The first big Monday of the college basketball season on ESPN will feature one of the biggest 12 games yet when both teams play Saturday. No. 13 BYU, 17-2, was looking to pull off a 20-0 victory at the Marriott Center and hand No. 1 Arizona its first loss of the season.
We caught up with SB Nation’s Arizona Desert Swarm’s Brian Pedersen to preview the Wildcats’ performance.
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1. Arizona is undefeated and the unanimous No. 1 team in the AP poll. What makes them so difficult to defend offensively?
Arizona’s offense revolves around scoring in the paint and at the free throw line, both of which it does extremely well. More than 57% of the Wildcats’ points come from double plays, with multiple big men able to score in the paint and every guard capable of going downhill. They also often take more free throws than their opponents.
2. What does Arizona’s defense do well?
UA has held its opponents below 60 points in consecutive games and shot 35% from the field. The last time it did this was three years ago. The Wildcats are very good at defending without fouling, and with Motiejus Krivas’ presence at the rim, the guards can play tighter on the perimeter without worrying about being beaten off the dribble and giving up easy points.
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3. Arizona doesn’t shoot many 3-pointers — how do they have so much success with their lack of 3-point shooting? Is there anything about shooting three-pointers that worries you?
Ironically, Arizona had the best 3-point performance in the Big 12 at 10-for-23 against West Virginia, but that was because the Mountaineers were drooping from beyond the arc in an attempt to take away the paint. This may happen more often with a strong frontcourt, but so far the Wildcats haven’t felt the need to force shots. The reason this isn’t a problem is that they’re so efficient at the rim, but if a team manages to suppress that and they’re forced to shoot a lot, they could be as susceptible to a bad shooting night as anyone.
4. What will BYU do to cause trouble for the Wildcats?
With three BYU players averaging more than 12 shots per game, this could be the first true “choose your own poison” defensive game, which could lead to one or more turnovers. Additionally, things could get dangerous if the Cougars’ frontcourt gets into foul trouble.
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5. Who do you think is the best player in Arizona?
Honestly, it depends on the game. Seven different Wildcat teams scored at least 20 points, and eight of them were leading scorers. But it was senior guard Jaden Bradley who mattered most in the clutch, turning into a closer in big games. He has scored 17 and 21 points after halftime in the past two Big 12 road games.
6. Do you think BYU Arizona will be a contender?
Of course, especially considering the spread of the Top 12. Arizona State is a RINO (rival in name only) in basketball, and neither Colorado nor Utah can consistently compete with Arizona, so the next best options from a regional perspective are the Cougars and Texas Tech.
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7. What are your predictions for this game?
Since Arizona State has five wins in non-conference challenges, I view this game as the one with the best chance of ending the streak, if it’s not already over. A win would tie the 2013-14 season for the best start in school history, and the Wildcats have proven they can win on the road and in tough situations, but that victory — combined with BYU’s big three — would be one too many. The Cougars won 85-80.
