Arizona Basketball Upsets No. 21 West Virginia: 3 Takeaways

Arizona basketball (9-5, 3-0 Big 12) grabbed a redefining 75-56 victory over the No. 21 Mountaineers (11-3, 2-1 Big 12), after falling to them earlier in the year.

Arizona basketball was able to bring their season back on track after defeating the Mountaineers, a huge win after losing to West Virginia in the Battle 4 Atlantis. Arizona is rolling after securing five straight victories, the last two coming against ranked Big 12 opponents. 

After several season-high performances from Arizona’s star guard Caleb Love, he would cement himself back into the leadership position in the roster. However, West Virginia would rattle Love leading to a massive push by former starter and current bench player, KJ Lewis.

The Wildcats would breeze through Morgantown for most of the matchup, however, West Virginia would try and test the Wildcats bringing it to a five-point game early in the second half. This is where Arizona turned on their engines and continued to dominate on both sides of the ball, something that has struggled in close games for the Wildcats.

Takeaway #1: Arizona’s season is turning around, at a very quick pace

Arizona’s start to the season was one of worry as the Wildcats dropped five losses in a seven-game span, against the likes of Wisconsin, Duke, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and UCLA. Several of these teams either were ranked during the matchup or have become ranked in recent weeks. 

However, after two games in McKale Center to prepare for the beginning of conference play, Arizona has seemed to turn around their luck. They have not just excelled in opening the Big 12 conference, but have done so against some real opposition. After nail-biting wins in McKale to TCU and then-no. 16 Cincinnati, Arizona went all out and dominated against West Virginia in Morgantown.

Arizona does have some tough competition ahead with games against the likes of several 10, nine, and eight-win teams such as UCF, Baylor, Iowa State, and several more. Can Arizona’s streak continue or will Arizona crumble under the weight of the Big 12?

Takeaway #2: KJ Lewis continues to shine coming off the bench

After starting the first six games of the season, KJ Lewis was sent to be Arizona’s core sixth man after issues from fouling to scoring inconsistencies. This decision wasn’t forced on Lewis by head coach Tommy Lloyd, but rather a decision agreed on by both. 

Lewis’s time within the starting lineup saw him average 9.5 points and 1.6 assists, as well as shooting 40.4% from the field and 26.6% shooting from three. This lowered production occurred in the more tense outing against Duke, Wisconsin, and in the Battle 4 Atlantis. 

However, since being on the bench for eight games, he has improved immensely shooting up his performance. Currently in his bench role, he is averaging 11.5 points and 3.4 assists, as well as shooting 59.3% from the field and a surprisingly low 16.6% from the three. Especially against West Virginia tonight, in which he dropped 21 points, 4 assists, and three rebounds. 

Lewis has found his form within his new position and certainly has been able to fine-tune his game for better personal and team performances. Should KJ remain in his bench role or be put back into the starting slot? The simple answer is no, not because he doesn’t deserve it, but because of how crucial he has been in Arizona’s recent outings coming off the bench.

Takeaway #3: West Virginia would bring the game close, and unlike before Arizona answered the challenge

Arizona basketball has continued to be tested in plenty of games that have resulted in neck-and-neck scores and runs. This was showcased especially in their matchup against UCLA in which the Wildcats led 49-39 and squandered this lead very quickly leading to a massive comeback by the Bruins. Just last game against Cincinnati, the Bearcats completed a 19-point comeback to tie the game with one minute remaining in the second half.

These outings have shown how hard it is for Arizona to control a lead, falling quickly with inefficient offensive efforts and poor defenses. However, this outing against West Virginia proved quite the opposite as the Mountaineers came back from a 15-point Arizona lead to be within five points. This was a scary position for the Wildcats, certainly one they have seen several times this season. However, Arizona turned it around and continued to dominate the Mountaineers rather than succumbing to their quick turnaround.

 Next up for Arizona (9-5, 3-0): vs. UCF (10-3, 1-1) – Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. MST

Next up for West Virginia (11-3, 2-1): at Colorado (9-4, 0-2) – Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. MST