Arizona is 11-1 and ranked #9 in the country. They have a dominant win over Michigan a win over Illinois and lost by 4 to Tennessee in Knoxville last week.
They lead the country in assists per game, shoot 49% from the field and are led by Sophomore Benedict Mathurin. The 6’6″ Mathurin bulked up in the offseason is shooting 50% from the floor and averaging 18 points per game. Mathurin is one of 4 wildcats averaging at least 10 points per game.
Arizona might be better defensively than they are offensively. The Wildcats hold opponents to 36% from the floor and 11 assists per contest. They block 6.5 shots, the 7’1 Koloko is responsible for 3.3 of those, and turn opponents over 15 times per game.
The WIldcats biggest competitive advantage is size. Their starting 5 goes 6’3, 6’6, 6’7, 6’11, 7’1. They have another 7 footer, Oumar Bello a transfer from Gonzaga, coming off the bench. Bello matches up well against any overpowering big man in America and that includes Illinios’ Kofi Kockburn. Arizona goes 9 deep when 6’7 Eastern Washington transfer Kim Aiken is healthy.
The Wildcats are 22.5 point favorites at home against Washington tomorrow night. Do they cover this? Maybe. It’s a no play for me.
Do the Wildcats have Championship DNA? Absolutely. This team is a legitimate contender to win it all.
I’ve personally taken them to win it all several times at 30/1.
-JD
