Wildcats drop to ninth in the polls

Feb 11, 2013, 5:43 PM | Updated: 6:21 pm

The seventh-ranked Arizona Wildcats entered their Sunday matchup against California with a chance to really rise in the national rankings due to losses by other top-10 teams.

Then the Wildcats went out and lost.

A 77-69 defeat to the Golden Bears left the Wildcats with a 20-3 record including an 8-3 mark in the Pac-12, and Monday they dropped two spots in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls.

Now ranked ninth, the Wildcats will hit the road for a Thursday tilt against Colorado before a Sunday game against Utah.

Arizona's Nick Johnson (13) looks to pass the ball under the basket during the first half against California of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/John Miller)
Arizona's Jordin Mayes, right, drives right pass the attempted defense of California's Brandon Smith 912) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/John Miller)
Arizona's Solomon Hill (44) drives to the basket around California's Allen Crabbe (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Wily Low)
California's Allen Crabbe (23) shoots over Arizona's Nick Johnson (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Wily Low)
Arizona's Mark Lyons (2) shoots over California's Richard Solomon (35) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. California won 77-69. (AP Photo/Wily Low)
California's Justin Cobbs, center, drives between Arizona's Kevin Parrom, left, and Solomon Hill, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. California won 77-69. (AP Photo/John Miller)
California's Allen Crabbe, center, passes the ball away from Arizona's Solomon Hill during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.,Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. California won 77-69. (AP Photo/John Miller)
Arizona's Solomon Hill (44) and California's Allen Crabbe (23) struggle for control of a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.,Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. California won 77-69. (AP Photo/John Miller)
California head coach Mike Montgomery signals a play in to his players during the second half against Arizona in an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.,Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. California won 77-69. (AP Photo/John Miller)
Arizona head coach Sean Miller signals to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against California at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. California won 77-69. (AP Photo/Wily Low)
California's Allen Crabbe (23) and Justin Cobbs (1) hugs each other at mid-court during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. California won 77-69. (AP Photo/Wily Low)

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