UA begins second round tonight

Ian Mayer Arizona Daily Wildcat UA junior center A.J. Bramlett (42) leaps up for a basket against Oregon State University earlier this season. Bramlett and the Wildcat interior defense hope to shut down Washington's twin 7-footers, Todd MacCullough and Patrick Femerling.

That's the way the Arizona basketball team is approaching the second half of the Pacific 10 Conference season. Anything less than a conference title and an 18-0 record will be disappointing.

The second stanza tips off tonight when Washington visits McKale Center. Game time is set for 6:37.

"We are definitely looking at going 18-0," senior guard Miles Simon said. "We are already halfway there. That was one of our goals when the season began. Why not?"

It's no secret the Huskies would love to be the first blemish on that record. At 13-5 overall and 6-3 in the Pac-10, Washington is developing into what tournament experts love to call a bubble team. A victory over a big name and highly-ranked opponent like fourth-ranked Arizona would do wonders for its chances of making the NCAA Tournament field.

"We've put ourselves in position (for a tournament berth)," UW coach Bob Bender said. "But it is not a given. We need to have a sense of urgency. We have nine games left. Every one is big."

The Wildcats are 19-3 overall, which includes the perfect 9-0 record in conference play. UA seems to be on a crash course toward attaining the No. 1 seed in the West Regional, but anything is possible.

"I don't think we are ready yet for the tournament," Arizona guard Mike Bibby said. "I think that we have played well so far, but there is a lot we can do better."

Arizona defeated the Huskies 110-91 in Seattle on Jan. 10. The Wildcats set a school record by shooting 82 percent in the second half while the play of their big men neutralized Husky 7-footer Todd MacCullough.

"MacCullough is so big and capable," UA assistant Jim Rosborough said. "Just before we played them, he had like 30 points and 20 rebounds. That is what is scary about him."

The Huskies also bring another 7-footer - Patrick Femerling - in their starting lineup. Deon Luton, Jan Wooten and Donald Watts form UW's perimeter attack.

"Luton has been playing very well for them lately and Watts had a great game when we played up there," Rosborough said. "They have a number of good players."

The Wildcats will go with their usual starting lineup of Bibby, Simon, Michael Dickerson, Bennett Davison and A.J. Bramlett.

The Wildcats will also play host to Washington State this weekend. The Cougars visit McKale Saturday night. Game time is set for 6:37.

No. 4 Arizona vs. Washington

(19-3, 9-0)(13-5, 6-3)

When: Tonight at 6:37

Where: McKale Center

TV/Radio: The game will be televised on KTTU and broadcast live by KNST (AM 790)

What: A win gives Arizona its 11th-straight 20-win season ... Two wins this weekend give the Arizona program all-time wins No. 1,299 and 1,300 ... The Huskies are one of just seven teams this decade to win at McKale Center.