Matt Fargo
Arizona vs. West Virginia (NCAAB) - Mar 20, 2008 9:40 PM EDT
Play: Point Spread: 2/-107 Arizona

The Wildcats were hit with injuries all season long but now they are a healthy team and one that could be a very tough out. An underachieving team in the past, they are now the underdogs and that can make a world of difference. The Wildcats will make their 24th-straight NCAA tournament, the longest streak in the nation, but, as a No. 10, it's the lowest they've ever been seeded. I think that is the best thing that could have happened and if you look at the other No. 10 seeds, the Wildcats are the best of the bunch.

West Virginia made a small run in the Big East Tournament and that has gotten it some attention from the public. According to some sportsbook action, this is one of the biggest bet games thus far and close to 2/3 of those wagers are on the Mountaineers. They do possess a great player in Joe Alexander who has shown he can take a game over himself but top to bottom, they are at a huge disadvantage. West Virginia went just 3-8 against the nation’s top 50 this season.

Watching ESPN or any other national broadcast and you see debates about whether Arizona even belongs here. I can guarantee you this team does despite a mediocre 18-14 record including a losing mark in the Pac Ten. The schedule was brutal as it ranked the hardest in the country. The Wildcats went 4-1 against teams outside the top 25 but still within the top 50 and that is where the Mountaineers fall. Motivation is something big this time of year and Arizona has it.

Arizona has better athletes and when Jerryd Bayless and Nic Wise were healthy and combined with Chase Budinger, the Wildcats were a proficient scoring team. Wise and Bayless have been huge contributors and Arizona missed them when they weren’t playing, going 2-5 without Wise and 1-3 without Bayless. Wise could be a big factor and one that is hardly being talked about, as it's unclear whether the Mountaineers have anybody athletic enough to guard him.

West Virginia has had a knack of being able to force a lot of turnovers but Arizona only averages 12.1 tpg, which is going to be a big plus. The Mountaineers has a 1.40 assist/turnover ratio which is down from the past two years showing what sort of team it was in the past. Arizona has a ratio of 1.28 so it is not far behind at all. The Wildcats also are hitting 74.7 from the free throw line this season which is 21st in the nation and we all know how important that is. Arizona advances on Thursday.

Play Arizona Wildcats 1 Unit

Matt Fargo is ready for the best event in sports and the Tournament has always been filled with big Wins! The NCAA Tournament tips with a rare High-Roller release that goes Thursday! The February High-Roller Dominator was an easy Winner (Marquette over Villanova) and this one is easier! Kansas St. and USC is the matchup and it is backed by 51-13 ATS (79.7%) Team Angles!

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