Wildcats control tourney destiny, for now

The last time the Arizona Wildcats missed the NCAA Tournament, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson locked horns in sport’s biggest rivalry, “Ghostbusters” topped the box office and American television audiences were introduced to a game show where contestants answered in the form of a question.

With the nation’s longest-active tournament streak hanging in the balance, Arizona (17-12, 7-9 Pac-10) currently finds itself inside that exclusive tournament bubble, but just barely.

“Every streak ends at some point,” said interim head coach Kevin O’Neill. “We just don’t want to be the team that ends it.”

ESPN.com’s Joe Lunardi, the creator of “Bracketology,” currently has the Wildcats in as a No. 9 seed — one spot lower than last season.

How does a school with a losing conference record and uninspiring overall mark control its tournament destiny heading into the regular season’s final weekend?

First, the Wildcats have played the toughest schedule in college basketball, resulting in an eye-opening RPI of 0.644 — No. 23 in the nation. Arizona’s opponents have won 66.4 percent of their games.

Second, the Pac-10 is considered the nation’s toughest conference. Every squad outside of Oregon State has a chance at post-season play, whether it’s in the “Big Dance” or the NIT.

With all the number crunching and speculation surrounding Arizona this week, O’Neill has shifted his “one day at a time” mantra into overdrive, pointing out that all of this mental energy will be wasted if his squad falters in the Oregon road trip.

“We have no control over what the selection committee does,” O’Neill said. “All we can do is let our play do the talking.”

Arizona’s tournament chances look to get a boost with the impending returns of Nic Wise and Bret Brielmaier from the injured list.

Both players participated in full-contact practice yesterday, but O’Neill is not yet certain whether Wise (knee) or Brielmaier (shoulder) will be available for game action.

However, the possibility that both men might return to the hardwood is welcome news to the weary Wildcat starters. Jerryd Bayless, Jawann McClellan and Chase Budinger rank second, third and fourth, respectively, in Pac-10 minutes played per game.

During Sunday’s 68-66 home loss to UCLA, that trio each logged 40 minutes.

“I know our guys are in shape, but playing that many minutes is still mentally taxing,” O’Neill said.

He added that he was pleased with his team’s effort against the nation’s No. 2 team, but missed opportunities in transition proved to be the difference.

Of course, O’Neill isn’t oblivious to the timeout controversy that has drawn criticism from many die-hard Wildcat fans.

With 5.4 seconds remaining and Arizona having burned all of its timeouts, the game ended with seldom-used center Kirk Walters handling the ball during the crucial final possession. He hurriedly passed the ball to Bayless, who attempted an off-balance jumper that clanged off the backboard as the buzzer sounded.

“I use my timeouts by instinct, in order to take away runs and set up our defense,” O’Neill said. “I’d love to have a timeout in that situation, but I didn’t. I don’t believe in taking those things to the bank.”

That isn’t the only controversy surrounding the program this week.

During halftime of Sunday’s game, CBS’s Seth Davis reported that there was a rift growing between O’Neill and Lute Olson, who attended Sunday’s Senior Day festitives but refused to talk to the media.

O’Neill briskly shot that report down during the post-game press conference.

“There is no problem whatsoever between Lute and I,” O’Neill said. “It’s his basketball program; I’m just caretaking it for now.”

With all of these rumors swirling, O’Neill and his players say they have only one goal in mind: Keep Oregon State winless in the Pac-10.

“We figure they’re going to get at least one win in conference,” Budinger said. “I just don’t want it to be against us.”

The Beavers (6-22, 0-16) have struggled mightily this season, averaging a meager 60 points per game on 37.8 percent shooting.

Arizona won the first meeting at McKale Center, 76-63 without Bayless, who was out with a knee injury.

While the Wildcats are careful not to take the Beavers lightly, Saturday’s season finale at Oregon (18-10, 8-8) could prove to be a bracket buster for both teams and will likely decide which school gets the No. 6 seed and a first-round bye in next week’s Pac-10 Tournament.

“I want to make the tournament more than anyone breathing in the Western Hemisphere,” O’Neill said. “With that said, we just need to take care of business on this Oregon road trip. We control our own destiny.”

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747

Game details

Arizona (17-12, 7-9) at Oregon State (6-22, 0-16)

Tip-off: 7 p.m. MST, Thursday

TV: FSN-AZ (Cox, channel 26)

Radio: 1290-AM, 107.5-FM