In a stellar performance that showcased his prowess on both ends of the court, senior center Oumar Ballo of the #11 Arizona Wildcats has been named the PAC-12 Player of the Week. Ballo played a pivotal role in leading the first-place Wildcats to two commanding home victories over the California Golden Bears and the Stanford Cardinal. On Thursday night, Ballo exhibited a flawless 8-8 shooting performance, securing a double-double with a season-high 22 points and 13 rebounds in a decisive 91-65 triumph over the Golden Bears.
Photo Cred: Arizona
The senior center continued his dominant form in the subsequent game, notching another double-double with 18 points on 8-12 shooting and 13 rebounds, guiding Arizona to an 82-71 victory against Stanford. Ballo’s impact extended beyond scoring, as he contributed significantly on the defensive end with three blocks and one steal over the two contests. This remarkable performance marked a resurgence for Ballo after a comparatively subdued week, where he totaled only 17 points in a loss against Oregon State and a win against Oregon on the road.
Following the successful homestand, Ballo now boasts an impressive season average of nearly a double-double with 12.7 points per game, 9.2 rebounds per game, and 1.0 assist per game. Notably, this marks his first double-double since January 20th, when he recorded 17 points and 13 rebounds in a victory against UCLA, bringing his season tally to eight double-doubles. Arizona’s 2-0 week catapults them to the summit of the PAC-12 standings with a record of 17-5 overall and 8-3 in conference play.
Photo Cred: The Daily Wildcat
While the Wildcats have demonstrated dominance with a perfect 6-0 record at home, they seek improvement on the road, currently standing at 2-3 in conference play away from home. Looking ahead, Arizona aims to bolster their road record as they face the Utah Utes on Thursday and the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday. The Wildcats are determined to build on their recent success and maintain their standing atop the PAC-12.
