It doesn’t take long to figure out that Arizona’s newcomers have been productive.
Take one look at the team’s stat-sheet and their numbers jump off the page. Lauri Markkanen, Kobi Simmons, and Rawle Alkins are the team’s leading scorers and minute-getters. Markkanen leads the team in rebounding. Keanu Pinder is at the top in blocks. All four have played in every game.
But what isn’t fully represented on the stat-sheet is their defensive impact. Despite half of Arizona’s rotation being comprised of first-year players, the Wildcats rank ninth in college basketball in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.