Lengthy streaks on line for Wildcats

TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona’s streak of 21 consecutive NCAA men’s basketball tournament appearances, the longest in the nation, could be in jeopardy if the Wildcats don’t break out of their slump soon.

Arizona (13-9 overall, 6-5 Pac-10) has lost three in a row to drop into a tie for fourth in the Pac-10. The Wildcats’ skid is their longest since 1991-92.

“These next few games are really important,” Arizona’s Marcus Williams said Monday. “They are the most important games of our year. They can make or break our NCAA chances. There is a lot of pressure on us.”

Arizona, which has made the NCAA Tournament every year since the 1984-85 season, has five of the last seven regular-season games at home, starting Thursday against Oregon. The last three defeats for the Wildcats have all come on the road.

“It is good to be home finally,” Arizona coach Lute Olson said. “As we look at the remaining seven games, we definitely have to protect our home court. There is no question about that and then see what we can do about it.”

The Wildcats’ long NCAA appearance streak is not the only thing at stake. So is their string of 18 straight 20-win seasons.

Arizona has also won at least 11 Pac-10 regular-season games over 21 years. The Wildcats need to win five of their last seven to maintain that streak.

“The key thing for us is we can’t worry about what the other team is doing. We just need to play to our capabilities,” Olson said.

The Wildcats have had difficulty much of the season putting two complete halves together. Arizona fell apart in the second half of an 86-69 loss at North Carolina on Jan. 28, then found itself trailing by 20 points in the first half against UCLA in an 84-73 loss Saturday.