KEVIN KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat UA's Jason Gardner and Notre Dame's Chris Thomas will square off against each other in tonight's Sweet 16 matchup.

Point guards Gardner and Thomas square off tonight in matchup of Indiana high school stars

ANAHEIM, Calif. - After getting back to his hotel room Saturday following the Notre Dame's win over Illinois, Chris Thomas was able to catch the end of UA's second round tournament win over Gonzaga.

Thomas could have been rooting for a matchup against the Zags, a team where his Fighting Irish team would come into Anaheim as the favorite.

However, he didn't. He knew deep-down inside he wanted to play Arizona.

"I knew that would be my only chance to play against (Jason) Gardner," Thomas said.

The two point guards have a long history with each other.

Both were honored as the state of Indiana's Mr. Basketball, both have led their respective teams to state championships, both were McDonald's All-Americans and both have been competing against one another since junior high school.

"In high school we played him four times," said Thomas who went to Pike High School. "I think I was 3-1 against him. We keep in touch throughout the season, and we followed each other. And we are just proud to be where we are, just proud to represent our city and our state."

Gardner, who went to Pike's rival North Central in Indianapolis, didn't have many words to say about his relationship with Thomas but did say he is excited to play him.

"I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun," said Gardner, who is two years older than Thomas. "I never looked at him as a rival."

Part of the reason Gardner, the UA all-time leader in four statistical categories, is so mum about his relationship with Thomas is that he is not the type of player who likes to bring himself before the team. He knows there is more at stake than just a rematch between familiar faces.

However, Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey got a chance to see the two go at each other over the summer when they were counselors at Nike Camp.

"That matchup is intense," Brey said. "I don't know if it can be more intense than it was on July 10. There's a lot of competitiveness between these two young men. They are great friends, but they are the kind of guys that when they are between the lines they want to tear each other's heart out."

"They are two great competitors, guys that are winners, that have led their team and certainly being from the state of Indiana, I think everybody is proud right here."

On the court, even though the two play the same position, both have different roles.

As Thomas is counted on to score more than Gardner, Gardner is the Wildcats' floor leader, a role that Thomas is still trying to develop into.

The other difference when the two hit the court today is that Gardner has been deep into the tournament before.

"I just think it's his experience," said Thomas about Gardner's biggest advantage. "He's been to the Final Four. He's been to the Championship Game. He's played against the top players. He's a leader and a captain, and he is what makes that team go."