Arizona and Illinois Meet for Third Time, This Time for a Trip to Final Four

Illinois and Arizona operate with the same sense of entitlement.

Purposeful in stride, the Illini convey an unmistakable message.

We’re the team to beat.

Bold in manner, the Wildcats are quick to correct.

No, we are.

These teams are well-versed in taking care of No. 1. Because both believe that is the only number that pertains.

Illinois (27-7) is seeded No. 1 in the Midwest Regional and has won three NCAA tournament games by an average margin of 25 points.

Arizona (26-7) was ranked No. 1 in preseason polls, slipped slightly because of injuries and the mental strain caused by the death of Coach Lute Olson’s wife and has rolled to three double-digit tournament victories.

They offer each other grudging respect only indirectly, saying a victory will take their best effort.

Heaven forbid a compliment is extended.

Said Jason Gardner, Arizona’s point guard: “We know what Illinois brings to the table. It all comes down to doing the things that got us here in the first place.”

Said Frank Williams, the Illini’s point guard: “It’s all more relaxing now. I have confidence in my teammates. We are ready for this challenge.”

Illinois and Arizona have crossed paths twice before. Call it a draw so far. No wonder neither believes the other has the upper hand.

The Wildcats won in November at the Maui Invitational, 79-76, behind Gardner, who scored 25 points. No excuses, mind you, but Illinois players point out that they were adjusting to Williams taking over the ball-handling duties from Cory Bradford.

The Illini won in December at the United Center, 81-73, behind center Marcus Griffin, who scored 15 points. Not an alibi, you see, but Arizona players recall their flight into Chicago being delayed and having to play at 11 a.m. on five hours’ sleep.

Only results will suffice today.

An Illinois victory would cause Arizona to regret not doing more to honor the memory of Olson’s wife, Bobbi, who died of cancer on New Year’s Day. Losing would qualify as underachievement for a team that boasted five preseason Wooden Award candidates.

“I think we deserve this,” Wildcat guard Gilbert Arenas said. “This is a game we can win.”

An Arizona victory would cause Illinois to reflect on extending its Final Four drought to 12 years and give Coach Bill Self a second consecutive Elite Eight loss. He was coach at Tulsa last year.

“We are taking a business approach,” Illini guard Sean Harrington said. “By now, both teams know what the other team is going to do.”

A funny thing happened on the way to this matchup--an unlikely rivalry developed. Usually a best-of-three series occurs with conference opponents.

Said Self: “Both teams pointed to the games we have played as being marquee games. There was a respect factor early that these would be great games.

“There is a rivalry between the two teams. It’s competitive in that we played three times this season.”

Said Olson: “Hopefully, we’ve improved a lot. We know they have. Both teams are very competitive.”

And physical.

Several players referred to the game as a “war,” inferring that the toughest team will prevail. Illinois utilizes its depth and size in the front court by pounding away without getting concerned about fouls.

Arizona won’t back down. The Wildcats are chameleon-like, able to adapt to the style of their opponent. Center Loren Woods and forwards Michael Wright and Richard Jefferson bang inside. Gardner and Arenas run the floor.

“It wasn’t friendly the last time we played them and we are expecting the same [today],” Jefferson said.

Illinois counters Arizona’s balance with Williams, who is coming off a masterful 30-point performance against Kansas and might be the hottest player in the tournament.

Wright has suffered from Williams’ blistering hand before, and it wasn’t in either Arizona-Illinois game. In 1998, Williams made 11 three-point baskets for Manual High in Peoria, Ill., against Wright’s Chicago school, Farragut Academy.

Wright was an All-American but Farragut never did beat Manual, which also boasted Illini starters Griffin and Sergio McClain and won four consecutive state titles.

“This will be a different story,” Wright said. “This is the third time we’ve played them and we’ve already beat them once. We are out to prove we are a tough team too.”