The 2017-18 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team represents the University of Arizona during the 2017-18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team is led by ninth-year head coach Sean Miller, and play their home games at McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona as members in the Pac-12 Conference.
Video 2017-18 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team
Previous season
Entering the 2016-17 season, Arizona had been ranked in 78 consecutive AP polls and 81-straight Coaches polls. The Wildcats were ranked every week extending their streak to 97 weeks for the AP and 100 weeks for the Coaches poll. The 97 consecutive weeks in the AP poll is currently the second-longest streak in the nation behind Kansas at 161 weeks. Arizona won its first 10 conference games, the best start since the 1997-98 season when they started 16-0. During the season, Arizona was invited and participated in the Armed Forces Classic in Honolulu. Arizona defeated Michigan State. Arizona also defeated Texas A&M in the Lone Star Shootout in Houston. Arizona also defeated Sacred Heart, Northern Colorado and Santa Clara but lost to Butler in the championship game of the Las Vegas Invitational in Paradise, NV.
They finished the season 32-5, 16-2 in Pac-12 play to finish in a first place tie with Oregon. The championship marked the school's 15th Pac-12 regular season championship title. As the No. 2 seed in the Pac-12 Tournament, Arizona defeated Colorado, UCLA and Oregon (avenged from 85-58 loss on February 4 in Eugene, OR) to win the sixth Pac-12 tournament championship title since 2002. As a result, the Wildcats received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive year (32nd NCAA tournament appearances). As a No. 2 seed in the West region, they defeated North Dakota 100-82 and Saint Mary's 69-60 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. However, in the Sweet Sixteen, they lost to No. 11 seed Xavier 71-73.
Maps 2017-18 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team
Offseason
2017 recruiting class
Tempe, Arizona product Alex Barcello was the first commitment in the Arizona class. He committed to Arizona on August 26 at a press conference at his high school. He chose Arizona over Butler, Indiana, Stanford and Virginia. He was a consensus four star prospect, and was ranked the consensus No. 93 overall player by the four main recruiting services.
DeAndre Ayton, a Bahamian attending school in Phoenix, was the second commitment in the Arizona class. He committed to Arizona on September 6 live on ESPN. He chose Arizona for an upset over Kansas and Kentucky. He was a consensus five star prospect, and was ranked the consensus No. 2 overall player by the four main recruiting services.
Brandon Randolph, originally from Yonkers, New York, was the third commitment in the Arizona class. He committed to Arizona on October 12. He chose Arizona over Syracuse, Oregon and Wake Forest. He was a consensus top fifty player, ranked No. 42 by the four main recruiting services.
Ira Lee, from Los Angeles, was the fourth commitment in the Arizona class. He committed to Arizona on October 20. He chose Arizona over California and Oregon. He was a consensus top-25 player and ranked as a four-star player by the four main recruiting services Rivals, ESPN, Scout, and 24/7 Sports.
Emmanuel Akot from Winnipeg, CA, was the first commitment in the 2018 Arizona class, but he will reclassified to 2017 class (fifth and final commitment). He committed to Arizona on March 9 at a press conference at his high school. He chose Arizona over Louisville, Oregon and Utah. He was a consensus five star prospect, and was ranked the consensus No. 21 overall player by the four main recruiting services.
Arizona also added Preferred Walk-on Matt Weyand from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California.
School Offers by Recruit
ESPN 100
- Alex Barcello: Arizona, Butler, Indiana, Stanford and Virginia
- Brandon Randolph: Arizona Syracuse, Oregon and Wake Forest
- Ira Lee: Arizona, California and Oregon
- DeAndre Ayton: Arizona, Kansas and Kentucky
- Emmanuel Akot: Arizona, Louisville, Oregon and Utah
2018 recruiting class
Shareef O'Neal, son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, from Santa Monica, CA was the first commitment in the Arizona class. He committed to Arizona on April 19, over Baylor, California, Georgetown, Kansas State, LSU, UCLA and USC. He was a consensus five star prospect, and was ranked the consensus No. 19 overall player by the four main recruiting services.
Brandon Williams, originally from Panorama City, CA was the second commitment in the Arizona class. He committed to Arizona on June 6, over Gonzaga, Kansas, UCLA and USC. He was a consensus four star prospect, and ranked the consensus No. 20 overall player by the four main recruiting services.
FBI investigation
On September 26, federal prosecutors in New York announced charges of fraud and corruption against 10 people involved in college basketball, including Arizona assistant coach Emmanuel "Book" Richardson. The charges allege that Richardson and others allegedly received benefits from financial advisers and others to influence student-athletes to retain their services. Following the news, Richardson was suspended and relieved of all duties.
On January 11, 2018, UA fires assistant basketball coach Book Richardson after his appeal fails. On February 23, 2018, according to a published report by ESPN, an FBI wiretap reveals that head coach Sean Miller talked with Christian Dawkins (another key member of the scandal) to discuss paying their top prospect, DeAndre Ayton, $100,000 to commit to Arizona, with the monetary situation being dealt with directly to him. While Miller would not coach their next game that day against Oregon, Ayton would still be allowed to play for at least that game.
Personnel
Roster
- Aug 23, 2017 - Sophomore walk-on Kory Jones will miss the 2017-18 season after tearing his left ACL.
- Sept 27, 2017 - Sophomore Rawle Alkins out 8-12 weeks with a broken right foot.
- Feb 22, 2018 - Junior Allonzo Trier ruled ineligible by NCAA for testing positive of a banned substance.
Depth chart
Coaching staff
Preseason
Roster
On March 30, 2017, Lauri Markkanen announced that he was leaving the program to enter the 2017 NBA Draft, and would forgo his remaining eligibility. On April 5, 2017, Kobi Simmons, in a release to the fanbase, stated that he intended to enter the NBA draft and sign with an agent, thus ending his remaining eligibility with the program. On May 5, 2017, Chance Comanche, stated that he intended to sign with an agent, thus ending his remaining eligibility with the program. On May 22, 2017, Rawle Alkins, who entered the 2017 NBA draft without hiring an agent, announced that he would return to Arizona to play in 2017-18 season.
Events
On June 8, Arizona released the non-conference schedule is highlighted by marquee match-ups at McKale Center and across the country. Arizona will also host Alabama, Cal State Bakersfield, Connecticut, Long Beach State, North Dakota State, Northern Arizona and UMBC in Tucson, AZ. Arizona will travel to Phoenix to play Texas A&M at Talking Stick Resort Arena in the annual Valley of the Sun Shootout, to Nassau, Bahamas to play three of the following teams: (NC State, Northern Iowa, Purdue, SMU, Tennessee, Villanova or Western Kentucky) in the Battle 4 Atlantis at Imperial Arena, to Alburquerque to play against New Mexico, and finally face UNLV in Paradise, NV.
The 2018 Pac-12 Tournament will begin March 7 in Las Vegas and conclude on March 10. Selection Sunday occurs the following day.
In the unbalanced 18-game Pac-12 schedule, Arizona will not play the Washington teams (Washington/Washington State) at home and Los Angeles teams (UCLA/USC) on the road. Times and networks will be announced at a later date and the conference schedule will be announced in the fall.
Summer Exhibition Tour
Practices began earlier than otherwise allowed by the NCAA in preparation for a three-game foreign tour to Spain in August. (NCAA rules allow teams to conduct 10 practices in preparation for a foreign tour.) NCAA rules allow for foreign tours once every four years and the Spain tour was Arizona's first since 2012. It was the eighth in program history. The University of Arizona basketball program will travel to Spain in August for a foreign tour, including a trio of exhibition games. The Wildcats will spend time in Barcelona and Valencia Aug. 11 through Aug. 19.
UA will take on Combinado Valenciano on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. local at the Pabellon Municipal Fuente de San Luis in Valencia.
The trip's second exhibition features Arizona and the Mataro All-Stars on Wednesday, August 16 at 7:10 p.m. in Barcelona inside the Pavello Municipal Teresa Maria Roca prior to the final exhibition two days later against Mataro Parc Boet in the same arena.
All three of the exhibitions will be streamed online by FloHoops.com with a subscription required.
Red and Blue game
The annual Red-Blue game will take place at McKale Center on October 20, 2017. After freshman Brandon Randolph won the dunk contest, the Blue team, led by Deandre Ayton, knocked off the Red team, 55-37.
Preseason rankings
For the fifth time in the past six seasons, Arizona Wildcats voted 2017-18 Pac-12 preseason favorite by media poll. On October 19th, Arizona was pre-season ranked 5th in USA Today coaches preseason poll. On November 1st, Arizona was pre-season ranked No. 3 in AP Top 25 preseason poll.
In its preseason college preview, Lindy's Sports ranked the Wildcats No. 2 in the country. The Blue Ribbon Yearbook ranked UA No. 2 in its preseason rankings. Athlon Sports ranked the Wildcats No. 1 in the country. Street & Smith ranked UA No. 1 in the country. KenPom ranked UA No. 3 in the country. NBC Sports ranked the Wildcats No.3 in the country. CBS Sports ranked No. 2 for the Wildcats. ESPN ranked No. 2 for the Wildcats. Sports Illustrated ranked UA No.1 in the country.
Schedule and results
Schedule Source: ArizonaWildcats.com
Ranking movement
- Number in italic indicates the number of first place votes
^Coaches did not release a Week 2 poll.
*AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings
Player statistics
Game summaries
Red/Blue Scrimmage
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Arizona Blue: DeAndre Ayton (F), Allonzo Trier (G), Keanu Pinder (F), Dylan Smith (G/F), Alex Barcello (G)
- Arizona Red: Emmanuel Akot (F), Brandon Randolph (G), Ira Lee (F), Parker Jackson-Cartwright (G), Dusan Ristic (C)
Exhibition: Eastern New Mexico
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Eastern New Mexico: Jamari Pierce (G), Arcaim Lallemand (F), LaMarquis Thompson (G), Maurice Coleman (F), Zach Parker (C)
- Arizona: Alex Barcello (PG), Brandon Randolph (SG), Allonzo Trier (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
Exhibition: Chico State
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Chico State: Isaiah Ellis (G), Justin Briggs (G), Jalen McFerren (F), Nate Ambrosini (F), Corey Silverstrom (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Emmanuel Akot (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
Northern Arizona
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Northern Arizona: Gino Littles (PG), Brooks Debisschop (SG), Chris Bowling (SF), Isaiah Thomas (PF), Torrey Johnson (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Emmanuel Akot (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
UMBC
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- UMBC: Jourdan Grant (G), Jairus Lyles (G), Max Curran (F), Arkel Lamar (G/F), Nolan Gerrity (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Emmanuel Akot (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
Cal State Bakersfield
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Cal State Bakersfield: Jarkel Joiner (PG), Brent Wrapp (SG), Damiyne Durham (SF), Shon Briggs (PF), Moataz Aly (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Emmanuel Akot (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs North Carolina State (Battle 4 Atlantis)
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- North Carolina State: Markell Johnson (PG), Torin Dorn (G), Allerik Freeman (G), Sam Hunt (G), Lennard Freeman (F)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Dylan Smith (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs SMU (Battle 4 Atlantis)
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- SMU: Jimmy Whitt (G), Shake Milton (G), Jarrey Foster (G), Ben Emelogu II (G), Ethan Chargois (F)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Dylan Smith (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs #18 Purdue (Battle 4 Atlantis)
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Purdue: P.J. Thompson (PG), Carsen Edwards (SG), Dakota Mathias (SF), Vincent Edwards (PF), Isaac Haas (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Emmanuel Akot (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs Long Beach State
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Long Beach State: Edon Maxhuni (PG), Bryan Alberts (SG), KJ Byers (SF), Gabe Levin (PF), Mason Riggins (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Brandon Randolph (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
at UNLV
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- UNLV: Jordan Johnson (PG), Jovan Mooring (SG), Kris Clyburn (SF), Shakur Juiston (PF), Brandon McCoy (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Brandon Randolph (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs Texas A&M (Valley of the Sun Showcase)
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Texas A&M: Duane Wilson (PG), Admon Gilder (SG), D.J. Hogg (SF), Robert Williams (PF), Tyler Davis (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Brandon Randolph (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs Alabama
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Alabama: Colin Sexton (PG), Dazon Ingram (SG), John Petty(SF), Riley Norris (PF), Donta Hall (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Brandon Randolph (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
at New Mexico
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- New Mexico: Antino Jackson (PG), Makuach Maluach (SG), Jachai Simmons (SF), Dane Kuiper (PF), Joe Furstinger (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs North Dakota State
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- North Dakota State: Jared Samuelson (G), Tyson Ward (G), Paul Miller (G), A.J. Jacobson (G), Spencer Eliason (F)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs UConn
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- UConn: Jalen Adams (G), Christian Vital (G), Terry Larrier (G), Isaiah Whaley (F), Eric Cobb (F)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs Arizona State
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Arizona State: Shannon Evans II (G), Tra Holder (G), Kodi Justice (G), Mickey Mitchell (F), Romello White (F)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
at Utah
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Utah: Justin Bibbins (PG), Sedrick Barefield (SG), Gabe Bealer (SF), Tyler Rawson (PF), David Collette (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
at Colorado
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Colorado: McKinley Wright IV (PG), Namon Wright (SG), George King (SF), Tyler Bey (PF), Dallas Walton (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs Oregon State
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Oregon State: Stephen Thompson Jr. (PG), Ethan Thompson (SG), Seth Berger(SF), Tres Tinkle (PF), Drew Eubanks (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs Oregon
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Oregon: Payton Pritchard (PG), Elijah Brown (SG), Troy Brown (SF), MiKyle McIntosh (PF), Kenny Wooten (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
at California
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- California: Darius McNeill (PG), Don Coleman (SG), Juhwan Harris-Dyson (SF), Justice Sueing (PF), Marcus Lee (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Dylan Smith (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
at Stanford
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Stanford: Daejon Davis (PG), Dorian Pickens (SG), Kezie Okpala (SF), Reid Travis (PF), Michael Humphrey (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs Colorado
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Colorado: McKinley Wright IV (PG), Namon Wright (SG), George King (SF), Tyler Bey (PF), Dallas Walton (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Dylan Smith (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs Utah
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Utah: Justin Bibbins (PG), Parker Van Dyke (SG), Gabe Bealer (SF), Tyler Rawson (PF), David Collette (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Dylan Smith (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
at Washington State
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Washington State: Viont'e Daniels (PG), Carter Skaggs (SG), Robert Franks (SF), Arinze Chidom (PF), Drick Bernstine (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Dylan Smith (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
at Washington
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Washington: David Crisp (PG), Jaylen Nowell (SG), Matisse Thybulle (SF), Noah Dickerson (PF), Sam Timmins (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs UCLA
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- UCLA: Aaron Holiday (PG), Jaylen Hands (SG), Kris Wilkes (SF), Gyorgy Goloman (PF), Thomas Welsh (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), DeAndre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
vs USC
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- USC: Jordan McLaughlin (PG), Derryck Thornton (SG), Elijah Stewart (SF), Nick Rakocevic (PF), Chimezie Metu (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), Deandre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
at Arizona State
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Arizona State: Shannon Evans II (G), Tra Holder (G), Kodi Justice (G), Vitaliy Shibel (F), Romello White (F)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Allonzo Trier (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), Deandre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
at Oregon State
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Oregon State: Stephen Thompson Jr. (PG), Ethan Thompson (SG), Tres Tinkle (SF), Seth Berger (PF), Drew Eubanks (C)
- Arizona: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PG), Dylan Smith (SG), Rawle Alkins (SF), Deandre Ayton (PF), Du?an Risti? (C)
at Oregon
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Oregon:
- Arizona:
vs Stanford
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- Stanford:
- Arizona:
vs California
Broadcasters: Starting Lineups:
- California:
- Arizona:
Awards and honors
Weekly awards
- Allonzo Trier
-
- Week 1, Pac-12 Player of the Week (Nov. 13)
- NBC Sports Player of the Week (Nov. 13)
- DeAndre Ayton
-
- Week 4, Pac-12 Player of the Week (Dec. 4)
- Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week
- NCAA Men's Player of the Week (Jan. 1)
- NBC Sports Player of the Week (Jan. 1)
- Pac-12 Player of the Week (2) (Jan. 2)
- Dusan Ristic
-
- Pac-12 Player of the Week (Jan. 29)
Watchlists
- Allonzo Trier
-
- Jerry West Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- Oscar Robertson Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- Lute Olson Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- Naismith Trophy Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- John R. Wooden Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 (2018)
- Rawle Alkins
-
- Julius Erving Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- Naismith Trophy Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- John R. Wooden Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- DeAndre Ayton
-
- Karl Malone Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- Oscar Robertson Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- Naismith Trophy Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- John R. Wooden Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
- John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 (2018)
- Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List (2018)
- Du?an Risti?
-
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Preseason Watch List (2018)
Pac-12 awards
National district awards
All-American and national awards
- Allonzo Trier
-
- AP Preseason First Team All-American (2017)
- Street & Smith Preseason Second Team All-American (2017)
- NBC Sports Preseason First Team All-American (2017)
- ESPN Preseason First Team All-American (2017)
- Sports Illustrated Preseason First Team All-American (2017)
- USA Today Preseason First Team All-American (2017)
- Blue Ribbon Preseason Second Team All-American (2017)
- Athlon Sports Preseason Second Team All-American (2017)
- Sporting News Preseason Second Team All-American (2017)
- DeAndre Ayton
-
- AP Preseason Second Team All-American (2017)
- NBC Sports Preseason Third Team All-American (2017)
- Blue Ribbon Preseason Third Team All-American (2017)
- Athlon Sports Preseason Third Team All-American (2017)
- Sporting News Preseason Third Team All-American (2017)
- Sports Illustrated Preseason Honorable Mention All-American (2017)
- USA Today Preseason Honorable Mention All-American (2017)
All-Pac-12 team
See also
2017-18 Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
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