Arizona’s Just Too Good Even At Slower Pace, Wildcats Able To Extend Streak Vs. WSU
It could have been worse. Much worse. Just ask Arizona State, which gave up 127 points to college basketball’s defending national champs. Kansas State (125), Washington (112) and Morgan State (115) can also vouch for the potency of Arizona’s unrelenting arsenal.
For Washington State, then, there was no shame in Saturday night’s 83-61 loss to the fourth-ranked Wildcats in McKale Center, a place where far better opponents have suffered far worse fates.
“They did an excellent job in terms of controlling the tempo of the game,” Arizona coach Lute Olson said.
In addition to slowing things down, the Cougars played aggressive perimeter defense, especially in the first half. Arizona wing Michael Dickerson, coming off an 11-for-11 second half against Washington on Thursday night, hit 2 of 7 first-half field goals against WSU.
Arizona shot 40 percent in the half, but the Wildcats enjoyed a 39-24 lead because WSU was even worse (.333). The Cougars missed three layups, had two others negated by charging fouls and committed three traveling violations.
“I think we were just out of sync,” said Kojo Mensah-Bonsu, who had 12 points, making 6 of 6 field goals, and added six rebounds. “They’re a very good defensive team.”
WSU, spurred on by Mensah-Bonsu’s thunderous rebound dunk and Steve Slotemaker’s 3-pointer over Dickerson, closed the deficit to 54-41 with 12:30 remaining. The 10-2 run gave the Cougars a reprieve, but Arizona’s answer was imminent and resounding.
Jason Terry scored four consecutive points and Miles Simon added a 3-pointer, giving Arizona a 58-41 cushion that was never threatened. The Wildcats shot 59 percent in the second half.
Arizona improved to 21-3 overall and 11-0 in the Pacific-10 Conference, increasing its lead over Stanford, which remained at 8-2. Arizona has won 14 in a row and 26 straight against WSU. The Cougars (8-14, 1-10) lost their seventh straight. They may have also lost sophomore wing Chris Crosby, who did not return after injuring his right ankle with 3:17 remaining in the first half.
An X-ray showed what appeared to be a hair-line fracture, but coach Kevin Eastman cautioned that the crack may have been left over from a preseason injury. A more definitive diagnosis was expected as soon as today.
Crosby made 1 of 6 field goals before the injury, but he was not alone in his struggles. Starting guards Blake Pengelly and Kab Kazadi were a combined 5 for 20 from the field.
The Cougars shot just 38.7 percent. Dickerson and Simon led the Wildcats with 19 points apiece. Terry and point guard Mike Bibby combined for 28 points and 10 assists.
Slotemaker, WSU’s 6-foot-8 forward, spent the bulk of his time and energy trying to stay with Dickerson and Simon, two of the best perimeter players in the country. Slotemaker has been forced into a perimeter role since Rodrigo de la Fuente, WSU’s best defender, joined a Spanish professional team last month.
“I’m obviously not the quickest wing player in the Pac-10,” Slotemaker said. “I tried to space them and then they hit a couple 3s on me, so I couldn’t space them as much. But they’re difficult for the quickest guys. Much too difficult.”
Backup forward Eugene Edgerson also played a critical role for Arizona. He helped limit WSU forward Carlos Daniel to 14 points on 3-for-13 shooting.
“Carlos got some good looks, but not when Edgerson was in the game,” Eastman said. “He was active, he was aggressive and he did it without fouling.”
Edgerson grabbed 13 rebounds in 21 minutes. Starter Bennett Davison had four points and five rebounds, prompting some to wonder if Edgerson might compete for a spot in the starting lineup when the Wildcats take on Arizona State later this week.
“I thought our two best players came off the bench,” Olson said. “Jason Terry gave us some energy, like he usually does, and Eugene Edgerson played with great enthusiasm.”
, DataTimes