The journey through the NCAA Tournament is set to begin on Friday for Arizona. It will face Long Island University in the first round in San Diego.
It’s the fifth straight year Arizona has earned a spot in the tournament, and all five appearances have come in the Tommy Lloyd era. The Wildcats go into the tournament with a record of 32-2 and with the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships under their belt.
Throughout many points this season, Arizona has shown an ability to win in many ways. Here are three things the Wildcats are going to need to do to be successful in the NCAA tourney, as well as three things it can’t do.
The main way Arizona has been able to win its games this season is the ability to absolutely own the paint. Tobe Awaka has made a living down low with his footwork and ability to pound his way to the rim. He averages 9.4 points per game.
Motiejus Krivas has also proven to be efficient down low. His hook shot gives him more range compared to Awaka but both make their livings in the paint.
Now add in Koa Peat and that’s a 3-headed monster in the frontcourt. His fadeaway jumper keeps his defenders honest, otherwise it’s an easy path to the rim for Peat.
With the 3-headed monster down low, defenses now have to worry about the guards on the outside. The key to the guards also being successful is the ability to penetrate, drive and work their way to the rim.
There have been a very small number of teams that have been able to outscore a Lloyd team in the paint. That trend will need to continue if Arizona wants to keep playing in April.
Three point efficiency > volume
This season, Arizona has proven to be good but not spectacular 3-point shooting team. On the season, UA is shooting 36 percent from beyond the arch. For many teams, this could be a recipe for disaster.
However, for the Wildcats, the percentage may be low, but when you look closer the shots they are taking is what matters. Arizona does not just throw up threes, it shoots open ones.
The offense works through its many different options in how to attack, most of the time the ball finds its way down low. When it finds its way outside the paint, most of the time the shots are open.
Opportunistic is the way people should look at Arizona’s 3-point shooting. In timely moments or when the Wildcats need it the most, the three point shots are being knocked down.
Particularly for the big men, staying out of foul trouble will need to be critical during the tournament games. There have been four Wildcats that have fouled out of a game at one point this season.
The trio of Awaka, Krivas, and Peat have all fouled out before, as well as Brayden Burries who fouled out in the season opener but hasn’t since. Seven of the eight rotational players for the Wildcats have had a game of at least four fouls this season.
If the big men get into foul trouble, it reduces the chances of Arizona being able to control the glass and the paint.
Arizona is shooting 73.4 percent from the charity stripe this season, which is not bad at face value. However, it was clear from the start of the season that Lloyd made getting to the line a focal point for the offense.
Averaging around 26 attempts per game, UA is able to get to the line more often than not. The downside to this strategy is that if there is inconsistency at the line, then it could lead to trouble.
For example, in the Big 12 Tournament, UCF was able to hang around for a majority of the game due to Arizona not being able to make free throws. Arizona was 17 of 31 for the game, while UCF only took 15 foul shots, but if Arizona hit more free throws earlier in the game, UCF does not hang around and it becomes an easier win for the Wildcats.
If opponents want to expose Arizona’s weaknesses at the line, they will send Peat or Awaka to the line. The big men shoot 59.7 and 65.6 percent, respectively.
Lose control of game pace
Another way Arizona has been successful this season is its ability to dictate the game flow and pace. The Wildcats are hardly ever rushed, and are usually on schedule. The two games where Arizona did not seem to control the pace ended in losses.
Kansas never allowed Arizona to find its rhythm offensively, especially in the second half. The Jayhawks seemed to force the Wildcats into panic mode, rushing shots and taking shots it usually does not take.
When Texas Tech came to Tucson, it never allowed Arizona to get out in transition. Being able to get out in transition is a large part of how the Wildcats wear down an opponent.
If Arizona can stay on schedule, it allows for the game pace to be controlled by what it wants to do.
Similar to controlling the paint, it is very rare to see a Lloyd team be outrebounded. The good news for Arizona, the two games it was outrebounded ended in wins.
However, if a team is able to control the glass or at least get a high number of offensive rebounds, it will allow it to stay within range of the Wildcats.
Once Arizona starts to control the boards, that’s when it usually builds a lead on a team that few are able to come back from.
Aside from the big men, Burries and Ivan Kharchenkov have become key contributors in securing boards. Both average four or more rebounds per game. Add that in with the rebounds from the big men and it’s clear as day why Arizona outrebounds its opponents by nearly 11.
