Allonzo Trier’s return would be a huge lift for Arizona basketball as they’re currently the third best team in the Pac 12.
The status of Arizona Wildcats star Allonzo Trier has been a mystery all season long. There has been no official reason why Trier has yet to play a second, but it is known that the “suspension” is regarding eligibility issues.
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Regardless, the Wildcats may be receiving excellent news sometime soon, as head coach Sean Miller announced following Arizona’s win over Colorado that Trier is expected to return “sometime” this season.
Sean Miller told reporters that he believes that Allonzo Trier will play at some point this season. The Pac-12 story that won't go away.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 8, 2017
This is a huge development because Trier is by far the Wildcats’ best player. Not only is he a future pro, but he was the team’s top returning scorer coming into the season. Last year, Trier averaged 14.8 points on 47 percent shooting overall and 36 percent from beyond the three point line. He can score from all three levels and is one of the most creative offensive players in the country.
It’s not surprising that Arizona has been able to keep afloat due to Sean Miller, their defense and an emerging freshman trio. However, it is remarkable how well the Wildcats are playing. Sure, they’re the third best team in the Pac-12 right now, but they’re 15-2 with losses to only Gonzaga and Butler, two elite squads.
They’ve only given up 70+ points one time all season (to Colorado), were playing with seven scholarship players for a significant portion of the non-conference schedule and have won their first four conference games (two on the road).
The return of Trier would give the Wildcats an extra dimension and weapon before a March run. Think of it this way: Opposing teams would have to try to guard a perimeter trio of Trier, Kobi Simmons and Rawle Alkins, while also trying to stop a versatile forward in Lauri Markkanen.
That’s no easy task.
It will also make things easier for Simmons and Alkins. Right now, defenses and scouting reports are focused on those two players on the perimeter. However, when Trier returns, Simmons and Alkins are going to be secondary players that will likely face less talented defenders in man-to-man situations.
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That could set up Miller and company for a chance to challenge UCLA and Oregon at the top of the Pac-12 and potentially, make long run in the NCAA Tournament in March. Trier is that good and Arizona is that elite defensively