Wildcats Face California in Pivotal Home Game

Johnny Cruz
Feb. 13, 2008


Arizona (15-8, 5-5 Pac-10) will host California (14-8, 5-6 Pac-10) Thursday in a key Pac-10 game at McKale Center. Two of the league's top three scorers will be featured, as Ryan Anderson (21.9 ppg) and Jerryd Bayless (20 ppg) lead their respective clubs.

The Golden Bears enter play Thursday with a 14-8 record following last Saturday’s 92-70 loss to Oregon. Through 22 games, Cal averages 78.5 points per game, shoots 47.9 percent and posts a +3.2 rebound margin per game. Opponents shoot 43.4 percent from the floor and are outscored by an average of 5.6 points per game.

Individually, four Golden Bears average in double figures, led by Ryan Anderson, who averages 21.9 points per game. DeVon Hardin leads Cal with a 7.7 rebounds per game average.

Thursday's game is the 76th meeting of the schools, with Arizona holding a 50-25 series advantage. The Wildcats have won 17 of the last 19 meetings, including the last, a 79-75 win in Berkeley on Jan. 19. All-time, Arizona is 25-8 in series games played in Tucson, 22-16 in Berkeley, Calif., and 3-1 in neutral site games.

In their last meeting, Arizona capitalized on opportunities late in the contest to pick up a much-needed victory. Trailing by six points with 6:21 remaining, Arizona went on a 21-11 run to close the game, forcing five California turnovers and connecting on 13 of 15 free throws of its own during the run. For the game, Arizona held an 18-4 advantage in points off turnovers.

Bayless and Chase Budinger each scored more than 20 points, and Nic Wise scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half.

The UA's three-game homestand concludes with a Saturday afternoon game against seventh-ranked Stanford. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and will be televised by ABC-TV.

Extra info

What

Men's Basketball: Wildcats vs. California

Where

McKale Memorial Center

When

Thursday, Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m.

Radio: Wildcat Radio Network

TV: FSN Arizona 

Share

Topics

Sports