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In college sports there is a major difference between a historic run and becoming a program.
You see it all the time, a coach hits lightning in a bottle with a transcendent player or group of players, registering an historic season but then gravitates toward mediocrity once said players leave.
And many times even the great coaches take a while to traverse the uneven terrain of missing a loaded roster.
Adia Barnes isn’t one of those great coaches. She didn’t need the time.
Yes, Aari McDonald was a generational player in the mold of Sean Elliott for the men’s program nearly 40 years ago and yes, Adia Barnes is a program builder, along the same path of Lute Olson.
Coming off a last second national championship loss last season combined with the loss of McDonald, it was reasonable by all expectations that Arizona would take a significant step back.
That hasn’t happened. What has happened is an undefeated record and number 4 national ranking before Covid temporarily halted the season.
Furthermore, what has shown up is the accumulation of talent emerging from under McDonald’s shadow.
Elite level front court recruits like Lauren Ware and Cate Reese combined with one of the best defensive players in the country, in Sam Thomas, has Arizona playing a bigger brand of basketball but no less dominant.
And, just as importantly, Arizona is now recruiting at a a top 5 national level.
Its safe to say by now that as long as Adia Barnes is coaching at Arizona, the Wildcats will be competing for national championships.
Adia Barnes is Arizona Women’s Basketball.
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