By JOHN MARSHALL
AP Basketball Writer
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Not long after losing to Arizona's Sean Miller at the 2015 NCAA Tournament, Xavier coach Chris Mack jokingly said his friend should let him win the next one.
This was no gift between former colleagues.
The Musketeers earned this one and now they're headed to the Elite Eight for the first time in a decade.
Trevon Bluiett kept Xavier close with a big first half and the Musketeers made the clutch plays down the stretch against the West Region's No. 2 seed, upsetting Arizona 73-71 on Thursday night.
"I personally have so much respect for Sean and his staff," Mack said. "I know it's heartbreaking for them because they had a special year, a special season and I know it's tough. But today is a Xavier day."
Xavier (30-13) fought through a string of injuries and a late losing streak to reach the NCAA Tournament, then opened with a pair of upsets. The Musketeers passed their biggest test to date with confident performance against one of college basketball's storied programs.
Bluiett scored 18 of his 25 points in the first half to help Xavier keep up with the athletic Wildcats. The Musketeers tracked Arizona after it tried to pull away in the second half, getting a late basket inside by Sean O'Mara while shutting down one of the nation's best offensive teams down the stretch.
Next up is their first Elite Eight since 2008 and third overall, a showdown with No. 1 seed Gonzaga on Saturday.
"We're all tough guys. We stuck together," said Xavier's J.P Macura, who had 14 points. "We're not really backing down from anyone."
Arizona (32-5) appeared to be in control after Allonzo Trier scored 15 straight points to push the Wildcats' lead to six. Arizona stalled out on offense, though, failing to score over the final 2:52 as Xavier closed with a 9-0 run.
Trier had a final shot, but missed a 3-pointer with 8 seconds left and the Wildcats were unable to track down Malcolm Bernard as he dribbled out the clock .
Trier scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half and Dusan Ristic had 17 for Arizona.
"We weren't able to get good looks down the stretch and that's on me," Miller said.
Xavier made an improbable run to its fourth Sweet 16 in eight years under Mack, overcoming a late six-game losing streak and the loss of point guard Edmond Sumner to a torn left ACL.
The Musketeers were the lone double-digit seed left in the bracket after knocking off Maryland and Florida State in the first two rounds, setting up their second Sweet 16 game against Arizona in three years.
Arizona won the previous meeting to reach the Elite Eight, putting Miller one up on Mack.
Arizona led 37-35 at halftime of the rematch despite Bluiett's hot start, after turning 11 offensive rebounds into 13 second-chance points.
Xavier made 6 of its 8 first shots to take the second-half lead and Arizona answered with a run of its own, building a 67-61 lead behind Trier's outburst.
With super fan Bill Murray cheering them on - his son is an assistant coach - the Musketeers battled their way back with a 7-0 run, tying the game at 71-all with just under 2 minutes left, setting up the tense finish that left Arizona short.
"We didn't do a good enough job of defending them for the last four minutes of the game," Trier said. "Tough way to go out, especially knowing we had a lot of momentum. Just not an easy end to swallow.
BIG PICTURE
Xavier was one of the hottest teams in the country despite its injuries and has a chance to reach the Final Four for the first time.
Arizona struggled down the stretch in a close game, leaving Miller short in his latest bid to reach the Final Four.
OFF THE MARKKANEN
Lauri Markkanen was Arizona's leading scorer through the first two games of the tournament, but did not have much of an impact against Xavier. He finished with 9 points on 3-of-9 shooting, including 1 for 6 from 3-point range. He did grab eight rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.
The Finnish forward is expected to leave for the NBA, but said after the game that he has yet to make a decision.
MURRAY IN THE HOUSE
Murray's son, Luke, is an assistant coach under Mack and has become a huge Xavier fan, attending games whenever he gets the chance. Sitting across from Xavier's bench, he was a vocal supporter for the Musketeers and was a big part of the celebration after Xavier clinched it.
UP NEXT
Xavier will face No. 1 seed Gonzaga Saturday in the Elite Eight.
Showing posts with label Arizona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arizona. Show all posts
Friday, March 24, 2017
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Arizona, Miller meet Xavier again in NCAA Tournament
Stats, LLC
Arizona coach Sean Miller is taking on his former employer in the Sweet 16, which might be a big storyline … if it hadn’t already happened two years ago.
The Wildcats, seeded second in the West, have a Thursday date against No. 11 Xavier, the only double-digit seed left in the NCAA Tournament. The game is scheduled to tip off at about 10:09 p.m. ET after the Gonzaga-West Virginia game in San Jose, Calif.
Arizona and Xavier met in the 2015 Sweet 16, with the Wildcats winning 68-60 in a hard-fought game in Los Angeles.
There is not much to take from that, as only two current Arizona players — point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright and center Dusan Ristic — appeared in that game for a total of nine minutes. Musketeers star guard Trevon Bluiett, then a freshman, scored two points on 1-of-6 shooting.
This time around, the Wildcats (32-4) have superior size and two big-time scorers in sophomore guard Allonzo Trier and freshman 7-foot forward Lauri Markkanen.
Xavier (22-13) has Bluiett, who is averaging 17.7 points per game, and a resiliency that led to opening-weekend upsets of No. 6 Maryland and No. 3 Florida State.
Many counted out the Musketeers after guard Edmond Sumner sustained a season-ending knee injury in late January. That came on the heels of guard Myles Davis leaving the team after a brief return from a 15-game, season-opening suspension.
Sumner averaged 15.0 points this season. Davis, who appeared in three games in January, averaged 10.8 points and 4.1 assists per game last season.
“I told them out in the real world, life is going to hand you lemons, and you can pout about it and figure out how to make lemonade,” Xavier coach Chris Mack said of his message to his players.
“Our guys, despite all the adversity they’ve been hit with and the social media that tells them how bad they are and how poor they are, they stayed with it, and they believed in themselves and our coaching staff. It’s a credit to them, and I’m just really proud of them.”
Miller, who was the head coach at Xavier for five seasons before joining Arizona in 2009, often cites his team’s own resiliency as a key to this season’s success.
The Wildcats lost redshirt freshman forward Ray Smith in the preseason to a career-ending third torn ACL, was without Trier for 19 games (suspension), missed Jackson-Cartwright for a month (ankle) and had other assorted injuries.
The team’s only senior — guard Kadeem Allen — has been the leader. And as Arizona’s top defender, Allen likely will be tasked with stopping Bluiett.
“He’s as hard a playing guy as I’ve seen,” Miller said. “And he won’t let his team lose to some degree.”
Xavier effectively played some zone against Florida State, which has been most opponents’ strategy against Arizona.
Arizona does have answers. Trier is averaging 17.1 points, scoring 14 in the second half of a second-round win over Saint Mary’s. Markkanen, averaging 15.8 points, has 36 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field in two tournament games.
Markkanen is shooting 43.3 percent from 3-point range (68 of 157) but has taken his game more to the paint offensively and defensively late in the season.
“I don’t know if there’s a freshman that’s playing in the NCAA Tournament that’s had a bigger impact on his team than Lauri has had on our team,” Miller said. “And as good of a basketball player is, he’s an even better kid.”
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Markkanen, Trier lead Arizona to 69-60 win over Saint Mary's
By KAREEM COPELAND
AP Sports Writer
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Arizona and Saint Mary's are no strangers after scrimmaging during the preseason three times in the last four years. So, the Wildcats weren't surprised when the Gaels punched them in the mouth early.
Lauri Markkanen and Allonzo Trier shined and No. 2-seeded Arizona rallied to defeat No. 7 Saint Mary's 69-60 on Saturday night and advance to the West Regional's Sweet 16.
The Wildcats were on the ropes in the first half, but found life in the second to pull away for the win.
"These guys really knew how Saint Mary's was," Arizona coach Sean Miller said. "In a small way, (the scrimmages) really helped us tonight.
"Not until you're actually playing against them do you realize how physical they are, how good they are. ... I look at this as one of the great wins we've had in the tournament because of the team that we beat."
The teams went back and forth in the second 20 minutes until Arizona went on an 11-2 run sparked by Trier, who took over the second half. He scored nine of those 11 points during the stretch with a dribble-drive layup, midrange jumpers and a 3-pointer. The run gave the Wildcats a 55-48 lead and Saint Mary's never led again.
Arizona shot 59.1 percent from the field in the second half.
"Our advantage was driving," Miller said. "Our advantage eventually was able to get the ball inside. Getting the ball to the basket whether it be on drive or post catch, we delivered. We scored. We got fouled. That was the big difference."
Markkanen finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Trier scored 14 points. Miller said Trier seemed to lose his confidence early, but was one of the biggest differences in the game once he got going.
Jock Landale battled with Markkanen and Arizona's bigs throughout and had his 17th double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Gaels. However, he was held to just seven points after halftime. Teammate Calvin Hermanson added 14 points.
"Got a little more comfortable as the game went on," Markkanen said. "I just tried to be as physical as I can and don't let (Landale) get the ball."
Saint Mary's took a 30-29 lead into halftime as the Gaels controlled the tempo and locked down Arizona defensively for much of the half.
Saint Mary's used a 10-2 run started by a 3-pointer by Tanner Krebs to take a 24-14 lead. Everything was going wrong for the Wildcats as their top scorers were held in check and starting guard Rawle Alkins missed much of the half with a dislocated finger.
Nothing came easy for Arizona in the half court on offense and Saint Mary's kept it from getting out in transition and using its athleticism advantage.
Arizona found life late in the half and finished on a 15-6 run thanks to six points from Markkanen and a 3-pointer from Parker Jackson-Cartwright, the Wildcats lone 3 of the first half. They shot just 34.5 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.
"It seemed like they started hitting some tough shots at the end," Hermanson said. "We did a pretty good job on defense the first 10, 14 minutes or so.
"And then in the second half it seemed like they were a little more aggressive attacking the paint. We just have to do a better job of limiting that."
BIG PICTURE
Saint Mary's: The Gaels did what they wanted to do defensively. Arizona wants to run in transition and play with pace. Saint Mary's didn't allow either. But the effort just couldn't hold up in the second half and the Gaels lost in the second round for their third straight NCAA Tournament.
Arizona: The Wildcats had to work for this one. The offense was completely stymied in the first half, but Trier and Markkanen came to life in the second. A win is a win any way you get it for a team looking for its first Final Four under Miller.
ALKINS AILING
Alkins headed to the locker room around the 10:00 minute mark of the first half with the finger injury. He returned late in the half with the index and middle fingers of his right hand heavily bandaged.
"It wasn't really painful because I like to think that I have a huge heart and I'll play through anything," Alkins said.
GONE COLD
The Gaels shot just 5 for 21 from 3-point range after coming into the tournament shooting 39.9 percent from behind the arc.
"A big part of our game is shooting the ball from 3 and we didn't shoot it well enough," Saint Mary's coach Randy Bennett said.
UP NEXT
Arizona will face 11th-seeded Xavier in the Sweet 16 on Thursday.
AP Sports Writer
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Arizona and Saint Mary's are no strangers after scrimmaging during the preseason three times in the last four years. So, the Wildcats weren't surprised when the Gaels punched them in the mouth early.
Lauri Markkanen and Allonzo Trier shined and No. 2-seeded Arizona rallied to defeat No. 7 Saint Mary's 69-60 on Saturday night and advance to the West Regional's Sweet 16.
The Wildcats were on the ropes in the first half, but found life in the second to pull away for the win.
"These guys really knew how Saint Mary's was," Arizona coach Sean Miller said. "In a small way, (the scrimmages) really helped us tonight.
"Not until you're actually playing against them do you realize how physical they are, how good they are. ... I look at this as one of the great wins we've had in the tournament because of the team that we beat."
The teams went back and forth in the second 20 minutes until Arizona went on an 11-2 run sparked by Trier, who took over the second half. He scored nine of those 11 points during the stretch with a dribble-drive layup, midrange jumpers and a 3-pointer. The run gave the Wildcats a 55-48 lead and Saint Mary's never led again.
Arizona shot 59.1 percent from the field in the second half.
"Our advantage was driving," Miller said. "Our advantage eventually was able to get the ball inside. Getting the ball to the basket whether it be on drive or post catch, we delivered. We scored. We got fouled. That was the big difference."
Markkanen finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Trier scored 14 points. Miller said Trier seemed to lose his confidence early, but was one of the biggest differences in the game once he got going.
Jock Landale battled with Markkanen and Arizona's bigs throughout and had his 17th double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Gaels. However, he was held to just seven points after halftime. Teammate Calvin Hermanson added 14 points.
"Got a little more comfortable as the game went on," Markkanen said. "I just tried to be as physical as I can and don't let (Landale) get the ball."
Saint Mary's took a 30-29 lead into halftime as the Gaels controlled the tempo and locked down Arizona defensively for much of the half.
Saint Mary's used a 10-2 run started by a 3-pointer by Tanner Krebs to take a 24-14 lead. Everything was going wrong for the Wildcats as their top scorers were held in check and starting guard Rawle Alkins missed much of the half with a dislocated finger.
Nothing came easy for Arizona in the half court on offense and Saint Mary's kept it from getting out in transition and using its athleticism advantage.
Arizona found life late in the half and finished on a 15-6 run thanks to six points from Markkanen and a 3-pointer from Parker Jackson-Cartwright, the Wildcats lone 3 of the first half. They shot just 34.5 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.
"It seemed like they started hitting some tough shots at the end," Hermanson said. "We did a pretty good job on defense the first 10, 14 minutes or so.
"And then in the second half it seemed like they were a little more aggressive attacking the paint. We just have to do a better job of limiting that."
BIG PICTURE
Saint Mary's: The Gaels did what they wanted to do defensively. Arizona wants to run in transition and play with pace. Saint Mary's didn't allow either. But the effort just couldn't hold up in the second half and the Gaels lost in the second round for their third straight NCAA Tournament.
Arizona: The Wildcats had to work for this one. The offense was completely stymied in the first half, but Trier and Markkanen came to life in the second. A win is a win any way you get it for a team looking for its first Final Four under Miller.
ALKINS AILING
Alkins headed to the locker room around the 10:00 minute mark of the first half with the finger injury. He returned late in the half with the index and middle fingers of his right hand heavily bandaged.
"It wasn't really painful because I like to think that I have a huge heart and I'll play through anything," Alkins said.
GONE COLD
The Gaels shot just 5 for 21 from 3-point range after coming into the tournament shooting 39.9 percent from behind the arc.
"A big part of our game is shooting the ball from 3 and we didn't shoot it well enough," Saint Mary's coach Randy Bennett said.
UP NEXT
Arizona will face 11th-seeded Xavier in the Sweet 16 on Thursday.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Markkanen scores 20, Arizona rolls North Dakota 100-82
By KAREEM COPELAND
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Arizona's freshman combination of Lauri Markkanen and Rawle Alkins didn't act their age Thursday night in their NCAA Tournament debut. The pair combined for 40 points as the Wildcats began what's expected to be a deep postseason run.
Markkanen scored 20 points as second-seeded Arizona cruised to a 100-82 victory over No. 15 North Dakota in the first round of the NCAA's West Regional. It was just the third time Arizona has scored 100-plus points in their NCAA Tournament history.
"I'm so proud of these two guys," Arizona coach Sean Miller said. "I've answered a lot of questions on how we've weathered a lot of the obstacles and adversity that we dealt with this season. A lot of times I answered by, we have three freshmen that are excellent players, but bring no drama to the table and they do their job and are consistent.
"Tonight was a great example. First round of the NCAA Tournament, you'd expect freshmen sometimes to have a struggle. Lauri and Rawle were our two best players tonight."
Arizona used a 13-1 run early in the first half to take 24-13 lead and never looked back. The Wildcats (31-4) lead 53-37 at halftime thanks to a dominant 16-point half from Markkanen and a 61.1 shooting percentage in the first 20 minutes.
The Wildcats will face seventh-seeded Saint Mary's in the second round on Saturday. The Gaels beat VCU 85-77.
It was almost as if Arizona's players were taking turns scoring. Allonzo Trier continued his late-season success and had a highlight tomahawk dunk to push the lead to 44-27. He finished with 18 points.
Alkins was aggressive early and scored 20 on 8-for-8 shooting while Dusan Ristic started hot in the second half and added 12 points.
"We just wanted to play hard and show that we belong here," Alkins said.
Markkanen, who's expected to be a high first-round NBA draft pick, was a constant as North Dakota couldn't match his size (7-foot, 230 pounds) or skill.
Quinton Hooker led the Fighting Hawks (22-10) with 25 points and Drick Bernstine added 20.
"They really dominated the paint in the first half," North Dakota coach Brian Jones said. "We thought we did a good job of fighting and trying to make them battle for catches further out on the floor. But they were so big. They would go and counter it and shoot right over the top of us."
North Dakota played with energy throughout and never quit, but was simply overmatched. Arizona was bigger and outscored the Fighting Hawks 54-34 in the paint. North Dakota never seemed to be able to get easy baskets.
"It was good for us to just let them know that it wasn't going to be easy coming to play North Dakota," Hooker said. "It was going to be a fight."
BIG PICTURE
North Dakota: The Fighting Hawks were playing with house money in their first NCAA Tournament appearance as a Division I program. They joined Division I full time in 2012-13. North Dakota played hard, but just didn't have the athletes to hang with the Pac-12 champs.
Arizona: The Wildcats did exactly what they were supposed to do, outside of taking their foot off the gas in the second half. This is a team that won the Pac-12 regular season and tournament and has Final Four aspirations. Arizona has advanced to the Elite Eight three times under Miller, but has not reached the Final Four since 2001.
OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND
The 2016 tournament was a disappointment for Arizona as the Wildcats were bounced in the first round. The program hadn't lost in the first round since 2008, though it missed the tournament in 2010 and 2012. A strong start is good for the psyche.
QUOTABLE
"We utilized our size," Miller said. "That's important in a game like tonight, to play to your strengths.
"We wish we felt better about our defensive effort and we'd have put together one heck of a game."
UP NEXT
Arizona will face No. 7 seed Saint Mary's (29-4) in the second round on Saturday.
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Arizona's freshman combination of Lauri Markkanen and Rawle Alkins didn't act their age Thursday night in their NCAA Tournament debut. The pair combined for 40 points as the Wildcats began what's expected to be a deep postseason run.
Markkanen scored 20 points as second-seeded Arizona cruised to a 100-82 victory over No. 15 North Dakota in the first round of the NCAA's West Regional. It was just the third time Arizona has scored 100-plus points in their NCAA Tournament history.
"I'm so proud of these two guys," Arizona coach Sean Miller said. "I've answered a lot of questions on how we've weathered a lot of the obstacles and adversity that we dealt with this season. A lot of times I answered by, we have three freshmen that are excellent players, but bring no drama to the table and they do their job and are consistent.
"Tonight was a great example. First round of the NCAA Tournament, you'd expect freshmen sometimes to have a struggle. Lauri and Rawle were our two best players tonight."
Arizona used a 13-1 run early in the first half to take 24-13 lead and never looked back. The Wildcats (31-4) lead 53-37 at halftime thanks to a dominant 16-point half from Markkanen and a 61.1 shooting percentage in the first 20 minutes.
The Wildcats will face seventh-seeded Saint Mary's in the second round on Saturday. The Gaels beat VCU 85-77.
It was almost as if Arizona's players were taking turns scoring. Allonzo Trier continued his late-season success and had a highlight tomahawk dunk to push the lead to 44-27. He finished with 18 points.
Alkins was aggressive early and scored 20 on 8-for-8 shooting while Dusan Ristic started hot in the second half and added 12 points.
"We just wanted to play hard and show that we belong here," Alkins said.
Markkanen, who's expected to be a high first-round NBA draft pick, was a constant as North Dakota couldn't match his size (7-foot, 230 pounds) or skill.
Quinton Hooker led the Fighting Hawks (22-10) with 25 points and Drick Bernstine added 20.
"They really dominated the paint in the first half," North Dakota coach Brian Jones said. "We thought we did a good job of fighting and trying to make them battle for catches further out on the floor. But they were so big. They would go and counter it and shoot right over the top of us."
North Dakota played with energy throughout and never quit, but was simply overmatched. Arizona was bigger and outscored the Fighting Hawks 54-34 in the paint. North Dakota never seemed to be able to get easy baskets.
"It was good for us to just let them know that it wasn't going to be easy coming to play North Dakota," Hooker said. "It was going to be a fight."
BIG PICTURE
North Dakota: The Fighting Hawks were playing with house money in their first NCAA Tournament appearance as a Division I program. They joined Division I full time in 2012-13. North Dakota played hard, but just didn't have the athletes to hang with the Pac-12 champs.
Arizona: The Wildcats did exactly what they were supposed to do, outside of taking their foot off the gas in the second half. This is a team that won the Pac-12 regular season and tournament and has Final Four aspirations. Arizona has advanced to the Elite Eight three times under Miller, but has not reached the Final Four since 2001.
OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND
The 2016 tournament was a disappointment for Arizona as the Wildcats were bounced in the first round. The program hadn't lost in the first round since 2008, though it missed the tournament in 2010 and 2012. A strong start is good for the psyche.
QUOTABLE
"We utilized our size," Miller said. "That's important in a game like tonight, to play to your strengths.
"We wish we felt better about our defensive effort and we'd have put together one heck of a game."
UP NEXT
Arizona will face No. 7 seed Saint Mary's (29-4) in the second round on Saturday.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
North Dakota-Arizona Preview
Stats, LLC
SALT LAKE CITY — Few teams have weathered as much adversity as Arizona has this season.
Early injuries and suspensions left the Wildcats with paper-thin roster depth for much of the year. Still, Arizona found a way to survive. When key players like Allonzo Trier and Parker Jackson-Cartwright returned, the Wildcats assumed the identity of a potential Final Four team.
Arizona (30-4) has loads of potential to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2001. The Wildcats clawed their way to a share of the Pac-12 regular-season championship and then knocked off co-champ Oregon to win the league tournament title. They have the pedigree to grind out enough wins to get to Phoenix.
No. 2 seed Arizona faces Big Sky champion North Dakota on Thursday night in its NCAA Tournament opener. The winner will face either Saint Mary’s or Virginia Commonwealth in the next round.
“You want to enter the NCAA Tournament playing your best basketball,” Arizona coach Sean Miller told reporters on Sunday. “You can make the case we’re doing that right now, especially offensively.”
The Wildcats averaged 76.4 points on 47.0 percent shooting in its Pac-12 regular-season games. Arizona outscored opponents in conference play by 9.7 points per game and outrebounded opponents by 6.5 rebounds.
One reason for such dominance is freshman center Lauri Markkanen. The 7-footer from Finland is second on the team in points (15.6) and is the top rebounder (7.1). Markkanen evokes comparisons to NBA All-Star Dirk Nowitizki with his shooting abilities. He is lethal from the perimeter, connecting on 43.2 percent of his attempts.
Trier’s return also gave Arizona a huge boost. He has only appeared in 15 games after serving a suspension related to performance-enhancing drugs. Since coming back, Trier has led the Wildcats in scoring at 17.3 points and is a true game-changer with his playmaking abilities.
Arizona will open NCAA play against the Big Sky champion for the second time in four seasons. North Dakota earned the first bid in school history after sweeping the conference regular season and tournament crowns.
The Fighting Hawks (22-9) won 10 of their last 11 games after rebounding from a 5-6 start to the season and registered their most victories in a season since moving to the Division I level. They needed to outlast Weber State 93-89 in overtime in the Big Sky championship after rallying from an 11-point second-half deficit.
“Unbelievable,” North Dakota coach Brian Jones told the school’s website after the game. “What a resilient bunch of players, who never lost faith that we were going to come out with a victory. We put this team together for this very day.”
North Dakota ranked second in both scoring offense and scoring defense among Big Sky teams, averaging 80.5 points while limiting opponents to 72.8 points. The Fighting Hawks are efficient shooters, making 48.3 percent of their shots, including 38.7 from distance.
Quinton Hooker presents the biggest offensive threat. The senior guard averages 19.1 points and gets it done at the line and on the perimeter. Hooker led the Big Sky in free-throw shooting, making 87.7 percent of his attempts. He also is North Dakota’s top 3-point shooter, making 43.6 percent of his shots from the perimeter.
SALT LAKE CITY — Few teams have weathered as much adversity as Arizona has this season.
Early injuries and suspensions left the Wildcats with paper-thin roster depth for much of the year. Still, Arizona found a way to survive. When key players like Allonzo Trier and Parker Jackson-Cartwright returned, the Wildcats assumed the identity of a potential Final Four team.
Arizona (30-4) has loads of potential to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2001. The Wildcats clawed their way to a share of the Pac-12 regular-season championship and then knocked off co-champ Oregon to win the league tournament title. They have the pedigree to grind out enough wins to get to Phoenix.
No. 2 seed Arizona faces Big Sky champion North Dakota on Thursday night in its NCAA Tournament opener. The winner will face either Saint Mary’s or Virginia Commonwealth in the next round.
“You want to enter the NCAA Tournament playing your best basketball,” Arizona coach Sean Miller told reporters on Sunday. “You can make the case we’re doing that right now, especially offensively.”
The Wildcats averaged 76.4 points on 47.0 percent shooting in its Pac-12 regular-season games. Arizona outscored opponents in conference play by 9.7 points per game and outrebounded opponents by 6.5 rebounds.
One reason for such dominance is freshman center Lauri Markkanen. The 7-footer from Finland is second on the team in points (15.6) and is the top rebounder (7.1). Markkanen evokes comparisons to NBA All-Star Dirk Nowitizki with his shooting abilities. He is lethal from the perimeter, connecting on 43.2 percent of his attempts.
Trier’s return also gave Arizona a huge boost. He has only appeared in 15 games after serving a suspension related to performance-enhancing drugs. Since coming back, Trier has led the Wildcats in scoring at 17.3 points and is a true game-changer with his playmaking abilities.
Arizona will open NCAA play against the Big Sky champion for the second time in four seasons. North Dakota earned the first bid in school history after sweeping the conference regular season and tournament crowns.
The Fighting Hawks (22-9) won 10 of their last 11 games after rebounding from a 5-6 start to the season and registered their most victories in a season since moving to the Division I level. They needed to outlast Weber State 93-89 in overtime in the Big Sky championship after rallying from an 11-point second-half deficit.
“Unbelievable,” North Dakota coach Brian Jones told the school’s website after the game. “What a resilient bunch of players, who never lost faith that we were going to come out with a victory. We put this team together for this very day.”
North Dakota ranked second in both scoring offense and scoring defense among Big Sky teams, averaging 80.5 points while limiting opponents to 72.8 points. The Fighting Hawks are efficient shooters, making 48.3 percent of their shots, including 38.7 from distance.
Quinton Hooker presents the biggest offensive threat. The senior guard averages 19.1 points and gets it done at the line and on the perimeter. Hooker led the Big Sky in free-throw shooting, making 87.7 percent of his attempts. He also is North Dakota’s top 3-point shooter, making 43.6 percent of his shots from the perimeter.
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