Arizona basketball is on the struggle bus after two home losses; set to take on Utah for some redemption. Read more for a full Arizona vs Baylor prediction and preview.
Arizona (18-9, 12-4) is 1-2 in its last 3 games; both losses were at home. Some may say it is the ref’s fault. Some may say it is the curse of the red jerseys. In reality, the Arizona team we saw fall to BYU at McKale Center on Saturday was not the same Arizona team we saw beat BYU by double digits in Provo on Feb. 4. The Wildcats soared past Baylor on the road before falling to BYU at home. The team has taken some shocking losses in the last few weeks of this inaugural season and should absolutely be looking to turn it around against Utah on Wednesday night. The last week of the conference season is upon us and it is beginning to look a lot like March Madness.
The Wildcats were lucky to find themselves back in the AP Top 25 but dropped once again to No. 22.
Utah (15-12, 7-9) is 2-1 in its last 3 games; the loss was in its most recent game, on the road, against UCF. 8 of the Utes’ 12 losses are on the road but they have had some good wins at home including its win against Kansas State, 74-69. Arizona lost to Kansas State on Feb. 11, 73-70. The difference between the two teams; Arizona seems to be going through a homecourt funk and Utah is exponentially better at home.
General Information:
Teams: Arizona (18-9, 12-4) and Utah (15-12, 7-9)
Tip-off: 7 p.m. MST
Watch: ESPN+
Latest on Utah basketball:
The Utes are coming into McKale Center off of a loss, as is Arizona. Utah has had a rough season on the road with consistent mistakes in excessive fouls and turnovers. In its loss against UCF, the Utes had 19 turnovers and 17 fouls. In its most recent win against Kansas State, the Utes performed comparably better with 12 turnovers and 15 fouls. Arizona is shooting 77.5% from the free-throw line. Utah has to stay composed and commit much fewer fouls against Arizona if they want a scoreline in their favor.
The Utes just pulled off the highlight win of the season against then No. 17 Kansas. Gabe Madsen had a standout game with 24 points to lead the Utes to a huge upset victory over a Kansas team that was projected to make it far this season. After that upset victory, it is safe to say the Utes have it in them but will Arizona let up again at home? Arizona fans hope not.
If Utah can stay out of foul trouble and limit its turnovers, the team will be in good shape to keep a struggling Arizona team at a close margin but I do not think Arizona will give up another one at home.
Latest on Arizona basketball:
The Wildcats are 2-3 in their last 5 games which is unlike them especially this deep into the season. Most recently they lost by one point to BYU after the Cougars were rewarded two free throws with four seconds to play. On Feb. 4, just a few weeks earlier the Cats beat the Cougars in Provo by double digits. The Cougars were out for revenge and the Cats let them have it.
Arizona suffered two straight losses to Kansas State (a team Utah beat) and Houston before traveling to Baylor to beat them for the second time this season. It hurt Arizona to head into a game against Houston, which determined who is No. 1 in the conference after a shocking upset to K State. Arizona is a strong team, sometimes. The team needs to find some consistency in these last 4 games of the conference season and that starts tonight against Houston.
Caleb Love continues to lead the Wildcats averaging 16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. In the loss to BYU Love led with 27 points and 5 assists but that was not enough to outshine Saunders and BYU. We have seen a dramatic shift in his style of play from preseason in the Bahamas to now. He is composed, shares the basketball, and puts points on the board when the opportunity is there. Against the Ute,s we should see him limit his 3-point attempts and get to the rim instead. Caleb Love is 64-212 for 3-point attempts on the season but when he gets inside he rarely misses.
Tommy Lloyd has been going big with both of his big men in the starting lineup against BYU it is safe to say it a possibility we see it again tonight against Utah. Tobe Awaka and Henri Veesaar is the new duo to keep an eye on. With Motiejus Krivas’ injury, Carter Bryant has stepped up to the big man position and has been noticed as one of the best freshmen in the NCAA. Arizona is set on size but what isn’t working? Why are the Cats losing?
Turnovers. The Wildcats went from a team that rarely turns over the ball; they played composed and strong to a team that is averaging 10 plus turnovers per game. In the upset against BYU, Arizona had 14 turnovers compared to BYU’s 9. Even in the win against Baylor, Arizona had 13 turnovers compared to Baylors’ 12. This is not just the bound to happen basketball turnovers, these are silly miscommunication turnovers.
If communication is sharp and Arizona plays composed, high-energy basketball; vintage Arizona basketball, the Cats will soar past the Utes with ease. Arizona has struggled against the weaker teams in the past but this will be a true test especially after two losses in McKale. Maybe Arizona women’s basketball left some good juju in the arena after its win against Texas Tech yesterday.
Love and the Wildcats have high chances of making it far in the NCAA tournament; only if they can play “vintage Arizona Basketball” for the last four games of this regular season and continue into the most important time of the year. March Madness.
Arizona vs Utah prediction: Wildcats by 11 (86-75)
Both teams are coming off of losses and the Wildcats are coming off of a loss at home but Arizona fans do not give up and McKale Center will absolutely still be an advantage for the Wildcats in this game.
If Arizona plays the basketball everyone knows they can, Utah will want to go home after the first half. If Arizona plays the basketball they have been playing more recently, a win or a less dramatic loss is absolutely achievable for the Utes.
Arizona, for some reason, likes to keep things interesting; including the scoreline. We have seen some incredibly close games for them including the game against BYU on Saturday. BYU was a back-and-forth battle but Arizona absolutely had an opportunity to extend the lead early on. Arizona acted to late and lost to the Cougars on its home court. They will let Utah get its footing and take in the crowd before they extend the lead to double digits early on. As the half comes around the Utes will close the gap and trail by six at the half. Arizona will keep the lead for all of the second half but will let it come within 3 points before they extend the lead to win 86-75 against the Utes.