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Larry Ness
Legend Play
Arizona was a controversial at-large selection last year, getting a bid despite an 8-10 Pac 10 mark and an overall 19-14 mark. With Lute Olson stepping down as the team's head coach before the start of play this season, many thought the Wildcats' run of 23 straight NCAA appearances would end this year. However, the Wildcats ran off seven straight wins from Jan 24 through Feb 14 and at 18-8, Arizona looked like an NCAA 'lock.' That's not the case anymore, as a two-point loss to ASU on Feb 22 began a four-game slide. Arizona enters this game 18-12 overall and just 8-9 in the Pac 10. Tonight's opponent, Stanford, won 28 games last year, making a Sweet 16 appearance. However, the Lopez twins (Brook averaged 19.3-8.3 and Robin 10.2-5.7) were NBA draft picks plus Washington (4.4-4.1) who was a two-year starter and Finger (5.9-4.4) both graduated. Worse yet, head coach Trent Johnson left his "dream" job to "take the money" at LSU. Johnny Dawkins, whose only previous coaching experience had come by sitting next to Coach K at Duke, took over. Dawkins and his team surprised almost everyone by opening 10-0 but that record was the result of a weak schedule and mostly home games. Stanford is just 7-11 since that perfect start, including 6-11 in the pac 10. Goods (15.9) and Johnson (6.9-4.2 APG) are a solid guard duo, while 6-7 swingman Fields (12.7-6.5) has had a nice season. The 6-8 Hill (13.4-6.5) is the team's best inside player with the 6-10 Owens and the 6-11 Paul (4.2) adding depth to the frontcourt. In the backcourt, Green and Brown combine to average just over 10 PPG. The Wildcats pretty much rely on three players, the 6-10 Hill (18.4-11.0), the 6-7 Budinger (17.9-6.5-3.3) and guard Wise (14.6-4.5 APG). The 6-6 Horne (6.7-5.2), freshman guard Fogg (6.3) and sophomore guard Johnson (4.9) are the only other real contributors. Now here's the rub. The Cardinal were on a 2-8 slide when they beat USC at home last Saturday and then just two days ago, shocked No. 21 ASU in Tempe, 74-64. The win was Stanford's FIRST in eight Pac 10 road games this year. This is Arizona's final home game and the Wildcats really need a win. Stanford is the perfect opponent, as the Cardinal beat them in all three meetings last year (including the Pac 10 tourney) but as I mentioned at the top, that team doesn't exist anymore. This year's team was winless on the Pac 10 road until two days ago and the Wildcats catch the Cardinal off that upset of ASU. Also, the extremely talented Budinger is finally playing his final home game for Arizona and few thought he would have stayed around all four years. Expect the Budinger-led Wildcats to "keep the dream alive" (of another NCAA bid) with a convincing win here.
LEGEND on Arizona
Legend Play
Arizona was a controversial at-large selection last year, getting a bid despite an 8-10 Pac 10 mark and an overall 19-14 mark. With Lute Olson stepping down as the team's head coach before the start of play this season, many thought the Wildcats' run of 23 straight NCAA appearances would end this year. However, the Wildcats ran off seven straight wins from Jan 24 through Feb 14 and at 18-8, Arizona looked like an NCAA 'lock.' That's not the case anymore, as a two-point loss to ASU on Feb 22 began a four-game slide. Arizona enters this game 18-12 overall and just 8-9 in the Pac 10. Tonight's opponent, Stanford, won 28 games last year, making a Sweet 16 appearance. However, the Lopez twins (Brook averaged 19.3-8.3 and Robin 10.2-5.7) were NBA draft picks plus Washington (4.4-4.1) who was a two-year starter and Finger (5.9-4.4) both graduated. Worse yet, head coach Trent Johnson left his "dream" job to "take the money" at LSU. Johnny Dawkins, whose only previous coaching experience had come by sitting next to Coach K at Duke, took over. Dawkins and his team surprised almost everyone by opening 10-0 but that record was the result of a weak schedule and mostly home games. Stanford is just 7-11 since that perfect start, including 6-11 in the pac 10. Goods (15.9) and Johnson (6.9-4.2 APG) are a solid guard duo, while 6-7 swingman Fields (12.7-6.5) has had a nice season. The 6-8 Hill (13.4-6.5) is the team's best inside player with the 6-10 Owens and the 6-11 Paul (4.2) adding depth to the frontcourt. In the backcourt, Green and Brown combine to average just over 10 PPG. The Wildcats pretty much rely on three players, the 6-10 Hill (18.4-11.0), the 6-7 Budinger (17.9-6.5-3.3) and guard Wise (14.6-4.5 APG). The 6-6 Horne (6.7-5.2), freshman guard Fogg (6.3) and sophomore guard Johnson (4.9) are the only other real contributors. Now here's the rub. The Cardinal were on a 2-8 slide when they beat USC at home last Saturday and then just two days ago, shocked No. 21 ASU in Tempe, 74-64. The win was Stanford's FIRST in eight Pac 10 road games this year. This is Arizona's final home game and the Wildcats really need a win. Stanford is the perfect opponent, as the Cardinal beat them in all three meetings last year (including the Pac 10 tourney) but as I mentioned at the top, that team doesn't exist anymore. This year's team was winless on the Pac 10 road until two days ago and the Wildcats catch the Cardinal off that upset of ASU. Also, the extremely talented Budinger is finally playing his final home game for Arizona and few thought he would have stayed around all four years. Expect the Budinger-led Wildcats to "keep the dream alive" (of another NCAA bid) with a convincing win here.
LEGEND on Arizona
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