Scouting report: No. 7 Arizona Wildcats vs. Washington State Cougars
- Updated
Prepare for Arizona's game against Washington State on Thursday with Bruce Pascoe's in-depth scouting report.
- Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Matchup: Washington State (10-9, 3-4 Pac-12) at No. 7 Arizona (18-2, 7-0)
Location: McKale Center
Time: 7:30 p.m.
TV: Pac-12 Networks
Radio: 1290-AM, 107.5-FM
- Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Cougars are on a pace to surpass their 13-win season in Ernie Kent’s first year in Pullman, with mostly players he recruited on hand. But while the Cougars knocked off Washington in Seattle and Colorado in Pullman, they have struggled at times on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they mix in a man-to-man defense with some matchup zone, but have the second-worst field goal percentage defense (49.4) in Pac-12 games, behind only ASU (53.6). They’re the ninth-most efficient defensive team in the conference, allowing 114.9 points per 100 opponent possessions, and opposing teams can get inside to make 52.9 percent from 2-point territory. Charles Callison, whose hot shooting helped WSU beat Colorado, averages more than a steal per game.
- Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
"They’re older. They’ve got three (conference) wins now and they have confidence. They’re capable of winning. We have to try to contain them. (Hawkinson) is still aggressive on and off the ball. He’s their heart and soul. He can score and does a great job. We’ve just got to try to make sure we match their intensity and their pace." — UA assistant coach Book Richardson, who scouted the Cougars.
- Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Washington State was picked to finish last in this season’s Pac-12 media poll but, as the Cougars have proven during a 3-4 conference start, they have experience and confidence.
Starting four seniors and well-regarded freshman guard Malachi Flynn, the Cougs knocked off Washington in Seattle on New Year’s Day and are fresh off an overtime defeat of Colorado.
Senior guard Charles Callison had 30 points and five steals in WSU’s win over the Buffaloes, saying it looked like “I was throwing a rock into the ocean” after his first few shots.
“Can’t say enough about Charles just relaxing, finding himself and playing so well,” WSU coach Ernie Kent said afterward. “But I still think there’s more growth potential with us. To say we’re there, nope, we still have work to do.”
- Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Lauri Markkanen’s reputation grew nationally and, to some extent, the world after his performance last weekend in Los Angeles.
The Finnish Embassy in Washington, D.C., tweeted a congratulations to Markkanen for winning the USBWA national player of the week award, while Draft Express’ Mike Schmitz tweeted about the way Markkanen outplayed UCLA forward T.J. Leaf.
“For those unsure coming in, thought this game showed how huge the gap is between Lauri Markkanen and TJ Leaf as NBA prospects,” Schmitz tweeted.
Washington State coach Ernie Kent is well aware of what UA's Finnish freshman can do, too.
"He's a lottery pick," Kent said earlier this week. "He’s got guard skills, can shoot it and put it on the floor. He's a matchup nightmare, and I think with their full roster back now it will give them even more confidence. That’s the scary part."
- Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
It’s Coaches-vs.-Cancer weekend, which means UA staffers are expected to pair suits or blazers with sneakers in order to create more awareness for the American Cancer Society.
UA coaches have also been given gold “Lacey’s Laces” this week in honor of the 8-year-old Michigan State fan Lacey Holsworth, who died of cancer in 2014.
While Nike also unveiled special “Kay Yow” uniforms for the Wildcats last fall, honoring the former N.C. State women’s coach and her foundation to fight women’s cancers, a UA spokesman said Nike did not produce those uniforms for this season.
- Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Pac-12 will sell single-session tickets starting Thursday at 11 a.m. for its March 8-11 conference tournament at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Ticket prices start at $30 for the March 8 first-round games, $49 for the March 9 quarterfinals, $73 for the March 10 semifinals and $63 for the March 11 finals.
- Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
UA coach Sean Miller will reach the century mark in conference wins this weekend if the Wildcats beat WSU and Washington: He has 98 wins in Pac-12 play against 35 losses, a winning percentage of 73.7.
Miller already reached 200 wins overall at Arizona earlier this season. He is 206-63 at UA (76.6).
- Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The NCAA’s decision to unveil the top 16 NCAA Tournament seeds to date as of Feb. 11 will arrive at an interesting time for the Wildcats, who play at Oregon on Feb. 4.
If the Wildcats remain unbeaten in conference play through their Oregon trip next week, they will have an argument for a No. 1 seed.
Dave Gavitt, the NCAA’s senior VP for basketball championships, said the idea to reveal some early top picks received the support of both the NABC (basketball coaches) and CBS/Turner (sponsoring media), while it also was inspired by the College Football Playoff ratings releases.
Gavitt and Michigan State AD Mark Hollis, this year’s selection committee chair, said the reveal will aid exposure and transparency, though Hollis said it wouldn’t be practical to reveal an entire 68-team "field” in February.
“That would be fun for the fans but nearly impossible for the committee,” he said. “It’s a very abbreviated time we’re together in February. This is going to put us in position where we’re gonna have to pay a little more attention.”
The Cougars are on a pace to surpass their 13-win season in Ernie Kent’s first year in Pullman, with mostly players he recruited on hand. But while the Cougars knocked off Washington in Seattle and Colorado in Pullman, they have struggled at times on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they mix in a man-to-man defense with some matchup zone, but have the second-worst field goal percentage defense (49.4) in Pac-12 games, behind only ASU (53.6). They’re the ninth-most efficient defensive team in the conference, allowing 114.9 points per 100 opponent possessions, and opposing teams can get inside to make 52.9 percent from 2-point territory. Charles Callison, whose hot shooting helped WSU beat Colorado, averages more than a steal per game.
"They’re older. They’ve got three (conference) wins now and they have confidence. They’re capable of winning. We have to try to contain them. (Hawkinson) is still aggressive on and off the ball. He’s their heart and soul. He can score and does a great job. We’ve just got to try to make sure we match their intensity and their pace." — UA assistant coach Book Richardson, who scouted the Cougars.
Washington State was picked to finish last in this season’s Pac-12 media poll but, as the Cougars have proven during a 3-4 conference start, they have experience and confidence.
Starting four seniors and well-regarded freshman guard Malachi Flynn, the Cougs knocked off Washington in Seattle on New Year’s Day and are fresh off an overtime defeat of Colorado.
Senior guard Charles Callison had 30 points and five steals in WSU’s win over the Buffaloes, saying it looked like “I was throwing a rock into the ocean” after his first few shots.
“Can’t say enough about Charles just relaxing, finding himself and playing so well,” WSU coach Ernie Kent said afterward. “But I still think there’s more growth potential with us. To say we’re there, nope, we still have work to do.”
Lauri Markkanen’s reputation grew nationally and, to some extent, the world after his performance last weekend in Los Angeles.
The Finnish Embassy in Washington, D.C., tweeted a congratulations to Markkanen for winning the USBWA national player of the week award, while Draft Express’ Mike Schmitz tweeted about the way Markkanen outplayed UCLA forward T.J. Leaf.
“For those unsure coming in, thought this game showed how huge the gap is between Lauri Markkanen and TJ Leaf as NBA prospects,” Schmitz tweeted.
Washington State coach Ernie Kent is well aware of what UA's Finnish freshman can do, too.
"He's a lottery pick," Kent said earlier this week. "He’s got guard skills, can shoot it and put it on the floor. He's a matchup nightmare, and I think with their full roster back now it will give them even more confidence. That’s the scary part."
It’s Coaches-vs.-Cancer weekend, which means UA staffers are expected to pair suits or blazers with sneakers in order to create more awareness for the American Cancer Society.
UA coaches have also been given gold “Lacey’s Laces” this week in honor of the 8-year-old Michigan State fan Lacey Holsworth, who died of cancer in 2014.
While Nike also unveiled special “Kay Yow” uniforms for the Wildcats last fall, honoring the former N.C. State women’s coach and her foundation to fight women’s cancers, a UA spokesman said Nike did not produce those uniforms for this season.
The Pac-12 will sell single-session tickets starting Thursday at 11 a.m. for its March 8-11 conference tournament at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Ticket prices start at $30 for the March 8 first-round games, $49 for the March 9 quarterfinals, $73 for the March 10 semifinals and $63 for the March 11 finals.
UA coach Sean Miller will reach the century mark in conference wins this weekend if the Wildcats beat WSU and Washington: He has 98 wins in Pac-12 play against 35 losses, a winning percentage of 73.7.
Miller already reached 200 wins overall at Arizona earlier this season. He is 206-63 at UA (76.6).
The NCAA’s decision to unveil the top 16 NCAA Tournament seeds to date as of Feb. 11 will arrive at an interesting time for the Wildcats, who play at Oregon on Feb. 4.
If the Wildcats remain unbeaten in conference play through their Oregon trip next week, they will have an argument for a No. 1 seed.
Dave Gavitt, the NCAA’s senior VP for basketball championships, said the idea to reveal some early top picks received the support of both the NABC (basketball coaches) and CBS/Turner (sponsoring media), while it also was inspired by the College Football Playoff ratings releases.
Gavitt and Michigan State AD Mark Hollis, this year’s selection committee chair, said the reveal will aid exposure and transparency, though Hollis said it wouldn’t be practical to reveal an entire 68-team "field” in February.
“That would be fun for the fans but nearly impossible for the committee,” he said. “It’s a very abbreviated time we’re together in February. This is going to put us in position where we’re gonna have to pay a little more attention.”
Tags
More information
View this profile on Instagram#ThisIsTucson 🌵 (@this_is_tucson) • Instagram photos and videos
Most viewed stories
-
More than 40 fun events in Tucson, December 12-14! ❄️✨
-
Over 40 free events happening in Tucson this December! ⛄
-
Save the date! Here's the ultimate list of Tucson holiday events 🎄
-
Cafe Maggie suddenly closes doors on Tucson's North Fourth Avenue
-
20 gifts under $20 from Tucson shops! 🎄🎁
-
17 festive holiday markets that support Tucson artisans
-
A giant guide to gifts made by Tucson makers and small businesses
-
Satisfy your pozole craving at these 9 local places!
-
Get fresh bread and flaky, buttery croissants at the MSA Annex's new micro-bakery 🥖
-
A large list of fun and festive events in December! 🎄❄️