Arizona fans got the rematch they wanted. Their Wildcats will meet Wisconsin in the Elite 8 for the second consecutive NCAA postseason. The Badgers were able to pull away from North Carolina at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. Frank Kaminsky struggled early but Sam Dekker poured in 23 points to give UW a 79-72 victory. "We know how to stay calm, we're a veteran group and know what it takes to win games at the end of a game," Kaminsky said in the postgame press conference. He finished with 19 points and eight rebounds. The Tar Heels matched up well with the Badgers because of their athleticism and great shooting. Each team went 26-56 from the floor but the Badgers nailed 20-23 free throws. It’s no surprise to me that Wisconsin made it past UNC but I did think the Tar Heels would give them fits. In the late game Arizona used a late three-pointer from T.J. McConnell to earn a 68-60 win over Xavier. Sean Miller picked up his first victory over the team he coached for eight seasons. The Wildcats looked sluggish for the majority of the game, particularly in the first half. The intensity and energy level appeared to be lacking and Elliott Pitts admitted such in the locker room. “I think it was getting the jitters out,” he told me after the game. “Guys had to get used to the game, me too personally. But once we got past that point it was easier.” McConnell had a team-high 17 points to go with seven rebound, five assists and a rare block. Kaleb Tarczewski and Stanley Johnson each added 12 points, with Tarczewski reaching double-double status thanks to his 12 rebounds. Wisconsin edged Arizona in last year’s Elite 8 game from the Honda Center in Anaheim. Wildcat fans rioted in downtown Tucson, causing police to prepare for a similar situation on Thursday night. Luckily, it wasn’t necessary. Saturday the two programs will again meet for a trip to the Final Four, a place Arizona coach Sean Miller has never been. His players have admitted they would love to get him there, but they first couldn’t look past Xavier and now it’s all about the Badgers. “It’s going to be a great game,” Pitts told me of Wisconsin. “It was a great game last year too that could have gone either way, but it’s two completely different teams this year so it should be a good match-up.” Wisconsin certainly looked beatable on Thursday night. Then again, Arizona wasn’t exactly clicking on all cylinders either. Still, I asked Pitts what he thinks is the key to beating the Badgers. “I don’t know if it’s about planning for them as much as it is doing what we’ve done all season,” said Pitts. “If we defend like we have been and rebound like we do, I think it’s almost impossible to beat us if we do that.” Saturday’s Elite 8 tips off at 3:09pm from the Staples Center. Arizona opened as a 1.5 point favorite. Give me the Cats, 65-62. Sean Miller advances to his first Final Four behind the best team he’s ever coached.
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AuthorRichie is a small-town boy chasing big-city dreams. When he's not involved with sports, he's spending time with his wife, Fallon; their yorkie, Tinker; and their Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rosie. Archives
April 2016
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