When ESPN College GameDay rolled into Tucson this weekend, the energy at McKale Center was already electric-but it got a little extra juice thanks to some familiar faces and a bit of March Madness nostalgia.
Analysts Seth Greenberg and Jay Williams were on hand ahead of Saturday’s showdown between Arizona and Texas Tech, and both had high praise for the Wildcats-though they took very different routes in delivering it.
Greenberg: Arizona’s Frontcourt Is the Difference
Let’s start with Seth Greenberg, who broke down the matchup with the kind of no-nonsense analysis that Arizona fans have come to appreciate. For him, it all comes down to physicality.
“I think the front court, the rebounding, the physicality, the inside offense of Arizona wears down Texas Tech,” Greenberg said. “Arizona wins this game, wears down the front court of Texas Tech.”
And he’s not wrong to spotlight that area. Arizona’s size and strength down low have been a problem for opponents all season.
When the Wildcats establish themselves in the paint-whether it’s dominating the glass, pounding the ball inside, or simply outmuscling defenders-they tend to control the tempo. Against a Texas Tech team that’s scrappy but undersized in key spots, that could be the tipping point.
Jay Williams: From Villain to Hype Man
Jay Williams, meanwhile, took a different approach-one that started with a mea culpa 25 years in the making.
“Arizona fans, I have a confession to make,” Williams said, addressing the crowd with a grin. “In 2001, I should have received my third foul in the first half of the National Championship Game, I’ll admit that.”
That moment-when Williams collided with Arizona point guard Jason Gardner and avoided what could’ve been a game-changing foul-still stings for Wildcats fans. Duke went on to win that title game 82-72, and the play has lived rent-free in Tucson ever since.
But on Saturday, Williams tried to flip the script. He pulled out a t-shirt featuring a photo of that infamous collision and the words “Arizona, it’s your turn.” Then he doubled down on his support.
“I rode you then, Arizona, and I’m not only going to ride you now-I’m going to ride you all the way to the title game. It’s your turn for the ride, let’s go.”
It was part confession, part campaign speech, and all entertainment. The crowd ate it up.
Vegas and the Numbers Back the Wildcats
If you’re looking for more than just sentiment, the numbers are just as bullish on Arizona. The Wildcats entered Saturday’s game as 9.5-point favorites over Texas Tech, and FanDuel had them at -520 on the money line. ESPN’s analytics gave them an 83.5% chance to win.
That’s a strong vote of confidence, and it’s not just about the matchup on paper. Arizona has been dominant at home, and when ESPN College GameDay shows up, the Wildcats tend to rise to the occasion. They’re 2-2 all-time when hosting the show, and they’re hoping to tilt that record in their favor.
Bottom Line
Between Greenberg’s frontcourt analysis and Williams’ full-circle moment with Arizona fans, the message was clear: the Wildcats are for real. Whether you’re looking at the numbers, the matchup, or the momentum, Arizona has everything lined up for a deep run-and maybe, just maybe, a shot at redemption two decades in the making.
Saturday’s game was more than just another non-conference clash. It was a reminder that in college basketball, history has a funny way of coming back around-and sometimes, it even brings a t-shirt.