Three things to watch: Arizona Wildcats vs. San Diego State Aztecs

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WHAT IS PRODUCTIVITY RATING?:
PP: Productivity Points (Points, assists, rebounds, steals, blocked shots, FGs made, FTs made added together and then subtracted by missed FGs, missed FTs, personal fouls and turnovers)
MIN: Minutes played overall
PR: Productivity rating per minute played (Productivity points divided by minutes played)

ARIZONA OVERALL PRODUCTIVITY RATING
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Steve Kerr says AZs defense is "nasty" and of Arizona's best all-time..Get set for Sweet 16 http://t.co/sh9k3H60AE pic.twitter.com/jCFs7USJRZ

— Steve Rivera (@SteveRivera95) March 27, 2014

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Television: TBS (Marv Albert/Steve Kerr/Craig Sager)
Radio: Arizona IMG Sports Network (Brian Jeffries/Matt Muehlebach)
National Radio: Sirius 94; XM 193 (Westwood One broadcast – Ted Robinson/Bill Frieder)
Rankings: Arizona – 4 (AP)/5 (Coaches); San Diego State – 13 (AP)/11 (Coaches)

WHO WILL DEFEND BETTER?

Gabe York

The game features two of the top 10 defensive teams in the nation in field-goal percentage and points allowed per game. Arizona ranks fourth allowing opponents to shoot only 38 percent from the field. San Diego State is No. 8 with a 38.3 mark. The Aztecs are second nationally allowing only 56.6 points a game. Arizona is fifth with a 58.3 mark. North Dakota State, which leads the nation shooting 50.2 percent, made only 32 percent of its attempts against the Aztecs. Arizona managed to shoot 44.6 percent in the first meeting in November but made only 23.1 percent from three-point range. This a game in which every attempt will be a premium from the field and at the free-throw line. Gabe York can be the X-factor again with his perimeter shooting, especially early. Nick Johnson’s defense on San Diego State leading scorer Xavier Thames can be the difference. Expect Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and T.J. McConnell to spell Johnson against Thames when Johnson needs a break. Each team’s defense can wear down the other so a strong start should be key.

Nick Johnson close to becoming #ArizonaWildcats’ first consensus All-American since Jason Terry in 1999 http://t.co/077B4muJ5t

— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) March 26, 2014

CAN AARON-ZONA GET IN TRANSITION?

Aaron Gordon

Arizona averages five more assists a game than San Diego State (15.3 against 10.1) with many of those achieved in transition opportunities following opponent missed field goals. Aaron Gordon has opened the Wildcats’ transition in recent games by pushing the ball up the court. At 6’8″ he is a load for a power forward because of his athleticism and for a guard because of his size. He has space to create opportunities for Nick Johnson and others off his penetration. The effect is different from McConnell’s playmaking ability because Gordon’s ball-handling creates mismatches. Something to watch is whether San Diego State keys on keeping Gordon from bringing the ball up by preventing him freedom in transition. Gordon has averaged 4.2 assists in the last six games. He averaged averaged only 1.5 in Arizona’s first 30 games.

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ON THE REBOUND

Gonzaga outrebounded Arizona 39-28 in the last round, which under normal circumstances signals trouble for the Wildcats. But they won by 23 points by taking care of the ball better than the Bulldogs and converting mostly in transition. The Wildcats had only six turnovers compared to 21 by Gonzaga. They also tallied 24 assists. Arizona can’t always count on those numbers. The Wildcats, however, can count on success rebounding the ball and getting second-chance opportunities. Arizona remains one of the top teams in the nation in terms of rebound margin despite the minus-11 showing against Gonzaga. The Wildcats’ margin of 7.6 ranks sixth nationally. It is the sixth-best number in program history (although Arizona was as high as second in that category for at least half of the season). With the potential for a defensive showdown, halfcourt execution will be essential and rebounds off misses by gaining position in the paint will be critical. San Diego State holds a plus-5.9 margin in rebounds.

TOP TEN ARIZONA REBOUNDING TEAMS
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NICK JOHNSON CAREER POINTS RANKING
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ARIZONA FRESHMAN REBOUND RECORD
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ARIZONA SCHEDULE/PRODUCTIVITY RESULTS
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.COM publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.

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