Washington plays game one of an important four game stretch on the road tonight against Arizona in Tucson. These aren't your Lute Olsen Wildcats at 12-8, but they are 9-2 at home, losing only in the last seconds to UAB and Arizona State, and beating the likes of Gonzaga and Kansas.
While this game look like the easiest game on the road trip it will be no sure thing. UA is at a crossroads, they need to start beating some people or the season will be over.
The Wildcats are led by Jordan Hill (18.4 ppg, 11.9 rpg), Chase Budinger (17.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Nic Wise (13.2 ppg., 4.6 apg) . Most of the teams offensive production comes from those three guys.
Hill leads the Pac-10 rebounding race by a healthy margin over Brockman, the two-time defending winner. those two will be going at it all night and it will be the key matchup of the game.
Wise and Thomas will be an interesting matchup because Wise is one of the better defenders in the conference.
Washington needs to stay aggressive offensively and force the tempo. Look for the Huskies to be on the run tonight. Bringing in fresh talented players like Holliday, Bryan-Amaning, and Overton will wear the big three of the Wildcats down.
Game Notes:
Arizona is the second worst team in the Pac-10 at forcing turnovers and they're No. 3 (13.1 avg.) in committing turnovers.
Matthew Bryan-Amaning will be avaialble to play tonight after spraining an ankle against UCLA.
The Wildcats have dropped three of their past four games. The only win came over Houston 96-90 in their last game.