Since Arizona became a college basketball powerhouse 40 years ago, the Wildcats have been fortunate to avoid a series of injuries. Until Koa Peat was injured recently, the UA only had three injuries that greatly affected play.
1. Steve Kerr tore his ACL in the 1986 World Championships and missed the disappointing 18-12 season of 1987. But it was a blessing in disguise as Kerr returned in 1988 to greatly assist Arizona to the Final Four and a 35-3 record.
2. Loren Woods suffered a back injury late in the 2000 season as Arizona earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Woods, a 7-foot center, did not play in the NCAA Tournament as Arizona was upset in the Round of 32 by Wisconsin.
Forward Brandon Ashley broke his foot in a 2014 game against Cal. He missed the rest of the season and the Wildcats fell in the Elite Eight.
3. Brandon Ashley broke his foot when the 21-0 Wildcats, ranked No. 1, lost a 60-58 buzzer beater at Cal in 2014. Ashley did not return to what would be a 33-4 Elite Eight season.
Richard Jefferson had a foot injury in 2000, missing 12 games, but returned for the postseason. Miles Simon had a finger injury in 1995, missing 12 games, but returned for what was a first-round exit against Miami of Ohio. Otherwise, minor injuries to Luke Walton, Rawle Alkins and Brandon Williams were disconcerting but not costly.
