If there is an obvious improvement needed, Arizona coach Sean Miller said, it’s on the defensive end. His young bunch needs help. And quickly.

Blowout victories don’t usually show that, but that was the observation from first-year Arizona coach Sean Miller. And that was the case in UA’s 87-70 victory over Northern Arizona on Sunday.

Miller said his team looked like it was falling down when it played against Northern Arizona. He hopes to have his team “better than that’’ against visiting Rice (3-0) on Thursday night. Tip off is at 8:30 p.m.

Miller’s thoughts on his team’s defense? Out of sync and out of service. But that’s to be expected from a young team still trying to get its footing. Expect it to happen plenty. “We don’t want to beat ourselves on defense and we had too many missed assignments against NAU,’’ Miller said.

That said, Miller knows his team will struggle. If Thursday’s game were in Houston, UA could struggle and lose. It won’t in McKale Center. Despite its youth and inexperience, Arizona still has better athletes and basketball players. Will it be tough? No doubt. Miller knows that.

“We all acknowledge youthful teams in November and December sometimes struggle more than they will when they get more experienced,’’ Miller said.

Right now, Miller will have to deal with his team being inexperienced. It might be the case all season. Growing up on the basketball court isn’t an easy thing to do. Being at home helps, but UA won’t be at home after Thursday’s game – having to travel to Maui for the annual Maui Classic.

Expect improvement.

Outcome? UA by 10.

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