How Shakey Is No. 25?

The Arizona Wildcats are sitting on 24 straight NCAA tournament appearances. The big question around Tucson is just how strong does this team need to finish in order to make it 25? 

It's my opinion that Arizona needs to win at least two of it's last three games, and then go on to win a couple in the PAC 10 tournament.

Arizona faces Washington on Feb. 28 on the road and then will host California and Stanford at McKale Center the following Thursday and Saturday. Arizona beat Washington in Tucson, but the Huskies are red hot right now. 

Nobody knows how the Wildcats managed to lose to Stanford other than they thought they could just mail the game in and it did not turn out that way.  The Cats should win this game.  Cal is another story. 

The Golden Bears have responded to Mike Montgomery in a very positive way.

Here's what the players must do. It's the same thing for all three remaining season games. Jordan Hill must stay out of foul trouble, and he must be involved in every offensive set. The guy is a double double waiting to happen, and he needs to make it happen all the way.

Chase Budinger needs to find and keep his shot.  He needs to continue to dish out assists, and he needs to remember that part of his job is rebounding.

Zane Johnson needs to work to get open. He's a three-point specialist who is so capable of catching and shooting, and he just has to make sure he does that.

While Kyle Fogg can certainly hit the wide open 3pt shot, his big deal is being a defensive stopper. He's had few games this season where he did not play up to expectations. He just needs to keep on doing what he's doing.

Nic Wise is one of the best point guards in the PAC 10. When he's playing within himself and letting the game come to him, he's amazing. He can get to the basket, and he is NOT afraid to go in where the big guys play. He's excellent at the free throw line, and he can get mighty hot behind the arc.

Everyone needs to stay out of foul trouble. Jamelle Horne and Brendon Lavender need to find a way to add some bench scoring.

I don't think this team can make it past the Sweet 16 if even that far.  All the planets would have to be perfectly aligned, and that already happened for AZ in 1997.  I don't know that it will happen again.

Regardless, I have one thing I want to say. Thank you, Coach Pennell, Coach Dunlap, Coach Geary and Coach Pennell Sr. You gentlemen walked into an impossible situation and worked so that it has been a very enjoyable season for all.

If I can will the Wildcats into the tournament, it's going to happen!