Arizona Basketball: 3 keys to defeating UCLA in big non-conference matchup

After beginning the year as a top-10 team, Arizona has gone just 4-4 in the season's first six weeks. Uncharacteristically for Tommy Lloyd's team, the Wildcats have beaten up the teams they should and really struggled against other power conference teams. Their four losses have come against top competition, and the closest of those games came in the Bahamas, where they lost to Oklahoma and West Virginia by five and seven, respectively. Saturday, is their final chance to get a signature non-conference win when they host No. 24 UCLA in Phoenix.

This is going to be an interesting matchup for the Wildcats because looking at these two teams, there will be a lot of strength vs. Strength in this one. Even though Arizona now finds itself in the Big 12, and there will be plenty of resume opportunities ahead, they should definitely be the more desperate of the two teams. The Wildcats need that signature non-conference win before embarking on their maiden voyage in the Big 12.

To say Arizona can really score would be a gross understatement. In their wins, they have put up more than 100 points per game, but in their four losses, they’ve managed to put up only 74. If Arizona wants that signature win they desperately need, they will need their high-octane offense to be clicking on all cylinders against one of the best defensive teams in the country during the first month of the season. That isn’t the only key to an Arizona victory on Saturday; other factors will help lead to a win.

1. Win the rebounding battle and keep UCLA off the offensive glass

The first big key to an Arizona win is winning the rebounding battle. Arizona is one of the best rebounding teams in the country, ranking in the top 10 in rebounding percentage, grabbing 28 defensive rebounds per game, and ranking even higher in offensive rebounding percentage. Arizona will need to focus on offensive glass because even though they rank highly, UCLA is very good at preventing second-chance points, ranking 12th nationally in that category according to Haslametrics. This is important for a team that shoots 46% from the field and is 131st in true shooting percentage.

2. Play Arizona basketball by playing at a fast pace

The second key to a Wildcat victory is to play that up-tempo style that has them scoring over 87 points per game. They are a top-25 team in offensive efficiency, and they play at the 14th fastest pace in the country, with an average possession length of under 15 seconds, which also ranks in the top 10. The pace in this game is important on a couple of levels. First, getting out in transition will be advantageous because it will keep the stingy UCLA defense from being able to set up in the half-court. Secondly, Arizona doesn’t shoot the three well, shooting it at just 31%, and UCLA defends it even better, allowing opponents to shoot 28%. The best way to get to the basket against such a strong defensive team is to get out and run.

3. Attack UCLA's leaders on defense and wear them down

The last key to Arizona's victory comes when they have to run a half-court offense, which goes hand-in-hand with the first key. When possible they should attack Tyler Bilodeau, Eric Dailey, Jr., and Kobe Johnson to try to get them in foul trouble for a couple of reasons. Not only are they three of the Bruins’ top scorers, but they’re also UCLA’s top rebounders.

Getting them in foul trouble will not only hamper UCLA offensively, as they average 33 points per game, but it will aid in Arizona’s hope of winning the rebounding battle because they have also grabbed nearly half of UCLA’s defensive rebounds this season.