Cats advance to Sweet Sixteen after blowing by Butler, E. Illinois

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Arizona concluded a weekend full of upsets by doing something that teams like North Carolina and Iowa State couldn't - standing pat.

Shaking the Arizona first-weekend curse of the past two years, the Wildcats outlasted Butler yesterday afternoon by demonstrating why they are a No. 2 seed and the Bulldogs were a No. 10.

While emotion seemed to carry the Bulldogs through the first half, in the end the Wildcats' strength, quickness and athleticism would spoil this Cinderella story-in-the-making.

And while so much is made of the offensive explosiveness UA possesses, it was Arizona's defense that led to a 73-52 victory and a ticket to the Sweet Sixteen in San Antonio.

"Today was one of the best defensive games that we've played throughout the season," senior forward Gene Edgerson said. "Guys were just determined to not let their man score, especially when we were down. There was a sense of urgency because nobody wanted to lose this game."