NCAA Tournament: Arizona is climbing back to the top
Published 12:00 am Sunday, March 27, 2011
By John Marshall
Associated Press
Arizona’s bid to reach the Final Four came up just short, two final chances sailing off the mark.
After what they went through the previous three seasons, it was an accomplishment for the Wildcats to even be there.
Arizona (30-8) completed its turnaround quicker than anyone expected, reaching the West regional final just a year after its 25-year run of getting into the NCAA tournament ended.
Led by national player of the year candidate Derrick Williams, the Wildcats won the Pac-10 regular-season title and came within a 3-pointer of reaching the Final Four in just their second season under Sean Miller.
Arizona lost 65-63 to Connecticut on Saturday, but appears to have climbed back to its spot among the nation’s elite programs.