Victory over No. 3 Stanford would ensure trip to NCAAs

Adam F. Jarrold Arizona Daily Wildcat UA junior forward Adia Barnes passes around two Oregon State players earlier this season. Arizona is hoping it can be to team to break Stanford's 43-conference game win streak.

Just break the Cardinal's 43-game conference-winning streak. Just give the No. 3 team in the nation its second loss of the season; just do what Tennessee, Alabama and Colorado could not.

That is why the answer is so simple, win and you're in. Upset and get set because its time for the big dance.

Arizona (21-6, 11-5 in the Pacific 10 Conference) has already set single season records in wins, conference victories, has had a 10-game winning streak and now is on the verge of its first appearance in the tournament.

UA head coach Joan Bonvicini even ordered her players off-limits to the media all week because she wants them to "not have any distractions so they can focus solely on the game."

To Bonvicini that is just how big this game is. The importance is not just on this season, but every recruiting trip and press poll for year's to come.

"I think our team wants to be successful so bad they are holding on to their mistakes," Bonvincini said. "Like a missed shot or a bad pass. They need to hold to the things that they've done well. Now is the time to put it all on the line.

"We don't want to make it a choice, obviously Stanford is the huge one."

Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer doesn't think on a tournament standpoint that the victory is even necessary.

"I definitely think that four teams belong in the tournament," she said. "They (the other teams in the conference) as a whole have played much better down the line compared to last year. Arizona has had times of inconsistency, but they've had a good preseason schedule."

Which brings up a good question, how many teams from the conference deserve to go?

The nine person NCAA selection committee - who will announce the brackets Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. Tucson time on ESPN - only thought three were good enough last season.

"I would be very disappointed if we didn't get four teams," said Danette Macri, an official with the Pac-10 offices in Walnut Creek, Calif. "We are pushing four, and with Washington coming on, even five teams. We (selection comittee) give them our opinions and they take them for what it is worth, but they should looked at highly that they belong.

Coaches around the league agree that this year's crop of teams is stronger than last year, especially against other regions.

"We have all had good early season strength in our schedules," Southern Cal head coach Fred Williams said. "I figure that we should get four in. It would show that the conference is moving in the right direction."

"In past years, there has been a few top teams that win consistently and then the other half which beat on each other," Oregon head coach Jody Runge said. "This season there are no gimmies, it's tough no matter where you go."

Since 1990, the Pac-10 has sent at least four teams, with the exception of last season's three. In 1994 and 95, the conference had six enter the first round.

"What happens in the last few weeks makes a big impression on where teams end up," Macri said.

While Arizona received not a single vote in the latest Associated Press poll, what matters is impressing the committee and a Stanford win for Arizona - which was snubbed last season even though they tied for third in the conference - would be huge.

"We have accomplished many firsts this season," Bonvicini said. "this one would be a great addition."