Arizona Wildcats Game Preview and Open Thread

Date: Saturday 2/18/17

Tip-Off Time: 5:00 PST

TV: ESPN2

Radio: Komo 1000

Arizona Statistics:

Record: 24-3 (13-1)

Points For per Game: 74.9 ppg (126th)

Points Against per Game: 63.3 ppg (18th)

Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 116.5 (24th)

Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 94.6 (27th)

Arizona Key Players:

For more info on the individual players for Arizona, check out what I wrote about them before the last Arizona game here.

C- Dusan Ristic, Jr. 7-0, 245: 11.2ppg, 5.9rpg, 0.4apg, 54.1% FG, 77.3% FT

F- Lauri Markannen, Fr. 7-0, 230: 15.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 0.9apg, 49.6% FG, 83.5% FT, 46.5% 3pt

G- Rawle Alkins, Fr. 6-5, 220: 11.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, 44.2% FG, 74.7% FT, 36.5% 3pt

G- Allonzo Trier, So. 6-5, 205: 13.0ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.8apg, 39.5% FG, 77.3% FT, 30.3% 3pt

G- Kadeem Allen, Sr. 6-3, 205: 9.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.2apg, 44.1% FG, 73.8% FT, 43.9% 3pt

The Outlook

The first half of the Arizona game in Tucson is the most impressive the Huskies have looked all season. Their 2-3 zone caused havoc as Wildcats ball handlers dribbled into the paint and had nowhere to go, turning the ball over seemingly every possession. Eventually, Arizona adjusted and pulled away but that game was yet another example of the fact that this Washington team can be competitive in spurts yet not put together an exemplary effort for a full 40 minutes.

The Wildcats have looked mostly like themselves since their last meeting with UW except for their sole loss. Arizona went to Eugene a few weeks ago and got their doors absolutely blown off, falling 85-58 in a mathematically pleasing outcome. The secret in that game was simply that Oregon couldn't miss. They finished the game shooting 66.7% from two and 64% from three. Arizona's average opponent this year is shooting 47% and 30.9% in those two categories respectively for the season. The Huskies have shown no ability to consistently make shots like that this season and it isn't a realistic formula for an upset tonight.

Arizona's biggest advantage is their size and so it will fall upon the UW big men to make the difference against the Wildcats. Sam Timmins only played a few minutes against the small ball lineup of Arizona State but he was a revelation in the first matchup in Tucson and will have to play similarly well in this one for the Dawgs to have a chance. Ultimately, Arizona will win this game by double digits. But history has shown that UW will probably play them even in one half and get blown out in the other. So this game will either be close at halftime and get worse or look over at halftime but the Dawgs keep it semi-competitive in the 2nd. Either way, UW has shown no indication that they have what it takes to keep up with a team like Arizona for an entire game.

Prediction

Washington Huskies- 67, Arizona Wildcats- 80