With the arrival of 2024, the season has gone through a fresh shift as the underdogs are smoothly getting their way with the top teams that have been looking strong since the beginning. One such case is of the #10 Arizona Wildcats who are about to lock horns with the Colorado Buffaloes. The team did go through some gruesome defeats recently.
Now, with an underdog opponent in front, let us see if the Wildcats get a chance to liberate themselves or fall deep down again.
Wildcats to hunt down Buffaloes
Hoping to end their Pac-12 drought, the Arizona Wildcats are about to take the Colorado Buffaloes head-on. Currently ranked 1st in the Pac-12, the Buffaloes have been delivering a strong performance this season. They are holding a record of 11-2. As for the Wildcats, they are ranked in 6th position in the Pac-12.
Dec 9, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (2) celebrates a basket against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
At present they hold a record of 10-3. However, the team has been facing some significant defeats including a 100-82 rout against Stanford and a close 96-95 loss against Florida Atlantic Owls. Facing a recent defeat from Stanford, the Wildcats are looking to bounce back in this one.
For the first time after a month, the Wildcats will be playing on their home court at the McKale Center. Maybe this time the Wildcats can turn things around as this season they’re emerging to be easily beatable. Indeed Arizona is one of the people’s favorites, however, the Buffaloes’ talented display hasn’t left anything overlooked.
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With the stats being mentioned, let’s now look at the key layers on both sides of the court.
Standout players on Arizona and Colorado’s roster
Keeping the focus on Arizona, guard Caleb Love has been performing firmly. This season, he has been averaging 17.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Also, he has been shooting with a field goal percentage of 42.1%. Next one, Keshad Johnson has been averaging 13 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Johnson has been shooting with a field goal percentage of 55.4%.
Moving on to center Oumar Ballo who has been averaging 13.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. He has been shooting with a field goal percentage of 63.5%. Then it’s the Wildcats’ guard Pelle Larsson who is averaging 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 57.1%.
Now, bringing the focus onto the Colorado Buffaloes, guard KJ Simpson has been averaging 19.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Moreover, he has been shooting with a field goal percentage of 57.7%. Then there’s forward Tristan da Silva, who has been averaging 15.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He has been shooting with a field goal percentage of 53.6%. Also, there is forward Cody Williams who has been averaging 14 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, shooting with a field goal percentage of 62.3%.
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These stats might merely act as a smokescreen at the end of the day, as much depends upon how these young guns fire when they shortly clash on the court.
The post Arizona vs. Colorado Match Preview – Players to Watch, Head-to-Head, and Prediction appeared first on EssentiallySports.
