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UA claws its way into tourney field
TUCSON - Five spots remained open toward the end of Sunday’s NCAA tournament selection show, and only two of them could have logically fit the Arizona Wildcats.
Play Bracket Brawl tournament contest
Arizona Daily Star
UA interim head coach Kevin O’Neill, previously confident of his 19-14 team’s chances for a 24th straight NCAA tournament bid, couldn’t help keep his mind from racing.
The last “spots were left and I was like. ‘C’mon, now. We did play the best schedule.’ ” O’Neill said. “This was a little bit hair-raising for myself and my wife sitting at home watching.”
So by the time O’Neill and his wife, Roberta, raced down to McKale Center 30 minutes later, the Wildcats’ tournament streak alive with a No. 10 seed in the West region despite a precarious month on the bubble, the sense of relief was palpable.
“It beats the alternative of being the guy who was coaching when they didn’t continue the streak,” O’Neill said. “I’ll be honest with you: Those thoughts always run through your mind.”
UA players were unavailable for comment Sunday, but O’Neill said he was as excited as he’s ever been in basketball Sunday in large part because of them.
The Wildcats have been rocked uneasily all season with key injuries and the puzzling season-long departure of head coach Lute Olson.
Now, the Wildcats have a first-round date with West Virginia on Thursday in Washington for the right to probably face second-seeded Duke in the second round on Saturday. Winner of that game goes to, of all places, Phoenix for the Sweet 16.
The season will start over, after all.
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