UA's chairman of the boards

Charles C. Labenz Arizona Daily Wildcat UA sophomore center A.J. Bramlett stretches for a shot against Washington earlier in the season. Bramlett is a big reason why the Wildcats are heading to the Final Four. He is averaging a double-double through four tournament games.

The distinction went to Arizona's A.J. Bramlett.

The sophomore center not only notched his second double-double in three tournament games, but his aggressive play forced Pollard into early foul trouble, limiting him to just 20 minutes of playing time.

"A.J. really stepped up for us in the Kansas game and in the tournament as a whole," UA sophomore guard Jason Terry said. "From the guard standpoint, we have a lot more confidence in him. He has been our inside presence."

In Arizona's four tournament games, Bramlett is averaging 11.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He is also shooting over 50 percent while committing only six turnovers.

Bramlett has finished with Dennis Rodman-like totals in rebounding thus far, with 16 against South Alabama, 15 versus College of Charleston and 12 against Kansas.

These totals are made even more impressive considering that they are coming from a player who averaged just over six rebounds per game in the regular season.

"I have never seen a guy come as far as A.J. has from start to finish this year," UA head coach Lute Olson said. "Not only has he increased his aggressiveness on the offensive end, but he has made a commitment to hitting the boards."

Yet Bramlett's tournament success has not been a total surprise for the Albuquerque, N.M., native. In fact, he averaged 12 points and eight rebounds in Arizona's final three regular season games, closing out the season with a 19-point effort against Cal.

"I just tried to pick up my game as the regular season began to end," Bramlett said. "(Assistant) Coach (Phil) Johnson and Coach Olson have been challenging the big men to step up from the end of the season, and I wanted to answer that challenge."

Bramlett will face another powerful frontcourt when Arizona squares off with North Carolina on Saturday at the Final Four in Indianapolis. The Tar Heels are led by 7-foot, 2 inch center Serge Zwikker and All-Atlantic Coast Conference forward Antawn Jamison.

And while Arizona's frontcourt will probably be overlooked in favor of the bigger names from UNC, Bramlett and company will once again try and show that they are a force on the inside.

"This will be a big test for us, but then again, so was Kansas," Bramlett said. "I think we have shown that we can compete with the big guys.

"I am looking forward to the challenge."