The South is a very advantageous region for the Arizona Wildcats. So let’s start at the 2 seed and work our way down.
Villanova: Any Jay Wright-coached team is never to be dismissed. That typed, this certainly isn’t the free flowing smooth running offense with stars encompassing the perimeter that we are used to seeing. Factor in that Villanova doesn’t possess anywhere near the height advantage that Arizona does and this feels like a very controllable game for Arizona.
The third seeded Tennessee Volunteers are a popular upset pick by some. And to the untrained eye it makes sense as Tennessee handed Arizona its first loss of the season. But, a further examination reveals an Arizona team that committed ten, usually, unforced turnovers, in the first ten minutes of the game on its way to an early 16-2 deficit.
All this combined with some curious Knoxville officiating and the Wildcats were still in position to possibly win late. Arizona looked like the team with more potential throughout the game and Wildcats fans should feel comfortable if a rematch in the Elite 8 occurs.
Checking in at the 4 line is the Illinois Fighting Illini. Illinois and Arkansas are the two fours seeds that match up the best with Arizona. And for Illinois it’s simple, they have multiple players on the perimeter who can make plays off the bounce and an all American big.
The problem for Illinois in its game against Arizona earlier in the season, Christian Koloko’s length limited Illinois center Kofi Cockburn. And Koloko hasn’t gotten any smaller
Now to be clear, Illinois isn’t just Kofi Cockburn, and snipers Tim Frazier and Alfonzo Plummer anymore. Guard Andres Curbelo is back in the Illini backcourt, but Arizona also has Pelle Larsson and a much improved Oumar Ballo this time around.
Illinois is capable of beating Arizona but the Cats are clearly the better team.
The Houston Cougars are the one reasonable seed outside of the top 4 that it’s easy to see giving Arizona trouble: well coached, with a pressure style that can give teams light on ball handling problems, the Cougars check off a lot of boxes. But are they physically big and skilled enough to hang with the Wildcats for 40 minutes? That’s the question.
If Arizona loses to any of the other teams in this region then the Cats weren’t as good as everyone thought.
