Wildcats No.2 in the nation

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


The Arizona Wildcats fall to No. 2 in the nation this week in the Associated Press Basketball Poll. Arizona's loss to California on Saturday opened the door for unbeaten Syracuse to move into the top spot.

The Florida Gators are third, unbeaten Wichita State fourth and San Diego State is ranked fifth this week. Villanova is ranked sixth, Cincinnati moves into the seventh spot, Kansas is eighth, Michigan State is ninth and Michigan is 10th.

Arizona owns victories over San Diego State and Michigan.

Arizona (21-1 overall and 8-1 in the Pac-12 Conference) have nine regular-season games left -- four at home and five on the road. The Wildcats will finish the year without Brandon Ashley, who is out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury.

It'll be a tough task at home and away for the Wildcats. We'll find out if the 'Cats are up for the challenge this week at McKale Center as they take on Oregon and Oregon State.

Look for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to step it up a notch. It's also time for senior Jordin Mayes to log some productive minutes and look for Elliot Pitts to come off the bench and give the Wildcats a lift offensively.

Go get 'em, Wildcats!