PHOENIX – While the Wildcats may be Tucson’s hometown favorite to win this year’s NCAA Tournament, Gov. Janet Napolitano doesn’t think the team will even reach the Final Four.
In filling out her bracket this year, Napolitano did not include the Arizona men’s basketball team in her final four picks to win it all.
During her weekly press conference Friday, Napolitano was quick to rattle off three men’s basketball teams she saw entering the Final Four in this year’s tournament, but was at a loss to name a fourth.
Napolitano named her final three – Duke University, University of Connecticut and Gonzaga University as her picks, but was unable single out a team in the Minnesota bracket, where the Wildcats are the No. 8 seed.
“”I can’t pick the last one, I have to look at my chart,”” Napolitano teased.
Her omission in a bracket where the Wildcats play was a clear sign Napolitano didn’t see the UA as a final four contender.
As reporters clamored for the Governor to explain while she left the Wildcats out of her picks, the Governor wished reporters luck in their office betting pools adding, “”I love the Wildcats.””
As she hurried out of her office, Napolitano then shouted to reporters, “”I love Lute Olson!””
The Wildcats beat No. 9 Wisconsin 94-75 earlier Friday and will face No. 1 seed Villanova Sunday.