Frank LorenzoThe Arizona Wildcats know the Gonzaga Bulldogs are one of the most complicated rivals they could have in the journey to the final four. The game between Wildcats and Bulldogs starts at 9:40 PM ET, this Sunday at the Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl, San Diego, California.
Gonzaga arrives to this matchup after beating Oklahoma State 85-77; they have won six games in a row since losing to San Diego on February 23rd.
“There isn’t as much pressure,” Gonzaga forward Sam Dower Jr. said Saturday. “I wouldn’t say we’re looser; we’re more aggressive. We have to be that Wichita State team last year and prove that we can be one of the best teams in the country.”
Arizona reached the sweet 16 last season but they think they have a better shot to get farther this year. The Wildcats beat Webber State 68-59 in the first round of March Madness.
“It’s a little different than last year as far as being targeted and stuff like that; we’ve been dealing with that all year,” Arizona junior guard Nick Johnson said. “Seems like every single team gives us their best shot. You can see that same team probably a week later and they’re not playing nearly as hard and stuff like that. Pretty much all year has (been like that).”
Arizona is a 7.5 point favorite for this game; the game total was set at 128.5. Since 2003, these two teams have met three times with two wins by the Wildcats.
