Wildcats Triumph, Seize Playoffs on Slam Dunk Lane!
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona freshman Koa Peat burst onto the national scene in his college debut, scoring 30 points against reigning national champion Florida . Three Wildcats scored 20 points the next game, freshman Dwayne Aristode led the team with 18 points against Northern Arizona, then Anthony Dell'Orso dropped in 20 against UCLA.
The trend continued all season, all the Wildcats seemingly taking turns atop the scoring column. “We’ve got a lot of guys on the team that can get theirs," freshman guard Brayden Burries said. Arizona opens the NCAA Tournament against Long Island on Friday in San Diego as the No.
1 seed in the West Region. The Wildcats (32-2) are projected to make a deep run into the bracket, in large part because of their balance and versatility. Burries leads the team at 15.
9 points per game and all five starters score in double figures. Dell'Orso and big man Tobe Awaka provide an immediate lift coming off the bench, each averaging 9. 0 points or more.
Seven of Arizona's eight regular rotation players have scored at least 20 points in a game this season. All eight have led the team or shared top-scoring honors at some point on a team that swept the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles. “I always like to be balanced,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said earlier this season.