The #1 ranked Arizona Wildcats will visit the Stanford Cardinal in an NCAA basketball game that will be live streaming online free from Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto, California at 9:00 PM ET
Arizona (20-0, 7-0 Pac-12) came into the season with lofty expectations, adding two of the nation's best incoming freshmen to a talented core that had gone to the Sweet 16 the year before.
The Wildcats have been even better than the projections so far, knocking off teams like San Diego State, Duke, Michigan and UCLA during the first 20-game winning streak in their history.
The way Arizona is built, it could keep right on winning for a while, and the Wildcats will go for their eighth straight victory over host Stanford (13-6, 4-3) on Wednesday night.
Defensively, the Wildcats are one of the best in the country, a long, athletic and versatile group that goes at teams in waves. Arizona ranks second nationally at guarding shots inside the 3-point line (40 percent) and fourth in both scoring defense (56.7 points per game) and shooting percentage (37 percent).
On offense, the Wildcats have depth and versatility, with a good mix of players who can score inside, off the dribble and from the perimeter. Arizona has had at least four players score in double figures 14 games this season -- seven in a win over rival Arizona State -- and has been exceptionally unselfish, recording assists on 58 percent of its made baskets.
With all that length and athleticism, the Wildcats are a lot like a power-running football team that wears teams out by the end of games.
"They grind on you and grind on you and grind on you, and eventually the defense gets tired of being on the field at the end of the game," Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak said after the Utes wore down in the second half of a 65-56 loss to the Wildcats on Sunday. "There's a lot to be said for the way they play."
The catalyst has been Johnson.
Part of Sean Miller's heralded 2012 recruiting class, Johnson has developed into Arizona's leader and go-to player in his third season with the program.
The nephew of NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Johnson, the junior was overlooked when Miller called about getting him into elite camps during the summer.
Playing with a chip on his shoulder from the snubs, Johnson has put himself into the conversation as one of the nation's best players by scoring 16.7 points per game while playing both guard positions and often guarding the opposing team's best perimeter scorer. He has also become the player the Wildcats turn to when they need a big basket or stop and he has come through just about every time.
"Nick Johnson is playing as well as any guard in the country. It's simple," Miller said. "He's done it in the biggest moments. He's terrific. And, by the way, I'm not even talking about offense. I'm talking about leadership, playing more than one position, defending the other team's best perimeter player."
Arizona's two talented freshmen, Aaron Gordon and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson , also have put their imprint on the Wildcats' success.
Both freshmen endeared themselves to Miller and their teammates by practicing and playing like walk-ons, going hard on every drill, every play.
The Wildcats have handled the Cardinal of late, holding them to 65.6 points during their seven consecutive wins in the series. Arizona took the latest matchup 73-66 at home Feb. 6 and has won three in a row at Stanford.
The Cardinal, though, have been playing well, winning four of five in a stretch that started with a victory at then-No. 17 Oregon on Jan. 12. Chasson Randle scored seven of his 17 points in overtime and four teammates also scored in double figures as the Cardinal pulled away for a 79-71 victory over USC on Sunday.
The recent improved play has heightened the anticipation for Wednesday.
"Oh, man, we're all excited," Randle said. "It's a big game and we're looking forward to it."
Randle, though, has struggled against the Wildcats. He's averaging 19.1 points this season, but has totaled 21 and gone 7 of 27 from the field in two career matchups.
The game will be broadcast on espn2.com
