By
Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wildcats playing for shot at NCAA Tournament bid
The Arizona women's basketball team is on the verge of not making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five seasons.
The unranked Wildcats (18-8 overall, 8-6 Pacific 10 Conference), who face Oregon State tonight in Corvallis, Ore., have lost five consecutive games on the road and are in desperate need of victories in order to qualify for the Big Dance.
"I definitely think we need to win at least 20 (games)," UA head coach Joan Bonvicini said. "The games on the road are even more significant."
After facing Oregon State tonight, Arizona will travel to Eugene, Ore., to battle Oregon in their final regular-season road game of 2001. The Wildcats will then host Stanford on March 8 and California on March 10.
"Right now I'm not looking at the tournament, I'm looking at Oregon State," Wildcat junior center Elizabeth Pickney said. "That's what's on my mind right now - Oregon State. I can care less about the tournament right now."
Pickney is the Wildcats' leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Though she is experiencing the best season of her UA career, the Houston native said she is not pleased with the way the team is playing right now.
"I think I would be feeling better if we were in a different position, but it can only get better at this point," Pickney said. "That's how I see it."
UA freshman forward Shannon Torregrosa said if the Wildcats have a strong weekend, she is confident they can make the tournament.
"If we beat one of or both of the Oregon teams, we will have a good chance of making the tournament," Torregrosa said. "After losing to ASU (last weekend), we definitely want to go up there and prove we can come back from a loss and prove ourselves."
In its last meeting against the Beavers Feb. 3 at McKale Center, Bonvicini earned her 500th career victory, overshadowing Beaver junior Felicia Ragland's 29-point performance.
Ragland is averaging 19.6 points per game and leads the Pac-10 with a .465 three point percentage.
"I think they have one of the best players in the conference," Bonvicini said of Ragland. "She is a great scorer."
Pickney agreed.
"Were going to try to play better defense (against her) because she has a very quick first step and goes to the boards hard," she said.
Bonvicini said the Wildcats should have success if they stick to the basics.
"The key is our defense and rebounding," she said.
