Arizona Basketball: 2019-20 keys to victory for Wildcats hosting Utah Utes
3. Home cooking at McKale Center
The young Arizona Wildcats will be happy to be home. McKale Center is the hardest Pac-12 arena for visiting teams to win. In addition, four of the five Wildcat losses this season have come when Arizona is away or at a neutral site.
Utah, on the other hand, struggles on the road. This is evident from the Utes being shellacked 91-52 at Colorado on Jan. 12 and 79-57 at Coastal Carolina (#173 NET) on Nov. 21.
Even though the Wildcats start three freshmen, the Utes are less experienced than Arizona. According to KenPom.com, Utah is ranked dead near last at #351 in the country in their team’s experience compared to the Wildcats being ranked #298. The McKale fans would love to rattle the young Utes.
It is imperative that the Wildcats ride the environment at McKale Center to get back on the winning track. It is all part of the Pac-12 formula to split on the road and win all of the home games. In the past, Arizona has been able to follow that with much success.
Next. National Power Rankings. dark
Having been swept at the Oregon schools, the Wildcats badly need a win over Utah in which they should be double-digit favorites. However, Arizona cannot overlook the Utes despite seeing #20 Colorado on their schedule on Saturday. The Wildcats will need both wins at home to stay within reach of the Pac-12 leaders.