We’re down 4-5 to Arizona all-time, so it’s time to even the score. Four of our games against them stand out to me. The first was when we played them in the Meadowlands in 1989, ranked 9 (us) and 2 (them), when Laettner missed a crucial free throw at the end and we lost 77-75. Coach K liked to point to that miss as something that prepared Laettner for his future clutch greatness. The next year we played them at Cameron (we were ranked 3 and they were ranked 21), and the night before my girlfriend (now my wife) and I went out to dinner, and the Arizona team was seated next to us. A number of their players were googling my girlfriend (still now my wife), so I had to throw a beat-down on a few of them to make it stop. Well, okay, I made that last part up. But we won the next day 78-76, and I and my girlfriend (ultimately my wife) were in the student section. I think the Arizona players were distracted by my girlfriend and future wife. In 1991 we played them away, and we lost in 2OT, 96-103. But we know how that year ended. Then, in 2001, we beat them in Minneapolis for the Natty, highlighted by Battier’s incredible tip-in and Dunleavy going berserk in a 90 second span. And, to make things even sweeter, my wife (my former girlfriend) and I were at that game! I’m not sure if tonight will bring such great memories, but I’m looking forward to the game. And to add to the occasion, my youngest son (yes, from my wife and former girlfriend) will be at the game!