Arizona (9-5, 1-1) vs. No. 15 Utah (11-3, 1-1): Scouting report, a forgotten shot, a 'menace on defense'

No. 15 Utah (11-3, 1-1) at Arizona (9-5, 1-1)

McKale Center — Noon Sunday — Pac-12 Networks — 1290-AM

She said it

Arizona coach Adia Barnes on the Utes: “Utah is a scoring machine. They’re an excellent offensive team that runs a lot of actions very hard to guard. They’re experienced, and (Alissa) Pili is one of the best forwards in the country. (She’s) extremely efficient, can play inside/ outside. So, we have our hands full trying to guard her. But I think you know, we’re good too and we’re doing some good things and we’re playing some good basketball. …

“We have to be able to guard Pili and make her guard us. And then we have to do some of the good things we did today (Friday vs. Colorado) but we have to correct some of the things that we didn’t do so well. I would say boxing out, getting over screens. A couple of times they (Colorado) made us pay (when) we went under shooters and then they hit threes. Those are the mistakes you can’t make and you can’t do against Utah because they all can shoot it. We’re going to have to guard Pili and that’s going to be multiple players. That’s going to be sometimes Helena (Pueyo), sometimes Sky (Jones) because that’s who we have. They’re going to have to eat their Wheaties before Sunday and be ready.”

On the sidelinesThe 3: This is the last go-around for the Pac-12. As such, we will be bringing you three questions with a league coach before an Arizona game. Here’s Utah coach Lynne Roberts. She is the reigning Pac-12 coach of the year.

What is it that makes this Utah roster click?

A: “Having our core group back from last year — our top eight players — certainly has helped. Obviously, we have been down two starters the past few weeks, which has been a challenge, but I think just the familiarity of our program, our system, our culture and each other helps tremendously.”

What will make Arizona a tough out this season?

A: “Arizona is always a tough out. They play incredibly hard and are a menace on defense. You have to prepare differently for them because of how they defend. This year they have a little bit of a younger core, but they are still held down by (Helena) Pueyo and (Esmery) Martinez, who both have a tremendous amount of experience. Since we only play them once, I’m sure we both really want to make the most of the opportunity.”

What is the secret sauce that has made Pac-12 women’s basketball so good for so long and especially this year?

A: “I think a few things …

1. The longevity of the coaches in the league. The Pac-12 has ELITE coaches. Elite. It’s not a league to learn how to prepare, compete, coach … or you’ll get eaten alive. But every single weekend you are facing elite coaches and elite game plans. It makes it incredibly tough. As iron sharpens iron, we make each other better. That’s why, as a league, we have the highest winning percentage in the NCAA Tournament, by a large margin. Every weekend we are all playing NCAA Tournament-caliber teams … so by the time we make it to the tournament, we’re battle-tested.

2. Investment from athletic departments. Pac-12 schools began investing in women’s basketball differently … be it overall budgets, salaries, etc. … and you see a direct correlation with more resources and success. Grass grows where it’s watered.

3. Support and comradery. This is a tight-knit women’s basketball league. We all know each other, we all root for one another, we all try to schedule for the betterment of the league … and, like a high tide rises all ships… it has risen all of our programs. I’m personally really sad to lose the coaching comradery that we all have in this league.”

The forgotten shot: The mid-range jumper is rare these days.

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Most players want to stay out on the perimeter and knock down 3s or drive to the hoop. The mid-range jumper is considered by many a low-percentage shot not worth the risk of only two points, so that is why some coaches, like Utah’s Roberts, don’t allow her players to even attempt them (or they’ll land on the bench). Looking at the shot sheet, all of the Utes’ shots come either down low or from the 3-point line.

Arizona has had a number of mid-range shooters. A few that stand out include Amari Carter and Aari McDonald.

Sophomore Kailyn Gilbert, who considers herself a three-level scorer, fits that mold.

“The mid-range is like the forgotten art of basketball,” Gilbert said. “In the past, a lot of the great players’ game was really based off the mid-range like Kobe, Michael Jordan. I feel like why put yourself in a box? If you’re really good in getting to the rack, people know that. They are going to play you for the drive instead of OK, I’m going hard, you might think I’m going to the rack, but then I pull up.

“When people say stuff like that (not to take a mid-range jumper), they’re selling themselves short.”

Injury watch: The Wildcats will be sticking with a seven-player rotation on Sunday as Sali Kourouma has a shoulder injury and is out indefinitely. Isis Beh is still in concussion protocol, but Barnes expects her to be back for next weekend’s road trip to the Oregon schools.

On the other side, Pili was hurt during Utah’s win over Arizona State on Friday and did not play the second half. The injury is undisclosed and it is not known if she would be available Sunday or if she will be on restricted minutes.

By the numbers

13: Arizona is averaging 12.6 steals per game, which is first in the Pac-12 and 13th in the nation. On Friday, against Colorado, they collected 13.

7: Utah is averaging 88.8 points per game — seventh in the nation and tops in the Pac-12. Over the last two games (a loss to Colorado and a win over ASU), the Utes have averaged only 61.5 points. They scored only 58 against Arizona State in a 17-point win Friday night.

200: UA’s Esmery Martinez has now dished more than 200 assists in her career to go along with more than 1,000 points and rebounds and more than 200 steals.

1: Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer needs one win to hit 1,200 wins in her career. She needs only four more to pass former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski for the most wins by a male or female coach in college basketball history.

— PJ Brown

Photos: Arizona Wildcats fall in their Pac-12 home opener 75-74 vs. Colorado, women's college basketball

Contact sports reporter PJ Brown at pjbrown@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @PJBrown09