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<I><A HREF='http://www.clari.net/'>ClariNet</A> <CLARI-ITEM TYPE>story</CLARI-ITEM> <B><CLARI-ITEM SLUGWORD>BKC-LGNS-AAQCAPS-R</CLARI-ITEM></B> from <CLARI-ITEM FROM>Sports Ticker</CLARI-ITEM></I><BR>
<H1><CLARI-ITEM HEADLINE>Arizona Team Capsule</CLARI-ITEM></H1>
<I><B><CLARI-ITEM COPYRIGHT>Copyright 1997 by SportsTicker Enterprises L.P.</CLARI-ITEM></B></I> / <I><CLARI-ITEM DATE>Tue, 25 Mar 1997 6:41:36 PST</CLARI-ITEM></I><P>
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<H2>SPORTSTICKER COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOTE</H2>
<P>
<P>Nickname: Wildcats
Record and conference finish: 23-9, (thru Regional Final)</P>
<P>                               5th place in the Pac-10</P>
<P>Seed, Region and Bid: 4th, Southeast, At-Large
Total NCAA Tournament Appearances: 16, 13th consecutive
NCAA Tournament record: 21-15 (thru Regional Final)</P>
<P>
<P>How they reached the Final Four:</P>
<PRE>First round:           Defeated 13th-seeded South Alabama, 65-57
Second round:          Defeated 12th-seeded College of Charleston, 73-69
</PRE><P>Regional Semifinals:   Defeated  1st-seeded Kansas, 85-82</P>
<PRE>Regional Finals:       Defeated 10th-seeded Providence, 96-92 (OT)
<P>
</PRE><P>Coach: Lute Olson (24th year overall, 546-207)
Record at Arizona: 339-110, 14 years</P>
<P>
<P>Final Associated Press Ranking:     15th</P>
<PRE>Final CNN/USA Today Ranking:        13th
Final RPI Ranking:                  17th
Final Sagarin Computer Ranking:      9th
<P>
</PRE><P>Record over last 10 games: 7-3, Won 4 straight</P>
<P>Record vs. 1997 NCAA Tournament teams: 6-6
Defeated No. 7 North Carolina on November 22nd, 83-72  (Neutral)</P>
<PRE>Lost to No. 19 New Mexico on November 30th, 84-77      (Road)
Defeated No. 3 Utah on December 7th, 69-61             (Neutral)
Defeated No. 13 Texas on December 9th, 83-78           (Home)
Defeated California on January 2nd, 81-80              (Home)
Defeated No. 21 Stanford on January 4th, 76-75         (Home)
Lost to USC on January 16th, 75-62                     (Road)
Lost to UCLA on January 18th, 84-78 (OT)               (Road)
Lost to No. 24 UCLA on February 13th, 66-64            (Home)
Defeated USC on February 15th, 101-77                  (Home)
Lost to No. 23 Stanford on March 6th, 81-80            (Road)
Lost to California on March 8th, 79-77                 (Road)
<P>
</PRE><P>(Opponent rankings reflect ranking at time of game)</P>
<P>Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 1996, Third Seed in West Region</P>
Defeated Valparaiso, 90-51, in first round<BR>
Defeated Iowa, 87-73, in second round
Lost to Kansas, 83-80, in West regional semifinal<BR>
<P>
<P>Last five NCAA Tournament Appearances:
1996-Lost in regional semifinals    (Kansas)</P>
<PRE>1995-Lost in first round            (Miami of Ohio)
</PRE><P>1994-Lost in national semifinals    (Arkansas)</P>
<PRE>1993-Lost in first round            (Santa Clara)
1992-Lost in first round            (East Tennessee State)
<P>
</PRE><P>Best NCAA Tournament Finish: 1988 and 1994, National Semifinals</P>
<P>Starters: (Updated stats thru Regional Final)
F-Michael Dickerson   (6-5,  Jr., 19.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg)</P>
<PRE>F-Bennett Davison     (6-8,  Jr.,  9.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg)
C-A.J. Bramlett       (6-11, So.,  8.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg)
G-Miles Simon         (6-5,  Jr., 17.6 ppg, 4.2 apg, 41.6 3fg%)
G-Mike Bibby          (6-1,  Fr., 13.1 ppg, 5.3 apg)
<P>
</PRE><P>Reserves: (Updated stats thru Regional Final)</P>
<PRE>C-Donnell Harris      (6-11, So.,  5.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
F-Eugene Edgerson     (6-6,  Fr.,  2.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
G-Jason Terry         (6-2,  So., 10.9 ppg, 4.5 apg)
<P>
</PRE><P>Outlook: After rallying in the first two rounds, Arizona built up large leads
before hanging on for dear life in both the regional semifinals and finals for
its second trip to the Final Four in four years.  Bramlett and Davison each put
forth stellar individual efforts in one game (Bramlett the Sweet 16 against
Kansas' Scot Pollard and Davison against the Providence frontcourt) and solid
efforts in the other.  The Wildcats will need both of them to play two solid
games for a chance to win the NCAA Tournament.  Simon and Bibby have been
excellent throughout the tournament while Dickerson was unsung in his job of
trying to shadow God Shammgod in the regional finals while sacrificing his
offense.  The glaring weaknesses for Lute Olson's bunch has been time
management and decision-making.  The shots Dickerson and Bibby took in the
final 1:15 of regulation against Providence cannot be repeated, even if they
go in.  This is a team that hits 64.6 percent of its free throws.  While it is
a mark that is not stellar, the guys who are usually handling the ball down the
stretch -- Simon and Bibby -- are making 75 and 68.6 percent of their free
throws, respectively.  Arizona will have to do a better job of hanging onto the
ball than it did against Providence, committing 22 turnovers.  Despite the fact
Dickerson scored 20 points in the regional semifinals against Kansas, he has
not taken over a game like in the past, as Simon and Bibby do so at different
times.  Arizona beat the Tar Heels to open the season without Simon, so the
Wildcats definitely will enter this game with confidence.  Dickerson will have
to exploit his speed against Ademola Okulaja the same way he did against Pierce
in the Sweet 16 to be effective.  Davison may have the toughest tack, trying
to contain Antawn Jamison in the low post.  Bramlett will give up some size
to Serge Zwikker at center, but after neutralizing Pollard, he shouldn't be
worried about Zwikker.  Simon will have to earn his points against Vince Carter
and Bibby must contain Shammond Williams and his three-point shot.  When Ed
Cota comes off the bench for the Tar Heels, it will be a battle of two of the
better freshmen point guards in the nation.  If Terry and Harris can provide
quality minutes off the bench, the Wildcats will be in good shape to advance
to its first-ever NCAA Tournament championship game.</P>
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