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Wednesday’s heartbreaking loss to Oregon State was caused by a last-second shot by Jordan Pope, which handed Arizona its second conference loss. Although the buzzer-beater still hurts, the team won’t benefit from obsessing over it. Tommy Lloyd, the head coach, stressed that his team needed to “turn the page” and concentrate on the current task, saying, “We have to be resilient, learn from this, and come back stronger.”
Can Arizona Tame the Ducks on the Road?
It’s not easy to get to Eugene, especially when an Oregon team full of hungry players is waiting. Despite their current conference record of 2–6, the Ducks will not be taken lightly. They have a strong team, led by Nathan Bittle, a rookie sensation, and guard Will Richardson, a senior. The Wildcats face an additional level of difficulty because of their home court advantage.
Wildcats’ Strengths: Offense and Defense
Arizona is still a well-rounded team with strong players on both ends of the court, despite the recent defeat. With Azuolas Tubelis and Bennedict Mathurin as their starting offensive tandem, they are 16th in the country in terms of scoring. Their 11th-ranked scoring defense on defense highlights their ability to shut down opponents.
Keys to Victory for Arizona:
Mental Toughness: Overcoming the Oregon State loss is crucial. The Wildcats need to show mental fortitude and refocus on their goals.
Limiting Turnovers: Arizona committed 15 turnovers against Oregon State, which proved costly. Tightening up their ball handling will be key.
Balanced Scoring: Tubelis and Mathurin shouldn’t shoulder the entire offensive load. Other players need to step up and contribute on the scoreboard.
Beyond the Game: January Jitters and Conference Standing
There is a lot riding on this game for Arizona’s run in January. Their hopes of winning the Pac-12 title have been derailed by losing two of their last three conference games. Not only would a victory in Eugene raise their spirits but it would also send a message for the rest of the season.
Looking Ahead: A Crucial Stretch and March Madness Dreams
Arizona has an important run of conference games coming up, with February and March Madness quickly approaching. This Oregon trip is only the start. There will also be victories against highly regarded opponents like USC and UCLA. Their ability to complete this difficult schedule will decide their final seeding and the route they take to reach their ultimate objective: a national championship.
According to Arizona Wildcats