In a highly anticipated NCAA Tournament Round of 32 matchup in Seattle, former Pac-12 rivals No. 4 Arizona and No. 5 Oregon are set to face off for the first time since the conference broke up. Arizona finished its first season in the Big 12 while Oregon ended up in the Big Ten. This matchup brings back feelings of nostalgia and familiarity for both teams and coaches as they prepare for a short turnaround. Historically, the selection committee would have avoided having teams face each other this early in the tournament. Oregon leads the all-time series against Arizona, but it is a game both teams have looked forward to in the past.
Both coaches, Tommy Lloyd of Arizona and Dana Altman of Oregon, acknowledge the changes in college basketball conference alignment that have affected West Coast schools, as there is no regional conference to house them. Lloyd believes West Coast schools will need to fight harder for prominence, while Altman recognizes the shift in focus for programs like Stanford and Cal, now in the ACC, and former Pac-12 teams now spread across different conferences.
As the game approaches, both teams are excited for the challenge and to continue the historic rivalry on the court. With a rich history of matchups between the two programs, the upcoming game is not only a reminder of the past but also an opportunity to compete at a high level in the NCAA Tournament. The coaches and players are prepared for a competitive and familiar matchup that will showcase the talents of both teams.
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