The turbulence surrounding the Arizona basketball program is unmistakable, but the big thing for the Wildcats is that they can make that noise go away over the next few months. Arizona has improbably failed to make the Final Four since 2001. It has made the Elite Eight multiple times but hasn’t been able to win that final game. Then last season, Arizona looked like the team to beat in the West Region, but faltered down the stretch in a stinging loss to Xavier which denied the Wildcats a chance to face Gonzaga for a Final Four berth. Arizona keeps recruiting well and keeps entering the NCAA Tournament with a good chance to make the Final Four. Everyone in Tucson is waiting for this to happen again.
In the meantime, the FBI intervened. Arizona is one of several programs to have been caught up in a scandal involving payments to college athletes. Arizona was one of a few schools with an assistant coach who made backroom deals with shoe companies to pay players in exchange for the recruit going to the intended school. This has put head coach Sean Miller under the spotlight in a negative way, at a time when he is already facing criticism for failing to make the Final Four. This is an uncomfortable program, but if it makes the Final Four, a lot of the grumbling will quiet down.
Offseason Changes
Everyone knew that big man Lauri Markkanen would leave for the NBA. His size and length and three-point shooting were too great for him to spend another year in college. He went as a top-10 pick in the draft, which certainly validated his decision.
What people weren’t expecting: Fellow big man Chance Comanche, a very raw product who played a modest number of minutes last year and was seen as a developmental project, decided to try his hand at pro basketball. He has not cracked an NBA roster. He is playing in the G-League, probably not what he intended. Had Comanche come back, Arizona would have a strong and deep frontcourt, but now there is less depth, an issue Miller must work around.
Other changes are more pleasant: Deandre Ayton, a 7-1 big man, and Emmanuel Akot, a 6-7 big guard, are two of the finest recruits in the country according to all the rating services and scouting outlets. They should give Arizona a wealth of firepower this season.
Will Succeed If…
Rawle Alkins sets a good example by getting to the basket, and Akot follows that example. Arizona relied way too much on jump shots late in the loss to Xavier. The Wildcats trusted their shooting instead of getting to the basket and working the ball into the paint, where they were likely to generate higher-percentage shots. Arizona has to be patient on offense instead of settling for the early jumper. Alkins and Akot will be tempted to shoot a lot, and at times they must take what the defense gives them, but they can’t rush shots early in the shot clock. They have to bide their time.
Won’t Succeed If…
The frontcourt is slow to develop.
Comanche could have given Arizona a three-headed monster with Ayton and returning starter Dusan Ristic, but now there are only two frontcourt players of note, only one a returning player. Arizona still has talent here, but if Ayton is not able to make an immediate impact, Arizona could become a lot more limited in the frontcourt – especially on defense – than a lot of people were ready to expect.
Roster
Parker Jackson-Cartwright
Rawle Alkins
Dylan Smith
Chase Jeter
Brandon Randolph
Ira Lee
Deandre Ayton
Dusan Ristic
Talbott Denny
Alex Barcello
Emmanuel Akot
Keanu Pinder
Allonzo Trier
Tyler Trillo
Kory Jones
Matt Weyand
Jake DesJardins
Schedule & Outlook
This is a hugely talented team led by guard Allonzo Trier, who was superb in the second half of last season after serving a suspension. There are so many ways for this team to attack, and Miller is good at coaching defense. This is a Final Four-caliber team, but the group simply has to withstand the pressure in March, something it hasn’t done in recent years.
The 2018 March Madness futures are out. There has been plenty of news to keep up with in the offseason but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest college basketball betting lines right here.
