Arizona basketball: Roller coaster ride lives up to expectations

Mark Lyons arrived from Xavier, took over the point guard role and proved himself in numerous clutch situations for the Wildcats.

Arizona basketball: Roller coaster ride lives up to expectations

Nick Johnson, coming in from the left to block SDSU guard Chase Tapley's shot in the final seconds, had "energy that really" affected the UA.

Arizona basketball: Roller coaster ride lives up to expectations

Arizona freshman Kaleb Tarczewski carved out a niche toward the end of the season with some unstoppable post moves.

Arizona basketball: Roller coaster ride lives up to expectations

Considering where the Arizona Wildcats were predicted to be in October, you could say their season just about met expectations.

Arizona basketball: Seen & heard in Salt Lake City

Important fans

Greg Hansen: February fears evaporate in Salt Lake

Arizona's Kaleb Tarczewski clamps down on Harvard's Kenyatta Smith during the second half of Arizona's win. The 7-foot freshman helped keep the Crimson to a 27.6 shooting percentage for the game.

Rough and tumble day: Cats smile through the pain

UA guard Mark Lyons tussles with a pair of Harvard players for a loose ball in a game that included a lot of time on the deck.

Rough and tumble day: Cats smile through the pain

SALT LAKE CITY - Before Mark Lyons finished putting a pain in the stomachs of Harvard alumni everywhere, he had one of his own.

Arizona Wildcats notebook: Elbow injury sidelines Jerrett

For Kevin Parrom, left, the UA's win over Harvard means a return to Southern California for a Sweet 16 appearance.

Arizona Wildcats notebook: Elbow injury sidelines Jerrett

SALT LAKE CITY - Arizona freshman forward Grant Jerrett was scheduled to receive X-rays late Saturday night in Tucson after suffering elbow and nerve damage in the first half of Arizona's 71-54 win over Harvard at EnergySolutions Arena.

NCAA tournament West Region: No. 6 Arizona 74, No. 14 Harvard 51: Another day at beach

After taking a rebound coast to coast, UA senior Solomon Hill teaches Harvard and guard Laurent Rivard a lesson on dunking to give the Cats a 30-9 lead with 8:06 left in the first half. Before the slam, Hill hit a key three-pointer.

NCAA tournament West Region: No. 6 Arizona 74, No. 14 Harvard 51: Another day at beach

Arizona senior Mark Lyons celebrates after one of his three three-point baskets. Lyons scored 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting against Harvard and has 50 points in two tournament games on 20-of-32 shooting (62.5 percent).

NCAA tournament West Region: No. 6 Arizona 74, No. 14 Harvard 51: Another day at beach

Arizona's Solomon Hill defends Harvard's Christian Webster during the second half. Hill used his size and athleticism to score 13 and grab 10 rebounds.

No. 6 Arizona 74, No. 14 Harvard 51: Another day at beach

SALT LAKE CITY - The sixth-seeded Arizona Wildcats have earned another Sweet 16 trip to Southern California, but figuratively, at least, they're heading much farther away.

Greg Hansen: February fears evaporate in Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY

No. 6 Arizona 74, No. 14 Harvard 51: Another day at beach

SALT LAKE CITY - The sixth-seeded Arizona Wildcats have earned another Sweet 16 trip to Southern California, but figuratively, at least, they're heading much farther away.

Defense steps up: Wildcats shut down top shooter

Nick Johnson, Arizona's best defender for most of the season, had a major role in keeping Ian Clark, left, from heating up.

Defense steps up: Wildcats shut down top shooter

SALT LAKE CITY - He was statistically superior but didn't seem dangerous.

NCAA tournament West region: No. 6 Arizona 81, No. 11 Belmont 64: Something to prove

Arizona senior Mark Lyons, trying to shoot around Belmont's Brandon Baker, finished with a game-high 23 points on 8-for-15 shooting.

NCAA tournament West region: No. 6 Arizona 81, No. 11 Belmont 64: Something to prove

Arizona's Solomon Hill dribbles against Belmont's Ian Clark. Hill, who was 3 for 4 on three-point shots, said Belmont was the favorite, according to most Facebook and Twitter users. "It was a little bit of a motivator," he said.