Arizona Basketball Takes On The Big 12: Keys To Success

As Arizona basketball gets ready for its first season in a new conference, how can the Wildcats have a successful year?

Arizona basketball had an impressive season last year with an overall record of 27-9. With losses of standout seniors like Keshad Johnson and Pelle Larson, and a switch to the Big 12, this Wildcats team will have to adjust accordingly. 

The Big 12 will be a major test. Although there is much less back-to-back travel there is a much higher level of competition. 

What do they need to improve to keep up in the Big 12 conference this season? 

Moving the ball

Arizona would see a huge shift in their offense if they performed better in the paint. There were a lot of three point attempts being made last season leaving strong forwards in the paint with zero opportunity, although they continuously grabbed rebounds.

Last season, Arizona ranked 48th in the country in two-point percentage, whereas their opponents ranked 78th in the country. Defensively, in the paint the team performed better than they did offensively. Being patient and moving the ball will be crucial for success against the more competitive Big 12 teams. 

Standout freshman, Carter Bryant is a 6-foot-8-inch forward that is expected to be a huge threat inside the paint this season. 

Turnovers

Lack of ball security was a huge struggle for Arizona basketball last season. They were ranked 297th in the country in turnovers last season and 322nd after the 2022-23 season. If this team wants to change these statistics and be a top team in the new conference we will have to see patient, efficient offensive play. 

With Motiejus Krivus, a sophomore center having his freshman year under his belt, he could be a force inside the paint due to the conditioning regimen the team has been under this preseason. 

What does the team need to keep up? – Arizona was a top ten team in the country in rebounds, if they keep up that statistic they will be looking good for a top dog spot in the Big 12.

Foul trouble

Last season the team put up 590 personal fouls, getting them ranked 258th in the country. This season we need to see a downward shift in the defensive fouls and an upward shift in getting to the line with plenty of veteran players returning. 

This will be Tommy Lloyd’s fourth season as head coach so his consistency in style of play should be improved and we could see an increase in every area of the game. 

What’s to come? 

Arizona basketball will take on TCU for their first Big 12 game on Dec. 30.