Arizona Wildcats baseball head coach Jay Johnson had a head start preparing for Grand Canyon, the UA’s opening night opponent of the Tucson Regional.
The reason for Johnson’s early preparation wasn’t a result of Arizona having played GCU twice already this season so much as geographical logic.
As soon as GCU won the WAC Tournament last Saturday night to clinch its spot in the postseason, Johnson knew the Lopes would be heading to Tucson “because that’s how the NCAA Tournament goes and unfolds regionally.”
Regular season familiarity only extends so far in the NCAA Tournament, which is why Johnson isn’t placing much weight on the two previous meetings between the teams.