Arizona’s offensive execution must improve if they’re to be a national contender

TUCSON, Ariz. – It isn’t often that a team can score 80 points in regulation (92 for the game) and be open for criticism in regards to their execution on the offensive end of the floor. But that’s the case for No. 3 Arizona, who has a lot of work to do in that regard in spite of their 92-83 overtime win over Colorado.

The Wildcats trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half due in large part to their impatience on the offensive end of the floor, shooting 7-of-27 from the field overall and 3-of-11 from beyond the arc.

And with Colorado finding much better looks the Wildcats were fortunate to trail by just seven points at the break.

“Whether we won or lost my message to the team was going to be the same, and it was that we’re playing with fire with the way we play offense,” head coach Sean Miller said after the game.

In more than a few of Arizona’s games leading into Pac-12 play things came easy in spite of their turnover issues, and it may have spoiled them a bit when it came to how they executed on the offensive end of the floor.

And the refusal to be “greedy” offensively, to not remain patient and work for quality looks, nearly put Arizona in a hole too deep to crawl out of. But they got better, shooting 60% from the field in the second half and that set the stage for another Wildcat comeback.

Mark Lyons led six Wildcats in double figures with 24 points however both he and Nick Johnson (12 points) struggled from the field, combining to shoot 8-of-27 from the field (17-of-18 from the foul line).

Having the resolve to fight back and a 44-33 edge on the glass should be seen as positives that Arizona can build upon, beginning with their game against Utah on Saturday.

But if this team is to take their 13-0 start and turn it into something truly special down the line, they have to get better offensively.

“All of a sudden we were taking fast shots and turning the ball over; it was an issue. That is a lesson we have learned,” said Miller. “If we play that way going forward, it’s not going to look good.”

Raphielle also writes for the NBE Basketball Report and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.