After a strong start to the 2021-22 season, Arizona hosts Washington in what is the Pac-12 conference opener for both teams.
When: Thursday, December 2 at 8:30 pm ET on Pac-12 Network
Location: McKale Center, Tucson, AZ
It’s officially time for conference play to begin in the Pac-12 with an intriguing matchup set for Thursday night between the Wildcats and Huskies.
Arizona enters this matchup ranked as the No. 11 team in the country, and is coming off a dominant 105-59 win last Saturday over Sacramento State. In a game in which the Wildcats only trailed once (down 3-2 a minute into the first half), Arizona shot a phenomenal 54.3% from the field and 52.9% from three (9-for-17), while also out-rebounding Sacramento State 48-25.
The Wildcats sit at a perfect 6-0 on the season already owning multiple impressive wins over the likes of Michigan and Wichita State and are averaging 91.5 PPG so far this season while only allowing 57.7 PPG to opponents. Leading the way for the nation’s No. 3 scoring team are forwards Azuolas Tubelis and Christian Koloko, both of whom average 16+ PPG and 6+ RPG, as well as others such as guards Bennedict Mathurin, Kerr Kriisa, and Justin Kier.
Washington however comes to Tucson badly needing a win after dropping their last two games to Nevada, as well as last Saturday with an 82-74 home loss to Winthrop. The Huskies were out-rebounded 43-28 in the contest but did receive 21 points from guard Daejon Davis, as well as three others in double-figures.
The Huskies sit at 4-4 on the season and are averaging 72.6 PPG while allowing 73.5 PPG to opponents. Washington is led by leading scorer and Arizona transfer Terrell Brown Jr who averages 21.9 PPG, while others such as Emmitt Matthews Jr, PJ Fuller, Jamal Bey, and the previously mentioned Davis all play key roles.
Arizona has gotten off to a phenomenal start to the season, and that should continue in Tucson on Thursday night where the Wildcats have yet to lose this season at home. Arizona will have a big size advantage in the paint over the Huskies and should control the glass among other things in route to a big win to open conference play.
Prediction: Arizona 85, Washington 68