Arizona has averaged 86 points since the start of the Pac-12 Tournament, and that number isn’t just a factor of playing uptempo-minded teams such as UCLA, Oregon and North Dakota.
The Wildcats, who normally play at one of the slower tempos in Division I, are thriving at faster paces and scoring efficiently no matter what the speed limit is.
In short, they can get it done either way.
“Everyone’s different,” Jackson-Cartwright said. “That’s what makes this team so unique. I think we can switch our tempos fast and slow. It’s not about the pace. It’s about doing what makes us good all year.”
The box scores last weekend made that obvious. Both forward Lauri Markkanen and wing Rawle Alkins scored 20 points in the first round against North Dakota, while UA’s three other starters all scored in double figures, too.
Against Saint Mary’s, the only starter who didn’t hit double figures was Alkins, who broke a finger in the first half but was credited with some key inspiration by getting back in the game before halftime.
In both games, UA had Alkins and Kadeem Allen driving in for layups, Allonzo Trier getting to the free-throw line, Dusan Ristic shooting over 50 percent inside, and Markkanen scoring in a variety of ways.
“We can kind of slow it down and throw it inside, to Chance (Comanche) and Lauri and Dusan can make plays down low,” Jackson-Cartwright said. “We’ve got guys in transition who can make plays like Rawle and Deem (Allen) and Kobi (Simmons). We’ve got guys who can do different things.”
The versatility not only helps the Wildcats adjust to their opponents but also gives them ways to survive when somebody like Alkins gets hurt or in foul trouble.
Often, there’s an answer, somehow or some way.
“We’ve been that team all year,” UA coach Sean Miller said. “We’ve had different players play well in different games. We’re a balanced team.”
