Arizona hosts Southern Utah after a disappointing outing at the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament. Read more for a full Arizona vs Southern Utah prediction and preview.
Arizona basketball (3-4, 0-0 Big 12) host the Southern Utah Thunderbirds (8-2, 0-0 WAC) on Dec. 7 at Noon MST (2 p.m. EST) in the McKale Center. This is the first time in program history that the Wildcats take on the Thunderbirds. Arizona looks to return to .500 after losing four out of five of their recent games.
General Information:
Teams: Arizona (3-4) and Southern Utah (8-2)
Tip time: Noon MST (2 p.m. EST)
Watch: CBSSN
Listen: Wildcats Radio 1290 AM
Latest on Southern Utah basketball:
Southern Utah caught steam early in the season, winning its first four games and eight in total. It only had two losses against UCLA and Loyola Chicago. These losses ranged from a nail-biter in the 76-72 loss to the Ramblers to the 88-43 rout by the Bruins. It is on a two-game winning streak with wins over California State, Bakersfield, and Park University Gilbert.
Their key players are Jamir Simpson, Jamari Sibley, and Tavi Jackson. Simpson comes to the Thunderbirds after stints with the University of Pikesville and the University of Wisconsin – Parkside. Simpson is currently 16.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 1.4 APG, with his best game coming against Loyola Chicago in which he dropped 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. Sibley has been the centerpiece of the Thunderbirds frontcourt as he leads the team in rebounds with 6. His highest of the season so far of 10 in three matchups. Finally, Jackson has been the key roleplayer for this team averaging team highs in assists and steals with 3.2 and 1 respectively.
The Thunderbirds are coming off a massive 90-55 win against Park University Gilbert, in which they had three players score 10+. Can the Thunderbirds stun the Wildcats in McKale?
Latest on Arizona basketball:
Arizona is in desperate need of a statement victory to bring back team morality after a disappointing 1-2 outing at the Battle 4 Atlantis and with a 3-4 start to the season. Just this season, Tommy Lloyd has had the longest losing streaks in his time at the program with two 2-loss streaks. First came the heartbreaking losses against Wisconsin and Duke, then after a brief win over Davidson, the Wildcats would lose in nailbiting games to Oklahoma and West Virginia.Â
One main struggle for the Wildcats is three-point shooting, shooting 5-19 against Oklahoma and 7-21 against West Virginia. Arizona needs to find ways to utilize more of a mid-range focus and improve shot quality in three points taken. This rough patch Arizona has found themselves in will be the make-or-break-for-team mentality as they head into the toughest part of their season being the start of Big 12 conference matchups. Caleb Love also has to look at other shot opportunities, he went 3-9 against Oklahoma and 4-12 against West Virginia from the three. Love certainly can create more shots within the arch and has shown his ability to find good assists, as he is tied with Jaden Bradley for a team-high in assists with 3.1.
Can Arizona secure a crucial victory to reset their season and prepare them for the road ahead? Can Arizona also find to reinvigorate the three-point drought?
Arizona vs Southern Utah prediction: Arizona wins 96-73
Arizona grabs a crucial will to revamp their offense and defense for the road ahead, but Southern Utah will make this game a fight early on.