The Arizona Wildcats are no longer undefeated, but are still within the top 25, and now must focus their efforts on the San Diego State Aztecs to retain their spot within the top teams in college basketball.
The No. 23 Wildcats will be out for some redemption as they host SDSU at the McKale Center, a team that beat them in their last meeting in 2009.
Arizona (4-1) opened the year with four quality wins, but were shocked by the then-unranked Mississippi State in Friday's championship game of the 2K Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden. The Wildcats fell 8 spots in the rankings because of it. Arizona was pressed for time during the tournament, explained by head coach Steve Miller:
"We've seen a lot in an early month and I'm very happy with four wins," coach Sean Miller said. "We played 40 minutes against zone and pressure against St. John's and then you go from a 9 o'clock start to playing the next day against a very different style with Mississippi State's size, with only a shootaround to prepare. But we didn't play well on offense or defense for sure."
Now well rested and back at home, the Wildcats will be ready for what the Aztecs have to throw at them.
This will be the 27th meeting all-time between these two, though Arizona holds a 20-6 lead in the series with San Diego State (5-1). But the Aztecs beat the Wildcats 63-46 at home Dec. 12, 2009. SDSU has lost seven straight against Arizona in Tucson, where they haven't won since Dec. 9, 1971. Hopefully the Wildcats can hold court this Wednesday night.
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. MST
Location: Olson Court, McKale Center (14,545), Tucson, Ariz.
Radio: IMG College/Wildcat Radio Network (Brian Jeffries/Matt Muehlebach) [Sirius: 113]
TV: FS Arizona Plus (Dave Sitton/Corey Williams)
For more on the Wildcats, head over to Arizona Desert Swarm.