Becky Burke changed Arizona’s starting lineup for the New Mexico game on Sunday. She might change it again for Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday.
Burke’s search for the best combinations is ongoing and possibly never-ending. Playing time is based on performance in games and, especially, in practices.
“I'm a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately coach,” Burke told reporters after the Wildcats’ 72-69 loss to the Lobos. “No one starts just to start. No one starts just because they've been starting.”
Burke elevated senior forward Nora Francois to the starting five for the first time this season after she had eight points, 11 rebounds and four assists against Southern on Dec. 3. She was productive again against New Mexico (seven points, five rebounds, three assists) but somewhat limited because of foul trouble.
“Nora had a great game in our last game,” Burke said. “She was our most efficient post player. She had a really good two days of prep for this game. So I reward that. And they're gonna go battle it out this week for Wednesday's game.”
New Mexico guard Laila Abdurraqib (44) blocks Arizona forward Nora Francois' shot during the first half at McKale Center, Dec. 7, 2025.
Junior guard Sumayah Sugapong started but played a season-low eight minutes. She had been averaging 24.6 — a figure that would have been higher if not for fouling issues.
“It's just a decision I made,” Burke said. “Some nights it's people's night. Some nights it's not, from both an offensive and a defensive standpoint.
“When the ball is moving and flowing, and there's a certain group on the floor, I'm gonna keep it that way. When we're getting stops, and we're able to keep people in front on the perimeter, I'm gonna keep it that way with that certain group.
“It doesn't have anything to do with what Samayah will be for us next game. It's just kind of how today went and the way that things flowed.”
While Sugapong sat, redshirt junior Tanyuel Welch came off the bench to log season highs in minutes (34) and points (16). She had played 31 minutes in the previous three games combined.
“‘T’ played great today,” Burke said. “Doesn't mean she automatically gets to start the next game. She's gonna have to practice well.
Arizona head coach Becky Burke huddles with her team after the Wildcats' 72-69 loss to the Lobos at McKale Center, Dec. 7, 2025.
“That's how we need to keep it, very competitive from a practice standpoint. Everything is earned in our program.”
Rebounding, FT woes
Burke has been fairly consistent in playing a four-guard lineup.
Francois has alternated with freshman Daniah Trammell in the post. Blessing Adebanjo and Achol Magot, Arizona’s other two post players, are averaging 3.1 and 2.2 minutes per game, respectively.
Burke has been hesitant to go with two bigs because of concerns about their ability to play man-to-man defense against quicker perimeter players — although she primarily played zone against New Mexico.
The Lobos outrebounded the Wildcats 44-32. It was the largest rebounding deficit this season for Arizona, which ranks next-to-last in the Big 12 in rebounding differential (minus-0.8 per game).
“They had size inside and then every guard position that they have, they were bigger than us,” Burke said. “Most teams from here on out will be except for ... a couple. So going big, I think, will help us at times offensively. But I don't think we're there quite yet where we feel comfortable just putting a huge lineup in, especially against other teams’ guards.
New Mexico’s Destinee Hooks (3) and Clarissa Craig (40) keep high pressure on Arizona forward Daniah Trammell (33) during their game at McKale Center, Dec. 7, 2025.
“We'll play around with some more things, but we're just going to be smaller. Missing 10 free throws wasn't because we were smaller, right?”
That was the other issue against the Lobos. Arizona got to the foul line 27 times but made only 17.
“That's never going to be acceptable,” Burke said. “(That’s) never going to win you a basketball game.”
The Wildcats rank 13th in the 16-team Big 12 in free-throw percentage at 68.7%.
Among players who’ve attempted at least 10 foul shots, Noelani Cornfield (83%), Mickayla Perdue (78.8%), Sugapong (72%) and Trammell (70.4%) are above 70%. Welch (50%), Adebanjo (50%) and Francois (37.5%) are at 50% or below.
“There's desperation after losses that you should be practicing with and talking about with your teammates,” Burke said. “They should be living on the free-throw line these next three days. That's player-led a lot of times. That's conversations they're having while they're tying their shoes getting ready to head out to the practice floor.”
Rim shots
– Eastern Kentucky (7-1) had a NET ranking of 134 entering Monday night’s games, while Arizona (6-2) was No. 184. All six of the Colonels’ Division I opponents so far fall into Quad 4 for résumé purposes.
– EKU has won 20-plus games each of the past two seasons under fifth-year coach Greg Todd.
– Wednesday marks Arizona’s first “Field Trip Game” since Nov. 20, 2019, vs. Prairie View A&M. About 3,000 students and chaperones are expected to attend, in addition to season-ticket holders and general-admission attendees.
