(BACK TO THE FINAL FOUR)

(DAILY_WILDCAT)


By Arlie Rahn
Arizona Daily Wildcat

 - If you don't know much about Arizona, don't worry - you're not alone.
 - The Wildcats from the West have received little recognition over the last couple of years, even though they own the fourth best winning percentage in the nation during the 1990's (80 percent).
 - This season has been no different. Arizona snuck into the NCAA's as a four seed in the Southeast Region, and were expected to make a graceful exit when they faced a 31-1 Kansas team in the "Sweet 16". No one figured that Arizona, a team composed of nine underclassmen and no significant senior performer, could defeat such a seasoned Jayhawk team.
 - No one, that is, except for Arizona.
 - While center A.J. Bramlett (6-foot-11, 222 pounds) and Donnell Harris (6-11, 210) may leave fans asking, "Where's the beef?", the sophomore duo have made up for their lack of size with quick feet in the post. Bramlett awoke from a year-long slumber after he shattered a backboard in practice two weeks prior to the tournament. Since that time he has been a menace on the boards and is averaging a double-double every game (11.7 points and 11.5 rebounds).
 - Add scrappy freshman Eugene Edgerson and leaper Bennett Davison, and Arizona has a four-headed monster that can wreak havok on even the toughest frontcourts. If you still need convincing, just ask Scot Pollard and Raef LaFrentz of Kansas, who were held to just 14 combined points by the Wildcats.
 - Still, the bread-and-butter of this team is its guard-play. Simon and Dickerson average a combined 37.5 points a game, with freshman phenom Mike Bibby contributing 13 points from the point. Bibby has been the team's maestro this season, dishing out 170 assists while surrendering just 89 turnovers. In the tournament these three have accounted for 64 percent of the team's scoring.
 - Defensively, Arizona's catalyst has been sophomore guard Jason Terry. With his long arms and quick hands, Terry has amassed a school-record 79 steals this season.
 - This team is the dark horse in the Final Four, and for good reason.
 - Arizona lives and dies by the outside shot, and has yet to show that it is a team that can play with a lead - nearly blowing 8 and 11 point leads in the final minute against Kansas and Providence.
 - But even with all their faults, this team is hungry and has a desire that is unmatched in college basketball. It has gotten them this far, and it may be enough to land the Wildcats on center stage come Monday night.

(DAILY_WILDCAT)
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