UTAH vs Arizona Pick and Preview

Arizona Wildcats (19-13) vs Utah Utes (21-9) – Midwest Region, Miami Florida

Arizona might be the most controversial at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament this season, but the Wildcats don't care. Arizona parlayed a few key wins into yet another NCAA Tournament berth, despite finishing only .500 in the Pacific 10 Conference and tying for fifth. Even more surprisingly, Arizona was selected for the NCAA Tournament despite losing five of its last six games. Arizona did not beat a team inside the Top 100 of the RPI after Feb. 14, yet received an at-large bid. The Wildcats took full advantage of key wins throughout the season, including an 84-72 win against UCLA, a 106-97 win against Pac-10 regular-season champion Washington, an 84-67 win against Big 12 regular-season champion Kansas, and a 69-64 win against WCC champion Gonzaga. Arizona's non-conference schedule was especially strong, consisting of five Top 50 RPI teams and eight Top 100 RPI teams. Arizona finished 6-10 against the RPI Top 50. The Wildcats rely on 6-foot-10 junior Jordan Hill, who leads them with 18.5 points per game and 11.0 rebounds. Another inside player, 6-7 junior Chase Budinger, scores 17.9 points per game while adding 6.3 rebounds. Arizona did put together a season-high seven-game win streak in late January and early February, picking up three wins against Top 40 RPI teams in the process. Arizona was a dismal 2-9 in true road games this season, winning only at Oregon and Oregon State. BEST WINS: 84-67 vs. Kansas; 106-97 vs. Washington; 69-64 vs. Gonzaga; 84-72 vs. UCLA. WORST LOSSES: 69-53 at Washington State; 76-60 at Stanford; 79-64 at UNLV.

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