It's hard to remember the last time Arizona was a bubble team.
The struggles the Arizona Wildcats have faced this year have landed them as a No. 10 seed in the West bracket.
With first year coach Kevin O'Neill at the helm and injuries to Nic Wise, Jerryd Bayless, and Brett Breilmaier, the Wildcats have faced a lot of adversity this season. However, they should be all set to go with the start of the tournament, and they are my pick to make it to the Sweet 16 and beyond.
Arizona has played the toughest schedule in the NCAA this season, so they are ready for any team's abilities. They've beaten six teams who are in the tournament, and if everyone is playing well they can beat most teams in the country.
Their first round game is against a West Virginia team who i personally believe is very overrated. The Mountaineers spent the conference schedule beating, and in some cases barely beating, the bottom teams in the Big East like St. John's and Rutgers, while losing to the top teams in the conference.
Arizona, who is led by Jerryd Bayless and Chase Buddinger, will be ready for Joe Alexander and will defeat the Mountaineers to advance with their strong guard play and their occasional toughness in the post.
Their second round game against Duke will be much more difficult. A team that relies heavily on the 3-point shot will be ready to play Arizona. In return, Arizona will be ready for Duke.
The Blue Devils haven't advanced very far in the tournament in the recent past, including a loss in the first round last year.
Arizona is ready to play its best ball of the season while Duke has lost its last four of nine games, including losses to Wake Forest and Miami. Arizona's balanced attack of Bayless and Wise in the back court and Hill and Buddinger in the front court should get them to the Sweet 16.
Being a die hard UCLA fan, it is hard to pick a team like Arizona, but they are ready to make a run.
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6 months ago
You have a lot to learn about West Virginia if you think they are over rated. Arizona will get there butt handed to them in this prep game for Duke for the Mountaineers.
6 months ago
west virginia barely lost to pitt the first time and crushed them the second time. they also destroyed marquette and if it weren't for a terrible goaltending no-call against georgetown, they would have beaten them too. oh yeah, and the mountaineers also beat uconn handily in the big east tourney.
and as for arizona having the hardest schedule in the country? even if they had it (which they didn't), who did they beat? no one as good as who west virginia beat.
I'm not saying west virginia will win this game hands-down, I'm just letting you know how awful your analysis was. thanks.
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