University Of Arizona Basketball Quiz

1. As a highly ranked and undefeated team, it's no surprise that Arizona is outperforming its opponents in almost every statistical category. But there is one major category in which the Wildcats haven't kept pace with their foes. What is it?

Field-goal percentage

Scoring

Free-throw percentage

Blocked shots

Opponents are hitting 72 percent of their free-throw attempts, while the Wildcats are converting 67 percent. As any serious basketball fan knows, free throws can be the difference between winning and losing when games are tight. On a positive note, the Wildcats are actually getting to the line more often, 217 times compared with 148 for opponents. So Arizona is actually making more free throws (145) than opponents (106). The Wildcats also have fewer steals than their opponents, but there the margin is smaller. Arizona has 38 steals compared with 41 for opponents.

Explanation

Opponents are hitting 72 percent of their free-throw attempts, while the Wildcats are converting 67 percent. As any serious basketball fan knows, free throws can be the difference between winning and losing when games are tight. On a positive note, the Wildcats are actually getting to the line more often, 217 times compared with 148 for opponents. So Arizona is actually making more free throws (145) than opponents (106). The Wildcats also have fewer steals than their opponents, but there the margin is smaller. Arizona has 38 steals compared with 41 for opponents.

2. In one of the early statistical anomalies of the season, a Wildcats starter is both the team's best three-pointer shooter and its worst free-throw shooter. Who is he?

T.J. McConnell

Aaron Gordon

Nick Johnson

Brandon Ashley

These numbers are likely to reverse themselves as the season goes along, but Gordon, Arizona’s highly touted freshman, is leading the starters in three-point field goal percentage (50 percent) but trails the pack in free-throw percentage (49 percent).

Explanation

These numbers are likely to reverse themselves as the season goes along, but Gordon, Arizona’s highly touted freshman, is leading the starters in three-point field goal percentage (50 percent) but trails the pack in free-throw percentage (49 percent).

3. Among Arizona's top seven players in terms of minutes played, one has yet to record a single steal this season. Who is he?

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Gabe York

Aaron Gordon

Kaleb Tarczewski

Granted, centers are not asked to steal the ball a lot. Tarczewski does lead the team in blocks, with 14. But while averaging about 25 minutes a game, one would think that Tarczewski would have at least an accidental steal by now. In 35 games last season, he tallied 10 steals, or one every 3.5 games. In other words, he’s overdue.

Explanation

Granted, centers are not asked to steal the ball a lot. Tarczewski does lead the team in blocks, with 14. But while averaging about 25 minutes a game, one would think that Tarczewski would have at least an accidental steal by now. In 35 games last season, he tallied 10 steals, or one every 3.5 games. In other words, he’s overdue.

4. Along the same line, which two schools will not visit Arizona this season?

Oregon and Oregon State

Stanford and California

UCLA and USC

Colorado and Utah

This is sure to upset many Wildcats fans, given the rivalry that has developed over 30 years between Arizona and UCLA. Another setback for Arizona fans will be losing the opportunity to see those teams’ new coaches at McKale Center. UCLA is off to an 8-0 start under coach Steve Alford, who left New Mexico after last season. USC is 5-3 under coach Andy Enfield, who came to the Pac-12 from Florida Gulf Coast University.

Explanation

This is sure to upset many Wildcats fans, given the rivalry that has developed over 30 years between Arizona and UCLA. Another setback for Arizona fans will be losing the opportunity to see those teams’ new coaches at McKale Center. UCLA is off to an 8-0 start under coach Steve Alford, who left New Mexico after last season. USC is 5-3 under coach Andy Enfield, who came to the Pac-12 from Florida Gulf Coast University.

5. When the Pac-12 Conference added two universities before the 2012-13 season, it did away with the true round robin for basketball in which all teams played each other once at home and once on the road. As a result, all teams skip road trips to two schools per season. Who will the Wildcats not visit this season?

Stanford and California

Washington and Washington State

USC and UCLA

Utah and Colorado

The Wildcats will open Pac-12 play by hosting Washington State and Washington on Jan. 2 and Jan. 4, respectively. After that, the only time Arizona would be able to meet the two Northwest schools would be in the Pac-12 Tournament or another postseason event.

Explanation

The Wildcats will open Pac-12 play by hosting Washington State and Washington on Jan. 2 and Jan. 4, respectively. After that, the only time Arizona would be able to meet the two Northwest schools would be in the Pac-12 Tournament or another postseason event.