Arizona moves up in AP poll after starting conference schedule undefeated

Jan 2, 2017, 1:41 PM

Arizona head coach Sean Miller yells to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. Arizona beat California 91-52. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

(AP Photo/George Nikitin)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

The Arizona Wildcats moved up from No. 18 to No. 17 in the latest college basketball AP poll this week.

The Wildcats defeated California and Stanford in the start of their Pac-12 conference schedule.

Arizona’s 67-62 win over Cal was a comeback led by 16 points from Dusan Ristic, who has been on a tear lately. The big man has made 41 of his last 63 shots, shooting the ball at a 65 percent clip.

The victory over Stanford was much more academic. Arizona’s three big men made 15 of their first 17 shots in a 91-52 blowout win.

Last week also marked the return of starting point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who has been coming off the bench in his two games back. He had a game-high six assists against Stanford.

Next for Arizona is two games in the McKale Center against Utah on Thursday and Colorado on Saturday.

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Arizona's Lauri Markkanen shoots as Stanford's Grant Verhoeven (30) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

Arizona's Rawle Alkins (1) shoots as Stanford's Robert Cartwright defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

Stanford's Christian Sanders, left, struggles for the ball with Arizona's Dusan Ristic during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

Arizona's Dusan Ristic shoots as Stanford's Michael Humphrey (10) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

Arizona's Chance Comanche dunks against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

Arizona's Lauri Markkanen goes up for a dunk against Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. Arizona won p 91-52. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

Arizona's Stanford's Chance Comanche, center, goes up between California defenders Reid Travis, left, and Grant Verhoeven during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. Arizona defeated California 91-52. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

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