With Washington sweep, Arizona Wildcats rise in national polls

Feb 8, 2016, 12:18 PM

Arizona players react from the bench on a three-point score against Washington late in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. Arizona won 77-72. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

BY ADAM GREEN

Arizona Sports

The Arizona Wildcats took to the road and beat Washington State 79-64 and Washington 77-72, and because of it have moved up in the national polls.

Arizona (19-5, 7-4 in Pac-12) rose to 17th in the Associated Press Poll and 14th in the USA Today Coaches Poll Monday. Last week they were 23rd and 20th, respectively.

Besides the victories, it was a good weekend for the Wildcats as they welcomed freshman Allonzo Trier back to the lineup after he missed four weeks with a broken hand. The guard played in Saturday’s win over the Huskies, scoring seven points in 16 minutes of play.

But while getting Trier back was good, it was senior forward Ryan Anderson who led the way for the Wildcats, as he averaged 26.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in the pair of victories.

The Wildcats will return home this week to face UCLA Friday and USC Sunday.

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Arizona'a Gabe York (1) gets off a pass as Washington's David Crisp defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. Arizona won 77-72. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Washington's Andrew Andrews, right, runs into Arizona'a Kaleb Tarczewski as he tries to drive to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. Arizona won 77-72. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Washington's Malik Dime, center left, blocks a shot by Arizona's Mark Tollefsen, center right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. Arizona won 77-72. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Arizona's Parker Jackson-Cartwright (0) tries to get by Washington's Matisse Thybulle after catching an inbounds pass late the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. Arizona won 77-72. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Arizona's Ryan Anderson grabs a rebound against Washington during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Arizona's Parker Jackson-Cartwright (0) knocks away a shot by Washington's Dejounte Murray (5) as Kaleb Tarczewski defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. Arizona won 77-72. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Arizona's Kaleb Tarczewski, right, shoots under the eyes of the Husky mascot overhead as Washington's Matisse Thybulle defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. Arizona won 77-72. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Arizona's Gabe York (1) collides with Washington's Marquese Chriss during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. Arizona won 77-72. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Arizona players react from the bench on a three-point score against Washington late in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. Arizona won 77-72. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Washington's Marquese Chriss, center, dunks against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Arizona's Mark Tollefsen, top, dunks against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Arizona's Ryan Anderson (12) tries to beat the clock as he lofts a shot to end the first half of an NCAA college basketball game as Washington's Marquese Chriss looks on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Washington's Marquese Chriss, right, collides with Arizona's Ryan Anderson (12) as the ball flies out of bounds during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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