(Tucson, AZ) Head coach Adia Barnes has been named a finalist for the 2020 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Award, announced today by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. She is one of the four finalists which includes Kelly Graves (Oregon), Joe McKeown (Northwestern) and Dawn Staley (South Carolina).
Barnes led the Wildcats to a 24-win season this year, the second-most wins in school history. The Wildcats also finished in fourth place in the Pac-12 which is Arizona’s best finish since 2011, giving them a first-round bye at the Pac-12 tournament for the first time since the conference moved to 12 teams.
Photo/Mike Mattina – Arizona Athletics
For the first time in school history, Arizona won the first 13 games of the season and had a 19-game winning streak at one point dating back to the 2018-19 season, which was the longest active winning streak at the time.
On Nov. 25, Arizona entered the AP Poll for the first time since 2004 and were ranked every week from that point on, which was 17-straight weeks, the longest streak since 2000. The Wildcats reached No. 11 on Feb. 17, which is the highest Arizona has been ranked in the AP Poll since 1998.
Additionally, Arizona beat three top-10 teams in one season for the first time in school history, which included their first ever win over a top-five opponent (No. 4 Stanford). Back on Feb. 9, Arizona took down No. 9 Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore. for their first road win over a top-10 team in program history.
The Wildcats were one of the best defensive teams in the country this season, allowing just 56.6 points per game, which led the Pac-12. They were also first in the Pac-12 averaging 10.2 steals per game and forced their opponents to shoot 37% from the field, the third-best in the conference.
Over their last 37 games, Arizona has a record of 30-7, which is the best stretch in school history.
Beginning March 20, 2020, fans will be able to support their favorite finalist by visiting naismithfanvote.com until April 1, to cast their ballot. The fan vote will account for five percent of the overall final vote. The 2020 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year is scheduled to be announced on April 3, and the winner will be honored at a later date.
Press Release courtesy of Arizona Communication Services
