The Arizona Wildcats basketball team is back in the top 10 this week.

After losing to Providence, the Wildcats dug deep and found themselves successful at a time when top-tier teams are losing. Teams like Kentucky and Duke both have lost two games and one each against Pac-12 teams UCLA and Utah.

The Men’s Basketball AP and Coaches polls were released today. Both polls have the Arizona Wildcats sitting at No. 8. This puts Arizona in the Top-10 for the first time this season in the AP Top-25 Poll and for a second time in the Coaches poll.

New AP top 10: 1. Michigan State 2. Kansas 3. Oklahoma 4. Maryland 5. Virginia 6. Xavier 7. UNC 8. Arizona 9. Butler 10. Providence — David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) December 21, 2015

After losing to Providence in week 6 (or week 4 if you go off of the official rankings), the Arizona Wildcats have rattled off six consecutive wins. During this winning streak, the Wildcats have also extended their nation-leading home consecutive wins to 46 straight. They have battled, been tested, and have come out a stronger team.

During this current winning streak, the Wildcats have claimed victories over Boise State, Gonzaga in Spokane, and UNLV at home. Some might point to Boise State, NAU, Fresno State, and Missouri as lesser teams one typically plays early on. Boise State was better than advertised if we’re all being honest with ourselves. Simply look at how Arizona has played considering what they’ve endured so far this season.

Arizona has been playing without one of the best centers in the nation; Kaleb Tarczewski went down with a foot injury in the game against Providence on Thanksgiving weekend. We have seen Ryan Anderson play through multiple ankle injuries. He has played to the point where you can visibly see he’s not even at 80% on the court. Kadeem Allen, who has played great lately, looked like he was going to be out for a long time when he went down with a lower leg injury, but surprised us all returning very quickly the next week. The team has also been without defender Elliott Pitts for the past couple of games due to ‘personal issues.’

Dec 9, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Elliott Pitts (24) and center Kaleb Tarczewski (35) (right) watch from the bench during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 85-72. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

You can look back at the second half of the game against Gonzaga as a tipping point to how Arizona could come together the rest of the season. Individual players have been thrown into different roles and asked more of them than expected. With Kaleb and Elliott out, others have had their names called.

Dusan Ristic, Allonzo Trier, Chance Comanche, and Justin Simon have all been challenged by Coach Miller and his staff, and each player has answered that call. Against UNLV, we saw our starting five put together possibly their best game. Each player scored in double figures, with Dusan (20 pts) and Anderson (17 pts 13 rebs) leading the way. Miller still wants to bring down those turnovers, and who could blame him.

With this new ranking, however, comes another test..can Arizona avoid the trap game? This Wildcats will play Long Beach State in their last game for the next two weeks or until Winter break is over.

Coach Miller mentioned this week’s game being significant for several reasons.

“I think Tuesdays game is a big one for us. It’s the fourth game in ten days. It’s the last game of our break, and we don’t have a lot of time to practice between this game (UNLV) and the next. I think you’ll learn a lot about the maturity of this team, the growth, the responsibility, and the direction we’re going.”

Tuesday’s game will be a great opportunity for the team to show what they can really do. Long Beach State should not be overlooked. But if Arizona is true to themselves, and can play a consistent, full game, at the elite level they’re capable of, the Wildcats will be in a great spot feeling confident heading into Pac-12 play in Tempe.

BEARDOWN ARIZONA!