Jon Wilner
Instant analysis of Arizona’s 85-65 victory over Long Beach State in the first round of the NCAAs …
*** The Wildcats looked the part of tournament favorites, executing on both ends of the court and dominating the second half in Salt Lake City. With 10 minutes remaining, it was clear that this would not be Princeton 2.0 — that faith in the Wildcats this month is warranted.
More importantly for Arizona’s long-haul prospects in March Madness, two players who will shape success had confidence-building games.
*** Every win in the NCAAs requires a spark. Arizona’s came courtesy of guard Kylan Boswell.
His scoring (20 points, a career high), perimeter shooting (4-of-9 from 3-point range) and playmaking (eight assists) allowed the Wildcats’ offense to generate the tempo and efficiency that was on display throughout the regular season.
The No. 2 seed never let the No. 15 seed establish momentum on a sustained basis or turn the matchup into the type of taut affairs that can produce early-round upsets.
Arizona’s other key player, guard Caleb Love, started slowly but eventually found some rhythm and finished with 18 points.
Center Oumar Ballo was dominant with 13 rebounds and four blocks, but the Wildcats will go as far as Boswell and Love take them.
*** Key Stat I: Arizona’s sticky perimeter defense held LBSU to 3-of-17 shooting from 3-point range.
*** Key Stat II: Arizona had 19 assists on 30 field goals — the offense flowed as designed.
*** In one sense, the game began when the teams took the floor for the second half. The Wildcats led by six points — after an impressive run to end the first half — but that was nothing new.
Arizona is the only school in tournament history to lose twice as a No. 2 seed in the opening round to a No. 15. In both cases, against Santa Clara in 1993 and Princeton in 2023, the Wildcats held double-digit leads in the second half, then crumbled under the pressure as the underdog mounted a rally.
If the Wildcats allowed Long Beach State to make an initial charge Thursday afternoon and gain confidence, the demons of collapses past might derail Arizona yet again.
Instead of giving the 49ers a sliver of hope, Arizona exerted immediate control as two baskets by Keshad Johnson pushed the six-point margin to 10. Johnson followed with a 3-pointer for a 48-35 advantage, and the tone for the remainder of the half was set.
With 16 minutes left, Boswell’s long-range basket pushed the margin to 21, and the Wildcats coasted from there.
*** What’s next for Arizona? Either No. 7 Dayton or No. 10 Nevada in the second round.
And there is a notable difference.
Dayton has one of the nation’s most efficient offenses and best players in forward DaRon Holmes II.
The Wolfpack, led by former UCLA coach Steve Alford, have more balance. Their top scorer, guard Jarod Lucas, played for Oregon State before transferring to Reno.
Arizona has numerous defensive options to contain Lucas. Holmes poses a greater challenge.
But if Arizona plays with urgency on defense and confidence on offense, as it did in the second half against LBSU, then neither opponent has the personnel to send the Wildcats packing.
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.
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