Defense propels Arizona to a win that could have big ramific

[HiCat]

Jeff Eisenberg 6 hours ago The Dagger

Seventh-ranked Arizona emerged with an enormous 63-57 road win and clinched at least a share of the Pac-12 title because each time its defense held.


Arizona's victory gives it a two-game lead over the 13th-ranked Utes with two games to play, meaning the Wildcats (26-3, 14-2) can clinch an outright league title with a single win against either Cal or Stanford next week in Tucson. They're already guaranteed the No. 1 seed in next month's Pac-12 tournament by virtue of their season sweep of the Utes (22-6, 12-4).

The possibility of a No. 1 seed that seemed like such a long shot entering play Saturday night suddenly no longer appears impossible with Gonzaga falling at home to BYU. Arizona probably bypasses the Zags in the pecking order with that outcome. The Wildcats could earn the No. 1 seed in the West for the second straight year if they win out and fellow contender Villanova stumbles at least once more down the stretch.

If Arizona were to get that No. 1 seed, its latest victory will be a huge reason.

Utah entered play Saturday night unbeaten at home, having defeated its eight previous Pac-12 opponents in Salt Lake City by an average of 24.6 points per game. Arizona reversed that Saturday night despite sinking only one third of its field goal attempts and getting a nightmarish 3 of 19 shooting performance from leading scorer Stanley Johnson.

Tarczewski had a strong 13-point, six-rebound night and three other Wildcats scored in double figures against Utah's formidable defense, but it was reserve guard Gabe York who made the biggest offensive play of the night for Arizona. When Utah didn't box out the shooter on a free throw attempt in the final two minutes, York got his own miss and scored a layup to give the Wildcats the lead they worked so hard to protect the next three possessions.

Though this is Arizona's best offense under Miller, the Wildcats' inability to score easily against the best defenses they've faced remains a red flag entering the NCAA tournament. That's been a big reason Arizona hasn't been to the Final Four under Miller despite three Sweet 16s and two Elite Eights.

Nonetheless, this year's Arizona team is a Final Four threat for the same reason last year's team came within one basket of getting there. The Wildcats are strong-willed and defensive-oriented enough to win on nights like Saturday when their offense isn't there.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the ... 04264.html

[HiCat]

Wildcats have shot at No. 1 seed after all


5 hours ago • Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star



SALT LAKE CITY – Just when it appeared things couldn't get much better for Sean Miller and the Arizona Wildcats on Wednesday, after a 63-57 win at Utah, the news rolled in that BYU upset Gonzaga to end the Zags' 41-game homecourt win streak.

Gonzaga's loss not only means UA's 36-game homecourt streak is now the nation's longest, but it could open the door for the Arizona Wildcats to get back in the hunt for a No. 1 NCAA tournament seed, especially if the Wildcats win the Pac-12 Tournament.

Even though that news hadn't poured in yet when Miller addressed the media after Saturday's game, he wasn't getting far ahead of things, anyway.

He never does.

“Very good. Very good,” Miller said about the Wildcats' position in the Pac-12, with a two-game lead in the Pac-12 and two games to go. “We have two games left in McKale, so we have to take advantage of those games.”

http://tucson.com/sports/blogs/pascoe/u ... 87935.html