Arizona still No. 1 in the West

Even after splitting last weekend's series in Los Angeles, second-ranked Arizona's high Ratings Percentage Index (No. 3 overall) and one Pacific 10 Conference loss kept the Wildcats as a No. 1 seed in the West.

In fact, the only real drama for the Wildcats centered on whether Arizona would go to Boise, Idaho, or Sacramento, Calif., for its first and second round games. As it turns out, Arizona will leave Tuesday to face the 16th-seeded, Southland Conference Nicholls State Colonels on Thursday in Sacramento.

"We felt that if we won at UCLA that we would get the No. 1 seed," UA head coach Lute Olson said in a conference call with the media yesterday. "We were hoping for Sacramento because it would make travel a little easier and it is right in the middle of Pac-10 country. As to Nicholls State, we don't know much about them but we will look at the tape of their championship game tonight and have some ideas by tomorrow's morning meeting."

The other No. 1 seeds announced were Kansas (Midwest), Duke (South) and North Carolina (East). The seedings could allow aArizona-North Carolina rematch in the Final Four if things go as expected. And while the Wildcats had North Carolina's number in two meetings last year, the teams haven't played this season.

"North Carolina has been very consistent all season," Olson said. "With the exception of the last seven minutes in their second game, they have pretty much dominated Duke in their three meetings."

Aside from Arizona, the West Region sports such teams as Cincinnati (No. 2), Utah (No. 3) and Maryland (No. 4). Meaning that if Arizona wins round one and defeats the Tennessee-Illinois State winner, the Wildcats could face the Terrapins in the Sweet Sixteen. Maryland has already defeated two No. 1 seeds in the regular season in North Carolina and Kansas.

Ironically, these two teams were slated to meet in last year's tournament, but the fifth-seeded Terrapins lost to No. 12 College of Charleston in the first round.

"You look at Maryland and they are arguably the best No. 4 seed in the tournament. You could even make a strong case for them to be better than some of the No. 3 seeds," Olson said. This season College of Charleston will take on the three-seed in the East, Stanford.

"Charleston gave us a great game last season, but I don't know if you can translate that to success this year," Olson said. "They lost most of their top players as they were seniors last year."

Other Pac-10 teams in the tournament are UCLA (No. 6 in the South) and Washington (an 11 seed in the East).