UA, S. Alabama study in contrast

Charles C. Labenz Arizona Daily Wildcat Sophomore Donnell Harris (13) collides with junior forward Bennett Davison (21) in the March 2 Washington game. The Wildcats begin NCAA Tournament play tonight at approximately 8:30 against South Alabama in Memphis, Tenn.

Something has got to give.

The fourth-seeded Wildcats (19-9 overall) take their aggressive, pressing defense to the NCAA Tournament tonight in an effort to force the 13th-seeded Jaguars (23-6) into playing at a quicker tempo when the two teams square off at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tenn.

The game is slated to start 25 minutes after the completion of the Maryland-College of Charleston game, which tips off at 5:50 p.m.

The Jaguars rank fifth in the nation in points allowed and eighth in field goal defense (38.1 percent). In fact, South Alabama's winning score of 44-43 against Louisiana Tech in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament was a model of offensive patience.

"We are going to have to come out and pick them up full court from the start," UA sophomore guard Jason Terry said. "If we let them take their time and use 30 seconds a possession, we won't be too successful. We have to make them play our style of basketball."

The Jaguars are led by senior center Mark Neal (6-foot-6, 210 pounds) and junior swingman Jerome Coaxum (6-4, 180). Neal is the team's top scorer at 12.1 points per game while shooting a team-high 51.2 percent from the field. Coaxum scored 20 points to lift South Alabama over Arkansas-Little Rock in the conference semi-finals. Junior forward Rico Alderson (6-6, 202) is the team's force in the middle, leading the Jaguars with 8.6 rebounds per game.

"Coaxum is an excellent scorer for them and a good free throw shooter," UA head coach Lute Olson said. "Even though they're only at about 6-6, their two inside guys do an excellent job on the boards and are very quick to the ball."

Arizona needs to get its post players involved early with such a small opposing front line. Sophomores A.J. Bramlett (6-11, 22) and Donnell Harris (6-11, 210) should excell on the inside with a five-inch height advantage. Against California, Bramlett finished with 19 points while facing Cal's big three of Alfred Grigsby (6-9, 235), Tony Gonzalez (6-6, 250) and Michael Stewart (6-10, 230).

"A.J. has hit a confidence level where he feels he can score on people," Olson said. "He has continued to progress and I think the guys have more confidence in him."

In the leadership area, the Wildcats will rely on juniors Michael Dickerson and Miles Simon. In last season's tournament, Dickerson (18.7 points per game) and Simon (18.0 points per game) ranked one and two in scoring in the team's three games. This season, Dickerson has averaged a team-high 20.6 points per game while earning honorable mention All-America status.

Arizona looks to freshman guard Mike Bibby as well. Bibby has increased his scoring average to 12.5 points per game.

"I think that we have the guys to get out and pressure them. I want to come out and push the ball and try and force the tempo," Bibby said.