Know Your Opponent: Arizona
Rob Daniels has tidbits on the Duke’s Sweet 16 opponents, Arizona.
Arizona Wildcats
Arizona plays Duke tonight at 9:45 EST.
Wildcat-Blue Devil Ties
Dole. Former Vice President Bob Dole (R-Kansas) attended Arizona from 1948-51 and his wife, former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), is a Duke graduate.
Wildcat NCAA Tournament History
Arizona is 45-27 and making its 29th NCAA tournament appearance. The Wildcats defeated North Carolina in the Final Four en route to the title in 1997 and lost to Duke in the finals four years later. That’s the Cats’ only loss in six NCAA games against the ACC. This is the program’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2005.
Behind The Numbers
The Wildcats make 40 percent of their 3-pointers, but they don’t overindulge. They’re sixth in the country in free throws made, which suggests they know the value of driving to the hoop when the route is available. Power forward Derrick Williams is shooting 58 percent from downtown. He tries less than two per game, but he’s good enough from that distance that teams have to fear him. Word to the wise: don’t fall behind this bunch. Six of its top seven players shoot 74 percent or better from the foul line.
Alums
A very good list. It includes Dole and former U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.) in politics; comedian Garry Shandling, actor Greg Kinnear, TV producer Jerry Bruckheimer and “Bull Durham” director Ron Shelton in Hollywood; and Linda McCartney in music. It also features Kourtney Kardashian, whose fame is inexplicable.
