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Inconsistent Arizona takes on Purdue in NCAA opener

Mar 16, 2007 - 1:53 PM Purdue (21-11) at Arizona (20-10) 7:20 pm EDT

NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- Arizona played the nation's second-strongest schedule this season, and it won't get any easier in the NCAA Tournament.

The Wildcats (20-10) earned the eighth seed in the Midwest Region and will face off against ninth-seeded Purdue in the first round Friday in New Orleans.

This NCAA tournament appearance is the 23rd consecutive for Arizona and coach Lute Olson. It is the second-longest streak in NCAA history, trailing only North Carolina (27, 1975-2001).

The Wildcats were dominated in the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 tournament by Oregon, 69-50. The Ducks' guard tandem of Aaron Brooks and Tajuan Porter combined for 37 points in the win, connecting on 9-of-14 3-point attempts in the effort. Arizona had no answer from the field, connecting on only 35.0 percent of its attempts to finish with a season-low 50 points.

The regular season-ending victory over Stanford gave Arizona its 20th win of the season and extended to 20 Arizona's streak of consecutive 20-win seasons, which is the longest active streak in the country.

Sophomore forward Marcus Williams paces the Wildcats at 16.8 points per game and was a first-team all-conference honoree. Forward Chase Budinger was named Freshman of the Year in the Pac-10 after averaging 15.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest.

Purdue is making its first appearance in the "Big Dance" since 2003 when, as the ninth seed in the South Region, the Boilermakers toppled Louisiana State, 80-56, in the first round before falling to top-seeded Texas, 77-67.

Seniors Carl Landry and David Teague pace Purdue in scoring, averaging 18.9 and 14.3 points per game. They also are first and second on the team in rebounds at 7.1 and 5.1.

Overall, Purdue has appeared in 20 NCAA Tournaments, posting a 27-20 record. In addition to 2003, the Boilermakers were seeded ninth in 1993, when they lost to Rhode Island, 74-68, in the first round.

The Boilermakers enter the postseason playing their best basketball of the season, winning eight of their last 12 games, with three of the losses to the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, Ohio State.

Purdue and Arizona have met 10 times previously, with both teams winning five games. The teams last met on Dec. 8, 2001, with the Wildcats winning, 79-66, at the Wooden Classic in Anaheim, California.

"I had an opportunity to watch some tapes on Purdue," Olsen said. "They defend really well and are very quick - more like four guards and a post. The post guy is a guy that can go outside although he is most effective on the inside. They run four-man motion with a few sets, but they move well without the ball. Defensively, they are very quick and very aggressive."

The winner will likely face top-seeded Florida in the second round.