Arizona Basketball: 5 Things We Learned from Loss to Washington

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Arizona's loss at the hands of the Huskies makes repeating as conference champions in 2012 unlikely to say the least.

The Wildcats committed 12 turnovers and were 6-of-21 from behind the arc in the 79-70 loss.

Sean Miller will have to go back to the drawing board after a number of weaknesses were exposed against Washington.

Let's take a look at five things that we can take from the loss to Washington in looking forward to the remainder of the season.

Washington Has More Size and Talent

The Huskies were able to expose Arizona's weak presence in the paint, both offensively and defensively.

Aziz N'Diaye and the Huskies post players were able to dominate on the boards and around the rim.

Arizona forwards Jesse Perry and Solomon Hill are both considered undersized, but have played exceptionally well. Despite that, were unable to match Washington's presence.

Washington showed that they are the bigger and better team in 2012.

Solomon Hill and Kyle Fogg Dictate Arizona's Success

These two players will determine how Arizona's season will play out.

Solomon Hill was just 2-of-7 from the field while Kyle Fogg missed four of his five three-point attempts in Saturday's loss.

Fogg has been contributing since his freshman year and has not missed a beat in 2012. 

Solomon Hill is Arizona's Denzel Washington. He always remains calm in the biggest moments and feeds off pressure.

Arizona's success the remainder of the season and in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament rests on the shoulders of Kyle Fogg and Solomon Hill.

Ball Control Is a Major Issue

Arizona committed 12 turnovers while forcing just six in the loss.

Ball control has been a major issue, and this game should raise a red flag for Sean Miller.

Wildcat freshman Nick Johnson and Josiah Turner have looked especially shaky with the ball this year, and lackadaisical passes have been contagious for Arizona.

Does Arizona Rely on the Three Too Much?

The Wildcats went just 6-of-21 from behind the arc against the Huskies.

Nick Johnson made two of his five attempts, but both played in garbage time.

Arizona's senior leader Kyle Fogg was just 1-of-5 from three-point range. 

Sean Miller's offense is great at creating open looks from outside as a result of ball movement. But when the shots aren't falling as they did not on Saturday, the outcome looks bleak.

Remaining Games Are All Must-Wins

Arizona is 10-5 in Pac-12 conference play, which will not impress many selection committee members.

Beating USC and UCLA handily at home this week is a must for the Wildcats. 

Arizona is on the brink of solidifying their spot in the NIT.

Another loss in conference play would almost guarantee that the Wildcats will miss the Big Dance.

It may take a Pac-12 Conference Tournament title for Arizona to make the Big Dance after Saturday's loss.