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Lopez gets angry, beats Miller to retain WBC Latino belt Analyst Kelley to step back into ring Budinger: No regrets on return to Cats Emphasis on defense dominates scrimmage Another sought-after recruit spurns Cats in favor of UCLA Arizona Wildcats basketball: Post player chooses UCLA Shaq's in shape, determined to have a strong season in Phoenix Olson publicly announces engagement at fundraiser Coaches, prospects now less trustful Kerr relaxed in Year 2

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For the UA, the road to the NCAA tournament goes through the Pacific Northwest.

The Arizona Wildcats have four games to play in the Pac-10's soggy north country, the first tonight against Washington at Hec Edmudson Pavilion, while they have only two home games remaining.

Since first-place UCLA is one of those home games, it's a safe bet the Wildcats want to make sure they win at least a game or two in the states of Washington and Oregon in order to reach the NCAA field for a 24th straight time.

"We do have to try to pick up some wins, especially on the road," wing Chase Budinger said. "This is a huge weekend for us. … It's a big task. All the guys are mentally prepared."

Arizona is 16-9 overall but has just 15 Division I wins and a 6-6 conference record. Its 67-66 loss to Stanford last Saturday kept it from distinguishing itself to the tournament selection committee.

"Had we beaten Stanford, we'd be virtually assured of getting in," UA interim head coach Kevin O'Neill said. "But it's just one of those things. Now we have work left to do. We don't have a favorable schedule by any stretch, but we've got to find a way to get it done."

Still, even with point guard Nic Wise (knee) and forward Bret Brielmaier (shoulder) out again this weekend, O'Neill said he was encouraged by the effort the Wildcats showed against Stanford.

His optimism was mirrored around Arizona's locker room this week.

The effort "was what I was most proud of," wing Jawann McClellan said. "All the loose balls we dove for. … Nothing's wrong. If we keep fighting, we'll be in every game including UCLA. So we just have to fight."

The Wildcats' recent success against Washington also offers encouragement for tonight. Arizona has won two straight games at Hec Ed, including a riveting 96-95 win two seasons ago. The Wildcats also drubbed the Huskies by 30 at McKale Center last season and by 15 last month.

In their 84-69 win on Jan. 26, the Wildcats shot 62 percent from the field and went 13 for 22 from three-point territory. Budinger had 25 points with five three-pointers, while Jerryd Bayless had 26 on 9-for-11 shooting and Jordan Hill had 16 points and five blocks.

"That's going to give us a lot of confidence," Budinger said. "Everyone played well against them. We know what these teams are all about. We've just got to approach it like we did here."

However, since the Huskies lost at Arizona to begin a four-game losing streak, they beat UCLA at home, lost at Oregon and crushed Oregon State.

Against the Beavers, sharpshooter Ryan Appleby made 9 of 15 three-pointers. Appleby is averaging nearly three made threes per game in conference play, also collecting four at UA last month.

Inside, the Huskies are led by Jon Brockman, who leads the Pac-10 in rebounds (12.0) and double-doubles (18). But Washington also unleashed reserve center Joe Wolfinger at Arizona, substituting him for starting center Artem Wallace.

Wolfinger had seven points, five rebounds and two assists against the Wildcats, all well above his season averages.

"They weren't guarding (Wallace) at all," Romar said. "So we had to go with someone who could be a little more potent offensively. Joe got the nod and did a great job."