Arizona Wildcats Close Non-Conference Schedule With UNLV

12 games down, one more to go. The Arizona Wildcats will play their final game of 2014, hoping to finish their non-conference schedule undefeated once again.

Arizona’s opponent on Tuesday evening, the UNLV Rebels, have been beat up by the Pac-12 this season. Their losses have come from Stanford (neutral site), as well as both ASU and Utah at home. The Rebels enter the game with an overall record of 7-3.

For UNLV, they get great production from their 6-foot-6 freshman guard Rashad Vaughn, averaging over 17 points a game. 6-foot-11 sophomore forward Christian Wood also carries the load, averaging a near double-double with 12.9 points and 9.6 rebounds a game.

Outside of those two, their offense is pretty evenly distributed, but it’s not their offense that Arizona needs to prepare for, it’s their shot blockers. Both Wood and true freshman Goodluck Okonoboh average over three blocks a game. (Yes, his name is Goodluck.)

As of late, it’s been all Stanley Johnson for Arizona, specifically since the Maui Invitational. Johnson has scored in all but one game this season, the home opener against Cal Poly, where he finished with eight points.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson continues to be the spark off the bench, just as planned. The veteran leadership from T.J. McConnell has also been phenomenal, making all the right moves, putting his teammates in position to make plays.

One side story to keep an eye on is the recruitment of Stephen Zimmmerman, the #3 center in the country and 10th best player in the country.

The Las Vegas product out of Bishop Gorman High School has both UNLV and Arizona is his top five, with many thinking he stays close to home. It would be a shame if he isn’t at the game as he can take a look a look at both programs. UNLV coaches might not invite him due to the fact that they don’t want Zimmerman witnessing a loss to their competition, but if not, you know Sean Miller will let it be known that the Cats are in town.

There’s room for one more recruit for the 2015 class and Miller is looking to add either Zimmerman or Ivan Rabb. With the #1 recruiting class in the nation already, Miller is bound to add one more prospect.

After all, who wouldn’t want to play around the talent that is being brought to Tucson next year?