Plot differs, but same stakes for Arizona-Wisconsin

LOS ANGELES— Arizona guard Gabe York remembers having the ball, taking a couple of dribbles and failing to get a shot off before time expired.

Wisconsin 64, Arizona 63, in overtime.

The Badgers advanced to the Final Four for the birst time under coach Bo Ryan a year ago, and the Wildcats went back to the desert, unable to deliver the same initial appearance for coach Sean Miller.

“They made one more play in overtime than we did,” York said Friday. “That was a crazy, crazy scenario. There were only 2 seconds left and it took them about 15 minutes for those 2 seconds to end.”

Now, they’re going to do it again.

This time, the Badgers (343) have moved up from the No. 2 seed to No. 1, led by 7-footer Frank Kaminsky. The Wildcats (34-3) are No. 2, a spot lower than last year, and Pac12 player of the year Nick Johnson, who launched a desperate shot just after the buzzer, graduated.

The stakes are the same: a trip to Indianapolis awaits the winner of tonight’s West title game at Staples Center.

“Obviously, it’s icing on the cake that we get to play Wisconsin in the Elite Eight and have a chance to go to the Final Four,” York said. “We’re extra amped.”

Ditto the Badgers, who include title-hungry seniors Kaminsky, Josh Gasser, Traevon Jackson and Duje Dukan.

“We know they’ve added some pieces, but at the same time we’re better than we were this time last year,” Kaminsky said. “They’re long, they’re athletic and they’re animals. They’re not afraid of anything and they have the ability to get to the lane and go right up through you.”