PAC12 Tourney Preview: UW WBB Huskies Face Arizona Wildcats Wed. March 6th @ 6PM

For the Washington Huskies the 2024 PAC-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament starts on Wednesday, March 6th @ 6PM versus the Arizona Wildcats.

The Washington Huskies (16-13 overall, 6-12 PAC) face the Arizona Wildcats (16-14 overall, 8-10 PAC) on Wednesday, March 6th @ 6PM.

The video broadcast of the matchup between the Huskies and Wildcats will be streaming on Washington Livestream; as well as, streaming audio at LISTEN TO HUSKIES RADIO CALL.

In their last game facing Washington at home, Arizona beat Washington, 90-82 in a three overtime contest. See RECAP: UW WBB Huskies Start Slow, Lose Late in 3OT Loss to Arizona, 90-82

BOTH TEAMS PERFORMANCE OVER LAST FIVE GAMES

Arizona Offense

Over the last five games, the Arizona Wildcats offense averages 75.8 points per game; while the Huskies defense is holding opponents to 64.4 points per game.

Arizona has shown excellent three-point accuracy with 37.5% accuracy from beyond the arc.

However, Arizona is only averaging 12.8 three-point attempts per game (Bottom 4% nationally).

Over the last five games, the Huskies are holding opponents to 28.8% shooting from three-point range (Top 18% nationwide).

The Arizona Wildcats make 46.5% of their two-point attempts.

Kailyn Gilbert, a 5’8″ sophomore guard, is no longer with the Arizona program.

Gilbert was the Wildcats primary offensive threat and Arizona’s leading scorer at 15.8 points per game.

Over the last five games, Helena Pueyo, a 6’0″ guard, became Arizona’s leading scorer at 15.6 points per game and is the leading (volume) three-point shooter at 41.2% accuracy.

Pueyo is the true x-factor of the Wildcats — a player that makes winning plays and is capable of scoring in big moments.

Helena Pueyo is a classic “3 and D” player, she leads the Wildcats with 3.2 steals per game.

Pueyo also makes 53.5% of her two-point attempts overall, including 6.4 points per game in-the-paint (Top 11% nationally); as well as 2.0 second chance points per game (Top 12%).

Jada Williams, a 5’6″ freshman guard, is the second leading scorer at 13.6 points per game, she has improved offensively over the last five games.

The diminutive Williams is shooting 36.8% from three-point range but only 39.5% on two-point attempts.

Isis Beh is the third leading scorer at 12.6 points per game, she also has improved offensively over the last five games.

As we noted, Beh destroyed the Huskies defense in the last matchup.

Arizona’s Isis Beh was mostly unbothered by Huskies defenders, scoring a career high 29 points in 39 minutes on 90.9% shooting (10-of-11), including 88.9% (5 for 6) on two-pointers overall; 100% at the rim; and 100% from three-point range (2 for 2).

The Huskies defense will have to do a much better job of defending Beh, if they want to have any chance of upsetting Arizona.

Skylar Jones is the fourth leading scorer at 9.8 points per game, she also has improved offensively over the last five games.

Jones made 50% of her three-point attempts and 46.4% of her

Esmery Martinez, a 6’2 forward, is the fifth leading scorer at 9.6 points per game (down from 11.2 points), she has struggled offensively over the last five games.

Martinez remains the primary inside scoring threat but her efficiency dipped dramatically to 47.8% efficiency within 4.5 feet of the rim (from 57.3%); as well as 22.2% from farther out in the lane (down from 39.3%).

Not much of a three-point threat, Martinez has only made 16.7% (2 for 12)) of her three-point attempts.

Washington Defense

The Washington Huskies will need to disrupt the Arizona offense by playing stifling perimeter defense to:
(1) tightly contest Arizona’s three-point shots;
(2) cutting off the Wildcats’ dribble-drive lane penetration; and
(3) play good transition defense to prevent easy scores.

The Dawgs will also need to play tenacious inside defense “in the paint” against Arizona’s primary inside scorers, 6’3″ Isis Beh and 6’2″ Esmery Martinez, by denying them position inside and denying the entry pass.

Over the last five games, almost half of Arizona’s offense comes from inside-the-paint (49.1% – Top 12% nationally); so the Huskies must contest all shots in the and around the lane.

The Dawgs average 3.8 blocks per game over the last five games — which ranks among the Top 22% of Division One schools nationally.

More generally, the Huskies defense must also dominate and control the inside by remaining active and physical on the boards.

Washington averages only 24.8 defensive rebounds per game, which ranks exactly in the middle (50th percentile) among Division One schools nationally.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats average 10.8 offensive rebounds per game, ranking in the Bottom 44% nationally.

Washington defenders must limit the Wildcats’ second chance opportunities with strong defensive rebounding.

Washington Offense

Over the last five games, the Huskies are currently averaging 38.1% accuracy from three-point range.

Over the last five games, UW has only two players shooting 30% or better from beyond the arc:

Lauren Schwartz (66.7%);

Elle Ladine (40.0%);

The rest of the Huskies are in a shooting slump from three-point range:

Sayvia Sellers (28.6%);

Ari Long (25.0%);

Hannah Stines (25.0%)

Chloe Briggs (30.0);

Teagan Brown (0.0);

Jayda Noble (0.0); and

Dalayah Daniels (0.0%).

The Dawgs must shoot signifantly better from deep, in order to have a chance at upsetting the Wildcats.

Washington shoots 46.2 % from mid-range (but is not a volume mid-range offense); UW is shooting 50.5% overall on two-point attempts.

UW is better at close range — 53.2% within 4.5 feet of the rim; and 50.7% farther out in the lane.

Overall, 53.7% of the UW Huskies made shots are the result of their 14.4 assists per game.

Prediction: Toss-Up

To upset the Arizona Wildcats and extend their final PAC-12 conference tournament run, the Huskies defense must control Arizona’s Isis Beh and Esmery Martinez inside; and Washington’s offense must be effective from three-point range.

GO DAWGS!

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