Busting Brackets
Fansided

Arizona Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Wildcats to beat Oregon at home

By Arden Cravalho

TUCSON, ARIZONA - JANUARY 04: Zeke Nnaji #22 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates on the court with Josh Green #0 in the second half State Sun Devils at McKale Center on January 04, 2020 in Tucson, Arizona. The Arizona Wildcats won (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - JANUARY 04: Zeke Nnaji #22 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates on the court with Josh Green #0 in the second half State Sun Devils at McKale Center on January 04, 2020 in Tucson, Arizona. The Arizona Wildcats won (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Rob Edwards #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils drives to the basket against Will Richardson #0 and Miles Norris #5 of the Oregon Ducks (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Rob Edwards #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils drives to the basket against Will Richardson #0 and Miles Norris #5 of the Oregon Ducks (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Take control of the paint early

It’s known that the Oregon Ducks have been lacking the consistent play of big man in the middle for quite some time. N’Faly Dante has missed eight straight games and being as he is younger than most freshman, he needs to see more time on the court now if he wants to make an impact come March. It seems that Dante will be a game-time decision against Arizona as he missed Thursday’s matchup versus Arizona State.

As for Francis Okoro, he made his return to the lineup last week but only played 10 minutes in the loss to Arizona State. The Ducks are on their last thread right now and need some contribution from Okoro. An elite rim presence like Kenny Wooten from last season is desperately needed in this Oregon defense.

If you can stop Okoro from crashing the glass and scoring down low, you have a much better chance of controlling the majority of the scoring in the paint for both teams. You probably won’t outshoot Oregon from beyond the arc so you have to find the next best way to put the ball in the bucket if you’re Arizona.

Zeke Nnaji (16.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.0 BPG, 60.2 FG%) has had a surprisingly incredible freshman campaign that has him shooting up NBA mock drafts. On Saturday, they’re going to need his normal contributions plus more if they want a chance of beating Oregon. Attacking often and early should be the mindset for Zeke. I expect a big game from the big man with not much size available for Oregon in the middle.

Home/Arizona Wildcats