Arizona Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for Wildcats

Season Outlook

The 2020-21 season looks to be a more fulfilling season in terms of expectations and successes for Wildcat Nation and the team itself compared to the 2019-20 season. The Wildcats definitely have a strong enough team to surprise some people in the Pac-12 and the country this year and, if they play up to their potential, could challenge Arizona State and UCLA for the Pac-12 championship.

A lot of this will depend on freshman and players who have received little playing time in the past though. Sean Miller has shown an ability to get the most out of his players in the past though, especially freshman, so if I was an Arizona fan I wouldn’t be too worried at that aspect this season.

If James Akinjo and Dalen Terry are able to lead their respective units in the way that many believe they will, the Wildcats will be poised for success this season. Akinjo has shown the ability to do that at a high level but Terry may need some time to get through growing pains in the early season for the ‘Cats.

Obviously, the results of their games against rival Arizona State and UCLA will go a long way towards deciding what type of season will come to fruition in Tucson this year.

As mentioned previously, the Wildcats could see themselves in the Top-25 at some point this year if they are able to play up to their potential. I don’t see them climbing that Top-25 ladder too high this season, although a more successful season than the year previous expectations wise could go a long way with Wildcat nation and prove that Sean Miller can bounce back from a lackluster season.

The preseason poll that has the Wildcats finishing 5th is fair in my opinion as they have a lot of unknowns. Like I previously stated though, this team could be a sleeper in the Pac-12. The issue becomes if the freshman and role players struggle to find their groove, then the ‘Cats could see a drop-off similar to that of the previous season.