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Arizona Basketball: 5 reasons why Wildcats will win Pac-12 in 2019-20

By Holden Walter-Warner

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 19: The Arizona Wildcats mascot cheers against the Texas Southern Tigers during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2015 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 19: The Arizona Wildcats mascot cheers against the Texas Southern Tigers during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2015 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 29: The Arizona Wildcats stand attended before 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)
TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 29: The Arizona Wildcats stand attended before 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) /

The Pac-12 promises to be wide open in 2019-20. Fans of Arizona Basketball rightfully believe the proud program can fill the void at the top.

If the Pac-12 chose a team of the decade, it would be Arizona Basketball. They won half of the regular season conference titles in that span, taking three of those conference titles as well. They also went to the NCAA Tournament in all but two years over the past ten.

As the decade turns over, however, the Wildcats are looking to turn the page. The program has been scarred by the FBI scandal, which has ensnared former assistant Book Richardson and threatened the tenure of Sean Miller. Last season, the Wildcats finished with a losing record in Pac-12 play and missed the postseason for the first time since Miller’s inaugural season in Tucson.

A feeling of rejuvenation is washing over the program this summer. The specter of the FBI scandal and NCAA sanctions remain, but the heat feels less intense. The arrival of a star freshman has the campus buzzing. No juggernauts reign in the conference, leaving the door open for a title run.

Related Story. Analyzing Arizona's 2020 targets. light

Arizona won’t get to the promised land without adversity, though. Sophomore guard Brandon Williams will miss the entirety of the upcoming season with the same knee injury he struggled with during his freshman season. He was destined to be a major contributor – perhaps he’ll be that in 2020-21.

Could Arizona pry the door open just enough for a Pac-12 title? Here are five reasons the Wildcats will claim the conference crown.

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