Arizona Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Wildcats

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TUCSON, AZ – DECEMBER 21: Dylan Smith #3 of the Arizona Wildcats handles the ball during the first half of the college basketball game against the Connecticut Huskies at McKale Center on December 21, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Huskies 73-58. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Non-Conference Breakdown

Here are the highlights of Arizona’s non-conference schedule.

Maui Invitational, Iowa State first round, November 19th-21th

Arizona is participating in the loaded Maui Invitational and faces a much improved Iowa State team in the opening round. The Cyclones have two great guards in the backcourt, Lindell Wigginton and Nick Weiler-Babb, and an underrated center in Cameron Lard. Wigginton was the team’s leading scorer as a freshman at 16.7 ppg and Weiler-Babb flourished after moving from the wing to the PG position. Lard is a powerful interior player who averaged 12.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, and 2.2 bpg as a redshirt freshman. These returners and the addition of Virginia transfer Marial Shayok should vault Iowa State back into the top half of the conference.

The rest of the Maui Invitational field is loaded as Duke, Gonzaga, and Auburn are all top ten teams. If Arizona wins their opener they will likely face Gonzaga in the second round and if they lose they could encounter Illinois. Gonzaga has an extraordinary frontcourt led by explosive PF Rui Hachimura and two great guards in Josh Perkins and Zach Norvell. Illinois is still rebuilding, but have great guards themselves. Trent Frazier averaged double figures as a freshman and Ayo Dosunmu is a long armed NBA prospect in the Frank Ntilikina mold.

UConn, Road, December 2nd

UConn should be much better than they were last season but are likely still an NIT-caliber team. Senior guard Jalen Adams is back and he should be one of the best PGs in the country. Christian Vital is a good secondary scorer on the wing and newcomers Sidney Wilson and Tarin Smith will provide even more depth and lineup flexibility. However, the biggest difference maker for UConn could be Alterique Gilbert the talented but often injured, lead guard. If Gilbert is healthy and playing to his potential, he and Adams could form to best backcourt in the AAC. Since this is a road game it could sneak into Quadrant 1.

Alabama, Road, December 9th

Arizona’s game at Alabama could be their toughest non-conference game, excluding the Maui Invitational. Alabama loses star guard Colin Sexton to the NBA Draft but returns a plethora of long and athletic wings who are poised to take a major step forward. John Petty, Herb Jones, and Tevin Mack are the likely starters at the 2-4 spots and are all 6’5”-6”7” giving the Crimson Tide excellent positional size.

This extends to the PG position where Dazon Ingram is one of the biggest and most physical lead guards in the country at 6’5” and 210 lbs. Alabama’s defense could be elite and their team is loaded with depth. If they can generate enough shot creation, they could easily be a top 25 squad.

Baylor, Home, December 15th

Arizona’s last major test on their non-conference slate comes against the Baylor Bears. Baylor narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament last season and looks like a probable bubble team again this season. The Bears lose their top four scorers, including Manu Lecomte who led the team in scoring and assists but add one of the best transfers in the country in Mario Kegler.

King McClure is the team’s leading returning scorer at 8.1 ppg and will pair nicely with Kegler as offensive threats. The X-factor is Yale transfer Makai Mason who has missed the past two seasons with injuries but has shown to be a dynamic lead guard when healthy.

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