5 Adjustments Arizona Wildcats Must Make Before 2015 NCAA Tournament

By Justin Patrick

5 Adjustments Arizona Wildcats Must Make Before 2015 NCAA Tournament

Arizona Wildcats 2015 March Madness — The Arizona Wildcats have a record of 25-3 (13-2 in the Pac-12) and they are currently ranked seventh in the nation. Bracketologist Joe Lunardi has them as the No. 2 seed in the West region in his latest bracket (Feb. 27). The Wildcats handily defeated Colorado Thursday night and they have their sights set on a Pac-12 championship and then a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. What adjustments do they need to make before March Madness begins?

5. Don’t Struggle Against Teams With Less Talent

Arizona Wildcats 2015 March Madness

5. Don’t Struggle Against Teams With Less Talent

Arizona Wildcats 2015 March Madness — The Wildcats must remain focused on the task at hand down the stretch, and specifically during the NCAA Tournament. There are no automatic wins in March Madness (except for the No. 1 seeds defeating No. 16 seeds), and Arizona’s three losses this season came against inferior opponents. Sean Miller’s (Jimmy Kimmel’s long lost brother) team must not overlook anyone in the tournament if they want to make a deep run.

4. Be In The Right Mindset For Quality Opponents

Arizona Wildcats 2015 March Madness

4. Be In The Right Mindset For Quality Opponents

Arizona Wildcats 2015 March Madness — They have looked impressive this season, but their schedule has been pretty soft. They have only played three games against teams that everyone considers to be safely in the NCAA Tournament field come Selection Sunday: Utah, Gonzaga and San Diego State. Arizona won all three games (they play Utah again on Feb. 28) which is a good sign, but making a deep run in March will mean playing multiple quality teams. Arizona needs to be ready.

3. Don’t Pay Attention To The Outside Pressure

Arizona Wildcats 2015 March Madness

3. Don’t Pay Attention To The Outside Pressure

Arizona Wildcats 2015 March Madness — For all of the success he has had in his career, Miller has never taken a team to the Final Four. Fans of the Wildcats expect that this team, with all of its talent, will reach the Final Four. Anything less will be a serious disappointment. The players need to tune out that chatter and those expectations and just play basketball in their final games before March Madness begins and, more importantly, in the NCAA Tournament.

2. Involve Stanley Johnson More

Arizona Wildcats 2015 March Madness

2. Involve Stanley Johnson More

Arizona Wildcats 2015 March Madness — Brandon Ashley and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson are two stars of this Arizona team, but the Freshman Johnson has become a star in his own right. The 6-foot-7 forward is averaging 14.2 PPG (leads the team), 6.6 RPG and 0.3 BPG this season. Johnson could have caved under the pressure with which he entered this season, but he became a leader instead. He needs to continue to get more touches and he could be the closer in a tight game in March, if needed.

1. Improve Their Poor Free-Throw Shooting

Arizona Wildcats 2015 March Madness

1. Improve Their Poor Free-Throw Shooting

Arizona Wildcats 2015 March Madness — Arizona's a pretty well-rounded team, but they really struggle at the free-throw line. They are currently shooting 69.5 percent (tied for 155th) from the line, and it was even worse in their three losses. Every team ranked in the top 10 has at least one player shooting at least 80 percent from the line except Arizona. If the Wildcats want to achieve a Final Four appearance or win a national championship, they must improve at the free-throw line.

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