Arizona Basketball: Reinforcements coming for Wildcats in 2019-20 season

TUCSON, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats reacts during the first half of the college basketball game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at McKale Center on November 29, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 21: Chase Jeter #4 of the Arizona Wildcats gestures as he celebrates a basket during the first half of the game against the Auburn Tigers at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

So what’s wrong with the Wildcats?

Arizona was predicted to finish anywhere between fourth and seventh in the Pac-12 this year. The Wildcats were also projected to be among the teams on proverbial NCAA Tournament bubble. But they are very far away from reaching the postseason, let alone the NCAA Tournament, as the Cats are now on a five-game losing streak following their 69-55 loss to WSU on Feb. 9.

So, why are the Wildcats struggling? Although there is some talent on the roster, the squad is quite young, and the veterans are not very talented. Arizona has just three players that are averaging double-figures — Brandon Randolph, Chase Jeter, and Brandon Williams — and are 10th in the conference at 70.5 points a game. They have been held to under that number 10 times this season.

Offensively, the Wildcats take a lot of shots and are not a great shooting overall. However, they have been successful a getting to the foul line, and they don’t turn the ball over a ton. Their interior defense is very suspect, however, the Cats’ to create a lot of turnovers.

Speaking of Williams, the 6-foot-2 freshman point guard did not play in the Wildcats’ last two setbacks to Washington and Washington State as a result of a knee injury. He is officially out indefinitely, although Miller said that he is hopeful that Williams can return sometime this year.

Arizona currently has 13 players on its roster, following the transfer of sophomore forward Emmanuel Akot.

The good news is that UA has some help on the way. The Wildcats currently have already inked four players and have verbal commit from another player in the class.

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