Arizona Staying Grounded Ahead of No. 3 Iowa State

The Arizona men’s basketball team has a quick turnaround after their 78-63 win over Colorado on Saturday. Awaiting them is the No. 3 team in the nation in the Iowa State Cyclones. The two face off in a marquee matchup at McKale on Monday night. 

The Wildcats were fueled by Anthony Dell’Orso’s 20 points on 6/9 shooting from beyond the arc. The rest of the team shot 3/18 from three. Wildcat big Tobe Awaka posted 15 rebounds in the win as well. 

A win over the Cyclones could propel Arizona right back into the toast of the Big 12 conversation. The Wildcats are now 7-1 in conference play, and Monday night will be quite the litmus test for the hometown team. 

But Tommy Lloyd is not getting ahead of himself. He said the second you take the eye off the ball, you can get humbled in this sport. A win in late January, while nice for the resumé, won’t make them Big 12 champs or help them in the tournament. 

For now, the ‘Cats are getting to work, hoping to gain experience for the postseason and hit their stride at the right time.