Arizona has returned to the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press poll, its first appearance there since December 2023. And just like two years ago, the Wildcats will immediately put that top ranking on the line in a tough road environment.
The UA is headed to Birmingham for a Saturday night clash with No. 12 Alabama, technically a neutral site game but just as neutral as two years ago when the teams met in Phoenix. Arizona won that game 87-74, doing so four days after falling to Purdue for its first loss of the season.
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The Crimson Tide are 7-2 this season, their losses at home to Purdue and against Gonzaga at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. They’ve also beaten St. John’s, Illinois, Maryland and Clemson.
To better understand Arizona’s next foe, we reached out to Roger Myers of SB Nation sister site Roll Bama Roll. Below are his straightforward answers to our cryptic questions:
AZ Desert Swarm: Alabama has played the toughest schedule in the country, per KenPom, with Sunday’s win over UTSA only the second ‘buy game’ on the slate. Besides experience, how has this gauntlet helped the Crimson Tide and in what ways did all these tough challenges expose any flaws?
Roger Myers: “Nate Oats definitely isn’t afraid to play anyone. The biggest thing that has been exposed is the interior defense and rebounding. I do think that Aiden Sherrell has improved a lot over the first nine games, but isn’t getting a lot of help down low.”
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Sophomore guard Labaron Philon is averaging 21.4 points per game with at least 20 in seven of nine games. What has made him so difficult to stop and what would Arizona need to do to slow him down?
“Philon’s biggest improvement over last year is his outside shooting. He has become a deadly 3-point threat, but the best part of his game is his penetration. He is an elite finisher and is strong enough to score through contact. Getting him into foul trouble may be the only way to slow him down.”
Injuries appear to be taking a toll on Alabama, with junior guard Aden Holloway missing the last two games and others also unavailable. Do you expect Holloway to play against Arizona, and if not who would fill in for him?
“Injuries have been an issue all year. Four of the 13 scholarship players missed Sunday’s game. Holloway, Taylor Bol Bowen, Keitenn Bristow and Collins Onyejiaka all missed the game. Latrell Wrightsell has missed multiple games as well. On the other hand, Miami transfer—and former 5-star recruit—Jalil Bethea has finally gotten healthy and played the last two games. Onyejiaka is out indefinitely with a medical condition, however the other three will be game-time decisions most likely.”
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Like all previous seasons under Nate Oats, the Tide seem to live and die by the 3-pointer—57 attempts against UTSA!—despite being one of the best teams in the country in 2-point shooting. Who are the players that Arizona has to worry about most on the perimeter, and if ‘Bama has to score more inside who would be responsible for that?
“Whew. 57 is a lot of attempts even for an Oats team. Normally would be in the mid- to high-30s attemptwise. The whole roster has the Oats green light behind the arc, the higher volume guys are Holloway, Wrightsell, Philon and now Bethea. Two good-looking freshmen, Amari Allen and London Jemison. have made a big splash and have been a huge surprise. Sherrell, Bol Bowen, and Bristow (if the last two are available) are the only threats down low.”
On the flip side, Arizona gets only 20 percent of its scoring from outside and is heavily focused on its frontcourt. How do you think Alabama will handle the Wildcats’ bigs?
“Poorly most likely, although Sherrell has improved dramatically on the boards and has blocked 15 shots in the last three games. Bristow has the ability to be a big help, but he has only played in three games and we have no idea if he is playing Saturday.”
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Prediction time. Does Alabama get revenge for the 2023 loss in Phoenix or does Arizona remain unbeaten? Give us a score pick.
“The score prediction is tough. If Bama can shoot 38-40 percent from deep they are tough to beat. But too often they don’t. I am worried about the boards and being able to stop the ‘Cats down low. Another issue is who will be healthy enough to play for the Tide. Let’s call it 94-80 for Arizona.”
