Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat has been instrumental to their success so far this season. As the No. 1 team in the nation for many weeks, Peat helped Arizona win their first 23 games. Eventually, they ran into Kansas, who gave them their first loss, while Texas Tech handed them their second loss in back-to-back games.
Koa Peat Questionable as No. 2 Arizona Preps for Baylor
Peat hasn’t played since February 14 with a lower leg injury suffered against Texas Tech. He is nearing a return, but his status for Arizona’s game against the Baylor Bears on Tuesday remains up in the air.
Peat remains on the injury report and is questionable to suit up against Baylor. Arizona hasn’t lost since Peat went down and played two tough teams. They took down No. 23 BYU, who didn’t have one of their key players in Richie Saunders, and No. 2 Houston on the back of a huge performance by Anthony Dell’Orso, who is also questionable to play against Baylor.
AVAILABILITY UPDATE:
NEW: Anthony Dell’Orso questionable after injuring ankle late in win at #HoustonCougars.
UPGRADED: Koa Peat OUT to QUESTIONABLE
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Arizona should be fine whether Peat suits up or not. The wins against BYU and Houston are confidence boosters after losing to two great teams in the games before. Arizona is still sitting pretty as the current No. 2 team in the nation and first in the Big 12 by 1.5 games.
Arizona is a deep team that can have any of its players go off on any given night. Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley have been a dynamic backcourt. Burries leads the team in scoring, while Bradley leads the team in assists and steals. Forward Tobe Awaka is a force on the glass, while Motiejus Krivas averages nearly two blocks per game at 1.9. The team is well-rounded and built for a title run, especially with Peat’s return.
Baylor is having a tough season, but they’ve played BYU and Iowa State close and could give Arizona a scare if they aren’t on their game. Baylor is led by their guard duo of Tounde Yessoufou and Cameron Carr, who both average over 18 points per game. Arizona’s firepower and depth should be enough to dispatch Baylor quite easily. If Peat does suit up, it’s hard to imagine an upset without a special performance from Baylor.
Arizona is in control of its own destiny to be a No. 1 seed in March Madness. Currently, they are No. 2 in the AP Poll and were listed as the No. 3 overall seed by the NCAA Tournament selection committee prior to Michigan’s loss to Duke. Their remaining schedule isn’t a cakewalk as they have to play No. 14 Kansas again and No. 4 Iowa State.
Peat’s health is a priority because they’ll need him in games against the top teams. Making sure he is fully healthy is pivotal because losing him to a re-injury against a team like Baylor, with Kansas and Iowa State up next, would be catastrophic. But if he’s good to go, Peat will be on the floor against Baylor.
