The Arizona Wildcats are back in the tournament for the fourth straight year and this year, I honestly believe they have all the ingredients to be national champions.
You heard me: national champions! Sean Miller is one of the best coaches in the country, and he has this team cookin’ right now. They beat both UCLA and Oregon in the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas last week, and the Cats are as good as any team in the country.
Allonzo Trier and Lauri Markkanen are playing at a championship level, not to mention guards Kadeem Allen and Parker Jackson-Cartwright. After sitting out for much of the season following a violation, Trier is still fresh and playing like he never missed a beat. He can score from anywhere on the floor.
Markkanen is one of the top freshmen in the country and is already drawing comparisons to Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki! Not bad for a kid who still has plenty of maturing to do. Like Trier, Markkanen can score from anywhere on the court, and his rebounding ability makes him a threat any time he’s around the ball.
Allen, a redshirt senior, is one of the best defenders in all of college basketball -- and with the depth on the bench, the Cats just keep coming at you! Teams that are as deep as the Wildcats make for a good bet during March Madness.
And here’s my wildcard: When Arizona makes it to the Final Four in Glendale, it’ll be like playing at McKale Center. It’ll be a home tournament of sorts for the Wildcats, and when you get that kind of home court advantage, look out!
So, put on your blue and red, and Bear Down, because the Wildcats are for real this year! Sean Miller will etch his name right next to Lute Olson as the greatest coaches ever at UA.
