The Arizona men’s basketball team released its complete 2014-15 schedule Monday night. After finishing the 2013-14 season with 33 wins and being one bucket away from a Final Four berth, the Wildcats are scheduled to play several familiar teams this season.
Arizona head coach Sean Miller lost the top-two scorers from last season, Nick Johnson and Aaron Gordon, to early-entry in the NBA draft. However, Miller returns three starters and several key bench players from last season in addition to yet another top-10 recruiting class.
The projected starting lineup of T.J. McConnell, Stanley Johnson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brandon Ashley and Kaleb Tarczewski should be amongst the best starting fives in the nation.
Miller and company have a great chance to improve upon last season’s results.
Key games:
Dec. 6 vs. Gonzaga: This will be a rematch of last year’s NCAA Tournament 3rd round matchup, where Arizona defeated Gonzaga 84-61. The Zags return sharp-shooter Kevin Pangos and should be a quality early-season opponent for Arizona.
Dec. 13 vs. Michigan: Arizona went to Ann Arbor, Mich., last year and pulled out a too-close-for-comfort 72-70 victory. This season, the Wolverines return guards Caris LeVert and Spike Albrecht but lost the inside-out scoring of Nik Stauskas, Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary to the NBA.
Jan. 4 vs. Arizona State: The first regular season matchup between the bitter rivals will be more heated than normal. The last matchup between the foes resulted in ASU upsetting Arizona in Tempe, Ariz. This is going to be a good one.
Jan. 8 at Oregon: Oregon was one of five teams to beat Arizona last season and hold one of the better home court advantages in the Pac-12 Conference. The Ducks lost a majority of the scoring from last season but always show up when Arizona comes to Eugene.
Feb. 21 vs. UCLA: This is the only game the two teams play this season, and it’s a revenge game for Arizona. In the last matchup between the teams, UCLA defeated Arizona 75-71 in the Pac-12 championship game. Both teams suffered critical losses, but Arizona should have the upper hand here.
—Follow Roberto Payne @HouseofPayne555
