Wildcats battle archrivals to keep tourney hopes alive

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What does “Slumdog Millionaire” have to do with the Arizona basketball season?

On the surface, nothing at all. However, that wonderful film’s tagline — “It was written” — might describe Arizona’s first-round game in the Pac-10 Tournament.

Through all of the trials and tribulations this program has endured this season, the Wildcats still find themselves in control of their own destiny. One more win, and it would seem as if Arizona (19-12, 9-9 Pac-10) could punch its ticket to yet another NCAA Tournament.

A loss, on the other hand, could snap UA’s nation-long streak of tournament appearances, currently standing at 24.

Who’s standing in Arizona’s way? Who else but the Arizona State Sun Devils (22-8, 11-7).

It’s not like this rivalry needed any extra subplots, but this game is jam-packed with them.

Since Herb Sendek arrived in Tempe and forever altered the big-brother-versus-little-brother dynamic that had taken over this rivalry during the Lute Olson era, the Sun Devils have won four straight against the Wildcats and approach each of these match-ups with a bit more edge than usual.

“They probably still feel like they got [snubbed] for the tournament last year,” said Nic Wise, referring to how the Wildcats squeaked into the field of 65 ahead of the Sun Devils, despite ASU sweeping the season series.

Clearly, the Sun Devils would love nothing more than to squash the Wildcats’ tournament hopes this time around. But, as the old saying goes, it’s tough to beat any team three times in one season.

“I actually never really understood that saying,” said interim head coach Russ Pennell. “If you’ve beaten a team twice, that probably tells me you’re doing something right. The team that has won probably has a psychological edge, right?”

The two match-ups this year were neck-and-neck battles that could’ve gone either way. The first game took place on Jan. 21 at McKale Center, with the Sun Devils winning a 53-47 defensive struggle. Arizona had a chance to tie the game down two, but a controversial foul call on Jordan Hill led to a Mike Dunlap technical. Four free throws later, the game was all but decided.

The rematch happened on Feb. 22, with ASU pulling out a 70-68 decision, snapping a seven-game UA winning streak. Rihard Kuksiks caught fire from beyond the arc and James Harden — the conference’s Player of the Year — submitted his typically fine all-around effort to eek out the win.

“We dug ourselves into a hole up there,” Pennell said. “We clawed our way back and the game came down to a call here, a play there.”

Pennell, who served as an assistant coach under Rob Evans at ASU from 1998-2006, said he doesn’t believe that there is some strange, cosmic force — call it fate — that brought these two long-time rivals together for such an important moment in Arizona’s history. However, he will acknowledge that this game could be a little more heated than the other opening-round match-ups.

“This is the game that is in front of us,” Pennell said.

If Arizona hopes to make it to 20 wins, it will look to its “Big Three” to carry the load, just like it has in the previous 31 outings.

Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill each made All-Pac-10 First Team on Monday, with Nic Wise nabbing Second Team honors. As an added bonus, unheralded freshman Kyle Fogg hustled his way to an Honorable Mention nomination of the All-Freshmen Team.

“I’m really happy for all of our guys — especially Nic, since he’s such an integral part to what we do,” Pennell said. “Our conference has so many great point guards. I’m just pleased that Nic is getting his due, as well.”

Hill, who has been nursing a badly sprained ankle since the Washington game on Feb. 28, acknowledged that it would’ve been a longshot for him to qualify as an All-Pac-10 First Teamer after his bench-ridden freshman campaign.

But nobody ever questioned the big man’s work ethic.

During the past two weeks, Hill often spends five or six hours a day getting therapy on his ankle in order to play at or near 40 minutes a night, banging down low with some of the nation’s toughest post players. As a result, his injury — one that takes nearly three weeks from which to recover — has stopped bothering him after just a few days.

Hill adds that the game-time adrenaline flows so hard that he barely feels any pain.

“Jordan is one of our leaders,” Wise said. “It just shows how bad he wants it, and it really fires us up.”

Pennell and his crew have stressed the importance of staying in the moment and focusing on the task at hand throughout this season, even if the natural inclination might be to check out how the other “bubble” teams are performing lately.

A win Thursday would certainly go a long way into solidifying Arizona’s at-large bid. At this point, the Wildcats boast an RPI of 52 and a strength-of-schedule of 32 — solid numbers, but not eye-popping.

Pennell did point out that Arizona has three very impressive wins over regular-season conference champions — Kansas, Gonzaga, Washington — as well as quality home wins over UCLA and San Diego State.

However, the detractors would quickly point out that Arizona is only 1-4 in its last five games and has struggled mightily on the road, winning only two of 11 true away games.

“We’re at the point now where it’s a one-game season, every time we take the floor,” Pennell said. “If we keep winning, they can’t keep us out of the tournament.”

Thursday’s tip-off at Staples Center in Los Angeles is scheduled for noon.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747

Game info

Who: No. 4 Arizona State (22-8, 11-7 Pac-10) versus No. 5 Arizona (19-12).

What: First round of the Pac-10 Tournament.

When: Thursday, noon.

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles.

TV: Fox Sports Net.

On the net

Check www.gvnews.com shortly after the UA/ASU final for the latest Wildcat Live Blog. Sports Editor Nick Prevenas will chronicle all of the action and post his thoughts, observations and dumb jokes for anyone who missed the game, or simply wants to re-experience the game. The Live Blog will also feature up-to-the-second analysis of Arizona’s chances to make the field of 65, leading up to one of the most highly anticipated Selection Sundays in Arizona history.