Arizona is officially on upset alert. Many pundits, including the ones listed below, are picking No. 11 Belmont to hang with — and possibly upset — the Wildcats when the teams meet Thursday in Salt Lake City. Here's a look at what they're saying:
Belmont has been a chic upset pick in many of its recent appearances. But it has never been seeded as high as this year, and now I have to believe this is Rick Byrd's moment. His two-guard attack of Ian Clark and Kerron Johnson are going to give fits to Arizona's uneven backcourt. … Arizona's just out of sorts. It's talented but hasn't fully come into form this year. Most times, I think trendy upset picks of the 11/6 and 12/5 variety need to be avoided. Not here. Expect a really good game to go Belmont's way. - Matt Norlander, CBSSports.com
I like our chances. #Dontsleep - Arizona guard Mark Lyons (@onlymoog)
Is Belmont the best basketball program in the country never to have won an NCAA tournament game? This is the sixth NCAA appearance for Belmont since 2006, but its record stands at 0-5. Maybe they can end their losing streak in this one, and not just because they have a nickname - Bruins - that has beaten Arizona three times this year, all courtesy of UCLA. Belmont senior guard Ian Clark - 18.1 points a game, 46.3 percent from beyond the arc - is the kind of three-point marksman that can give Arizona fits. - David Leon Moore, USA Today
If I offer you one win, will you take it? I think they'll get Zona. … Arizona's No. 1 weakness all season was defending the three. Belmont is spread, drive, kick and shoot. Plus they're poised. - Sports Illustrated/CBS reporter Seth Davis (@sethdavishoops).
Please Wait…