From Press Row

Andy Katz, senior basketball writer over at ESPN.com, gives a nice little rundown of every team in the bracket.

One interesting thing to note from that, regarding his take on Arizona, which falls in line with the consistent media train of thought. Here's what he said about the Wildcats who are seeded eighth in the Midwest:

"It's all in the head and the heart. Lute Olson questioned whether the Cats had toughness after losing big to Oregon. Still, this is the most dangerous team in this bracket if it ever clicks."

What's amazing to me is that in the preseason I predicted that, despite most of the national media touting the supposed talent-laden team out in the desert, Arizona's season would not nearly match their hype. This turned out to be painfully obvious to anyone who actually watched more than one of their games, but the media seems to still cling to the notion that Lute Olson can somehow pull it together this season.

It's now the NCAA Tournament, and Katz still thinks somehow that Arizona can turn it on? Sure, there's talent, but Katz himself a week before questioned (correctly I might add) the Wildcats' heart after getting blown out by Oregon. He saw the deficiencies Arizona has with his own eyes, yet, like much of the media, believes there might be some magical panacea to bring them back to prominence. Well, it hasn't happened all season, and it sure isn't going to happen by Thursday.

Why anyone continues to believe the Wildcats can just somehow pull it together and really be a contender is beyond me. That program is heading south much more quickly than anyone ever thought it would, and without a true leader or point guard on the roster next year (incoming recruit Jerryd Bayless is by all acounts talented, but not a real floor general, he's more of a scoring guard) their struggles will continue.