What is Arizona Ranked in College Basketball?
College basketball has long been a popular sport in the United States, and Arizona is no exception. Arizona is home to a number of college basketball programs, including the Arizona Wildcats of the University of Arizona, who have a long and storied history of success in the sport.
The Wildcats have been a perennial powerhouse in the Pac-12 Conference, and they have been ranked in the top 25 of the AP Poll for the past five seasons. As of February 2021, the Wildcats are ranked #17 in the AP Poll, and they are firmly in contention for a berth in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Arizona’s History of Success in College Basketball
The Arizona Wildcats have been a force to be reckoned with in college basketball for decades. The Wildcats have won four Pac-12 regular season championships and four Pac-12 Tournament titles. They have also made 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, including six Sweet 16s and two Elite Eight appearances.
The Wildcats’ most recent success came in the 2018-19 season, when they won the Pac-12 regular season championship and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. That season was highlighted by the emergence of star guard Allonzo Trier and the stellar play of forward Deandre Ayton, who was drafted first overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The Wildcats’ 2021 Season
The 2021 season has been another strong one for the Wildcats. Arizona has posted a 17-6 overall record and an 11-4 record in the Pac-12. The Wildcats have been led by a trio of talented guards, including James Akinjo, Jemarl Baker Jr., and Bennedict Mathurin.
The Wildcats have also been boosted by the play of freshmen forward Azuolas Tubelis, who has been a consistent contributor and has earned a spot in the starting lineup.
Arizona’s Rankings in the AP Poll
The Wildcats have been ranked in the AP Poll for the past five seasons, and they have been in the top 25 of the poll for the past four seasons. As of February 2021, the Wildcats are ranked #17 in the AP Poll, and they are firmly in contention for a berth in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Arizona’s Chances of Making the NCAA Tournament
The Wildcats have a good chance of making the NCAA Tournament this season. The Wildcats are currently in third place in the Pac-12, and they have a number of winnable games remaining on their schedule.
The Wildcats have wins over ranked opponents, including #24 USC and #23 Colorado. If the Wildcats can finish the season strong and win a few of their remaining games, they should secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Key Players for the Wildcats
The Wildcats have been led by a trio of talented guards this season. James Akinjo has been the Wildcats’ most consistent player, averaging 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.
Jemarl Baker Jr. has also been a key contributor, averaging 11.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. And Bennedict Mathurin has been a spark off the bench, averaging 8.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
The Wildcats’ Remaining Schedule
The Wildcats have a number of winnable games remaining on their schedule. The Wildcats have games against Oregon State, Washington State, and Washington remaining, and they will have a chance to make a statement with a win over conference-leading UCLA on March 6th.
The Wildcats will also be looking to avenge a loss to USC, who they will face in the regular season finale on March 13th.
Arizona’s Coaching Staff
The Wildcats are coached by Sean Miller, who is in his 12th season as head coach of the Wildcats. Miller has led the Wildcats to six NCAA Tournament appearances, two Elite Eight appearances, and four Pac-12 regular season championships.
The Wildcats’ coaching staff also includes associate head coach Jack Murphy and assistant coaches Tommy Lloyd and Mark Phelps.
Arizona’s NBA Draft Prospects
The Wildcats have a number of players who could be selected in the 2021 NBA Draft. Azuolas Tubelis is the most likely candidate, as he is projected to be a late first round pick.
James Akinjo and Jemarl Baker Jr. are also projected to be drafted, although their draft stock has been volatile in recent weeks. And Bennedict Mathurin could also be drafted if he can continue to play well in the final stretch of the season.
Arizona’s Outlook for the 2021 NCAA Tournament
The Wildcats are firmly in contention for a berth in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats have a number of winnable games remaining on their schedule, and they have a good chance of finishing in the top four of the Pac-12.
If the Wildcats can continue to play well, then they should be in good shape to make the NCAA Tournament.
Conclusion
The Arizona Wildcats are a perennial powerhouse in college basketball, and they are currently ranked #17 in the AP Poll. The Wildcats have a number of talented players, and they have a good chance of making the NCAA Tournament this season.
The Wildcats have a number of winnable games remaining on their schedule, and they will be looking to make a statement with a win over UCLA on March 6th. The Wildcats are a team to watch this season, and they have the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.