When the powers that be inside the Virginia athletic department were scheduling the opening season for John Paul Jones Arena, they knew they wanted a big name for the arena's first men's basketball game. As the old adage goes, be careful what you wish for.
Virginia ended up scheduling big-name Arizona, who enters the 2006-07 season ranked No. 10 in the country. Last season, the Wildcats had an atypically average season, finishing with a 20-13 record, 11-7 in the Pac-10, and an eighth place seed in the NCAA Tournament. Following a close loss to No. 1 seed Villanova in the second round, Arizonans immediately began getting excited for this season.
Some national experts, including ESPN.com's Andy Katz, feel Arizona could be the fourth-best team in the country, behind the generally regarded Big Three (Florida, North Carolina and Kansas.) This hype should be evident on the court Sunday night.
"I think they're going to come in here with a swagger and a bravado," Virginia coach Dave Leitao said. "They always have it. You're playing against a team that has tournament experience, lots of guys who have won a lot of games and a Hall of Fame coach."
Arizona coach Lute Olson's Wildcats return a number of key players from a season ago. Senior point guard Mustafa Shakur tested the NBA waters last spring but decided to return to Arizona for one final season. Last year, Shakur averaged 11.2 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game and 4.7 assists per game. His true value for the Wildcats comes with his senior experience. The matchup between Shakur and Virginia's point guard Sean Singletary will be key in deciding Sunday's outcome.
The other key return for the Wildcats is sophomore small forward Marcus Williams. Williams is the team's leading returning scorer and was named to the All Pac-10 Freshmen Team after notching 13 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last year.
Most of the hype surrounding Arizona this season, however, has very little to do with its returning players. Freshman Chase Budinger joins the Wildcats this fall out of Carlsbad, Calif. The No. 4 overall recruit in the country according to Rivals.com, Budinger brings great range and unusual athleticism for someone with a six-foot, seven-inch frame. He projects to start for Arizona and will certainly cause matchup problems for whichever Cavalier draws the unlucky defensive assignment.
With so many weapons, Virginia must perform at a higher level than it did in its up-and-down exhibition win over Augusta State last weekend.
"We can't afford to come out flat like that," junior forward Ryan Pettinella said. "We have come out right off the bat, especially against a team like Arizona."
With all the hype surrounding this huge matchup and the christening of JPJ, Leitao and the Cavaliers will have their hands full concentrating on their opponents on the court.
"We take every game seriously," Singletary said. "It won't be that different than any other game. It's our first game in the new arena, yes. But with the work we put in, we feel that much pressure because we know what we can do. If you put good hard work in, then you'll get good results."
Those results will present themselves this Sunday night. The sold-out game tips off at 7 p.m.
Let the games begin.
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