Arizona began this week as the No. 2 team in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
They actually got 11 first-place votes — ahead of Duke.
After a disastrous week at the Battle 4 Atlantis, the Wildcats (3-3) could tumble out of the poll completely, or at least fall into the 20s.
If the former happens, it’s hard to remember a recent historical comparison.
After losing to unranked N.C. State and SMU in 6-point games, Sean Miller’s club was hammered by No. 18 Purdue, 89-64, in the seventh-place game for their third loss in three days.
Arizona ??? pic.twitter.com/toVJwtEYtl
— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) November 25, 2017
Arizona may still be in the Top 25 come Monday, but who have they beaten?
Their three wins are over Northern Arizona, UMBC and CSU Bakersfield.
By quick contrast, Arizona State should be ranked on Monday after winning the Las Vegas Invitational with a 102-86 beatdown of No. 15 Xavier.
Arizona State is about to be ranked in Men’s Basketball… pic.twitter.com/rSqqtfBYPW
— Christian (@Nice_Chris_Nice) November 25, 2017
The Wildcats continue to play without sophomore Rawle Alkins (broken foot) and under the hangover of the FBI investigation that resulted in former assistant Book Richardson getting arrested and then indicted.
In the way of the FBI investigation, numerous high-profile recruits — including R.J. Barrett (Duke), Bol Bol (Oregon), Nassir Little (UNC) and Simi Shittu (Vanderbilt) — all dropped Arizona from consideration and then picked other schools. Jahvon Quinerly also decommitted and has yet to announce his future plans.
On the bright side for Arizona, DeAndre Ayton (22 points, 8 rebounds) is playing like a potential No. 1 pick, even if it’s unclear how he and fellow big man Dusan Ristic play together. Freshman Brandon Randolph (17 points) has also been a bright spot in an offense where the spacing has been horrible.
It’s only November, but Arizona could make history on Monday. And not in a good way.
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