guards can play tighter on the perimeter and not worry about giving up easy points if beat off the dribble.
3. Arizona doesn’t shoot many threes — how have they been so successful with the lack of three point shooting? Does the three-point shooting give you any concern?
Ironically, Arizona is coming off its best 3-point performance of Big 12, going 10 for 23 against West Virginia, but that’s because the Mountaineers sagged off the 3-point line to try and take away the paint. That’s probably going to happen more often with formidable the frontcourt has been, but so far the Wildcats haven’t felt the need to force shots. The reason it hasn’t been an issue is efficient they are at the rim, but if a team manages to stifle that and they’re forced to launch a lot they could be as susceptible as anyone to a poor shooting night.
4. What could BYU do that gives the Wildcats trouble?
With three guys on BYU averaging more than 12 shots per game, this could be the first true ‘pick your poison’ game for it defensively, which could lead to one or more going off. Additionally, if the Cougars get the frontcourt in foul trouble things could get dicey.
5. Who would you say is Arizona’s best player?
Honestly, it depends on the game. Seven different Wildcats have scored at least 20, and eight have been the leading scorer. But the most important one in clutch time has been senior guard Jaden Bradley, who has turned into a closer in big games. In the last two Big 12 road games he had 17 and 21 points, respectively, after halftime.
6. Could you see BYU-Arizona becoming a rivalry?
Absolutely, especially with how spread out the Big 12 is. ASU is a RINO (rival in name only) in basketball, and neither Colorado or Utah have been able to consistently compete with Arizona, so the next best options from a regional standpoint are the Cougars and Texas Tech.
7. What is your prediction for this game?
Since Arizona navigated its nonconference gauntlet, recording five wins over ranked opponents, I had this game penciled as the one where the win streak would be most likely to end if it hadn’t already. A win would match the best start in school history, from 2013-14, and the Wildcats have shown they can win on the road and in tough environments but this one—combined with BYU’s big three—will be too much. Cougars win 85-80.
Category: General Sports
