Arizona Basketball: Allonzo Trier set to return from absence on Saturday

Arizona basketball’s best player is set to return in a top-of-the-conference showdown against UCLA on Saturday.

After failing a drug test, winning the appeal against the NCAA and playing the waiting game until the drug cleared his system, Allonzo Trier is finally returning to the court for the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday.

Trier’s most recent drug test came back negative, so the sophomore guard will be eligible to play in a Pac 12 showdown against UCLA at 4 p.m. ET.

Arizona announces that Allonzo Trier will play on Saturday against UCLA. Has been suspended all season, most recent drug test was negative.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) January 21, 2017

This is huge news for the Wildcats. It was clear that Trier could return, but it was not known as to when he would actually get back on the floor, and if that was even going to be this season.

As it turns out, Trier is returning before many expected. Saturday’s game versus the Bruins is a massive showdown that could have significant implications on the Pac 12 standings that will be finalized in early March.

The Wildcats only lost two games (Gonzaga and Butler) without their best player, best scorer and one of their top perimeter defenders. Arizona is currently ranked 14th in the AP Poll and was one of the top three teams in the Pac 12 without Trier.

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With him in the lineup, expectations have to be adjusted, though. The Wildcats now have a legit opportunity to not only challenge UCLA and Oregon for the Pac 12 regular season and conference tournament titles, but they have the potential to be a Final Four caliber team.

Think about it this way. Without Trier in the lineup, defenses could focus and key in on Kobi Simmons and Rawle Alkins on the perimeter. With Trier back and Lauri Markkanen playing excellent basketball as their starting four-man, Simmons and Alkins will turn into secondary players.

That doesn’t mean that they won’t be important, but rather they won’t have to face the opposing teams’ top defenders, giving them easier opportunities to score.

Trier averaged 14.8 points per game in his freshman season and shot 47 percent from the field overall. The Seattle, WA native didn’t give Sean Miller’s squad much beyond scoring and a bit of perimeter defense, but the coaches have been raving about his improvements and how well he is competing in practice.

However, practice is a whole different stratosphere compared to live game action. How long will it take Trier to adjust after not playing for almost a full year? Will he play well today versus UCLA?

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That is to be determined. But it’s more than good news that Trier is back, it’s awesome news for the Wildcats and their fans.

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