Arizona women's basketball team starts practice with high expectations

Expectations are high for the Arizona women’s basketball team this season.

Entering her third season, coach Adia Barnes has put together a team that, on paper, looks like it can do more than just compete and make last year’s 6-24 finish a distant memory.

She has a top-rated freshman class with two five-stars, including McDonald’s All-American Cate Reese.

She has a highly-experienced transfer class — Aari McDonald, Dom McBryde and Tee Tee Starks.

Add to that sophomore forward Sam Thomas, who made the Pac-12’s All-Freshman team and some steady returning veterans.

The team has already sold nearly 900 season tickets with more than a month until opening night, Nov. 9 against Idaho State.

These expectations are enough to make any 18, 19, or 20-year-old anxious. But Thomas and her teammates aren’t “nervous about that.” It’s all about playing well for their fans and the community.

At Friday’s first day of fall practice, Barnes said her players were just embracing the moment.

“I think what helps manage that is Aari, Tee Tee, and Dom — they have experience,” said Barnes. “They are used to it and kind of had the leadership role (last year), but had to step back and were anxious to play. I think they have helped settle a lot of people.

“But, we are just taking one day at a time. I don’t think they feel like there is tons of expectation, because of last year.”

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But, there is plenty of excitement. Senior forward Destiny Graham has seen it all during her time at Arizona, as the lone player on the squad who Barnes did not recruit. She knows the promise of this team and knows they will step up and meet the challenge.

“I know I expect a lot from the freshman and the transfers, mainly because I know they will exceed my expectations and more,” said Graham.

“I use the excitement as drive to meet those expectations. This year is different, more special with what coach Barnes is doing with all of us, how we are all kind of interchangeable, how we work hard, and have fun with each other. I definitely see a lot more wins. I see the chemistry being better. I see everyone playing and practicing for each other instead of for themselves. Our talent level and skillset has improved drastically from last year.”

Graham, who doubled her offensively output last season with more points and more rebounds even though she played out of position, is moving back to her natural position and won’t have to battle those bigs this year. Graham will benefit from having freshman Semaj Smith at 6 feet, 6 inches, playing at center and players like McBryde, Reese, and Shalyse Smith — all 6 feet 1 inches and taller — at her side.

Thomas, who led all Pac-12 freshman in rebounding, steals, and blocks, is excited about her sophomore season. She came to Arizona for the opportunity to build the program and she sees the improvement.

“It’s a lot more fun,” said Thomas. “(Our strength is) our communication; I think we’re going to be a lot better. Since day one we started communicating with the freshman while they were here and we weren’t. Trying to get that relationship so that when season comes and things get tough, we’ve got that communication part down so we can just proceed from there.”

So far, Barnes is seeing good chemistry, the culture evolving, and her players starting to show their identity. She’s seeing the little things that make a difference — players are encouraging each other, not quitting, playing hard, and raising their level of competitiveness.

“One thing I love is Cate Reese. She is such a fearless competitor,” said Barnes. “She is diving over people and I think that is culturally what you want. But, you want eight of those or 10 of those types of players. So that’s why the culture takes time. But a couple of years ago we didn’t have anybody like that. We had players that played hard at times, but when things got tough we were fragmented. I think this year learning how to be together and pushing each and it’s good to compete, it’s good to kick each other’s butts a little bit. But, then you are teammates in the locker room.”

The Wildcats style of play is evolving as well. They have been focusing on “aggressive, aggressive, aggressive” defense according to Thomas.

This change is directly linked to one player — McDonald, who was the fastest player on the team last season, despite sitting out due to transfer rules.

“Aari changes everything. Aari is athletic. We’re changing a lot of our defense because of Aari,” said Barnes. “She’s someone who can disrupt the ball handler. She’s someone that can pick up full-court. She’s someone who creates shots. So I think what you’ll see is Lucia (Alonso) not have to work so hard for her shots. Remember last year she had to go off five-on balls and re-screen? She’s going to get easier shots and Sam Thomas will get easier shots. Aari just changes everything on the court — offensively and defensively. So it’s awesome to have her. She’ll be one of the best point guards in the league.”