NCAA Basketball Betting - Arizona Wildcats Trying To Extend Tournament Streak
Written by unclerico, Monday March 09 2009
With March Madness approaching, here's a recap of the Arizona Wildcats season to date.
March Madness betting just wouldn't be the same without the Arizona Wildcats. They've been a part of the Tournament for 25 consecutive seasons but there was some speculation heading into this season as to whether they would make the dance.
In the offseason, head coach Lute Olsen pulled himself off the team due to health concerns and there was some trepidation as far as how the Wildcats would perform without one of the best coaches in college basketball history. After all, it was Olsen that led the team to 25 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and a National Championship. The last time the Wildcats were not a factor in the March Madness odds was in 1983-84, which was Olsen's first season.
The Wildcats have been underachievers this season - their first without Olsen - and as the regular season came to a close, there were some questions as to where Arizona was standing. A lot of March Madness betting sharps had them squarely on the bubble, but a decisive 101-87 victory over Stanford likely got them off of it. Even so, a lot of people aren't sure that Arizona is a shoe-in for the Tournament, which means the Wildcats might have some work to do in the Pac 10 Tournament to build their resume.
Arizona will face their bitter rival, the Arizona State Sun Devils, in the first round of the Pac 10 Tournament and a win against them would likely mean an NCAA Tournament berth. The problem for Arizona is that they have already lost to the Sun Devils twice this season. An early exit from the Pac 10 Tournament might mean that the Wildcats will be back on the bubble and possibly out for March Madness odds.
The Wildcats have a couple of talented stars on the team, including Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill, who are both expected to bounce for the NBA Draft after this season. Furthermore, interim head coach Russ Pennell, is exactly that. He will also be replaced at the end of the season with a bigger brand name coach. Arizona has always had some focus issues but you would have to wonder if the team is collectively on the same page with three key threads ready to unravel in separate directions.
Nonethless, the Wildcats have to focus on the Sun Devils. Even if the Wildcats make the Tournament, they won't factor much in the final four odds, but it would be good to see them extend their streak for Olsen. To do that, the Wildcats will have to defeat the Sun Devils. As mentioned, they've already lost twice to them this season but the good news is that they haven't lost to their rival three times in a season since 1979-80 season.
If they don't, they'll likely start a new tournament streak of the NIT variety.
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hi..thanks for sharing.. NCAA Basketball March Madness is become hot now...everyone want their favorite teams win but i think the most important is we not loss our temper when our teams lose